«Audemars Piguet (Japan) Ltd.　has entered into an ambassador agreement with Shingo Katayama, Japan Golf tour’s five-time top prize winner, who became a permanent seeded player last year（25　wins).　Katayama is the first Japanese golfer to be named an ambassador. 　 From the season 2009, Katayama will be wearing golf wear bearing Audemars Piguet logo to compete in overseas tours including Japan Golf Tour and the Masters Tournament, in which he will participate for the eighth times.

Audemars Piguet is already supporting eighteen professional golfers　（16 men and 2 women)　with excellent achievements on the international stage like Vijay Singh, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Cristie Kerr, Morgan Pressel and so on.

Katayama, our nineteenth golfer to be named Audemars Piguet ambassador, is the top class professional golfer who leads the Japan tour with his overwhelming strength.　Last season, he　ranked tied 2nd in all-time list, winning the top prize money for the fifth time．He has overall 26 tournament wins.

He not only has participated in Japan tours but also in the four major tours including overseas.　In 2001, he ranked tied fourth in PGA Championship, and tied ninth in WGC Accenture Match Play Championship 2006. As of March 24th, he is ranked 43rd in the world, positioning at the top in Japan.　We can continue to expect great things from him.

Profile of Shingo Katayama: Born on January 31, 1973, in Ibaraki prefecture. Height: 171cm, Weight 73kg. Became a professional player in 1995.

“I pay attention to what I wear. I especially like watches, and depending on my mood, I always bring a few watches to the matches. My impression on Audemars Piguet watches has always been special, and that they have innovative designs with prestigious tradition, exuding warmth in dignity. Two years ago, I liked the Audemars Piguet wall clock I saw in Singapore during Asian Tour, and I even tried to get it myself not knowing it was not for sale. Therefore, it is an honor for me to become one of the ambassadors of Audemars Piguet.　I became a permanent seeded player last year, and I wish to aim for excellence not just as a golfer but also as a man. I am grateful to be supported by the topflight brand of ideal excellence. I will work harder to contribute to Audemars Piguet.” said Katayama.

“As a pioneer of luxury sports watches, Audemars Piguet has been supporting not only golf but various luxury sports including Formula 1, America’s Cup (sailboat) and others.　We have ambassadors from world top professional golfers　(Vijay Singh, Darren Clarke, Lee Westwood and others) and from Formula 1 pilots （Rubens Gonçalves Barrichello　and Jarno Trulli）, gaining their supports as well. We have had many famous professional golfers as our ambassadors, however unfortunately, we did not have Japanese golfers. Mr. Katayama is a topnotch golfer who represents Japan with power on par with the other professional golfers with whom we are supporting.　I am extremely pleased that he has become one of the Audemars Piguet ambassadors, and wish him continued success.” said Go Mugino, CEO of Audemars Piguet (Japan) Ltd..

Source: Audemars Piguet