Johor Bahru: The prestigious Iskandar Johor Open (IJO) reached another milestone today when it was announced that the 2011 edition will not only become part of the European Tour’s Race to Dubai but offer a record prize purse of US$2 million (appox. RM6 million).
A full-field Asian Tour event since its inception in 2007, the fifth edition of the eagerly-awaited championship will be jointly sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours, promising an intriguing clash of continents.
Reigning champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland is among the top European Tour players to headline the stellar line-up of stars in the championship which will return to the Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club for the second year running.
The event’s elevated status means the championship will move from its traditional October slot to November 17-20, sandwiched between the Barclays Singapore Open and Omega Mission Hills World Cup.
“The Iskandar Johor Open has been an astounding success over the past few years, and naturally it fuels further growth for the championship as it rises to prominence,” said Dato’ Haji Abdul Ghani bin Othman, the chairman of the IJO organising committee and the Menteri Besar of Johor.
“Co-sanctioning by The European and Asian Tours, more lucrative prize money on offer and new dates will definitely draw the world’s top players to Johor this November. Undeniably we are thrilled with these developments, and I’m sure local golf fans will be delighted with the opportunity to watch an exciting line-up of top professionals challenging for the Iskandar Johor Open title,” he added.
When Harrington snapped his two-year winless streak at the Iskandar Johor Open last year, his popular victory came with a US$198,125 reward from a total purse of US$1.25 million. This year, the championship offers a 60% increase in prize money to a handsome US$2 million (approximately RM6.014 million), with the champion pocketing US$317,000 (approximately RM954,000).
“From a modest purse of US$300,000 in its first edition in 2007 to US$2 million this year, it is satisfying to note that in five short years, the Iskandar Johor Open has reached such dizzying heights.
“We have seen the likes of established stars such as Sweden’s Niclas Fasth, multiple major winners in Retief Goosen and Harrington, Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning captain Colin Montgomerie and Korean superstar KJ Choi play in the Iskandar Johor Open, and I believe this year will boast an even better playing field with the support of the European Tour,” enthused Abdul Ghani.
One of the benefits of being co-sanctioned by The European Tour is the event’s inclusion as part of the Tour’s season-long Race to Dubai, which spans 52 tournaments worldwide. The top 60 players in The Race to Dubai will qualify for the Dubai World Championship, and the winner of The Race to Dubai will receive US$1.5 million from the US$7.5 million bonus pool and a seven-year European Tour exemption.
The 6,271-metre, par 72 Ross Watson-designed tract at Horizon Hills earned rave reviews from the players last year with Harrington describing it as a “very good course with immaculate greens”. The Irishman went on to shoot 20-under-par 268 to win by three strokes.
“Hosting the Iskandar Johor Open last year was a great experience for us all at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club. We look forward to welcoming many world-class players to our club for another fabulous week this year, and with experience we are determined to make it an even better show,” said Tang Meng Loon, General Manager of Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club.
Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman, Asian Tour, said: “On behalf of our members, I would like to put on record our deepest appreciation to the state government of Johor for their tremendous support and commitment to the growth of professional golf in Asia.
“Certainly, the massive increase in prize fund will further cement Iskandar Johor Open’s status as one of the biggest and most important tournaments on the Asian Tour calendar. We look forward to another exciting week of top quality golf this November.
Keith Waters, Chief Operating Officer of The European Tour, said: “We are delighted to co-sanction the Iskandar Johor Open with our partners at the Asian Tour for the first time. The tournament has grown in stature since its inception five years ago, and we hope our involvement will help continue this growth.
“Some stellar names have won the event in recent years, and with a significantly increased prize fund available this year, we can expect some of the world’s best players to compete for the title at the magnificent Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club in November.”
