Anthony Kim, one of golf’s hottest properties and one of The European Tour’s newest Members, is set to star in the Maybank Malaysian Open at the Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur from February 12-15, 2009.
The 23 year old Korean American burst onto the PGA Tour in 2007 and picked up two victories last season at the Wachovia Championship and the AT&T National, as well as playing an inspirational role in the USA’s Ryder Cup victory over Europe at Valhalla Golf Club.
Now a European Tour Member, Kim is relishing the opportunity to pick up valuable points in The Race to Dubai at Saujana Golf and Country Club next month.
“I had a great season on Tour last year and it will be a great experience for me to come to Malaysia to play in the Maybank Malaysian Open for the first time,” said Kim, who ended 2008 in 11th position on the Official World Golf Ranking.
“With the tournament being part of The Race to Dubai I know I will be facing a tough field but I hope I can play well and continue where I left off last season.”
Kim will be joined at the Maybank Malaysian Open by Japanese Number One, Shingo Katayama.
Katayama topped the Japan Golf Tour Money List last year for the fifth time and has 26 victories on the Japan Golf Tour. Known for his cowboy hats and fashion flare, Katayama is looking forward to the event.
He said: “This is going to be a great and challenging event for me in Malaysia. It will be a new course for me to play on and I know the other players will be playing well at the start of the year so hopefully I can do the same. This will be my first event of the year before heading to the US for the WGC Accenture Matchplay so this is great preparation for me.”
Maybank Chairman, Tan Sri Mohamed Basir bin Ahmad, said: “This year, we continue with the Open’s tradition of showcasing some of the world’s best, including upcoming young champions of the future in the star players list. Kim and Katayama are part of the new generation of golfers that attract a huge worldwide following and it will be a great privilege for us all to watch them entertaining everyone here to great golfing at the Open this year “
Malaysia Golf Association President, Datuk Robin Loh said: “The Maybank Malaysian Open is the richest event we have on our Tour and it continues to go from strength to strength. Golf in Malaysia is growing in popularity and bringing these golfing stars to Malaysia gives all those enthusiasts the opportunity to watch them in action first hand which will only help to encourage our future golfers to play and follow the game.”
Keith Waters, Director of International Policy for The European Tour, said: “We are always happy to welcome players to The European Tour, particularly players of the quality of Anthony Kim, and we are delighted that he has made a commitment to be part of The Race to Dubai. Part of that commitment is to play in the Maybank Malaysian Open in February and we are convinced he will enjoy both the challenge presented by the wonderful Saujana Golf and Country Club as well as the traditional warm hospitality afforded to every visitor to Kuala Lumpur.”
Kyi Hla Han, Asian Tour, Executive Chairman said: “The Asian Tour is proud to be associated with the Maybank Malaysian Open once again this year. This event has a special place in Asian golf history as it was the first championship to be jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour in 1999 and our players always look forward to returning to Malaysia. Our highly talented players have enjoyed great success in the Malaysian Open, with the likes Yeh Wei-tze, Thongchai Jaidee, Charlie Wi and Arjun Atwal winning the event in recent years and it gives me every confidence that our players will perform well again at Saujana.”
John Eu, Chief Executive Officer of Maybank Malaysian Open Promoters Global One, said: “We have enjoyed watching Anthony’s 2008 PGA season and after his two Tour victories and winning Ryder Cup performance, we are sure that Asia’s golfing fans will be out in force to support him from 12th-15th February.
“The ongoing support of our sponsors, the fans and the world’s top players ensure that the Maybank Malaysian Open remains one of the premier events of the season and it is great to see players such as Kim making the trip to Asia in a bid to win the trophy.”
