Nusajaya: The 2013 edition of the Iskandar Johor Open scheduled for January 23-26 has been called off as as the event’s future remains far from certain. 

In a joint statement issued by the Johor Golf Association (JGA) and IMG, custodians and organisers of the Iskandar Johor Open respectively, it was confirmed that the tournament will move to a later date in 2014.

IMG Golf Asia Pacific senior vice-president Grant Slack said, “We understand and appreciate that all supporters of the Iskandar Johor Open will be disappointed that this great event will not take place as scheduled in the current season.

“The event always has tremendous support from sponsors, local partners, the Johor government, golfing fans and members of the media, and organisers are confident this will continue, as will the perception of the event which is held in high regard by all the professional golfers who have participated in the past.

“We thank everyone for their continued support and hope to announce the dates and more details very soon,” he noted.

Having grown significantly from a prize purse of US$300,000 in 2007 to US$2 million in 2012, the tournament had in the past played host to some of the world’s best golfers to Johor in the past including the likes of Retief Goosen, KJ Choi, Padraig Harrington and Sergio Garcia.

Inside sources have indicated to The ClubHouse that the seventh edition of the event will likely be staged in May to coincide with coronation of the Sultan of Johor HRH Sultan Ibrahim Ismail Ibni Almarhum Sultan Mahmud Iskandar Al-Haj and will possibly, feature a new title sponsor, with the tournament likely to return to its birthplace – the Johor Golf & Country Club.

With the postponement of the event, the US$1 million King’s Cup in Hua Hin next week will bring the curtains down on the 2013 Asian Tour schedule.