Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim are the latest big name players to be added to the field for the fifth edition of the US$2 million (approximately RM6 million) Iskandar Johor Open from November 17 to 20 at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club.
Both Villegas and Kim compete against some of the top European Tour players including defending champion, Padraig Harrington, as well as the crème of Asian professional golf in the prestigious championship co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour.
Grant Slack, Vice President of the Golf Division, IMG, said: “We’re obviously delighted with the participation of Villegas and Kim in the Iskandar Johor Open this year. These two formidable players, together with reigning champion Harrington, certainly make an exciting line-up. We’re all looking forward to a memorable week of thrilling golf this November.
One of the most popular stars around the globe, 29-year-old Villegas from Colombia, is a three-time winner on the US PGA Tour with his biggest career triumph coming at the Tour Championship in 2008. Villegas’ most recent victory came at the 2010 Honda Classic and he enjoyed a solid 2011 season with five top ten finishes.
“I’ve heard a lot about golf in this part of the world but have never had the chance to play in Malaysia. It will be something new to compete in the Iskandar Johor Open and from what I’ve heard, it will be a good field with Harrington and Kim among the leading players, not to mention, the line-up of top Asian players who will also be challenging that week,” said Villegas.
“I’m looking forward to competing in Johor and if everything comes together, I hope to end the year with a win,” added Villegas.
Unlike Villegas, Kim has had some experience competing in Malaysia as he played in the Malaysian Open in 2009 and finished tied 33rd. However, the American, who like Villegas has three wins on the US PGA Tour, will find the Iskandar Johor Open a totally different challenge altogether.
“I truly enjoyed my stay in Kuala Lumpur two years ago and am looking forward to the chance to visit Johor. It is great to get the opportunity to compete against top European and Asian players at the Iskandar Johor Open and I’ll be looking for a good week and hopefully a win,” said Kim who has seven top 25 finishes on the us PGATour this year.
Since turning professional in 2006, the 26-year-old Californian has enjoyed a superb season in 2008, which saw him winning twice, earned him a spot in the US Ryder Cup team. Kim was instrumental in the team’s success, with him contributing a crucial first point of the Singles matches, defeating Ryder Cup veteran, Sergio Garcia 5 and 4.
Despite a thumb injury and subsequent surgery that curtailed his starts on Tour last season, Kim still managed to impress, chalking up four top ten finishes from 14 starts including a third place finish at The Masters and capped by a playoff victory at the Shell Houston Open for his third US PGA Tour title. This year he has had flashes of brilliance as evident by his tied for fifth finish at the extremely challenging Open Championship at the Royal St. George’s.
