Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Masters once again takes centre stage on the ASEAN PGA Tour as the grand finale to the 2013/2014 season when it tees off at the Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club on January 8.

Boasting prize money of US$75,000, it has attracted a stellar field of big name players with current Order of Merit leader Kwanchai Tannin among the early favourites to lift the trophy.

The Thai golfer has won twice this year, in the Singha Pattaya Open and the PGM-ASEAN PGA Negeri Sembilan Masters, and leads the money list with earnings of US$34,426. He has already wrapped up the Merit list title but will be looking to crown one of his finest seasons with a hat-trick of titles.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, beaten in a play-off last year by Antonio Lascuna from the Philippines, will also compete looking to go one better. However, all eyes will be on local boy Nicholas Fung who has not won the Sabah Masters before but surely will one day soon if not this edition.

The 23-year-old Kota Kinabalu native has won a plethora of titles in Malaysia in 2013, including the Templer Park Masters, I&P Group Championship, Melaka Classic and Impian Classic to finish the year as the Malaysian number one for the second year running.

Fung was equal second here in 2011 and will be aiming to add his “home” title to his growing collection of trophies. The local challenge will be further strengthened by the return of Danny Chia, who has recovered from a career-threatening injury which has sidelined him since June 2013.

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, the winner in 2011, has also returned while the great Frankie Minoza from the Philippines is also an exciting participant. The 54-year-old is a former Asian number one who spent much of his career playing in Japan where he claimed seven titles.

The staging of the Sabah Masters has again been made possible thanks to the support of mainstay sponsor Sabah Tourism Board (STB).

“The Sabah Masters is a wonderful tournament that allows Sabah Tourism Board to show to our region the huge appeal of Kota Kinabalu and Sabah,” said Datuk Masidi Manjun, Sabah’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Environment.

“Sabah is recognised as a leading destination for golfers and tourists. It is an idyllic place to visit and we are thrilled that many of Southeast Asia’s best professionals will play in what is essentially the ASEAN PGA Tour’s Tour championship,” he noted on the tournament, which was revived in 2011 after a decade-long gap.

The Sabah Masters has a storied history with some great names having won the title, including Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant in 1996.

This will mark the third successive season Sutera Harbour has hosted the tournament. However, it was also staged at the impressive venue in 1999 when American Robert Huxtable triumphed.

The 384-acre resort provides a spectacular array of activities, including luxurious five-star hotels, a championship golf course, a marina and other recreational facilities.

Designed by leading golf course designer Graham Marsh, Sutera Harbour boasts 27 holes for day and night golfing and has garnered various awards of distinction.

“Sutera Harbour felt the past two Sabah Masters were a tremendous success and we are thoroughly looking forward to this week’s edition. The tournament allows us to watch some of the region’s finest professionals compete on a course that we are very proud of while at the same time showcasing the many other treats that Sutera Harbour has to offer,” said Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf & Country Club general manager Howie Roberts.

At the resort the elegant business setting of The Pacific Sutera Hotel is complemented by the ambience of The Magellan Sutera Resort, offering a total of 956 guest rooms and suites of luxurious comfort.

“Sabah’s reputation as one of the strongholds of Malaysian golf is sure to be enhanced by another fine edition of their prestigious tournament. It is extremely rewarding to see the Sabah Masters continue its revival and particularly as the ASEAN PGA Tour’s season-ending event,” said ASEAN PGA executive chairman AC Wong.

The ClubHouse is the official media partner for the Sabah Masters.