Kuala Lumpur: World number four Martin Kaymer and defending Masters champion Charl Schwartzel are set to once again blaze the fairways of Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club after confirming their return to Maybank Malaysian Open this April 12-15.

The 27-year-old German was a strong gallery favourite last year and will hope to improve on his ninth place finish in 2011 while the affable Schwartzel is bracing himself for another trans-continental flight to Kuala Lumpur after defending his crown at Augusta National the week before.

Taking into account the sustainable growth of the event in a testing global economic climate, title sponsor Maybank announced today that the prize purse will  remain at US$2.5 million for the 2012 edition, which nonetheless ranks as one of the highest in Asia for a national Open.

“This marks the seventh year that Maybank is in association with the Malaysian Open and we are still as excited as we were back then at being part of this historic and significant tournament. It fills me with great pride that Maybank has not only done its part to elevate our prestigious Open to its current stature as one of the main fixtures on both the European and Asian Tours, but also increasing the profile and reach of the Royal and Ancient sport in Malaysia,” said Maybank chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Martin Kaymer to the Maybank Malaysian Open. He is a proven winner, and I believe that the spectators will be delighted once again to witness the German’s stellar long game and nifty touches around the greens. The presence of another Major winner in the form of Charl Schwartzel is also a boost for the tournament and the Johannesburg native with his technically solid golf swing is a great player to watch,” he added.

In keeping with the tournament’s tradition of developing the level of gamesmanship in the domestic scene, 22 slots have been set aside for local amateurs and professionals from the total start list of 156 players.

“The Open’s ability to consistently attract world-class golfers to our shore has not only motivated our local players to raise the level of their game but also inspire a new breed of young champions, who have the opportunity to observe and learn compete on an international level.

The Maybank Malaysian Open has consistently over the decades given local professionals every courtesy and every priority in playing opportunities and investment in ensuring that they are well-equipped as they play against some of the world’s best players at some of the country’s top golf courses,” said MGA president Admiral (R) Tan Sri Dato Setia Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor.

Megat Zaharuddin also expressed his desire that the local line-up led by two Maybank ambassadors Danny Chia and Shaaban Hussin will up the ante and try their very best in ending the country’s wait for a local winner at the prestigious Open.

“The elusive dream for a Malaysian champion continues and I would like to reiterate to our local professionals not to despair and to continue working towards that goal. I’m pleased to know that we have a wealth of talents coming through the junior amateur rank and I would like one of them to surprise us all by claiming the Seagram Trophy in the coming edition,” he challenged.

The resplendent West Course at KLGCC will host the tournament co-sanctioned  by both the Asian and European Tours for the third year running with an expected showcase of proven winners from around the world, the very best from Asia and a host of exciting budding talents, who will aspire to follow in the footsteps of immediate past winners Matteo Manassero and Noh Seung-yul.

“We are looking forward to shoulder the responsibility as the venue of the Open’s 51st edition and together with Maybank, MGA, GlobalOne and all the supportive parties, we will endeavour  to once again deliver a truly world class tournament,” said KLGCC general manager Robert John Bird, noting that they will no specific layout changes ahead of the tournament.

When asked about the timing of the tournament, which once again falls on the following week after the first Major tournament of the year, GlobalOne chief executive John Eu explained that it was a strategic decision for the tournament to leave its previous February-March fixture.

“We are more favourable to a post-Masters date as it is when the top players in the world are at their prime but yes, we would have liked for a little bit more separation from The Masters. This something that we take not and we will consult with our counterparts at both the Asian and European Tours for the next year and beyond.”