Bandar Seri Begawan, July 24: A pack of talented young guns from the Asian Tour will be aiming for glory at the Brunei Open when the fifth edition of the prestigious tournament tees off from July 30 to August 2.
Talented Korean duo Bae Sang-moon and Noh Seung-yul will contest in the US$300,000 event alongside Filipino star Angelo Que, Australia's Adam Blyth, Malaysia's Ben Leong and South African James Kamte.
Australia's Rick Kulacz, a former world and Australian junior amateur champion, will defend his title at the Empire Hotel and Country Club.
Bae, Que and Kamte, who all enjoyed their US Open debuts in June, will look to put their major experience to effective use at the par-71 Jack-Nicklaus designed golf course.
The 23-year-old Bae is rated as one of Asia's rising stars as he has already won three Asian Tour titles under his belt, with his most recent being the GS Caltex Maekyung Open earlier this season where he defeated compatriot Ted Oh in a play-off.
With all his titles being Korean events, the big-hitting Bae will be gunning for his first victory on foreign soil.
Que, a two-time Asian Tour winner, will also be amongst the top contenders in Brunei. His best finish so far this year was a tied eighth finish at the Black Mountain Masters in March and he will be hunting for a third career victory next week.
Kamte is enjoying an impressive rookie season in Asia. After earning his card at Qualifying School where he played with 12 stitches on his foot, he went on to win the season-opening Asian Tour International title in Thailand.
Exciting teen sensation, Noh, has been making waves since his arrival on the Asian Tour in 2008 where he won his maiden title at the Midea China Classic and eventually finished in 10th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with three other runner-up finishes.
The 18-year-old also earned the Rookie of the Year award last season and enjoyed a strong first half of the season with top-10 finishes at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open, Black Mountain Masters in Thailand and GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea this year.
Leong has emerged as Malaysia's newest rising star. He won two the Qualifying School in 2007 and 2008 and broke through for his maiden Asian Tour victory at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters last year where he beat Thai star Thongchai Jaidee in a head-to-head showdown.
Blyth will be another golfer to look out for as he aims to capture his first Asian Tour title. He has already registered top-10s at the Maybank Malaysian Open and Johnnie Walker Classic this year and has put in the work during the summer break to end his title drought.
Brunei Shell Petroleum will title sponsor the Brunei Open while other partners include Brunei Tourism, under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources, The Empire Hotel and Country Club, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei Darussalam Golf Association, Cross Creek and Srixon.
Organisers will also use this year's tournament to promote environmental awareness.
About the Brunei Open 2009
The Brunei Open is celebrating its fifth anniversary following its historic launch in 2005. The Championship is organised by Brunei Tourism under the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources and the Ministry of Youth and Sports and will once again be staged at the award-winning The Empire Hotel and Country Club, Asia's Ultimate Golf, Spa & Family Beach Resort which is a signature Jack Nicklaus course. The Brunei Open 2009 sponsors are Brunei Shell Petroleum Sdn Bhd (Title Sponsor); The Empire Hotel and Country Club (Host Venue and Official Hotel), Srixon (Official Ball), Cross Creek (Official Apparel), CityNeon (Official Contractor), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions), Cleveland and 100Plus. The Brunei Open is sanctioned by the Asian Tour, which is the governing body for professional tournament golf in Asia and locally by the Brunei Darussalam Golf Association.
About Brunei Tourism
Brunei Darussalam, a peaceful and wealthy kingdom on the northern shores of Borneo, is known for having one of the most pristine tropical rainforest environments anywhere, as well as for the pomp and opulence of its centuries old monarchy, steeped in ancient Malay traditions. With easy international direct access through its Royal Brunei Airlines carrier and other regional airlines, and with an up-market product and image appealing to discerning travellers, Brunei is an exciting and safe new destination waiting to be discovered. For more information on Brunei please visit www.bruneitourism.travel
About Brunei Shell Petroleum
Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP), a dynamic, world-class company and one of the biggest energy companies in Asia, have a long standing history in Brunei of more than 75 years and are at the leading edge of energy technology putting the safety and environment at the heart of everything and invests in the people and community of Brunei.
About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include ESPN Star Sports (Official Regional TV Broadcaster), Pin High (Official Apparel Partner), Ricoh (Official Office Solutions Provider) and Srixon (Official Ball). Sentosa, Singapore's premier island resort getaway, is the Home of the Asian Tour.