Five- time British Open Champion Peter Thonsom Light Up Maybank Malaysian Open 2011's Meet The Players Session
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - April 11 2011
Kuala Lumpur, 11 April 2011 – Peter Thomson joins local professionals Danny Chia and Mohd Shaaban Hussin in a “Meet the Players” session prior to the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 this 14-17 April.
The Australian veteran Thomson participated in the inaugural Malayan Open Golf Championship in 1962. The tournament attracted a strong field of 76 professionals including 1963 British Open champion Bob Charles, Taiwanese Hsieh Yung Yo and Japan’s Hideyo Sugimoto.
“It’s quite an impressive line-up at the Malaysian Open this year. Charl Schwartzel coming off the Masters at Augusta and the line-up is definitely a strong one. There are 22 local professionals playing, that is more than what you would normally get back in those days,” said Thomson.
The 81-year old shared a joke or two with members of the media while reminiscing about his Open wins by adding, “The third time I won the Open, I went down to the car dealership because I really wanted a Jaguar but they said I didn’t have enough money. So that just meant I had to go back out and win another Open.”
Leading the Malaysian charge, Danny Chia, who had qualified for the Malaysian Open through Asian Tour’s Order of Merit and is one of the two Maybank ambassadors, had been playing in the nation’s golf tournament since 1998 as a professional. Chia who has been suffering from a wrist injury, shares Thomson’s sentiments on the level of playing field this year.
“It’s by far the strongest line-up I have ever seen. With the presence of World No. 1 Martin Kaymer and even Rory McIlroy will definitely make it challenging as compared to previous years. It will be interesting to see the outcome of this tournament.”
Regarding the 22 Malaysians who will be competing in the Malaysian Open, Chia added, “I think we might see something out of Gavin Kyle Green. He may be lacking in experience but he’ll definitely show us something.”
Shaaban Hussin, also a Maybank ambassador, is looking forward to the tough challenges that will present itself at the Malaysian Open. Aside from that, Shaaban is hoping he will get his chance to play alongside his idol, Rory McIlroy.
“I have to step up my game if I want to play alongside the greats. But whatever it is, I’m not too nervous about the Malaysian Open because I won’t be the sole Malaysian representative. I just need to adjust my game to the greens because it’s fast, long and tough.”
This year, the tournament reaches a milestone as it celebrates its 50th edition as some of the world’s best golfers gather to compete at the renowned Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club from the 14th to 17th April 2011.
Making history as the first ever co-sanctioned tournament in Asia by both the European and Asian Tours in 1999, the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 will feature top players from the rankings of both these world-leading circuits to make up the 156-player line-up.
Points earned at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 will go towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and will also add to the player’s 2011 Race to Dubai Ranking, granting them a chance to qualify for the season-ending Dubai World Championship.
The 50th edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open will see a dazzling display of golf as our Malaysian professionals compete 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.
