Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club - January 10 2012
Martin Kaymer and Charl Schwartzel Confirm Participation in the 51st Edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open 2012
Kuala Lumpur, 10 January 2012– The 51st edition of the prestigious Maybank Malaysian Open will return for the third year running to the resplendent Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club from April 12 -15.
Maybank, who are entering their seventh consecutive year as the title sponsor of the National Open, today confirmed that world number four and 2010 US PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer of Germany and 2011 Masters Tournament champion and ninth-ranked Charl Schwartzel of South Africa will headline the field in the US$2.5 million tournament, jointly sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours.
"This marks the seventh year that Maybank is in association with the Malaysian Open and we are still as excited as we were back then at being part of this historic and significant tournament. It fills me with great pride that Maybank has not only done its part to elevate our prestigious Open to its current stature as one of the main fixtures on both the European and Asian Tours, but also increasing the profile and reach of the Royal and Ancient sport in Malaysia," said Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, Chairman, Maybank.
On the return of Kaymer and Schwartzel to Malaysia, Tan Sri Dato’ Megat added, “We are thrilled to welcome back Martin Kaymer to the Maybank Malaysian Open. He was definitely a gallery favourite last year and is a proven winner, and I believe that the spectators will be delighted once again to witness the German's stellar long game and nifty touches around the greens.
"The presence of another Major winner in the form of Charl Schwartzel is also a boost for the tournament and the Johannesburg native with his technically solid golf swing is a great player to watch.”
The custodians of the Maybank Malaysian Open, the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) acknowledged that the Open has played a pivotal role in expanding the reach of the game in the country.
"The growth of the Malaysian Open is also indicative of how far golf has developed in Malaysia and how this tournament has played a part in the improvement of our local players over the years. The Open’s ability to consistently attract world-class golfers to our shores has not only motivated our local professionals to raise the level of their game but also inspire a new breed of young champions, who are given the opportunity to observe and learn the finer aspects of competing on the international stage,” said MGA President Admiral (R) Tan Sri Dato' Setia Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor.
The Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, will host the National Open for the fourth time in its history – it also hosted the event in 2006 - and the challenging West Course with its multiple dogleg fairways and demanding multi-tiered greens will be primed once again for the onslaught of the professionals from the Asian and European Tours.
"This marks the third straight-year that KLGCC has been chosen as the venue for our prestigious National Open. We view it as a great honour and are looking forward to shoulder the responsibility as the venue for the Open's 51st edition. Together with Maybank, MGA, GlobalOne and all other stakeholders, we will endeavor to once again deliver a truly world class golf tournament to remember,” said Robert Bird, the General Manager of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club.
The first tournament in Asia to be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours in 1999, the Maybank Malaysian Open 2012 will once again feature top players from the rankings of both these professional circuits to make up the 156-player line-up.
Prize money earned at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2012 will go towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit and will also count towards The 2012 Race to Dubai, where the top 60 ranked European Tour players at the culmination of the Hong Kong Open in November will qualify for the season ending DP World Tour Championship, Dubai from November 22-25.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “The Maybank Malaysian Open has for long been one of the most highly anticipated championships on our Schedule and our talented members are looking forward to the 2012 edition. Asian Tour players have traditionally played well in Malaysia with the likes of Thongchai Jaidee, Charlie Wi, Arjun Atwal and Noh Seung-yul winning the championship in recent times and we look forward to another great week of golf. It is indeed fantastic that Maybank continues to support the Malaysian Open in a very big way which is why the event is now regarded as truly world class.”
European Tour Chief Executive George O’Grady said: “For the past 13 years we have enjoyed a special relationship with the Malaysian Open and I am delighted this is continuing through the dedication of sponsors Maybank, the hard work the Malaysian Golf Association and the special relationship we enjoy with our friends at the Asian Tour. Last year saw the tournament commemorate its 50th anniversary and while we celebrated the past we also rejoiced at the future of the game through the wonderful performance of eventual winner Matteo Manassero. I am sure this year’s tournament will produce an equally worthy champion.”
The premier event has seen the likes of Peter Thomson, Vijay Singh, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell, Lee Westwood and Sir Nick Faldo in the lineup over the decades and in recent times, produced young and exciting winners in the form of Korean sensation Noh Seung-yul (2010) and Matteo Manassero of Italy last year.
"The Maybank Malaysia Open has also been the breeding ground for a host of young guns aiming to lay their mark in the paid ranks against their much fancied and experienced professionals. If the last two editions are to be taken as a yardstick, we are in for another enthralling battle of generations in the coming edition," said John Eu, Chief Executive Officer of event organizer GlobalOne .
Maybank also reiterated its commitment to the development of Malaysian golf champions through a large allocation of invites to top local professionals and amateurs to participate in the tournament. "It is with this in mind that we have maintained the number of Malaysians in the field for the tournament at 22 golfers and we hope that our local players will deliver truly inspiring performances that we all can be proud of.
"We are also pleased to announce that based on their performances last year and dedication and perseverance to their trade, Danny Chia and Shaaban Hussin will continue their roles as Maybank brand ambassadors. Galvanised by the financial sponsorship extended by Maybank to them earlier last year, the experienced Malaysian duo have enjoyed commendable success both on the domestic and regional Tours in 2011,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Megat
The Maybank Malaysian Open will once again attract a star-studded cast, with the Malaysian professionals pitting their skills against the very best players from Asia and Continental Europe to lift the prestigious Seagram Trophy.
With a US$ 2.5 million prize purse up on offer, spectators can expect an exciting tournament this April.
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About Maybank
The Maybank Group is Malaysia’s regional financial services leader with an international network of over 2,100 offices in 17 countries namely Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China, Bahrain, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Saudi Arabia, Great Britain and the United States of America.
The Group offers an extensive range of products and services, which includes commercial banking, investment banking, Islamic banking, stock broking, insurance and takaful and asset management. It has over 42,000 employees serving more than 21 million customers worldwide.
About the Malaysian Golf Association
Founded in 1929, the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) as the sole governing body of golf in Malaysia has been entrusted to promote the game while preserving its traditions and integrity.
It’s a non-government organization that runs by volunteers who are passionate about the game with the help of a team of management staff.
The Association’s portfolios have increased over the years ranging from conducting 14 state amateur opens, national amateur open, national amateur close, Malaysian Open to processing handicaps through its National Handicap System to promoting grassroot programs and training of the athletes to represent Malaysia in the international events.
We take our responsibilities seriously in promoting the game in Malaysia while simultaneously upholding the Rules of Golf as prescribed by the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (R&A;).
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), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts), Cityneon (Official Event Overlay Partner), 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 European Tour is committed to celebrating the game of golf from the origins of the professional game, building a proud history of achievement, sportsmanship and integrity as well as showcasing our diverse global talent and rich landscapes. The European Tour's innovative approach enables us to embrace the world, combining championships of tradition with new tournaments in the cities and countries of the future.
The European Tour International Schedule, which from 2009 has incorporated The Race to Dubai, is a thriving global brand which, in 2012, will feature a minimum of 46 tournament spread across all five continents of the world; the European Challenge Tour focuses on the up and coming players of the future; while the European Senior Tour provides a new start for champions celebrating their 50th birthday.
The European Tour’s corporate identity features the iconic silhouette image of six-time Open Champion Harry Vardon who gives his name to The Harry Vardon Trophy, presented to the player who is crowned European Tour Number One and winner of The Race to Dubai at the end of the season.
About GlobalOne
GlobalOne is an executive lifestyle sports marketing consultancy founded in 1987 and works with sports governing bodies, broadcasters, commercial sponsors and other partners to create effective sports properties and events that deliver on the bottom-line. Our extensive experience blankets executive lifestyle sports marketing as well as media marketing which spans across all sports, cultures and geographies.
GlobalOne serves an expanding stable of prestigious Asia-Pacific clients through a network offices in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and Indonesia. We have in the past created partnerships in golf, motor racing, sailing, tennis, rugby, skiing, athletics, basketball, cycling and skiing. Today, GlobalOne’s primary focus and area of sports rights ownership is professional golf.
GlobalOne currently stages two highly successful tournaments in Asia – the Maybank Malaysian Open and the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open – all of which enjoy European Tour and Asian Tour co-sanctioning. Over the past six years, GlobalOne has promoted a total of 21 events, all co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours, with total prize money in excess of US$20 million. GlobalOne has also staged the first World Cup of Golf in Asia, at China’s Mission Hills in 1995, and a second World Cup of Golf event in Kuala Lumpur in 1999
For more information, log onto HYPERLINK "http://www.maybankmalaysianopen.com" www.maybankmalaysianopen.com
For further information, please contact the official Communications Partner for the Maybank Malaysian Open 2012 – Arcis Communications Malaysia:
Liew I-Mae Shaan Hyder
Arcis Communications Arcis Communications
Tel : +6 03 7805 7133 Tel : +6 03 7805 7133
Mobile : +6 012 383 5688 Mobile : +6 010 220 4413
Email : HYPERLINK "mailto:imae @arciscommunications.com" imae @arciscommunications.com
Email : HYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]" [email protected]
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