The Maybank Malaysian Open will return to the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club from February 5-8, 2015 with prize money increasing to US$3 million for the tenth anniversary under Maybank’s title sponsorship.
The increase in prize money from US$ 2.75 million in 2014 is the first part of an integrated multi-platform plan to mark Maybank’s long standing commitment towards upholding the rich heritage of the tournament co-sanctioned by The European Tour and Asian Tour.
"It fills me with great pride that Maybank has done its part to elevate our National Open to a world class tournament that is respected on both the European and Asian Tours. 2015 marks the tenth year that Maybank will bring the Malaysian Open to its fans. And in highlighting our nations sports tourism destinations, we are thrilled to celebrate this historic milestone,” said Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, Chairman, Maybank.
“Over the past nine years we have strived to make it better and stronger. Major Championship winners like Rory Mcllroy, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel, and multiple winners like Lee Westwood, Thongchai Jaidee and K.J Choi have graced the tournament. Next year, with its February schedule, will see the list of golfing luminaries display a similarly exciting performance and the quality of play that will thrill spectators from around Asia amidst the lush greenery of the KLGCC.”
The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA), a long-time partner to the event is also focused on ensuring that the National Open continues to be a tournament to watch out for and a pivotal platform in expanding the reach and quality of the game in the country.
"The Malaysian Open will celebrate its 54th edition in 2015 making it the country’s longest standing golf tournament. It’s a reflection of how far golf has developed in Malaysia and how this tournament has played a part in shaping the history of the game locally.
“In addition, the Open’s ability to consistently attract world-class golfers to our shores has deeply inspired our local professionals to raise the level of their game and also inspire a new breed of young talents to learn the finer aspects of competing on the international arena,” said MGA president Admiral (R) Tan Sri Dato’ Setia Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor.
The Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, will host the National Open for the seventh time in its history – it also hosted the event in 2006 - and the challenging West Course with its multiple dogleg fairways and demanding multi-tiered greens will be primed once again this coming February.
"Once again we have been chosen as the venue for our historical National Open. We regard it as an honour and are looking forward to shoulder the responsibility as the venue for the Open's 54th edition. We will strive to deliver a great world class golf tournament to commemorate the Maybank Malaysian Open’s 10th Anniversary,” said KLGCC’s General Manager, Steven Thielke.
The first National Open in Asia to be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours in 1999, the Maybank Malaysian Open 2015 will once again feature top professional players from the rankings to make up its 156-player line-up.
Prize money earned at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2015 will go towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit and will also count towards European Tour’s Race to Dubai at the end of 2015.
The Maybank Malaysian Open has always attracted world class golfers such as Peter Thomson, Vijay Singh, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell, Lee Westwood and Sir Nick Faldo over the years.
More recently the tournament has also seen young stars like Korean sensation Noh Seung-yul (2010); Italy’s Matteo Manassero (2011); Louis Oosthuizen (2012) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat (2013) making their mark on the international circuit in Malaysia.
