A total of 64 players will carry the Malaysian flag in the PKNS Selangor Masters when the USD150,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event tees off at Seri Selangor Golf Club tomorrow.

Jointly sanctioned with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, the tournament features a field of 132 consisting of 81 players from the ADT, 41 from the PGM Tour and 11 sponsor invitations. Inaugurated in 2008 as an Asian Tour event, the Selangor Masters was last staged in 2014 when Thailand's Chapchai Nirat won at Seri Selangor.

Leading the local challenge is Asian Tour player Ben Leong, who was the winner of the first edition in 2008 when it was also played at Seri Selangor. Other prominent Malalysians in the field include rising stars Shahriffuddin Ariffin who is currently seventh on the ADT Order of Merit, Paul San (ranked ninth) and Ervin Chang (ranked 15th), as well as veteran Danny Chia who has two Asian Tour titles to his name.

"I've played Seri Selangor quite a number of times during PGM tournaments, but I feel it's going to be tough on the greens this week," said Shahriffuddin. "I'm targeting to finish within the top five."

Shahriffuddin Ariffin

The tournament will also feature nine amateurs playing as sponsor's invitations - Malaysians Anson Yeo, Malcolm Ting, Hariz Hezri, Nor Haqeim Hadi, Andrew Yap Yung Cheng, Ajmal Amin Mohd Fajri, Jaizan Tushan and Mohd Firdaus Ahmad, along with 12-year-old Japanese Daichi Hayashi who will be the youngest ever player to tee up in an ADT event.

This will be the 13th tournament of the 2022 ADT season, followed by the Saudi Open at Riyadh Golf Club in Saudi Arabia (December 8-10) and the season-ending Taifong Open in Chinese Taipei (December 22-25), both offering purses of USD200,000. With only three events left, the Selangor Masters will thus play a crucial role in determining the final Order of Merit where the top-10 earn playing rights on the Asian Tour.

Starting as favourite will be current Order of Merit leader Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand, who has already won three titles this year and tops the standings with USD57,553.76 - just marginally ahead of compatriot Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (USD56,138.17) who is also in the field.

Suteepat described the tight and challenging Seri Selangor layout as 'very tricky and quite tough'. "I think it's going to be a good challenge. I hope to make the top five this week and finish strong as the top 10 in the Order Of Merit get the opportunity to get into the Asian Tour," said the 29-year-old.

Selangor Chief Minister Dato' Seri Amirudin Shari speaking during the press conference

Selangor Chief Minister Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari noted during a press conference today that the chance to get involved with the event was too good to miss.

“When we heard there was an opportunity to host an Asian Development Tour event, we quickly jumped at the offer.

"I’m also happy to announce that this tournament is being organized in conjunction with the 77th birthday celebrations of His Highness the Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharifuddin Idris Shah,” said Dato’ Seri Amirudin, adding that players will be contesting for the Sultan of Selangor Cup.