Bigger purse, Luke Donald to headline 52nd edition of Malaysian Open

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KUALA LUMPUR: World number two, Luke Donald of England, will be making his debut in the Malaysian Open Golf Championship this March, said the premier golfing event’s title sponsor, Maybank.

“The confirmation of Luke Donald is indeed another boost for the Maybank Malaysian Open,” said Maybank chairman Tan Sri Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor.

He also announced during a press conference that the prize money for the tournament had been increased to US$2.75 million (about RM8.37 million), up US$250,000 (RM760,911.16) from last year’s tournament.

The 52nd edition of the Malaysian Open Golf Championship will be held  at the Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club (KLGCC) in Bukit Kiara from March 21-24.

Megat Zaharuddin said since taking over the title sponsorship of the tournament in 2006, Maybank had endeavoured to bring world class golf personalities to Malaysia.

“Donald’s presence, like many other top players we had in the past, will not only draw the crowd but also strengthen Malaysia’s standing in the global  golfing map.

“Given the growing interest and spectator numbers at the Maybank Malaysian Open, we intend to continue aspiring our local fans and golfers with opportunity to see the world’s best on our greens, in the process, raising the standard of golf in Malaysia,” he said.

Among the high-calibre golfers who had arrived at the Malaysia’s shore were Rory McIlroy, Louis Oosthuizen, Matteo Manassero, Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel, Charlie Wi and Thongchai Jaidee. When asked on the tournament’s date which clashes with the 2013 Petronas Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix (March 22-24), Megat Zaharuddin said golf had its own followers and so does the F1. — Bernama