Organisers set to go ahead with Malaysian Open next month

>> KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Open, 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, organisers said yesterday.

But the Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the China Open in Shenzhen have been postponed because of the new coronavirus outbreak.

Both the European Tour and the Asian Tour agreed to postpone the Maybank event at Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, which was due to take place from April 16-19.

It was also decided to postpone the China Open, scheduled on the European Tour the following week, following consultation with tournament stakeholders.

The events could be rescheduled for later this year.

“The well-being of our players, spectators and staff is always our absolute priority,” European Tour chief executive Keith Pelley said on Friday.

“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.”

Asian Tour commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant said: “We respect the decision made by the various key stakeholders of the Maybank Championship. We understand their concerns over the evolving Covid-19 situation which is a major international health issue and we look forward to the return of the Maybank Championship when the situation normalises.”

The coronavirus, also known as Covid-19, has claimed more than 1,000 lives in China and following health concerns, several sporting events in the region have been postponed, including the Honda LPGA Thailand golf tournament.