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Iskandar Johor Open gets $1m. purse

The Iskandar Johor Open will make its return to the Asian Tour Schedule in October for the third year with a marked increase in total prize fund to US$1 million.

The marquee event will be staged at the magnificent Royal Johor Country Club (RJCC) in Johor Bahru from October 22 to 25, with the prize money seeing a significant jump from US$500,000 in 2008 and US$300,000 at the inaugural tournament in 2007.

The championship, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Malaysian Golf Association, is supported by the Johor Government and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA).

The increase in prize money reflects the government’s commitment to further expand and grow the golf industry and promote golf tourism in the state. Johor, the southern most state of Malaysia, boasts the most number of golf courses in the country.

Since the Iskandar Johor Open’s inauguration, the event has attracted a stellar list of players who include two-time Major winner and last year’s champion Retief Goosen of South Africa, 12-time Asian Tour winner Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, Sweden’s Niclas Fasth and home favourites Airil Rizman and Ben Leong.

The organising committee is expecting another strong line-up of stars from the Asian Tour and Europe for this year’s edition.

A total of 156 players from Asia Pacific and beyond will make up the starting field, including 114 members from the Asian Tour and 30 Malaysian professionals, top amateurs and sponsor invites.

Majid Manjit Abdullah, Secretary of the IJO organising committee, said: “The Iskandar Johor Open provides an excellent avenue for corporate sponsors to showcase their products and services to a targeted market segment. The event will also boost golf tourism in Johor which will benefit the state greatly. Johor is presently playing host to the 2009 Junior Hockey World Cup and by staging the Iskandar Johor Open, Johor hopes to become the next sports hub for Malaysia.

“We are also confident that the international TV exposure which we will receive through the Asian Tour TV partner, ESPN STAR Sports, will help sell Johor to the world.”

Harun Haji Johari, CEO of IRDA, added: “The success of the previous years’ championship had garnered extensive media coverage internationally thus positioning Iskandar Malaysia as one of the top golf destinations in the region. I am confident that with a larger participation from top golfing names this year, coupled with the attractive prize fund, improved facilities and event organisation, this year’s Iskandar Johor Open will turn out to be the best one yet. We are proud to be the sponsor of such a prestigious event.”

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han lauded the return of the Iskandar Johor Open and the increase in prize money. “The increase in prize money is a significant boost for professional golf in the region. The year on year increase to the million-dollar prize fund clearly demonstrates the commitment and value that sponsors enjoy on the Asian Tour,” said Han.

The Iskandar Johor Open will be played over 72 holes (four rounds) of stroke play. After 36 holes, the field will be cut to the leading 65 players plus ties.

June 15, 2009