Organizers of the Indonesian Masters are determined to boost the country’s profile in international golf. Inviting the world’s No. 1 player to headline the inaugural Asian Tour event will undoubtedly help Indonesia achieve that objective.
Lee Westwood has been confirmed for the tournament slated on April 21-24 at the Royal Jakarta Golf Club, the Asian Tour announced on Thursday.
“The Indonesian Masters will place Indonesian golf firmly on the world map and play a significant role in the expansion of the game here,” Kyi Hla Han, executive chairman of the Asian Tour, said during the tournament launch in Jakarta.
“With Westwood’s confirmation that he will compete in the inaugural event, it will rubberstamp the Indonesian Masters as a premier event of the Asian Tour,” Han added.
It won’t be the first time Westwood will be playing in the country. He participated in the 2007 Pertamina Indonesia President Invitational where the Englishman, then the world No. 32, finished in third place behind champion Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines and Gaganjeet Bhullar of India.
Westwood’s return to the country will have far greater relevance this time, though, havingtoppled Tiger Woods last year to become the top-ranked golfer in the world.
“I am looking forward to competing in the inaugural Indonesian Masters. I’ve heard that Royale Jakarta is a magnificent golf course and I am really eager to compete on this venue,” said Westwood, a winner of 32 international titles overall.
Westwood has enjoyed success in Asia, having won in Malaysia, Macau and several events on the Japan Tour.
His most recent victory in the region came in 2009 when he was crowned the inaugural winner of the Race to Dubai.
Westwood told the Asian Tour Web site that he was expecting “a strong challenge” in the $750,000 Indonesian Masters, which is looking to draw a field of 155 golfers, coming mostly from Asia.
“Asia has always been good to me over the years as I have won several titles across the region and I hope to challenge for my first win in Indonesia,” he said.
“However, I know it will not be easy as the level of competition on the Asian Tour is really strong. Indonesia is a wonderful country to visit and I can’t wait to return.”
Nursalam Tabusalla, a board member of the Indonesian Professional Golf Association (PGPI), believes the Indonesian Masters will give local stars a good opportunity to know what it’s like to go up against the best in Asia and the world.
Nursalam said the PGPI planned to allot 18 slots for Indonesian golfers for the April tournament. The players will be chosen based on the 2010 Indonesian Order of Merit.
Andik Mauludin and Rory Hidayat Hie, who finished first and second in the national money rankings, have been assured berths.
“The other local professionals will be picked based on their performance in local events prior to the Indonesian Masters,” Nursalam said.
The Royale Jakarta Golf Club, a 27-hole course located in Halim Perdanakusuma, East Jakarta, has been designated as the permanent home of the Indonesian Masters.
“We have every confidence that this tournament will create a major impact on the landscape of professional golf in Indonesia and ultimately showcase Royale Jakarta to the world,” said George Chandra, Royale Jakarta’s chief operating officer.
The $400,000 Indonesia President Invitational is the other Indonesian event sanctioned by the Asian Tour. The tournament will be held on Sept. 29-Oct. 2.
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