Next year’s PKNS Selangor Masters is set to be one of its most celebrated editions as for the first time it will be staged as the season-opening tournament on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).

The tournament, one of Malaysia’s most prestigious, will be played at Seri Selangor Golf Club – its preferred home since its inception in 2008 – from January 22-25.

And in addition to its new, important date, the prize money will be increased to US$200,000 – representing a generous 14% increment.

“With this year’s Asian Development Tour having recently been successfully completed, we are pleased to be able to start unveiling plans for next year, with the exciting news that the PKNS Selangor Masters will help raise the curtain in 2025,” said Ken Kudo, General Manager, Asian Development Tour.

“This esteemed event, which is such an important one for Malaysian golf, will allow us to start the season with a bang and is sure to draw an extremely strong field.

Shahriffuddin Ariffin, the 2022 champion.

“We thank the Selangor State Government and PKNS for clearing the way to schedule the tournament as our season opener – which is a prime position.”

India’s Rahil Gangjee won the tournament this year [main picture], back in June, following on from Chinese-Taipei’s Ho Yu-cheng and Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin.

“PKNS is delighted that the next Selangor Masters is just around the corner,” said YB Dato’ Setia Haji Haris Bin Kasim, Chairman of organising committee.

“Our association with the tournament has been extremely rewarding and allowed us to give back to Malaysia and its strong golfing community – where there remains huge potential for the country to grow into regional force.

“The PKNS Selangor Masters starting the new season puts us on the front foot from the get go and is an important development that reflects the significance of the event.”

The Selangor Masters was first staged in 2007 on the local circuit, before being elevated onto the Asian Tour the following year – when Malaysia’s Ben Leong claimed the title.  It was played on the Asian Tour until 2014 before joining the ADT three years ago, post COVID-19.

Other winners are Australian Rick Kulacz (2009), Angelo Que (2010) of the Philippines and Joonas Granberg (2011) of Finland.

They were followed by the Thai trio of Thaworn Wiratchant (2012), Pariya Junhasavasdikul (2013) and Chapchai Nirat (2014).

Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat won the ADT’s season-ending Aramco Invitational in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago, to snatch the Order of Merit title at the last minute.