Shin Swinging Against Big Guns at Masters

Shin Swinging Against the Big Guns at MasterCard Masters

Auckland 9 December 2005 –Top junior golfer Samuel Shin from Gulf Harbour in Auckland, is playing against the cream of international talent in Australia this week at the MasterCard Masters at Huntingdale Golf Club in Melbourne.

Shin, 15, won the MasterCard Junior Masters in May 2005, and received an exemption from MasterCard to play alongside professionals at the prestigious golfing event taking place from 8-11 December.

Bob Whiddon, senior vice president and country manager, New Zealand, MasterCard International says MasterCard was delighted to offer Shin an exemption to the MasterCard Masters.

“This is an amazing opportunity for him to play and compete against today’s golfing professionals at such a young age," said Whiddon.

“At MasterCard we are committed to the golfing community, both internationally and in Australasia. Our involvement with the MasterCard Masters, the Australian Women’s Open, the Australian Open and golfers Adam Scott and New Zealander Gareth Paddison has enabled us to support Championship golf," added Whiddon.

“The exemption, such as the one provided to Shin to play in the MasterCard Masters, is a way for us to support and nurture the talent of young golfers. Professional encouragement and financial support is essential to their continued development,” added Whiddon.

The MasterCard Masters was first played in 1979 at Huntingdale Golf Club and holds a special place on the Australasian Tour calendar. Greg Norman has won the Masters a record six times while fellow Australian Craig Parry has won on three occasions. Other illustrious names to have won at Huntingdale include Colin Montgomerie, Michael Campbell and Bernhard Langer.

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About MasterCard International

MasterCard International is a leading global payments solutions company that provides a broad variety of innovative services in support of our global members’ credit, deposit access, electronic cash, business-to-business and related payment programs. MasterCard manages a family of well-known, widely accepted payment card brands including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus® and serves financial institutions, consumers and businesses in over 210 countries and territories. The MasterCard award-winning Priceless® advertising campaign is now seen in 105 countries and in 48 languages, giving the MasterCard brand a truly global reach and scope. For more information go to www.mastercardinternational.com.

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