Jakarta, November 21 - Major champions Ernie Els and big-hitting John Daly have confirmed their participation in the US$750,000 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters in 2013.
Els, the reigning British Open champion and Daly, a two-time Major winner, will headline the event alongside the talented Asian Tour stars at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club from May 2 to 5, 2013.
PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk (CIMB Niaga) was excited to continue their title sponsorship for the second year and emphasized their commitment to develop the game of golf in Indonesia.
“I am delighted that the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2013 will once again welcome some of the world’s best golfers. Ernie Els and John Daly are not only legends in golf but are also very popular and I am sure their presence will further enhance our country’s premier tournament. We are committed to developing golf in Indonesia and strongly believe that this event serves as a great platform for junior, amateur and professional golfers to aspire to,” said Arwin Rasyid, President Director of CIMB Niaga.
Els, also known as “Big Easy”, has won more than 60 professional tournaments around the world, including seven World Match Play titles and four Major victories. He captured his second British Open title at Royal Lytham and St Annes in July.
“Everyone who knows me knows that I love playing in Asia and I am excited about returning to Indonesia. I thoroughly enjoyed playing in Bali many years back and I am sure playing in Jakarta at Royale Jakarta will be as good an experience for me. My game is coming into form and I look forward to contending in the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2013”, said the South African.
Fan Favourite Daly is one of the most colorful and charismatic players. His “grip it and rip it” style of play will be put to test at the majestic Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
“I always enjoy playing on new courses. Indonesia and Royale Jakarta Golf Club have a great reputation for golf so I am looking forward to my first trip there in May next year. I am also looking forward to playing against some of the best golfers from the Asian Tour as well as my old friend Ernie Els who is a great guy. It will be a great week and hopefully I can put up a show for the fans,” said Daly.
A total of 156 players will compete in the US$750,000 event, with 120 from the Asian Tour and 20 from the Indonesia PGA (Professional Golfers Association of Indonesia). There will also be four invites going to the Amateur Golf Association of Indonesia (PGI), with one spot up for grabs to the winner of the event’s Amateur golf league which runs from January to March, 2013.
Indonesian Professional Golfer Association chairman Syafei Asnap said he expected Indonesian golfers to win the tournament. George Gandranata, Ian Andrew, Rinaldi Adiyandono and Suprapto, who won silver in the men’s group event at the 2011 SEA Games, began their professional career earlier this year.
Andik Mauludin, the only Indonesian to make the cut in the 2012 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters, is also expected to play in next year’s tournament.
The Amateur League of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters offers amateurs the opportunity to play a minimum of three rounds at Royale Jakarta Golf Club within the qualifying period. Their average scores will be entered into an Order of Merit, which will rank their position on the event website, www.indonesianmasters.com. The winner of the Order of Merit on March 31st will progress to the main event.
“The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters continues to set new standards for golf in the nation, which is something that it has always done since its inauguration. With a list of great players attending the event, the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters has earned its place as a tournament that helps to build the foundations for the development of golf tournaments in Asia,” said Mari Pangestu, Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.
For the past two seasons, Royale Jakarta Golf Club has hosted the event and continues to be a great venue and challenge for the golfers.
“We are excited to continue attracting some of the region’s greatest golfers to our fairways and greens and to have names like Ernie Els and John Daly confirmed for the tournament is indeed an honor for our course”, said George Chandra, COO of Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “We are looking forward to the third edition of the CIMB Niaga Indonesia Masters. In a matter of a few years, the tournament has become a truly world-class championship and features prominently on the Asian Tour Schedule.
“As the premier event in Indonesia, we are grateful for the support from CIMB Niaga and also from Indonesia PGA and PGI who work closely with us towards developing golf at the highest level in Asia through the participation of Indonesian players in the tournament.”
England’s, Lee Westwood, triumphed in the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters presented by PNTS this year after completing 32 holes on the final day due to rain delays. Westwood managed to defend his title from 2011 and was clearly the favorite, finishing at 16-under, one shot ahead of Thailand’s, Thaworn Wiratchant.
CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters will have widespread exposure via a strong local media platform and the Asian Tour’s global television platform, which reaches out to over 200 countries and 650 million households on the Live, Highlights, Asian Tour Golf Show and Golfing World. Indonesia’s premier news channel, Metro TV, will also be broadcasting the event locally for 10 hours live and will be airing additional shows and features related to the event and the positive impact to the golf industry and overall economy of Indonesia.
Partners include Title Sponsor CIMB Niaga, Pelayaran Nasional Tanjungriau Service (PNTS), Salonpas by Hisamitsu, BMW (Official Car), Navigat Energy (Main Partner), and San Miguel (Official Beer).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment