Jakarta, Indonesia:The Indonesia Open, the country’s longest-running golf tournament, will be staged on the Asian Tour this month.
The tournament, inaugurated in 1974, will offer a prize purse of US$300,000 and will be played at Pondok Indah Golf Course for the third consecutive year.
Thai Panuphol Pittayarat earned his breakthrough victory at the tournament last year in dominant fashion, romping to a five-shot victory over second-placed compatriot Tirawat Kaewsiribandit.
Panuphol, winner of last month’s Thailand Open, will defend his Indonesia title this year against an elite 150-man field from July 12-15.
In addition to Panuphol, the tournament has an illustrious list of winners that includes Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar, who won the event in 2013 and 2016, as well as Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.
Murdaya Widyawimarta Po, President of Persatuan Golf Indonesia, the national golf association of Indonesia, said: “Our national championship is Indonesia’s biggest and most important golf tournament and we are thrilled with its return on the Asian Tour.
“We are certain that this event will help to boost the game of golf not just in the country, but across the entire region. The Indonesia Open presents an exciting opportunity for our home-grown players to pit their skills against the best players from the Asian Tour.”
Josh Burack, Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Tour, a Full Business Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation, said: “The Asian Tour is pleased to be back in Indonesia for the country’s most historic golf tournament. The Indonesia Open has always been one of the most popular events on our schedule and I’m sure our Asian Tour stars will continue to rouse the local crowd when the tournament takes place in July.”