Johor Bahru, November 14, 2011 - Anthony Kim of the United States will carry his new found confidence to the Iskandar Johor Open as he seeks to win the US$2 million event starting Thursday.
Kim, one of the hottest prospects from America, will feature at the Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club with title holder Padraig Harrington of Ireland, 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand and Indian star Jeev Milkha Singh will spearhead the Asian challenge alongside Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines, the current Order of Merit leader, and Siddikur of Bangladesh in the event sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner, hopes he can finally land a title in Asia after placing tied third at the CJ Invitational hosted by K.J. Choi in October and Barclays Singapore Open, which ended today (Monday).
“It’s been good. I didn’t know what to expect as far as my play. Fortunately, I’ve been able to find my game and confidence and that’s the biggest difference out here,” said Kim, whose parents were born in Korea.
“I am having more confidence and believing that my shots are going to go towards the pin and into the hole. As far as technique, nothing has changed. I did work the day before I came out to Asia. Hit a couple of solid iron shots which I’ve not been hitting and some fades with the driver which is nice,” added the 26-year-old.
Kim knows a victory at the Iskandar Johor Open, which will be his last event for the year, will fuel his ambitions of breaking into the world’s top-50 rankings where he currently lies in 81st place.
“That’s the goal. I like to play the Majors which are obviously high on the list. I’m just trying to get better every single week. It seems to be happening. I just need to play better and hopefully have a chance to win this week,” said Kim.
Camilo Villegas of Colombia, Colin Montgomerie of Scotland, S.S.P. Chowrasia of India and Danny Lee of New Zealand will also feature at the Iskandar Johor Open.
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.
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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.
