Warfield is no stranger to Malaysia as he oversaw the 1999 World Cup and is now the head honcho for the PGA Tour team that puts together tournaments.
THIS year Malaysians have a huge reason to keep an eye on the FedEx Cup points because the invitations for the PGA Tour professional from the US for the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic will be decided, based on the standings as of Oct 1.
Asked if it was compulsory for all those in the top-25 to come for the event in Malaysia, Warfield said it was not so but the Tour “would encourage the players to play as it is important from our sponsorship point of view”.
He said they did not expect the players to beg off from coming to Malaysia because they would be tired from the play-offs and with the World Golf Championship HSBC Champions event in Shanghai just a week after the event at the Mines.
“They want to play, not only to earn money but to keep their game sharp and take on new opportunities. It’s a good time. It goes well with other things that are going on in the region, big events that are going on in this region,” he said, adding that this was why the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic was scheduled for Oct 28-31.
The event is a no-cut tournament and does not count to the PGA Tour Order of Merit although the total prize money is US$6mil and the winner will pocket US$1mil.
Warfield said the prize money itself would make the players fully committed to the event especially since the plan was to make it a fully-fledged PGA Tour event in the next couple of years.
The PGA Tour does not condor any payment of appearance fee for the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic.
Warfield stressed that the Tour staff had been speaking to the players for the past few months and provided them all the information they would want about Malaysia and the event.
“The players already know what is in store and it’s our job to make sure it meets their expectations and that of the spectators when they all get here.”
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