R. Nachimuthu, A. Sasar, Mohamad Hanafiah and Akmal Tarmizee claimed their spots  at the USD 2.5 million tournament

Md Rashid Ismail shot a one-under-par 71 to confirm his spot at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 after successfully overcoming a 54-men playing field at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 -National Qualifiers held at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Johor born Md Rashid, who celebrates his 38th birthday in four days, is joined by R. Nachimuthu, A. Sasar, Mohamad Hanafiah Mohd Jamil and Akmal Tarmizee. These local champions will play against some of the best players in the world for a prize purse of USD 2.5 million from 14th to 17th April 2011 at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club

“I’m quite satisfied with the way I played as I hit the ball really well. I managed to ensure that my ball was always in position and that’s really important in order to qualify for a tournament of this scale. Hopefully I can play better than this on the actual tournament day,” said Md Rashid.

Day Two of the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 – National Qualifiers witnessed a three-way playoff between Mohamad Hanafiah, Akmal Tarmizee and Mohd Nazri Mohd Zain. After a round on the 18th hole of the West Course of the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country

Club, Mohamad Hanafiah grasp fourth spot while Akmal and Mohd Nazri were forced into sudden-death playoff. Akmal secured his berth with a one-shot-lead ahead of Mohd Nazri.

Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 will see the participation of the top three Malaysians on the Asian Tour Order of Merit – Maybank Ambassador   Danny Chia, Iain Steel and Ben Leong.

Mohd Shaaban Hussin who was appointed as a Maybank Ambassador will be participating at the Maybank Malaysian Open through an invitation by title sponsor Maybank.

In addition, The Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) also announced the exemptions of three local pros – M. Sasidaran, S. Sivachandran and Airil Rizman.

“The Malaysian Golf Association has chosen to exempt Airil Rizman, M. Sasidaran and S. Sivachandran as we feel each one of them have showed in more ways than one, their passion and dedication towards the great game and their contribution and participations in the Asian Games and SEA Games where they full-heartedly and proudly represented Malaysia,” said Datuk Robin Loh President of the Malaysia Golf Association.
 
Hailing from Johor, Airil Rizman was part of the 2001 SEA Games golf squad. Airil, alongside teammates S. Sivachandran, Shaaban and Sahal Saedin, presented Malaysia with a gold medal in the golf category. After a successful amateur career, Airil turned pro in 2002 and made a career breakthrough in 2007 by winning the Pakistan Open.

Aside from his accomplishment alongside Airil, Sivachandran made his name as a professional in 2010 when he became the first Malaysian player to win the Negeri Sembilan Masters Invitational since its inception in 2005. The 31-year old chalked a three-under-par 6 to win comfortably by 12 shots and simultaneously bagging RM78,500

Although 35-year old M. Sasidaran hasn’t experienced a breakout moment in his career but thus far Sasidaran has made two cuts in 2009 with an impressive eighth place finish at the Queen’s Cup in Thailand.

The Malaysian Golf Association has also confirmed the names of six local amateurs who will be competing at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011. The six names
include Mohd Azman Basharudin, Kenneth de Silva, Mohd Hisyam Majid, Jeremiah Kim, Chan Tuck Soon and Gavin Kyle Green.

Dubbed as the “player to watch this year”, Mohd Azman Basharudin clinched top spot at the Malaysian Golf Association’s National Trial just last month. With a superb total of six-under-par 138, Mohd Azman beat a field of 44 young players including Green who claimed second. The Kedah Amateur Open 2010 champion, Mohd Azman claimed his rightful berth in the 2011 National Team.

Selangor Amateur Open 2010 champion, Mohd Hisyam Abdul Majid will try his luck again this year in the 50th edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011. The 19-year old lad who is currently residing in Brisbane, Australia missed the cut in last year’s edition but will surely be eager to redeem himself.

Gavin Kyle Green is no stranger to the golfing realm in Malaysia. The 17-year old has a streak of impressive credentials including the Kurnia-Saujana Amateur Championship title, 100Plus Malaysian Junior Open and the Malaysian Amateur Close Championship titles and will compete alongside top international players for his chance to bring his name to the spotlight.

A star-studded field is expected at the 50th edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open, with the Malaysian professionals competing with some of the world’s best players for the championship title. With a USD 2.5 million prize purse up on offer, spectators can expect an exciting tournament this April. The four-day co-sanctioned event will take place at the West Course of the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from 14th - 17th April 2011.

  View Day 2 Result