Top ASEAN golfers join Maybank Championship 2017 12:00, 09/02/2017

ASEAN Players (from left)-Ye Thet Aung, Michael Tran, Koh Deng Shan & George Gandranata/ Image by GlobalOne

As part of Maybank’s  commitment to support the growth of the game across the ASEAN region,  they  are giving  the top players  from five ASEAN countries  (who would not otherwise qualify through their ranking on the Asian Tour Order of Merit) the chance to compete at the  US$3  million  prize  purse  event.  The  players  are  from  Indonesia,  Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

Based  on  the  criteria  set for selection,  the  following  players  will  be  competing  at  the  Maybank Championship 2017:

Representing Indonesia will be George Gandranata who finished 2016 in 8th position on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit (OOM).

"Last year when I got an invite to play here I was surprised because I didn’t know they had an ASEAN category. It was my first co-sanctioned event with the European Tour and I made the cut so hopefully I can do that again. I am very happy to be here again for the second time".

George Gandranata of Indonesia/ Image by GlobalOne

Taking the slot of Myanmar is Ye Thet Aung who is number two on the Myanmar PGA Tour Rankings.

"I played here six years ago in an amatuer tournament. This is my first European tournament. The golf course is in good shape and my game is good so I hope I can play well".

Ye Thet Aung of Myanmar/ Image by GlobalOne

Koh  Deng  Shan  was  18th on  the  ADT  OOM  last  season  and  will  take  the  spot  for Singapore.

"I think it is a very good initiative by Maybank. They have done a very good job supporting golf in the region. Hopefully it will help us and help some of the younger players".

Koh Deng Shan of Singapore/ Image by GlobalOne

Michael Tran will represent Vietnam. He ended the 2016 season in 76th position on the Asian Tour OOM. He is also a previous winner on the ADT.

"I would like to thank Maybank for this opportunity. This is my second time playing this co-sanctioned event and it’s definitely the best event I’ve ever played. Opportunities like this are why we work so hard so we can out our ASEAN flags up there and prove that we can compete with the best".

Michael Tran of Vietnam/ Image by GlobalOne

Juvic  Pagunsan  is number one on the Philippines local tour Order of Merit and was 77th on the Asian Tour OOM in 2016. He is also a former Asian Tour number one and the first Filipino to win the prestigious accolade in 2011.

Tan Sri Dato' Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, Chairman of Maybank said, “We are excited to welcome the five ASEAN players selected to the Maybank Championship next month. I have no doubt these players will take pride in being selected as representing the talents from their respective countries, and will bring their best game, which is very much in line with our commitment to enhance the standards of professionalism in this region.”