Nachimuthu, Sasidaran and Choo top IJO 2011 National Qualifier
Johor Bahru, November 2, 2011 - Wielding a hot putter, R. Nachimuthu charged up the leaderboard on the final day of the Iskandar Johor Open 2011 National Qualifier at the 6,927-metre, par-72 Pulai Springs Resort today.
Nachimuthu started the day four strokes off the lead but an impressive round of four-under-par 68, which was one of the best scores at the qualifier, placed him joint top with leader Wilson Choo (72) and M. Sasidaran who shot a 70 for a two-day total of two-under-par 142.
“I’m hitting well these two days but my putting was better today,” said Nachi, 40, who fired birdies at holes 6, 8, 10, 11 and 14 and his near flawless round was only marred by a bogey on the 12th hole.
Nachimuthu, who has already won twice on the domestic circuit this year, hoped for a better showing at the championship this year and will spend the next two weeks honing his game with coach, Andrew Argus.
“This is the third time I’ve qualified for the Iskandar Johor Open and I hope I can do better this year,” said Nachimuthu who missed the cuts on two previous appearances. “The event is bigger with a stronger field and better players and it will be an experience playing against the top players.”
Starting rather nervously with two successive bogeys, on the 3rd and 4th holes, Choo was understandably pleased to survive the qualifier and book his slot for a maiden appearance at the Iskandar Johor Open this year.
“I didn’t even think about winning, just played my normal game but I’ve to say, nerves got the better of me at the start,” said Choo who recovered well with a birdie on the fifth hole to set his day going. “I chipped in for birdie at the seventh and that boosted my confidence and I’m happy to make the grade,” added Choo who will spend the next two weeks preparing for the biggest event of his young professional career.
Sasidaran, 35, meanwhile was looking forward to another successful appearance at the Iskandar Johor Open. Last year he finished a creditable tied 33rd and this year with the bigger purse on offer, he intends to do even better.
“The championship boasts of a strong field this year but I think I’ve the game to improve on my result last year,” said Sasidaran who is having a solid season where he finished second three times on the domestic tour and twice on the Asian Development Tour.
S. Murthy shot a 68 to finish on one-under-par 143 alongside S. Sivachandran who mustered a 71 today. Other players who qualified are Nicholas Fung on one-over-par 145 and Haziq Hamizan on two-over-par 146.
Three players – Mohd Sukree Othman, P. Gunasagaran and Khor Kheng Wai - finished on three-over-par 147 forcing a playoff for the last slot. Sukree won on the first playoff hole.
The fifth edition of the Iskandar Johor Open this year boasts a stellar field - with multiple major winner, Padraig Harrington, defending his title against big names including eight-time Europe’s Number One, Colin Montgomerie. Other marquee names include - Camilo Villegas, Anthony Kim, Henrik Stenson and Thongchai Jaidee.
The Iskandar Johor Open 2011 will boast a field of 156 players consisting of 67 players each from the Asian and European Tours, eight invites, eight national qualifiers and six international 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.
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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.
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