Johor Bahru, October 8, 2012 - Europe’s Ryder Cup hero Sergio Garcia of Spain and Asian Tour legend Thongchai Jaidee will star in the 2012 Iskandar Johor Open, presented by Iskandar Waterfront, from December 13 to 16, 2012.
The US$2 million (RM6.2 million) showpiece, the Asian Tour’s 2012 season-finale, will be staged for the third consecutive year at the award-winning Horizon Hills Golf and Country Club, Johor.
The Iskandar Johor Open was officially launched today by Y.A.B. Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani Bin Othman, Chairman of Iskandar Johor Open organising committee and Chief Minister of Johor. Also present at the press conference hosted by the Johor Golf Association were Y.A.M Tunku Abdul Majid Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar, President of Johor Golf Association; Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman, Asian Tour; and Grant Slack, Vice President of Golf Division, IMG.
Celebrating its sixth edition, the Iskandar Johor Open will continue its tradition of attracting the world’s top golfers. The full-field Asian Tour tournament will feature a 120-man field.
World number 19 Garcia, who has 23 victories around the world and secured a crucial singles victory over Jim Furyk in Europe’s stunning victory over the United States in the recent Ryder Cup, will make his first ever appearance in Malaysia at the Iskandar Johor Open.
Decorated Thai star Thongchai, who has won an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns and 13 victories, is enjoying a spectacular season thus far following his first victory on European soil where he won the ISPS Handa Wales Open in June.
Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani said: “With much at stake as the season-ending event on the Asian Tour, we are anticipating one of our strongest line-ups ever. The coveted Asian Tour Order of Merit crown will be confirmed at the Iskandar Johor Open and therefore, the results at Horizon Hills will have a big impact on who takes the top spot for the 2012 season.”
Last year’s event saw Dutchman Joost Luiten claim the prestigious Iskandar Johor Open trophy and his maiden professional victory. He went home with the winner’s cheque of US$333,330, which propelled him to his highest world ranking position of 66th in the world.
With a winning score of 15-under-par, he was pushed all the way by Sweden’s Daniel Chopra who finished one shot behind, and Irishman Padraig Harrington, the 2010 Iskandar Johor Open champion, who tied for third with Rhys Davies of Wales on 13-under-par.
Luiten joined a prestigious list of tournament winners which includes Korea’s K.J. Choi (2009) and South Africa’s Retief Goosen (2008). Other leading names who have featured in Johor previously include Scotsman Colin Montgomerie, American Anthony Kim and Camilo Villegas of Colombia.
Han expects a thrilling conclusion to the 2012 Asian Tour season at the Iskandar Johor Open.
He said: “The Iskandar Johor Open has grown immensely since its inauguration in 2007, thanks largely to the fantastic support from the Johor State Government and Johor Golf Association.
“Following its rapid growth when it first started as a US$300,000 event in 2007, the Iskandar Johor Open was awarded the Fastest Growing Tournament at our Awards Gala which is a tremendous achievement.
“Our players always enjoy competing in Johor and we look forward to a successful conclusion to our 2012 season where we will crown the new Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.”
Apart from his Ryder Cup success two weeks ago, Garcia won the Wyndham Championship on the PGA Tour in August to take his professional victories to 23 around the world. Last year, he won back-to-back titles in Europe at the Castello Masters and Andalucia Masters.
"Playing in the Iskandar Johor Open this year will mark my first time playing in Malaysia so I’m very keen to see what the course and country are like. I enjoy playing in Asia and have had some good results in that part of the world so I hope I can continue my current form to produce a good performance in December," said Garcia.
Thongchai is also looking forward to returning to the Iskandar Johor Open. “I have won the Malaysian Open title twice previously and I always enjoy competing in Malaysia. It will be my goal to try to win the Iskandar Johor Open in December,” he said.
Grant Slack, Senior Vice President of Golf Division, IMG added, “We are very proud to be launching the sixth edition of the Iskandar Johor Open with our partners today. The Tournament has become a marquee event in the region and we believe provides a wonderful showcase of Asian and International golfing talent to bring the 2012 Asian Tour season to a close.”
Two key local sponsors for the 2012 edition are returning to support the event once again. Iskandar Waterfront Development is the presenting partner for the second year while UEM Land is continuing their association with the event for the fifth year running as platinum partners.
Further player announcements are to be made in the coming weeks along with key event sponsors and spectator information. With the wave of excitement that swept over the world during the recent European Ryder Cup victory in Medinah, the crowds will be out in force to catch some of the heroes from the epic encounter while also supporting some of the home-grown Asian talent that will be on show and looking to cause an upset in the season-ending rankings.
-Iskandar Johor Open.
www.iskandarjohoropen.com
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