Najib to tee off with golf legend Tiger Woods

In what can be seen as another image-boosting spectacle, Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak will be teeing off with golf legend Tiger Woods when he plays in Malaysia this October.

But, the premier said this all depends on whether there will be a "big event" that month, in an oblique reference to the upcoming general election.

Najib said this in his speech today at the launch of the CIMB Classics golf tournament in Putrajaya. 

He was responding to a preceding speech by CIMB chief executive officer Nazir Abdul Razak - Najib's younger brother - who expressed hope that no big sporting or political events would take place in October.

Woods will be in Malaysia to take part in the newly re-branded tournament which will be a full-sanctioned US PGA event in 2013.

The American golfer is one of three big names in US golf who have confirmed attendance.

Najib - an avid golfer - said he was happy to have Woods visit Malaysia a second time after 13 years. 

“There are some of my childhood dreams still unfulfilled. One is to see Malaysia host a PGA-level event,” added Najib who said that he is anticipating the event.