Jakarta, 28 August, Mandiri Indonesia Open 2024 will be held tomorrow; after 10 years, finally, this tournament will be held again at the Damai Indah Golf Course (PIK), where 2014 was the last time Damai Indah Golf PIK Course hosted the Indonesia Open, which was won by Padraig Harrington from the Republic of Ireland. This tournament itself will be held on 29 August–1 September and is open to the public.
Mandiri Indonesia Open 2024 itself offers a total prize of US$ 500,000, or around Rp. 8.15 billion (exchange rate: 1 US$ = Rp. 16,300), with the first winner entitled to US$ 90,000. This year is the third year that Bank Mandiri has been the title sponsor for the Indonesia Open.
In today’s press conference session, there were several players who became speakers, including Miguel Tabuena (PHI), Jonathan Wijono (INA), Gabriel Hansel Hari (INA), Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), and the defending champion Nitithorn Thippong (THA).
According to Nitithorn, defending the title he won last year was not easy; in addition to the different golf course, the character of the course was also different. “The course is amazing, but I have to work hard in the green area. I practiced well today; only the green was a bit difficult, so it affected some putts. I have to try to find out how to overcome it,” said the golfer from Thailand.
Unlike Nitithorn, Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), who has already felt the title of champion here in 2013, the 3-time Indonesian Open champion considers Indonesia a special place. “I have a lot of history with the Indonesia Open, and I feel proud to be part of this tournament. I personally feel that the Mandiri Indonesia Open is probably one of the best events this year. Eleven years ago, I won on this course, and I want to do it again. But I have to stay focused on my game,” said Bhullar, a golfer from India who has been visiting Indonesia for the past 20 years. “As I said, I really like the course setup, plus I feel comfortable playing in the hot weather. Also, I like the challenge of the course layout.”
Meanwhile, Indonesia’s leading golfer Jonathan Wijono also commented when asked by journalists about his chances of winning this tournament: “There should be many opportunities because it’s hometown, but you still can’t underestimate it. You have to focus on the target and game plan that have been made. Of course you have to do our best to fight for the trophy,” said Jowi, Jonathan Wijono’s nickname.
For information, the Indonesia Open has been held since 1974. Until now, only one Indonesian golfer has ever won, namely Kasiadi in 1989. Damai Indah Golf-PIK Course will again host the Mandiri Indonesia Open 2024, after last hosting it ten years ago. Golfers will face new challenges at the Damai Indah Golf-PIK Course, which was designed by legendary golf course designer Robert Trent Jones Jr.
