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Tuesday November 17, 2009

Maybank pledge US$2mil for Malaysian Open golf meet

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Maybank will remain as title sponsors for the Malaysian Open, which will be held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) from March 4-7.

They announced their commitment to sponsor the nation’s premier golf tournament for the fifth consecutive year yesterday and will put up a prize fund of US$2mil.

With the prize fund and date finalised, Maybank chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor said that they were confident the 49th edition of the championship would continue to draw the world’s best.

“The Malaysian Open has gained tremendous respect among the great names of the golfing world, who played in previous events,” he said at the event launch.

“I recall players who participated in our Open and have gone on to win the Majors like the US Open, British Open, US Masters and USPGA.

Up for grabs: (From left) Malaysian Open promoter Global One director John Eu, European Tour representative Vicky Jones, Megat Zaharuddin and Loh posing with the trophy at the launch yesterday.

“It will also be another opportunity for Malaysia to showcase its golfing facilities and experience in hosting world class tournaments.”

Among those who graced the Malay­sian Open and went on to win a Major are Vijay Singh, Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen.

Malaysian Golf Association president Datuk Robin Loh said that with a good schedule next year, he was confident the Open would attract a good field.

The event will boast of a 156-strong line-up, featuring the top ranked players from the European and Asian Tours.

Points earned at the Malaysian Open will also go towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit and the Race to Dubai 2010 rankings, granting them a chance to qualify for the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

Robin added the tournament next year would also be a platform to kick start an intergrated programme to nurture domestic world class talent to prepare for the golf event at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

“Participation in this event for our selected local amateurs and professionals is a huge chance for them to play alongside their idols and gain exposure on the international stage,” he said.

“We had 16 local players on the course playing alongside the big names this year and the same number will have this opportunity next year.”

KLGCC last hosted the Malaysian Open in 2006 and the winner was Charlie Wi of South Korea.

South Korea-born American Anthony Kang was the champion in the tournament this year at the Saujana Golf and Country Club. Malaysia’s Danny Chia also set the competition alight when he held the lead after the first two rounds and went on to finish joint 11th.

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