Eight coveted slots to an international field of the US$2 million Iskandar Johor Open 2011 are on offer in the National Qualifying Round scheduled for November 1-2 at the Pulai Springs Resort in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Unlike last year’s National Qualifying Round, which was played over 18 holes offering five slots, this year’s event will be played over two rounds (36 holes), and three additional slots are offered for the local players, further boosting the presence of Malaysians at the prestigious championship.
“As the championship grows in stature, it is always good to have strong local representation in the field, and I believe this National Qualifying Round provides an ideal platform for local players who have yet to qualify to earn the privilege to tee up alongside some of the biggest international stars,” said Grant Slack, Vice President of the Golf Division, IMG.
“Last year we had excellent participation in the national qualifier, and I’m confident that the increase in playing slots offered this year will further boost entry this time around as the prospect of gaining entry into an illustrious field consisting top names like defending champion Padraig Harrington, Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim, playing for huge prize money will be too good to resist.”
Entry for the National Qualifying Round is exclusively for Malaysians and Malaysian passport holders. To participate, a participant must be a professional with a valid Professional Card from a recognised golf club or Professional Golf Associations. In addition, for the first time in the event’s history, the National Qualifying Round is also open to amateurs with a USGA handicap index of 3.0 and below.
The entry fee for the National Qualifying Round is RM250, which includes a complimentary practice round on October 31. The proceeds from the National Qualifying Round will be donated to the Johor Junior Development Programme undertaken by the Johor Golf Association.
The official entry form is now available at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club’s golf reception and can be downloaded from the official tournament websitehere. The deadline for entry to the National Qualifying Round is October 24, 2011.
Meanwhile, Pulai Springs Resort, the official hotel of the Iskandar Johor Open 2011, is also offering a special rate of RM 240 per night for all participants of the National Qualifier.
The fifth edition of the prestigious US$2 million Iskandar Johor Open will be played from November 17-20 at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club, promising an illustrious field headlined by defending champion Harrington and Europe’s 2010 Ryder Cup-winning Captain Colin Montgomerie.
The Iskandar Johor Open 2011 will boast a 156-man field consisting of 67 players each from The European and Asian Tours, eight invites, eight national qualifiers and six international qualifiers, all vying for the top purse of US$317,000.
