Kuala Lumpur: Over 100 members of the Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM) will challenge one another at the SapuraKencana National Qualifier next week for the highly-coveted opportunity to go up against world-class competition during the CIMB Classic in October.
Returning for its third consecutive year, the national qualifier will be hosted by SapuraKencana Petroleum Berhad, who are also a sponsor and lead partner for the prestigious US$7 million PGA TOUR tournament. The qualifier will be staged at the West Course of Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) from August 25-27.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday, SapuraKencana’s Senior Vice President – Energy & Joint Venture Datuk Kris Azman Abdullah shared his organisation’s commitment towards raising the profile of professional golf in the country.
“The SapuraKencana National Qualifier has gone from strength to strength over the years, establishing itself as one of the most important national golf tournaments and we are pleased to be sponsoring the tournament again for the third consecutive year.
“We believe in cultivating and promoting professional golf in Malaysia. With a place at the CIMB Classic at stake, it provides unprecedented opportunities for the best home-grown talent seeking to elevate their standing and benchmark themselves against golfers from the rest of the world,” said Kris.
Sanctioned by the Professional Golf Association of Malaysia (PGAM), the qualifier offers a total prize purse of RM150,000 with the first prize winner taking home RM22,000, plus a spot at the CIMB Classic 2014.
“The SapuraKencana National Qualifier has been instrumental in driving the development of golf as a sport in Malaysia. Together with the CIMB Classic, the high level of competition and increased exposure these events afford local players will prove beneficial forthem in the long run. We are confident our Malaysian talent will rise to the occasion and provide plenty of exciting performances ahead for golf fans in the country,” said PGAM president Tan Sri Dato’ Abdul Ghani Othman.
In 2013, the SapuraKencana National Qualifier saw Rashid Ismail battle through injury before emerging as champion. He then made his maiden appearance at the CIMB Classic later that year where he was able to test himself against an array of world-class golfing stars.
Another start will be accorded to the highest ranked Malaysian golfer on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as at 20 October. If the winner of the SapuraKencana National Qualifier is also the leading Malaysian in the OGWR, the second spot for the CIMB Classic will automatically go to the next best-ranked Malaysian on the OGWR.
