D

efending champion Bernd Wiesberger of Austria has been confirmed to defend his title at the fourth edition of the 2014 CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters next April.

The US$750,000 event will be held at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Jakarta, from April 24 to 27.

The Austrian golfer, who claimed victories in the Ballantine'€™s Championship and Lyoness Open in Europe last year, expressed his enthusiasm about returning to the golf course in east Jakarta.

'€œI'€™m excited to be returning to Jakarta to defend my CIMB Niaga Indonesian Masters title at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, one of my favorite courses,'€ he said in a statement on Thursday.

Asian Tour legend Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand, a three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, will also be joining the field.

'€œIt is great to have Bernd Wiesberger back to defend his title together with Thongchai Jaidee. These two players will certainly add value and excitement to the event,'€ Arwin Rasyid, President Director of CIMB Niaga, told a press conference.

He said that he was currently in talks with some star players and that he looked forward to announcing more names in the months to come.

The Malaysia-based bank had previously announced that it will extend their title sponsorship of the event for a further three years.

Chairman of the Indonesia Professional Golf Association, Syafei Asnap, or better known as Abung, said that there would be 20 spots for Indonesian golfers in the event.

'€œNames of the participants will be announced later by the end of the year according to their national ranks,'€ he said.

Among national top golfers expected in the participant list are Andik Mauludin, Rory Hie and George Gandranata.

Andik was the only Indonesian participant that made it to the final round of the previous edition.

The golf event, claimed to be one of nation'€™s most prestigious tournaments, will have widespread exposure via Asian Tour'€™s global television platform which reaches out to over 200 countries and 650 million households as well as local news channel Metro TV.

'€œWe hope with such widespread coverage, the event will help promote not only Indonesian golf, but Indonesian tourism as well,'€ said Arwin.

According to Royale Jakarta Golf Club chief operating officer George Chandra, the club saw a 100 percent increase of guests since last years event.

'€œIt'€™s a good sign for the golf industry and tourism in this country. And for the record, most of them are foreigners who once they are coming to play golf, they will likely try at least two or three golf courses,'€ he said.