Johor Bahru: The international field for the Iskandar Johor Open 2011 was further boosted today with the confirmation that Colin Montgomerie, Henrik Stenson and Thongchai Jaidee will feature in the US$2 million Asian and European Tours co-sanctioned championship.
With 31 professional victories in a career spanning over 20 years, European Tour stalwart Montgomerie is easily one of the world’s most successful golfers, having been crowned the European Tour’s number one player for eight times in his career, seven of which were from 1993 to 1999. Last year, the Scot arrived on the back of a successful week as captain of the victorious Europe’s Ryder Cup team and he went on to finish joint 11th – his best finish all year, ten strokes behind the champion Padraig Harrington.
“I had a good week at the Iskandar Johor Open last year. I enjoyed the place, the golf course and the competition,” said Montgomerie. “It will be great to come back to Johor again this year. I believe this time around the competition will be even tougher but I’m looking forward to it and hopefully I will have a better week this November.”
Like Monty, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson is also looking forward to the Iskandar Johor Open. A six-time winner on the European Tour and a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour – Stenson, who splits his playing time on both Tours has endured a quiet season so far, with only a single top-ten finish to his name. However, you can never discount the Swede who has a knack of pulling off the surprises as evident with his victory at The Players Championship in 2009.
“I’ve never been to Johor but I’ve heard good reviews and talks about the place, as well as the championship. I’m sure it will be fun and I’m looking forward to teeing-up against a strong field at the Iskandar Johor Open next month,” Stenson said.
The fifth edition of the Iskandar Johor Open will also see a return of a familiar face in these parts, that of the mercurial Thongchai Jaidee. The former paratrooper turned professional golfer has 13 Asian Tour wins and is a darling of the local galleries. A two-time Malaysian Open winner, Thongchai became the first Thai player to win a co-sanctioned event in 2004, earning him a card on the European Tour where he primarily plies his trade nowadays.
“I’ve only played in the Iskandar Johor Open once in 2008 (where he finished tied ninth) and I would love to compete again this year. The championship has truly grown over the years to become a leading event both on the Asian and European Tours,” said Thongchai.
“I’ve good memories playing in Kuala Lumpur, winning twice and it will be nice if I can also win in Johor. It won’t be easy as there are many good players at the Iskandar Johor Open but I’ll give my best shot this November,” he added.
The fifth edition of the prestigious Iskandar Johor Open will be played from November 17 to 20 at Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club. Apart from Montgomerie, Stenson and Thongchai, defending champion Harrinton, Colombia’s Camilo Villegas and American Anthony Kim have already confirmed their appearances at event, which is making its debut on the Race to Dubai.
The Iskandar Johor Open 2011 will boast a field of 156 players consisting of 67 players each from the Asian and European Tours, eight invites, eight national qualifiers and six international qualifiers, all vying for the top purse of US$317,000 (approximately RM954, 000).
