Three Members of Europe’’s victorious Ryder Cup Team at Oakland Hills Country Club – Padraig Harrington, Miguel Angel Jiménez and Paul McGinley – have confirmed they will line-up in the field for the 2005 Carlsberg Malaysian Open.
The event, which will return to Saujana Golf & Country Club in Kuala Lumpur for the fourth time from February 17-20, is the richest national open in Asia, featuring a prize fund of $1,210,000, and this year created history when Thongchai Jaidee became the first golfer from Thailand to win an event on The European Tour International Schedule.
Harrington, the current World Number Six, is no stranger to success in Asia, having won the 2003 BMW Asian Open and the 2004 Omega Hong Kong Open; Jiménez was European golf’’s most prolific winner in 2004 with four title successes including the Johnnie Walker Classic in Thailand and the BMW Asian Open in China; while McGinley has now played on two successive winning Ryder Cup Teams, holing the winning putt at The De Vere Belfry in 2002 and recording two and a half points out of three at Oakland Hills.
Dato’’ Bornhoft, Carlsberg Malaysia Executive Chairman, said: “It is a privilege to have them play this showcase tournament; both spectators and television audiences around the world can once again look forward to some of the finest golfing action.”
Mr Thomas Lee, President of the Malaysian Golf Association, said: “A world class field is once again ensured for the Carlsberg Malaysian Open with the presence of Harrington, Jiménez and McGinley. They will be a wonderful addition to our 44th National Open.”
The Carlsberg Malaysian Open is promoted by Parallel Media Group, and their non-executive Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Razali Abdul Rahman said; “It’’s great that the line-up for the Carlsberg Malaysian Open never disappoints golfing fans. This indeed shows that Malaysia has become a highlight for players all over the world.”
