There will be a strong sense of nostalgia in the air during this week’s ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A at Saujana Golf & Country Club in Kuala Lumpur – the fourth event of the 2026 Asian Development Tour (ADT) and its second stop in Malaysia this season.

The US$110,000 event is staged in partnership with the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, thus ensuring a strong representation of local professionals on a familiar battleground – Saujana’s storied Palm Course.

Numerous exemptions are given to rising young professionals and elite amateurs from the Asia-Pacific region, exemplifying The R&A’s shared purpose with the ADT to create development pathways that help aspiring golfers reach their full potential. From 6-9 May, that pathway will wind through the narrow fairways and undulating greens of the Palm Course.

For The R&A, Saujana is familiar ground as well. The club has always enjoyed close ties with golf’s governing body, having hosted International Final Qualifying events for The Open in 2004, 2005 and 2010, as well as the 2002 World Amateur Team Championships.

For the ADT, Saujana has been the venue for many of the developmental circuit’s events over the years, most recently the Toyota Tour Championship in 2023. The Palm Course has also staged the Malaysian Open on nine occasions between 1988 and 2009, and the Maybank Championship from 2017 to 2019, most as part of the Asian Tour.

Jerome Ng, The R&A’s Director of Golf Development – Asia-Pacific, noted that it is no coincidence the championship’s third edition is being held in Malaysia and at Saujana following the first two in Cambodia and the Philippines, respectively.

“Saujana has hosted numerous championships and has much history, and the Palm Course is a strong test for any golfer. We have seen great success in Cambodia and the Philippines these past two years, especially with local talents valuing the opportunity to win at home and kick-start their careers through our affiliate exemption spots. Malaysia is one of the most mature golfing markets in Southeast Asia, and there is no lack of talent, great golf courses and outstanding facilities,” said Ng.

With the top two amateurs who make the cut earning exemptions into the final stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School, the championship provides an invaluable opportunity to fast-track careers.

“The key objective for The R&A when we started this championship was to increase the breadth of inspirational professional golfers and provide more playing opportunities for aspiring elite amateurs in the region. It serves as an additional platform to complement the work our Asia-Pacific affiliates have put into their high-performance programmes – a pathway from junior to elite amateur, continuing into the arduous journey of professional golf,” Ng explained.

“The championship speaks for itself; it is player-centric, giving our regional elite amateurs and rookie professionals more opportunities to compete on the Asian Development Tour and Asian Tour, to hone their skills and mettle, and to advance their careers while inspiring the next generation of golfers,” he added.

Hole 18 at Saujana Golf & Country Club in Kuala Lumpur

A former competitive player who was a leading light in Singapore’s national team and a professional before switching to golf administration in 2015, Ng understands just how valuable these opportunities are.

“It could be a turning point for any elite amateur or rookie professional, helping to kick-start their careers with a victory and boost their rankings in the bid to secure playing rights on the Asian Tour. I look forward to witnessing all the action at the championship,” said Ng, who joined The R&A in 2021 following a six-year stint with the Singapore Golf Association that culminated in the role of General Manager.

For the ADT’s General Manager, Ken Kudo, this year’s championship holds special meaning as he cut his teeth in the golf industry as Saujana’s club manager from 2009 to 2018.

“I still play frequently at Saujana and remain very close to the management and the working team, so to host the ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A here is special. It brings my two worlds together,” said Kudo.

“Bringing the ADT professionals to my ‘home course’ is exciting, especially with the Palm Course being in its best shape in years. I’m really looking forward to working with the Saujana team again – we have so many fond memories, and I’m eager to add a new chapter to that story,” he elaborated.

Kudo reiterated that the championship embodies the ADT’s shared vision with The R&A to grow the game in the region. “We want to provide as many playing opportunities as possible for up-and-coming professionals and elite amateurs, while also giving seasoned professionals a second chance. For the amateurs, this championship is a wonderful opportunity to gain experience in a professional tournament so they can quickly become comfortable in that high-pressure environment.

“We are extremely thankful to The R&A for believing in the ADT and supporting the Asian Tour through this pathway platform, as well as the PGM Tour for their partnership.” he said.

Saujana’s General Manager, S.A. Nathan, noted that the Palm Course will provide a fitting stage for both the region’s brightest young talents and seasoned professionals. “We are confident that the Palm Course will more than hold its own, as it has proven time and again. With its narrow fairways and signature tricky greens, the course is designed to test every facet of the game, and I am certain we will crown a truly deserving champion.

“It is indeed a great honour to be selected as the venue for the 2026 ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A. Saujana has long enjoyed close ties with both the Asian Tour and The R&A, and we eagerly seized the opportunity to host an event that brings these two esteemed golfing bodies together,” Nathan added.