Oosthuizen and Kiradech are the latest in a strong line-up of big hitters that includes defending champion Bernd Wiesberger of Austria, and Asian golfing legend Thongchai Jaidee, who will battle it out at the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.
“We are very pleased to hear that Louis Oosthuizen and Kiradech Aphibarnrat have signed up to play in the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2014. It is indeed fantastic to have such high caliber of professional golfers from both the European Tour and Asian Tour choosing our event to be part of their schedule. I am sure the golfing fans of Indonesia will be very excited with this news and we look forward to welcoming everyone to Royale Jakarta in April,” said Wan Razly Abdullah, Strategy & Finance Director of PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk (CIMB Niaga).
Asian Tour Chairman Kyi Hla Han said: “We are delighted that our 2013 Order of Merit winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Major Winner, Louis Oosthuizen have confirmed their participation for the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.
The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters has featured prominently on our Asian Tour Schedule since 2011 where it has attracted many leading stars including Lee Westwood and Ernie Els. The event has grown into one of the most popular and exciting events on our Schedule and this is possible only through the unwavering support of CIMB Niaga.”
“CIMB Niaga’s sponsorship goes a long way in promoting international sports tournament to be hosted in Indonesia and this event will also benefit the Indonesian golfers as it gives them the opportunity to play against the best players from the Asian Tour and also the world. We want to bring the international class sports event to Indonesia while at the same time promoting Indonesia to the world. As this event is televised to 650 million viewers household,” added Han.
Asian Tour number one, Kiradech, is one of the most exciting young players to emerge from Thailand. He won the Malaysian Open in March last year to seal his second Asian Tour victory and showcased his immense talent when he eclipsed some of the PGA Tour biggest stars at the CIMB Classic by finishing third.
Oosthuizen secured his place in the history books with a magnificent victory in the 139th Open Championship at St Andrews. His seven stroke win placed him alongside South African legends Bobby Locke, Gary Player and Ernie Els as Open Champions.
Louis nearly added another Major trophy in 2012 but lost to Bubba Watson in a play-off for the Masters Tournament, having produced a magical albatross in the final round at Augusta National - the first on the 575-yard par five second hole - with a 253-yard four iron.
The venue for the event is in top shape, according to George Chandra, COO of Royal Jakarta Golf Club, adding that the torrential rains flooding Jakarta in the last couple of weeks didn't render the course unavailable for a single day. The added drainage over the last few years made sure that the course is playable within 15-30 minutes after the rain stops, ensuring minimum delays in case the weather is unfavorable during the event.
The announcement comes as long term sponsors Pertamina, Official Automobile Partner, BMW Indonesia and national airline Garuda Indonesia continue their commitment to the event, while Oakley signs on as a new partner, signifying the growing strength of the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters.
Other tournament sponsors include Telkomsel, Noble Group, OB Golf & Lifestyle Magazine, Salonpas, Linc Group, Rolex, JS Luwansa, SvinGolf and San Miguel.
The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters has cemented its place as the nation’s most prestigious event and continues to grow since its inauguration in 2011 with long-term event partners.
The Youth Development initiatives of the tournament include three golf clinics conducted at Royale Jakarta Golf Club for 20 Juniors selected by the Indonesian Golf Association (Persatuan Golf Indonesia) and CIMB Foundation (CIMB Niaga's Junior Development Program for Golf). Each program is conducted monthly beginning in January 2014 and includes a one and a half hour clinic followed by a nine-hole playing lesson. The top five most attentive juniors from each session will win a chance to have an exclusive behind the scenes access to the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2014 as well as an opportunity to meet the Star Players of the US$750,000 Asian Tour event.
The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters Amateur League qualifies one Indonesian amateur for the tournament proper. Indonesian amateurs can participate in this league by entering the newly established Indonesia PGA Champions Tour, which sees 14 tournaments conducted this year.
30 amateurs have the opportunity to play together with Indonesian golf professionals in three-day tournaments conducted across Jakarta and other selected cities in Indonesia. The highest ranked amateur following their participation in the series between January and April 2014 (five events total) wins the opportunity to play against the best of the Asian Tour and PGA Indonesia in the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters 2014.
More information about the youth development program and amateur league is available on www.indonesianmasters.co.id
The CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters also focuses on giving back to the community through its charity initiatives together with Habitat for Humanity Indonesia. To date, the CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters has managed to build 31 homes for families in need and together with National Energy Company, Pertamina, built a clean water solution for over 10,000 people in the Cilamaya area.
The 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.
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