The field for the 50th edition of the Malaysian Open will contain no fewer than four Major Champions as a stellar field prepares to do battle at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from April 14 – 17.
World Number One Martin Kaymer, reigning Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen, 2005 US Open winner Michael Campbell and 2004 Open Champion Todd Hamilton have signed up for the event, where the top players from The European Tour and the Asian will contest a US$2.5million prize fund.
Italian teenager Matteo Manassero, Englishman John Parry, Rhys Davies of Wales, Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, Spaniard Pablo Martin and Korea’s Noh Seung-yul are also in the field, along with Thailand’s Boonchu Ruangkit, the reigning Senior Tour Order of Merit champion.
Ruangkit is one of four wildcard selections, joining Joakim Haeggman, Matthew Nixon and Alexandre Kaleka.
George O’Grady, Chief Executive of The European Tour, said: “Golf has grown at a phenomenal rate in Malaysia over the past half century, and indeed since the historic 1999 Malaysian Open which was the first co-sanctioned tournament between The European Tour and the Asian Tour, so it is always with great pleasure that our Members return to this enchanting country to help further this development while testing their own games.
“The strength of the field which will assemble at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country in two weeks’ time is testament to the stature of the tournament and the eventual winner will join an illustrious roll of honour.”
Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, said: “The Maybank Malaysian Open will showcase the elite players from the Asian Tour taking on their counterparts from The European Tour. Over the years, our highly talented members have enjoyed great success in Malaysia and used the prestigious championship to propel their careers to greater heights.
“We look forward to the 50th edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open which no doubt will be the best yet in its history judging from the line-up of world-class players from Asia and internationally.”
On the wildcard selections, Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, Chairman of Maybank, said: “We feel that these four fine professionals deserve the chance based on past and recent performances. Age is no factor. In fact with age comes experience and these players might even surprise audiences at the Malaysian Open and emerge as the champion.
“Also, over the past 50 years, the Malaysian Open has nurtured and grown individual talents, who have gone on to greater heights. This year, the strong line-up of players will improve motivation among all players and audiences will definitely get to witness a fantastic golf spectacle at the 50th edition of the Malaysian Open.”
