Indonesia Open at Pondok Indah for the Third Year
Defending champion Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand. Photo: Asian Tour
The Indonesia Open, the country’s longest-running golf tournament, will be staged on the Asian Tour from July 12 to 15, organisers have announced recently.
The tournament, inaugurated in 1974, will offer a prize purse of US$300,000 and it will be played at the Pondok Indah Golf Course for the third consecutive year.
Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat earned his breakthrough victory at the tournament last year in dominant fashion as he romped to a five-shot victory over second-placed compatriot, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit. Panuphol will be defending his title this year against an elite 150-man field when the storied event tees off next month.
In addition to Panuphol, the tournament has an illustrious list of winners that includes India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who won the event in 2013 and 2016, as well as Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.
Mr 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.”
Said Josh Burack, Asian Tour Chief Executive Officer: “On behalf of our staff and players, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to all the sponsors and stakeholders for their support and commitment.
“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 starts in July.”