A day after the Asian and European Tour’s announced they were postponing the April hosting of the co-sanctioned Maybank Championship for fears over the Corona Virus and the Asian Tour has put out a statement declaring the Malaysian Open, and a flagship event of the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) which is making its return to the Asian Tour schedule after a four-year absence, will continue to proceed as scheduled.
Sanctioned by the Asian Tour in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation. (JGTO), the US$1 million event is set to get underway at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club from March 5-8.
Addressing the concerns over the current Covid-19 situation, MGA President, Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said: “The health and safety of players and audience is and remains the number one priority of the MGA. With strict measures in place, as guided by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, we will provide initial medical care in the event of illness and help prevent disease transmission.
“With this assurance given we hope that all players and audiences not to worry and be ready for the upcoming Malaysian Open 2020.”
The Asian Tour’s Malaysian Open going ahead despite both the Asian and European Tour’s announcing the postponement a day earlier in suspending the Maybank Championship. (Photo – Asian Tour)
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour said: “We are very much aligned with the decision made by MGA and with the stringent measures put in place during the week. We are adopting similar operational procedures at all our upcoming events to improve the safety towards all stakeholders and participants. We are confident the Malaysian Open will restore its pride as one of the most popular events on the Asian Tour schedule.”
Those who have entered the Malaysian Open include a host of former European Tour winners including Charlie Wi, Aussie Andrew Dodt and the India trio of Jeev Milka Singh, Shiv Kapur and Joyti Randhawa.
It was announced on Friday that the European Tour and Asian Tour accepted a request from title sponsor and promoter Maybank to postpone the long-running Maybank Championship event at Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, which was due to take place from April 16-19.
There was the decision also postpone the Volvo China Open, scheduled on the European Tour the following week, was taken following consultation with tournament stakeholders, the China Golf Association, Genzon Golf Club, Shenzhen government, title sponsor Volvo and promoters Mitime Golf.
Both events could be rescheduled for later in the year.
Chief executive of the European Tour Keith Pelley said: “The well-being of our players, spectators and staff is always our absolute priority.
“While it is therefore regrettable that the Maybank Championship and Volvo China Open have been postponed, we feel this is the correct course of action at this time. We are currently investigating alternative dates for both events.”
