Exciting duo add star quality to Iskandar Johor Open 2011 field
Johor Bahru, October 6, 2011 - The field for the fifth edition of the Iskandar Johor Open, which is shaping up nicely, has received a tremendous boost. The organizer today announced the confirmation of Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim among the star players who will headline the US$2 million (approximately RM6 million) championship from November 17 to 20 at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club.
Both Villegas and Kim primarily play on the US PGA Tour and their participation will provide an interesting story line as they will go against some of the top European Tour players including defending champion, Padraig Harrington as well as the crème of Asian professional golf in the prestigious championship co-sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours.
“We’re obviously delighted with the participation of Villegas and Kim in the Iskandar Johor Open this year. These two formidable players, together with reigning champion Harrington, certainly make an exciting line-up. We’re all looking forward to a memorable week of thrilling golf this November,” said Grant Slack, Vice President of the Golf Division, IMG.
One of the most popular stars around the globe, the 29-year-old Villegas who hails from Colombia, is a three-time winner on the US PGA Tour with his biggest career triumph coming at the Tour Championship in 2008. Villegas’ most recent victory came at the 2010 Honda Classic and he enjoyed a solid 2011 season with five top ten finishes.
“I’ve heard a lot about golf in this part of the world but have never had the chance to play in Malaysia. It will be something new to compete in the Iskandar Johor Open and from what I’ve heard, it will be a good field with Harrington and Kim among the leading players, not to mention, the line-up of top Asian players who will also be challenging that week,” said Villegas.
“I’m looking forward to competing in Johor and if everything comes together, I hope to end the year with a win,” added Villegas.
Unlike Villegas, Kim has had some experience competing in Malaysia as he played in the Malaysian Open in 2009 and finished tied 33rd. However, the American, who like Villegas has three wins on the US PGA Tour, will find the Iskandar Johor Open a totally different challenge altogether.
“I truly enjoyed my stay in Kuala Lumpur two years ago and am looking forward to the chance to visit Johor. It is great to get the opportunity to compete against top European and Asian players at the Iskandar Johor Open and I’ll be looking for a good week and hopefully a win,” said Kim who has seven top 25 finishes on the Tour this year.
Since turning professional in 2006, the 26-year-old Californian has matched his flashy character with an equally eye-catching performance on the course. A superb season in 2008, which saw him winning twice, earned him a spot in the US Ryder Cup team. Kim was instrumental in the team’s success, with him contributing a crucial first point of the Singles matches, defeating Ryder Cup veteran, Sergio Garcia 5 and 4.
Despite a thumb injury and subsequent surgery that curtailed his starts on Tour last season, Kim still managed to impress, chalking up four top ten finishes from 14 starts including a third place finish at The Masters and capped by a playoff victory at the Shell Houston Open for his third PGA Tour title. This year he has had flashes of brilliance as evident by his tied for fifth finish at the extremely challenging British Open at the Royal St. George’s.
Villegas and Kim will be in the field of 156 players consisting of 67 players each from the Asian and European Tours, eight invites, eight local players and six qualifiers, all vying for the top purse of US$317,000 (approximately RM954,000).
About The Iskandar Johor Open
The Iskandar Johor Open is one of the fastest-growing tournaments on the Asian Tour, and has attracted some of the best golfers in the world. The event was successfully staged at the Royal Johor Country Club for the first three years, and at Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club in 2010.
It returns to Johor for the fifth time at Horizon Hills, where once again golf fans will be able to witness yet another exciting golf tournament which is staking its claim as one of the top events on the Asian Tour calendar. It reaches a new level on the international golf schedule with its elevation to a co-sanctioned tournament with the Asian and European Tours for 2011.
Iskandar Malaysia and Johor Golf Association are continuing with their support of this event, and have created the biggest international event in Johor. Since the inaugural event in 2007, the prize money for the tournament has increased by five-fold from US$300,000 in 2007 to US$1,250,000 in 2010. In 2011, the prize money will grow to a minimum of US$2,000,000.
Past winners include Artemio Murakami of the Philippines, who won the inaugural event in 2007, and South African Retief Goosen, who took home the prestigious prize in 2008. KJ Choi lifted the coveted trophy in 2009, and Ireland’s Padraig Harrington ended a two-year winless run in 2010 with a very popular win.
About 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.
About 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 Rolex (Official Timekeeper), J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
About The European Tour
The PGA European Tour, a company limited by guarantee, operates a broad range of business initiatives essential to its primary mission of administering professional tournament golf. It is a unique business which generates profits for the benefit of its Members – the tournament players – who receive their dividends by way of competing and winning prize money.
The growth and development of The European Tour is well documented. In 2010, The European Tour International Schedule consisted of 48 tournaments in 27 destinations, with prize money of €132,204,838 compared to a total prize fund of €350,000 when the Tour was born in 1972.
The funds drawn from sponsors and suppliers, television and ticket sales, hospitality and governments, support a thriving international community in which The European Tour actively promotes the game at all levels.
