Maybank today announced its continued support of the nation's premier golf tournament following its five-year sponsorship of the Maybank Malaysian Open between 2006 and 2010.

With the announcement, Maybank has confirmed its commitment for another five years as the title sponsor of the Malaysian Open, increasing the tournament's prize purse to US$2.5 million at the same time.

In addition, Maybank today also announced the confirmed participation of young sensations Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel from South Africa and Rory McIlroy from Ireland, who will be headlining the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 field of players in the 156 player line-up competing for top honours later this year.

"Maybank will continue to provide key support for our Open for another five years at this launch of the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 season. Maybank is Malaysia's leading financial services group with firm aspirations to be a regional leader. Where we operate, we have been proud to have played a role in our communities. In progressing our communities, we have chosen golf to be a key sports platform for us to be associated with, because especially through association with the country's premier golf event, the MMO, we know we are in the company of champions of global note and hope that one day, we would have contributed to the development of Malaysian golf champions of similar stature," said Tan Sri Dato' Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, Chairman of Maybank, in announcing Maybank's sponsorship of the national open for the sixth consecutive year.

"For each of the last five years, Maybank has felt pride to have been associated with our Open, which has built such a rich heritage over the years to become one of this region's premier golfing event," said Tan Sri Dato' Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor, Chairman of Maybank.

On the star players, Tan Sri Dato' Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor added, "We are thrilled to welcome Oosthuizen, Schwartzel and McIlroy to the 50th edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open. This is the first time in the Malaysian Open history a newly crowned Open Championship winner will be participating in our tournament. I believe that the appearance displayed by these three rising stars will attract more fans to the sport, especially after witnessing their superb sportsmanship."

The Malaysian Golf Association ("MGA") welcomed the announcement of the sponsorship renewal, acknowledging that the Maybank Malaysian Open is the jewel in the crown of Malaysia professional golf.

"The Maybank Malaysian Open has been instrumental in cultivating and supporting local talent over the years, giving them to opportunity to hone their skills on an international platform against some of the biggest names in the golfing world. Looking back 50 years, golf has truly come a long way in Malaysia. With tournaments like the Maybank Malaysian Open spurring on our local professionals, giving them priority and ensuring that their needs are taken care of, we are optimistic that a Malaysian golfer will one day represent our country in the Olympics," said MGA President Datuk Robin Loh.

This year, the tournament reaches a milestone as it celebrates its 50th anniversary as some of the world's best golfers gather to compete at the renowned Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club from the 14th to 17th April 2011.

"The Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club (KLGCC) is pleased to be chosen once again as the venue for yet another world class tournament. We are looking forward to hosting a list of illustrious players at the much-anticipated Maybank Malaysian Open 2011. The West Course has received positive feedback from the top players during the MMO last year and we believe the participating golfers this year can expect another wonderful but challenging experience on a golf course that has been ranked the best in the country," said Dato' Tunku Putra Badlishah, Director of Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

Making history as the first ever co-sanctioned tournament in Asia by both the European and Asian Tours in 1999, the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 will feature top players from the rankings of both these world-leading circuits to make up the 156-player line-up.

Points earned at the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011 will go towards the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and will also add to the player's 2011 Race to Dubai Ranking, granting them a chance to qualify for the season-ending Dubai World Championship.

Kyi Hla Han, Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, said, "The Maybank Malaysian Open is one of the most important golf championships on the Asian Tour and on behalf of our highly talented players, I would like to extend our fullest appreciation to our title sponsor Maybank and the event custodian, the Malaysian Golf Association for their commitment and passion to the game. It is wonderful news that Maybank has committed to the championship for another five years which will no doubt raise further the stature of the Maybank Malaysia Open."

Echoing this sentiment was Vicky Jones, Client Services Director, European Tour, said "We are delighted that the 2011 tournament will again be co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour and that we are returning to a familiar and popular venue at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club. It is always a pleasure to have our players experience the best that Asia has to offer and we look forward to the 50th edition of the Malaysian Open under Maybank's title sponsorship."

This highly respected tournament has seen the likes of Vijay Singh, Padraig Harrington, Retief Goosen, Michael Campbell, Lee Westwood and Nick Faldo making waves on its courses over the years. In 2010, this prestigious event was won by 19-year old Korean sensation Noh Seung-Yul who then went on to become Asian Tour's number one player.

"I extend my sincere appreciation to Maybank for continuing its support as the title sponsor for the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011. This certainly marks a good start to the celebration of the 50th edition of the Malaysian Open – the only national open to consistently be held annually in this part of the world since 1962. Some very exciting things are in store this year to mark this momentous milestone. Together with Maybank and the MGA, we have indeed built a legacy of champions and will continue to do so as we grow in the years to come," said Tan Sri Mohd Razali Abd Rahman, the organiser.

In addition to the series of announcements, Maybank also revealed the appointment of local heroes Danny Chia and Mohd Shaaban Hussin as the Ambassadors of the Maybank Malaysian Open 2011. "Our support for Malaysian golfers stretches from developing youth through our Junior Development Programme, to Malaysian professionals. This year will see the number of Malaysians in the field increase from 17 to 22 golfers. I am also pleased that this year, we will sponsor two Malaysian golfers – Danny Chia and Shaaban Hussin. It is our intention to help some of those affected by our support to realize their potential and hopefully become international champions," said Tan Sri Dato' Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor.

"Danny made history by becoming the first Malaysian to win an Asian Tour event when he won the Taiwan Open in 2002. He also qualified for the third time to play in the British Open, becoming the first Malaysian to play in all four rounds at the British Open at St Andrews, the oldest major in the world," added Tan Sri Dato' Megat Zaharuddin Megat Mohd Nor. "Shaaban, who turned pro in 2003, proved himself a talent to watch when he beat over 100 local professionals to qualify for the inaugural PGA Tour-sanctioned event in Malaysia last year. He has the makings of a great player."

A star-studded field is expected at the 50th edition of the Maybank Malaysian Open, with the Malaysian professionals competing with some of the world's best players for the championship title. With a USD 2.5 million prize purse up on offer, spectators can expect an exciting tournament this April. The four-day co-sanctioned event will take place at the West Course of the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club from 14th - 17th April 2011.