The Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open will in 1999 become a joint-sanctioned event between the Asian PGA Tour and the European Tour, and will take place at the Saujana G & C.C., Kuala Lumpur, on February 4-7.
The prize money for the Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open will be US$750,000. The tournament will be part of the Ryder Cup Points programme to qualify the 1999 European Team with the field comprising an equal number of players from the Asian PGA Tour and the European Tour.
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of the European Tour, said: “This announcement confirms the first sector of the 1999 European Tour and further enhances the programme of globalising golf that has been put in place. With the Ryder Cup taking place next year, the standings for the European Team will add greater significance to early events on the schedule.
“We congratulate the Malaysian Golf Association and the Asian PGA Tour on their co-operation, and thank the promoters, Golf Event Management and CNBC Sports International Ltd, for their support.”
Ramlan Dato Harun, Executive Director, Asian PGA, said: “This is further evidence of the co-operation that now exists between the Asian PGA and the European Tour and follows on from our acceptance last July into the PGA Tours International Federation.
“We are excited that the Malaysian Golf Association has decided to allow its national Open to become a joint-sanctioned event between the two Tours. I am confident it will have an extremely beneficial affect on professional golf in Malaysia and golf as a whole.”
The 1999 Malaysian Open will form the second leg of the 1999 Asian PGA Tour, and the fourth leg of next year’’s European Tour. It follows the Heineken Classic in Australia and take place the week before the Dubai Desert Classic.
“This is a wonderful step for golf in Malaysia, golf in Asia and for sport right across our region,” said Tommy Lee, President of the Malaysian Golf Association. The Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open is already a showcase event on the Asian golf calendar and by becoming a joint-sanctioned event between the Asian PGA and European Tours we will be able to raise its profile and draw greater attention from across the world.
“By working with the Asian PGA and the European Tour we will be able to set new standards for golf tournaments in Asia and allow the Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open to act as a role model for the region’’s national Opens.”
Russell Cameron, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Tobacco Co., said: “We are delighted that next year’’s Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open will be part of the Asian PGA and European Tours.
“Clearly this is a hugely progressive move for the tournament and will place the Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open as the premier national Open in the region.”
The 1999 Benson and Hedges Malaysian Open will be jointly sanctioned by Asian PGA Tour Ltd, Malaysia-based Golf Event Management and CNBC Sports International Ltd.
The 1998 Malaysian Open was won by England’’s Ed Fryatt, who defeated his compatriot Lee Westwood in a sudden-death play-off. Fryatt’’s name was added to the trophy alongside former champions Fiji’’s Vijay Singh, American Jeff Maggert, Joakim Haeggman of Sweden, Zimbabwe’’s Mark McNulty and Graham Marsh of Australia.
