KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champion Gavin Kyle Green headlines a strong cast for the CIMB National Championship at TPC Kuala Lumpur next week.

Nearly 100 other Malaysian golfers – including the likes of Asian Tour winners Danny Chia, Ben Leong and Nicholas Fung – will feature in the 72-hole tournament from July 25-28.

Sanctioned by the Professional Golf Association (PGA) of Malaysia, the qualifier is also an official counting event on the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour.

The winner of the National Championship not only walks home RM30,000 richer but also earns a lucrative spot at the prestigious CIMB Classic – Southeast Asia’s sole PGA Tour event.

“We are proud to host yet another platform to promote national interest in golf in Malaysia, through this much anticipated tournament which is also a qualifier for the prestigious CIMB Classic in  October.

“As a title sponsor of CIMB Classic for the eighth straight year, our brand has become synonymous with the game in Malaysia and regionally, as we continue to deliver an exceptional golf experience for players and fans alike.

“We look forward to the competition among Malaysia’s best in the CIMB National Championship as they showcase their full potential to win an exclusive spot at the 2017 CIMB Classic,” said CIMB Group chief executive Tengku Dato’ Sri Zafrul Aziz.

The CIMB Classic accords two starts to Malaysians – the winner of the CIMB National Championship as well as the top-ranked Malaysian on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as of October 2.

If the winner of the National Championship is also the leading Malaysian in the OWGR, the second spot will automatically go to the next ranked Malaysian on the OWGR.