Jakarta, 7 November 2018 – Sweden’s Henrik Stenson is the latest big name player to confirm he will compete in this year’s Indonesian Masters, organisers announced today.
And in other outstanding news, Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) have become the title sponsor, while Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri have been unveiled as presenting sponsors.
The eighth edition of the prestigious BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri will be played from December 13-16 at its traditional home, Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
And for the second year in a row it will be the season-ending flagship event on the Asian Tour.
Stenson is a phenomenal addition to the U$750,000 tournament, where he will compete for the first time.
In an incredibly exciting prospect for fans in Indonesia he joins England’s Justin Rose ? who recently announced he will also play in the tournament and with whom he forged an unbeatable partnership at the Ryder Cup in September.
The duo also fought a memorable battle at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, where Stenson won the silver medal finishing two strokes behind gold medalist Rose.
Stenson is the first male Swedish Major champion, having won the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon.
And in 2013, Stenson claimed the U.S. PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup and the European Tour’s Race to Dubai ? becoming the first player to win both, and to do so in the same season.
He was also the European Tour’s number one in 2016.
“This represents an incredibly exciting opportunity to end my season playing somewhere new and in an event with a great reputation,” said 42-year-old Stenson.
“It will also be great to be there with Justin (Rose) and judging by the way he played there last year, and indeed this year … he will be the man to beat.”
Stenson and Rose, paired together, won both their Foursomes matches in the Ryder Cup while the Swede also triumphed in his Singles game to go undefeated and help Europe reclaim the Cup.
“Bank Negara Indonesia is delighted to be sponsoring the Indonesian Masters once again,” said Tambok P. Setyawati, Director of Retail Banking Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).
“The tournament is one of the country’s premier international sporting competitions and the perfect event for us to be associated with.”
Last year Rose recorded a commanding eight-shot victory that captured headlines around the world and after a great 2018 season – which saw him recently regain the world number one spot – expectations are high that the Englishman will again be at his best.
“The line-up of star players this year, with Henrik Stenson joining Justin Rose, is outstanding and we at Bank Mandiri feel privileged to be part of such a world-class golf tournament,” said Maristella Tri Haryanti, Vice President Corporate Communication Bank Mandiri.
And Sahat Sihombing, Senior Vice President Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN) added: “This year’s Indonesian Masters promises to be another great end to the season in Asia with two of the best players in the game, in Justin Rose and Henrik Stenson, and a quality field.”
Many of the world’s best players have competed in the Indonesian Masters, which was launched in 2011. England’s Lee Westwood has claimed the title a record three times (2011, 2012 and 2015) while Anirban Lahiri of India, who now plays primarily on the US PGA Tour, lifted the trophy in 2014.
“Henrik Stenson is a wonderful addition to the Indonesian Masters, along with Justin Rose – who we announced last month. Henrik is a world class player who has been a great ambassador for the game of golf and we look forward to welcoming him to our tournament,” said Jimmy Masrin, Founder of the Indonesian Masters and Chairman of the Asian Tour.
The Habitat for Humanity Standings (the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit) champion will also be crowned at the Indonesian Masters and the winner of this year’s tournament will earn a spot in the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational next July.
The tournament also forms the third leg of the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing, further adding to its pulling power. The Panasonic Swing is an aggregate points race that spans five events with Asian Tour players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.
