9 February 2009 09 February 2009, Kuala Lumpur – Just a few days until the 2009 Maybank Malaysian Open tees off and the stars are arriving at Saujana Golf and Country Club to prepare for the 48th edition of Malaysia’s richest golfing tournament.Topping the bill of the US$2million co-sanctioned event are American star Anthony Kim and the flamboyant Shingo Katayama of Japan. Past champions returning to the event in a bid to win back the trophy are Peter Hedblom (2007 Champion and 2008 runner-up); two-time winner Thongchai Jaidee (2004 and 2005) and Alastair Forsyth from Scotland (2002). Kim will be making his first appearance in South East Asia at this year’s event. The two-time PGA winner and victorious Ryder Cup team member finished 2008 in 11th position on the Official World Golf Ranking and is hoping he can “play well and continue where I left off last season.” Title sponsor Maybank recognises the importance of developing the local golfing talent and this year we will see 17 Malaysian players taking to the Palm Course on Thursday, matching last year’s number of locals. The final Malaysian entry and tournament wildcard was given to Rashid Ismail who has competed previously at the event and is one of the country’s top performing professionals. Making their way from the European Tour come a host of house-hold names including Simon Dyson who finished tied for third place last year; fellow Englishmen David Howell, Richard Finch and Nick Dougherty; and rising South African youngster Louis Oosthuizen who currently sits in seventh position on the newly formed European Tour Race to Dubai Standings. The Maybank Malaysian Open forms part of this new tournament series and offers players vital prize money for the year. A last minute entry into the field is South African James Kamte who took the trophy at last weekend’s Asian Tour International. This was his first event on the Asian Tour this year after finishing fourth at Qualifying School. He said, “To win the first tournament as a rookie on the Asian Tour is really a dream come true. I’ve always wanted this to happen and hopefully this is not going to be my last one.” With an international field that boasts past champions and new emerging talent on both the Asian and European Tours, the stage is set for a tough yet exciting four day competition. Official proceedings begin with the Pro-Am on Tuesday where a local junior male and female golfer will be taking part after winning their places at a Junior Golf Camp held last December. They are Nur Durriyah and Mohd Al-Warith.
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