Final Call for Iskandar Johor Open 2010 Malaysian Qualifier
Johor Bahru, September 15, 2010 - Professional players who have not automatically qualified for the Iskandar Johor Open (IJO) 2010 are being urged to sign up fast for the qualifying rounds of the US$1.25 million (RM4 million) championship.
There will be eight slots available through these two qualifying rounds. The first, the Malaysian Qualifier will be held on September 20 with the last day of registration on September 15, 2010. The second qualifying round, the International Qualifier will be held on October 4 2010, organizers announced today.
Both qualifiers will be played at the 6,271-metre, par-72 championship layout of Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club - the venue of the full-field Asian Tour event.
Entry for the Malaysian Qualifier is exclusively for Malaysian professional players while for the International Qualifier, entry is open to regional, international as well as local professionals holding a valid Professional Card from recognised Golf Clubs and Professional Golf Associations.
Both qualifiers will be played over 18 holes. For the Malaysian Qualifier, the top five finishers will gain entry to the championship field while for the International Qualifier, the top three players who return with the lowest gross score win the chance to play in the Iskandar Johor Open under the Qualifier Winners category.
The entry fee for the Malaysian Qualifier is RM150 inclusive of caddie fees and the entry form is available from the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club or www.iskandarjohoropen.com.
“The qualifying rounds are ideal opportunities for international, regional and local professionals who have yet to qualify to earn their playing slot in this prestigious championship,” said Grant Slack, Vice President of the Golf Division, IMG.
“For most professionals, to make it into the illustrious field of such a lucrative championship and have the chance to tee-it up against some of the best players in the world will be a dream come true. I’m sure the players will give their all to succeed.”
The prestigious Iskandar Johor Open will be held from October 14 to 17, 2010 at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club. Defending champion K.J. Choi of Korea, two-time major winner South African Retief Goosen, three-time major champion Padraig Harrington and 2010 Europe’s Ryder Cup captain, Colin Montgomerie are the leading players already confirmed for the championship.
The main sponsor of the Iskandar Johor Open is the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA). It is also supported by platinum sponsor - UEM Land Holdings Berhad, the master developer of Nusajaya which is a key driver of Iskandar Malaysia and hosted by the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club. Other co-sponsors include 100 Plus, BMW, Heineken, Kuok Brothers Sdn. Bhd, Pulai Springs Resort, Ricoh, Srixon, TaylorMade-adidas Golf and Winston Wine. The official media partners are Fairways, Golf Malaysia and ParGolf. The tournament is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Johor Golf Association.
The Iskandar Johor Open
The inaugural edition of the Iskandar Johor Open kicked off in August 2007. Held at the Johor Country Club (RJCC) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, it carried a prize purse of USD$300,000 and the honour of hoisting the trophy for the first time fell to Artemio Murakami of the Philippines. In October 2008, the championship offered an improved purse of USD$500,000 and South African Retief Goosen went on to clinch the coveted trophy at RJCC. 2009 marked a milestone in the history of the Iskandar Johor Open, with a 100% increase in prize money to USD$1,000,000, certainly pointing to the tournament’s growing stature. It was won by Korean K.J. Choi, who triumphed over rising Indian star Himmat Rai and defending champion Retief Goosen.
Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA)
Iskandar Malaysia is set to become Southern Peninsular Malaysia's most developed region, where living, entertainment, environment and business seamlessly converge within a bustling and vibrant metropolis. The Iskandar Regional Development Authority is the statutory body tasked with realizing the vision of developing Iskandar Malaysia.
IMG Sports & Entertainment
Operating in 30 countries, IMG Sports & Entertainment’s diverse businesses include: consulting services; event ownership and management; fashion events and models representation; licensing; golf course design; and client representation in golf, tennis, broadcasting, speakers, European football, rugby, cricket, motor sports, coaching, Olympic and action sports. IMG Academies are the world's largest, multi-sport training and educational facilities, delivering world-class training experiences to more than 12,000 junior, collegiate, adult, and professional athletes each year.
More information about IMG is available at www.imgworld.com.
The Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier) and Srixon (Official Ball). Sentosa, Singapore’s premier island resort getaway, is the Home of the Asian Tour.
For Media Enquiries, please contact:
IRDA:
Balbeer Singh Jessy
Mobile: +607 218 3000
Email: balbeer@irda.com.my
