Lee Westwood to play Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational

Europe’s Ryder Cup star Lee Westwood will mark a first visit to Indonesia when he competes in the inaugural Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational at the Bumi Serpong Damai Course from October 25-28, 2007.

The popular Englishman will be looking to expand on his proud winning record in Asia where he has triumphed in Japan, Macau and Malaysia previously in an impressive career which has yielded 28 international titles and four Ryder Cup wins with Europe.

“I am looking forward to making my first trip to Indonesia for the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational,” said Westwood.

The 34-year-old has enjoyed a solid run of form in 2007, winning for the first time in four years at the Andalucia Open and posting three other top-10s. Now that he has regained the winning feeling, Westwood will be eager to live up to his star billing at the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational.

“It’s great to win again,” he said. “Winning was very important, it wouldn't have felt good coming off with second or third. I won so often in the late 90s that if I had a spell where I didn't win, people were always going to highlight it and get on my case about it. But I was never going to get on my own case.”

Patrick Young, Chief Executive of Ancora Sports International, the promoter of the event, is looking forward to welcoming Westwood along with the best players from the Asian Tour to the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational.

“It is truly an honour for us that the President of Indonesia will allow his name to be used for this tournament. We are also delighted to confirm that Lee Westwood will grace our inaugural event which will be a wonderful treat for golf fans in Jakarta,” said Young.

“It is our ambition to elevate the profile and stature of professional golf in Indonesia and we believe that the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational can become a very successful event.

“It is also our belief that this event will inspire Indonesian players to reach for the stars. By playing alongside Lee Westwood and Asia’s best players, I am sure they will be driven to succeed.”

This inaugural Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational professional golf tournament is proudly presented by INDOSAT and co-sponsored by JP Morgan, Bank Commonwealth, PT Freeport Indonesia, PT Anika Tambang and partnered by Bormindo, Damai Indah Golf, The Flag Golf Magazine/Kariza, Hotel Mulia, Mizone, Nusantara Infrastructure, Pin High, PT Semen Bosowa Maros, Samsung and Srixon.

Young extended his appreciation to the sponsors who are supporting the event. “I would like to extend our gratitude to all our sponsors and partners who share in the vision with Ancora which is to develop golf in Indonesia. Sponsorship drives the development of the game and the end result, hopefully, will be for Indonesian golf to benefit.

“There is a lot of young and exciting talent in this country and we hope that by providing the opportunity for them to play against world-class players, they will excel and ultimately bring recognition to Indonesia.”

Asian Tour Senior Vice President Gerry Norquist said that the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational will be a wonderful addition onto the 2007 Schedule which will offer a total of 27 events and a record US$27 million in prize money.

“We fully support the initiative to promote and develop professional golf in Indonesia,” said Norquist. “There is a lot of potential for growth in Indonesia and we are confident that the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational will provide the impetus to take the game onto a higher level.

“With strong support from Corporate Indonesia, the game here will grow and new stars will emerge. We believe that the Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational will create the inspiration for this to happen.”

The event will be sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Indonesian Professional Golf Association (PGPI) and organised by the Indonesian Golf Association (PGI).

The Bumi Serpong Damai Course is a par-72 course designed by golf legend Jack Nicklaus. The course offers a wonderful array of challenges within a visually appealing setting. It is the maiden project by Nicklaus in Indonesia.

August 20, 2007

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