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Brunei purse to reach $500,000 in 2006

Prize money for the Brunei Open will be boosted to at least US$500,000 in 2006, organisers announced on Saturday.

Following its historic launch at the Empire Hotel and Country Club this week, Brunei Tourism, the main backers of the sultanate's first professional tournament, said it was confident of raising its initial prize fund of US$300,000 to make the event more lucrative on the Asian Tour.

Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, the Brunei Tourism Director, said today: "It's going very well, better than we had expected. The initial reaction from the people of Brunei is very positive and we are confident of increasing the prize money to at least US$500,000 next year. We want to make the event more exciting."

The Brunei Open has enjoyed some glorious golf, with players shooting low scores at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Empire course. Malaysia's Danny Chia was the halfway leader at 13-under-par 129.

Sheikh Jamaluddin reiterated that concerted efforts would ensure the continued growth of the Brunei Open in the years to come. "I know that there are other national Opens in the region that offer bigger prize money.

"This is our inaugural event, and an historic one too for Brunei golf. We've started with US$300,000 and we will increase from here onwards. The private sector will support this event as well."

Asian Tour Chief Executive Louis Martin was delighted with Brunei Tourism's long-term commitment. "The players have certainly enjoyed being here for the inaugural Brunei Open this week. The Empire golf course and resort are fantastic and the players' comments have been very favourable.

"The low scoring that we've witnessed has given the Brunei Open an exciting start and I'm sure Brunei Tourism's commitment to increase next year's prize money to at least US$500,000 will be welcomed by all," said Martin.

The Brunei Open is the 15th leg of this season's Asian Tour and is the closing event of the first half of the season.

Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant, the current Order of Merit leader, and four other players in the top-10 of the money ranking are competing in the Brunei Open which will conclude with Sunday's final round.

Sheikh Jamaluddin said that Brunei Tourism was confident the Brunei Open would help promote the sultanate as a golf destination. He added that the event would also create keener interests amongst junior golfers.

"With the Brunei Open, the kids will get more interested in the game. Perhaps in a few years time we'll have our own Tiger Woods. Golf is clean sport with a good image and that is why we are promoting the Brunei Open so extensively," said Sheikh Jamaluddin.

June 25, 2005