The 2013 Maybank Malaysian Open now joins the French Open and Scandinavian Masters in staging a pre-tournament qualifier.

A 36-hole qualifier will be staged on Tuesday February 26th and Wednesday February 27th in Kuala Lumpur with the top-four place-getters earning a tee time in the prestigious US$2.75m event being staged at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from March 21st to 24th.

The qualifier will give a lucrative opportunity to Malaysian players to join a star-studded field which this year includes current World No. 3 Luke Donald, three-time Major winner Padraig Harrington, 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and Matteo Manassero, who won at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club in 2011.

Mohamed Adam, Chief Marketing Officer of Maybank, said: “We intend to inspire and cultivate more of Malaysia’s golf professionals to step into the international golf arena. The Maybank Malaysian Open National Qualifier is one way in which we can see the Malaysian professional golfers in action, where only those who have what it takes for the international arena will earn the coveted slot at the Maybank Malaysian Open.

Admiral Tan Sri Dato’ Setia Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor, President of the Malaysian Golf Association, added: “The Maybank Malaysian Open has always been a platform for Malaysian professional golfers to elevate their status in the industry. The National Qualifier is an event that is important in the calendar of all these professionals. Qualifying would definitely propel their careers in the arena further.”

The Maybank Malaysian Open was the first national open in Asia to be co-sanctioned by The European Tour and the Asian Tour, in 1999. 

And the event now joins a select group in staging a qualifier while that number could be four should the European Tour give the emerald light to this year’s Irish Open to also host a qualifier.