Jakarta, December 12: World number two Justin Rose of England has pledged to donate USD 50,000 to Habitat for Humanity Indonesia’s disaster response program ahead of the Asian Tour’s season-ending BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri, which starts on Thursday.

Thousands of people were left homeless after the 7.4-magnitude quake and tsunami struck and caused widespread devastation to areas in Lombok in August and Sulawesi in September, 2018.

As the Sustainable Development Partner of the Asian Tour, Habitat for Humanity Indonesia is committed to helping families affected by the recent disasters. Besides lending its support for the reconstruction of houses, water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, Habitat for Humanity also creates avenues for the golfing community to support meaningful housing and shelter project across Asia.

“I’m truly saddened by the events in Sulawesi and Lombok and in a time of need for the survivors affected by these catastrophes, I hope my donation can help restore some sort of normality,” said Rose.

In addition to Rose, numerous members of the Asian Tour have pledged their support for the relief efforts in the affected areas, as well as having participated in construction projects with Habitat for Humanity operations across the Asian region.

The Englishman, who is also the reigning FedEx Cup champion, Olympic gold medalist and 2013 US Open champion, will be returning to defend his BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri  title which he won by eight shots at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club last year.

Rick Hathaway, Asia-Pacific vice president of Habitat for Humanity International said, “We are grateful for the generosity of Justin Rose. As the festive season of giving approaches, we continue to appeal to the public to help build lasting change in the lives of families that Habitat is supporting in the disaster-hit areas of Sulawesi and Lombok, Indonesia. Because of the massive needs, we must do more.”

The eighth edition of the prestigious BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri will also bring the curtain down on the 2018 Asian Tour season with India’s Shubhankar Sharma crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion after topping the Habitat for Humanity standings.

The winner of this year’s US$750,000 BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri will also receive an added bonus – a spot in the World Golf Championships – FedEx St. Jude Invitational next July.

The BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri forms the third leg of the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing, further adding to its pulling power. The Panasonic Swing ranking is based on an aggregate points race that spans five events with Asian Tour players chasing a share of a lucrative bonus pool.

Ends.