The Carlsberg Malaysian Open – the richest national open in Asia – will return to Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur from February 17-20, 2005, with a prize fund of US$1.21 million.
The event will be jointly sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour for a seventh successive season with Saujana Golf and Country Club hosting the Carlsberg Malaysian Open for a fourth time since 1999.
Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand will be the defending champion over the Palm Course – nicknamed ‘The Cobra’’ - following his victory earlier this year. Other winners at Saujana were American Gerry Norquist (1999) and World Number One, Vijay Singh of Fiji, who won in 2001.
Zain Mohd Yusof, Vice President of the Malaysian Golf Association said: “The huge growth and development of the tournament into the prestigious event that it is today could only have been possible with the support of Carlsberg as title sponsor. Since their involvement as title sponsor back in 2001, we have truly benefited from their support and total commitment to the event and to golf in general within the region.”
“The record prize purse for an Open in the region ensures that the tournament continues to attract marquee names to Malaysia, and continues to mature in both stature and prestige. We are happy to endorse Carlsberg’’s choice of Saujana as the host venue for the 2005 event, and we all look forward to yet another world-class affair. Personally, I would also like to thank Carlsberg for providing the platform which allows our local Malaysian golfers to compete against the best in the world.”
Jorgen Bornhoft, Executive Chairman of Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia, said: “At US$1.21 million, the event will once again be the richest national open in Asia. The event is steeped in tradition, and attracts world-class players each year; it produces cutting edge golf for both spectators and television audiences around the world.”
“Who could forget Fijian star and present World Number One, Vijay Singh’’s remarkable victory over Ireland’’s Padraig Harrington in a sudden-death play off at the 2001 event, or last year’’s champion, Thailand’’s Thongchai Jaidee’’s, hole in one at the 16th, on his way to a memorable victory over a field of the best players in Europe and Asia?” added Bornhoft.
Louis Martin, Chief Executive of the Asian Tour, said: “On behalf of all the Asian Tour players I would like to thank Carlsberg for their continued commitment and support.”
George O’’Grady, The European Tour’’s Executive Director Designate, reiterated the Tour’’s staunch support for the Carlsberg Malaysian Open.
He said: “As you are aware, the event is entering its sixth year on The European Tour International Schedule and it has become a highlight on our calendar. Our Members are looking forward to their trip to Kuala Lumpur and pitting their skills against the challenges that the Cobra course is sure to provide. On their behalf, I would like to thank Carlsberg, Saujana Golf Club and the Malaysian Golf Association for their support once again.”
Saujana Resort Managing Director, Encik Abu Bakar Nor, commented: “We would like to thank Carlsberg for bestowing the honour of selecting Saujana Golf and Country Club as the host venue for the Carlsberg Malaysian Open 2005. The club has gained vast experience in hosting world-class events in recent years, and we have added a number of new features which continue to enhance the Palm course’’s championship layout. I am confident that the 2005 event will be the best yet”.
