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Retief Goosen to headline Iskandar Johor Open

Two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen has signed up for the US$500,000 Iskandar Johor Open at the Royal Johor Country Club next week.

Following the withdrawal of Fijian Vijay Singh from the championship because of an arm injury, confirmation of Goosen's participation has brought the smiles back to the organisers of the tournament.

“We are happy to confirm Goosen's participation. Having missed out on Vijay because of his injury, we’re very proud to attract another big name for the championship,” said IJO organising committee chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

The 39-year old Goosen, who won the much sought after US Open in 2001 and 2004, will join a stellar list of big names from the Asian Tour for the second edition of the Iskandar Johor Open.

The South African star, who has amassed US$19.7 million in career winnings on the US PGA Tour since 1990, is no stranger to Malaysia.

In fact he was in Kuala Lumpur for the 2003 Malaysian Open where he finished joint second behind winner Arjun Atwal of India.

“I am looking forward to the trip to Johor Bahru. It will be a new experience for me and a challenging one because of the humidity,” he said.

Goosen added that he was looking forward to playing in Johor and returning to the Asian Tour.

“It hasn’t been a good year for me. I have not managed to get a win yet. But I hope my fortunes will change in Johor,” said Goosen, who has triumphed twice in China previously.

Goosen’s sojourn into Asia has earned him some rewards too, like the Qatar Masters title in 2007 and the Tiger Skins in Singapore in 2003.

With six PGA Tour wins, including the two US Open title and 14 European Tour wins, Goosen is considered as one of the best golfers of his generation.

“Goosen's presence at the IJO will add a touch of class. He is a big name in golf and hopefully the fans and players alike will benefit from his participation here," added Ghani, who is also Johor Chief Minister.

The Iskandar Johor Open, which will be held from October 30 to November 2, is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Malaysian Golf Association, and supported by the Johor Government and Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA) and Nusajaya.

Since the inaugural event last year, the prize money for the tournament has been raised to UD$500,000 (RM1.7 million) this year, making it one of the biggest golf tournament in Malaysia in terms of prize money.

The championship has attracted 156 players from 25 countries, including the US, England, Japan, China, South Korea, India, Thailand and Singapore.

Among the top foreign players joining the fray will be Thailand’s top player, Thongchai Jaidee and Thaworn Wirachant, and defending champion Artemio Murakami of the Philippines.

Some 20 Malaysians pros will be among the starting field, namely Ben Leong, Danny Chia, Iain Steel and Airil Rizman.

Admission to the Iskandar Johor Open is free. For further information, please visit www.iskandarjohoropen.com

October 21, 2008