Vijay Singh to play in Johor at Iskandar Johor Open
Stellar list of players to vie for US$500,000 prize money
JOHOR BAHRU (Thursday, 28th Aug 2008): World No. 5, Vijay Singh, will
lead a stellar list of stars at the Iskandar Johor Open (IJO) from Oct 30 to
Nov 2 at the Royal Johor Country Club (RJCC) here.
Johor Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman announced Vijay’s
participation at the official launch of the IJO today by its patron Tunku Abdul
Majid Idris Sultan Iskandar, who is also Malaysian Golf Association
president.
The IJO, which is into its second year this year, is one of the biggest golf
tournaments in Malaysia with a prize money of US$500,000 (RM1.65 million)
– a significant increase from the US$300,000 inaugural tournament.
The championship, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Malaysian
Golf Association, is supported by the Johor Government and Iskandar
Malaysia.
Ghani said the tournament had managed to attract several leading marquee
players who are among the best in the world.
Vijay, who won The Barclays Classic in New Jersey last week, has 57
professional titles to his name since he turned pro in 1982. He is no stranger
to the RJCC, having been a regular here in the early 1980s.
The last time Vijay made his appearance in Malaysia was in the 2001
Malaysian Open at the Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur,
where he beat Irishman, Padraig Harrington, in a play-off for the title.
He then he went on to win the Singapore Masters at the Singapore
Island Country Club the same year.
Joining him in the challenge at the RJCC this year will be defending
champion Artemio Murakami of the Philippines. The 25-year old is a rising
star, especially after his debut in the 2008 US Open at Torres Pines, United
States.
Malaysian pros also vying for the purse include 22-year old Ben Leong, who
has dazzled the golfing fraternity by winning three consecutive major titles
recently - the Malaysian leg of the Asean Tour, the Terengganu Masters and
the Worldwide Selangor Masters on the Asian Tour.
Ben, who hails from Sabah, is only the third Malaysian to win an Asian Tour
tournament. The rising star is seen as one of the great young potentials of
Asian golf.
After he held off Thai star Thongchai Jaidee to win the Worldwide Selangor
Masters on Aug 9, accolades poured in and many believe he will go on to
make a name for himself internationally.
Airil Rizman Zahari, another Malaysian on the Asian Tour, has also
confirmed his participation.
Ghani said a total of 156 players from throughout the Asia Pacific and
beyond would make up the starting field this year, including 114 members
from the Asian Tour and 30 Malaysian professionals, top amateurs and
sponsor invites.
“The impressive players’ field of top-notch players makes the IJO a world
class event in the making,” noted Ghani.
"The IJO is a wonderful platform to further promote and develop professional
golf in the country. And our aim is to create a world class tournament which
will help expose Iskandar Malaysia to the world,” he added.
Iskandar Malaysia, the title sponsor, is also confident international television
exposure through Asian Tour’s alliance with ESPN STAR Sports, will help
sell the IJO to the world.
“This will also be a boon for foreign direct investments and tourism in Johor,"
said Iskandar Regional Development Authority, Chief Executive Officer Dato
Ikmal Hijaz Hashim.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han lauded the return of the
Iskandar Johor Open.
“We are proud and honoured to sanction the Iskandar Johor Open. With the
return of the prestigious event and a record US$500,000 on offer this year,
the Asian Tour will hit an unprecedented 30 tournaments in 2008 and nearly
US$40 million in total prize fund this season which is a new record in Asian
golf history.
“It is tremendous that Vijay, who is an honorary member of the Asian Tour,
will compete in the Iskandar Johor Open as his presence will certainly add to
the prestige of the tournament,” said Han.
The championship will be played over 72 holes (four rounds) of stroke play
at the RJCC. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the leading 65 players
plus ties.
Admission is free.
News and updates on the tournament will be available on the IJO official
website – www.iskandarjohoropen.com – which was also launched today.
The inaugural IJO last year attracted 156 players from 25 countries. Artemio
Murakami came from two off the lead with a near flawless closing 68 to take
the title by one stroke from compatriot Antonio Lascuna and the seasoned
Scot, Simon Yates, for his maiden win on the Asian Tour.
Ends
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