Paul Casey set for Singapore
Paul Casey, the winner of 21 titles worldwide, has confirmed he will compete in the SMBC Singapore Open later this month and make the prestigious tournament his first event of 2022.
The Englishman memorably claimed joint-second place in the event in 2019 and says he is determined to improve on that result this year when the US$1.25 million tournament is played on Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course from January 20-23.
“I had committed to play last year before the tournament had to be postponed because of COVID-19 but when I knew the event was back on this year, I was more than happy to renew my intention to play,” said Casey ‒ currently ranked 27th on the Official World Golf Ranking.
He thrilled the galleries three years ago when in his second appearance in the event he finished two shots behind Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.
“I love the event, the golf course and the city and I definitely have some unfinished business there: I’d love to have my name on that trophy!” he added.
Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
“Given the tough two years Asian golf have faced, I felt it was important I continue to support the event. As a global player I feel obligated to help grow the game and impart my knowledge and experiences with the next generation of Asian golfers.”
The 44-year-old Englishman has claimed 15 titles on the DP World Tour and three on the PGA Tour during a stellar career.
He has also represented Europe on five occasions in the Ryder Cup ‒ thrice on the winning team ‒ and won the WGC-World Cup with countryman Luke Donald in 2004.
Casey first played in Singapore’s national Open in 2012 – finishing in a tie for 10th.
The Englishman is no stranger to winning in Asia having claimed the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea in 2011 and the Volvo China Open and TCL Classic, also in China, both in 2005.
Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
On the final day in 2019, playing in the penultimate group, he mounted an impressive challenge for the title and was five under for his round after 14 holes, but his charge was halted by a bogey at 15. Two more birdies followed for a six-under-par 65 but it was not enough to stop Jazz, who also shot 65 for a winning total of 18-under-par 266 ‒ which is the tournament record.
An array of international star golfers has been added to the line-up for next month’s PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers – in what will be the Asian Tour’s strongest-ever field.
With the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced as the new title sponsor and a field packed with the world’s best players, the landmark tournament is set for a record-breaking edition when it returns to King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC) at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, 3-6 February 2022.
2018 Masters Champion Patrick Reed will once again be returning to Saudi Arabia, playing in every tournament since the inaugural event in 2019. Another US Ryder Cup star confirmed is Tony Finau, who finished runner-up to Dustin Johnson last year and will be looking to go one better to kickstart his 2022 season.
Alongside four of the world’s top 10, the tournament will attract several international star golfers, and some new faces with a debut for Matthew Wolff, one of golf’s hottest young talents. Further newcomers to KAEC will be exciting Australian trio Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman and Lucas Herbert. Frenchman Victor Perez will also join a star-studded field competing for an increased prize purse of $5 million and one of the highest OWGR point totals in international golf.
Previously announced players announced include defending champion Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Louis Oosthuizen, Sergio Garcia, Xander Schauffele, Tommy Fleetwood and Phil Mickelson.
Majed Al-Sorour, CEO and Deputy Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, said: “We have a truly world class international field assembling for the 2022 edition of the Saudi International. The mix of the world’s best players from across the US, Europe and Asia Pacific will make this year our most anticipated yet. Bringing together strong fields for our international men’s and women’s events has shown to play a vital role in driving participation and engagement in the sport in Saudi Arabia. The commitment from our long-term partners at the PIF to take the title position on the event has provided further recognition that the event has reached a level of strategic importance for Saudi Arabia, impacting our schools and grassroots programmes as well as our rapidly improving national teams as part of the long journey we’re on in Saudi Arabia.”
Alongside some of the star names confirmed will be the leading 30 players from the final 2020-21 Asian Tour Order of Merit ‒ which will be finalised after this month’s The Singapore International and SMBC Singapore Open. Wade Ormsby (Australia), Phachara Khongwatmai (Thailand) and Joohyung Kim (South Korea) are the current top-three ranked players.
PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers recently announced a 10-year partnership with the Asian Tour, which will play a key role in helping the Asian Tour to establish itself in the global game and attract international star golfers.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, added: “We are under a month to go before one of the biggest events in the history of the Asian Tour. And with our season-ending double-header in Singapore approaching to confirm our top 30 players from the Order of Merit, we are all set for a hugely significant week. The tournament will give our members an incredible opportunity to play with many of the game’s global stars and allow us to further increase our fan base.”
Sport and entertainment is one of PIF’s thirteen priority sectors laid out in the Fund’s 2021-2025 strategy. PIF has supported the Saudi International as a strategic partner for the first three years of the tournament with the event now an international industry leading property and one of the major sporting events in Saudi Arabia. The event is expected to continue to attract international star golfers.
A particular focus of PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers will be enhancing the events current work on sustainability, innovation, women, and youth. A key goal will be to further accelerate the transformation of the Saudi International and be a leading example for golf events globally.
Tournament golf in India is set to receive a huge boost next year when the inaugural The DGC Open tees-off at The Delhi Golf Club, from March 24-27, 2022 – triumphantly signalling the return of the Asian Tour to India for the first time in nearly two-and-a-half years.
To be staged on the newly renovated Lodhi Course and boasting a lucrative purse of US$500,000, the exciting new event will be one of the standout tournaments in the early part of the season on the 2022 Asian Tour schedule.
“The DGC Open is a new tournament, on a newly renovated Gary Player Design course and in many respects represents a new start for everyone involved,” said Manjit Singh, President, The Delhi Golf Club.
“It is an exciting opportunity for The Delhi Golf Club to play a key role in the return of international tournament golf to India. We feel it is extremely important that we set the wheels in motion to restore tournament golf in India and help the game we are all so passionate about. To commemorate this occasion Mr. Gary Player, himself, is scheduled to be present.”
The last time the Asian Tour staged an event in India saw Korean teenager Joohyung Kim claim the Panasonic Open India in November 2019. While the same event in October of 2018 was the most recent occasion The Delhi Golf Club hosted an Asian Tour event.
The DGC Open will be promoted by The Delhi Golf Club.
NEW DELHI, 28 October 2018 : Pictured during final round of the Panasonic Open India 2018 at Delhi Golf Club, New Delhi, INDIA. Pix by Arep Kulal / ASIAN TOUR
Copyright © ASIANTOUR2018
The famous club will strictly adhere to all Indian government COVID-19 protocols to ensure a safe environment for players and staff.
“The addition of The DGC Open to our 2022 schedule is a massive boost for the Asian Tour and something we have been working very hard on behind the scenes to facilitate,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour.
“The Delhi Golf Club – the quintessential home of golf in India – has been a regular host venue on the Asian Tour for many years. And we are extremely grateful for their continued support, which is especially important to us in these unprecedented times.”
Having undergone a major overhaul in 2019, the highly-rated Lodhi course is set to pose a different challenge with its revamped greens and reshaped bunkers when the Tour returns for the first time since India’s Khalin Joshi claimed his breakthrough win there in the 2018 Panasonic Open India.
The Tour resumed play ‒ following a 20-month break caused by the pandemic ‒ in November and December last year with back-to-back events in Phuket.
Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang won the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship before Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand was victorious in the Laguna Phuket Championship.
The Tour will be releasing their 2022 schedule later in January before the season-opening US$5 million Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers ‒ being played at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club from February 3-6.
NEW DELHI, INDIA – NOVEMBER 02: Ajeetesh Sandhu of India pictured during round one of the Panasonic Open India at Delhi Golf Club on November 2, 2017 in New Delhi, India. (Photo by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
In August Angkor Golf Resort was welcomed as the most recent member of Asian Tour Destinations ‒ becoming the first venue from Cambodia to become part of the exclusive network.
The award-winning golf club ‒ which sits at the doorstep of the famous Angkor Wat Temple in Siem Reap ‒ boasts a Sir Nick Faldo-designed 18-hole layout and hosted the 2012 Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic ‒ an Asian Tour event won by American David Lipsky. We discovered more about the popular club after speaking to David Baron, their General Manager.
How are things at the club presently after a difficult period caused by the pandemic?
Things remain positive, the course is looking great, and the team are champions! Cambodia is now open and ready for all international travellers without restriction. We have lots of exciting events to announce in the coming weeks and we look forward to welcoming travellers, both new and old in the months ahead.
What is the club hoping to achieve by partnering with Asian Tour Destinations?
Our partnership with Asian Tour Destinations and its wonderful network of clubs enables us to showcase our course and destination to a wider audience. It also gives our members more opportunities to travel and experience some incredible courses in the region.
David Baron, General Manager, Angkor Golf Resort
Would the club like to stage more Asian Tour events and what is the value in this for you?
Yes. We have fond memories of hosting Asian Tour events in Cambodia. A Tour event brings long term international exposure to the venue and destination whilst providing a boost to the local economy during event week. I think it’s just a case of selecting the right timing, event partners and having a clear understanding of the objectives all parties are trying to achieve. We look forward to welcoming the Asian Tour back to Angkor Golf.
What have been some of the challenges operating in Cambodia?
Whilst growing significantly over the past decade, Cambodia is still a relatively young golf destination. Here in Siem Reap the economy relies heavily on tourism therefore it’s been a particularly tough period for the country. Having said that, the domestic golf scene has flourished.
Presume the potential for the game to grow in Cambodia is huge?
Absolutely. Participation is going from strength to strength. The locals love the game, and the domestic golf scene continues to evolve rapidly. New venues are appearing, and old venues are improving. The infrastructure is in place for grass roots golf to keep improving here in the Kingdom.
American David Lipsky is congratulated by Sir Nick Faldo after winning the 2012 Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic.
What are the long-term plans for the club?
We have exciting plans to develop our facilities in the coming years. We will provide an integrated resort to serve the local community and international travellers alike.
What are the best things about operating in Cambodia?
The people and the environment. The Khmer people are kind-hearted, welcoming and naturally hospitable. The country is diverse with a cultural richness. There is something for everyone.
Competitors in next month’s SMBC Singapore Open ‒ to be played from January 20-23 ‒ will have the incredible opportunity to travel from Sentosa, the home of the Asian Tour, to St Andrews, the home of golf, through The Open Qualifying Series.
Since 2017, the SMBC Singapore Open has been part of The Open Qualifying Series – an honour bestowed on the tournament by The R&A ‒ but next year marks the first time players face the ultimate challenge of making it through to St Andrews, which due to its special status has usually hosted the event every five years in the modern era.
Four spots at Sentosa Golf Club are up for grabs in The 150th Open ‒ which will be played on the Old Course at St Andrews from July 14-17, 2022.
The Open Qualifying Series allows for the leading four players who finish in the top 12 and ties at the SMBC Singapore Open and who are not already exempt to earn a place in the game’s oldest Major.
The New Zealand Open and Kolon Korean Open are the other Asian Tour events that receive spots, three and two respectively.
The last time The Open was played there was in 2015, when American Zach Johnson beat Marc Leishman from Australia and South African Louis Oosthuizen in a four-hole play off.
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 20: Zach Johnson of the United States holds the Claret Jug as he celebrates with spectators after winning the 144th Open Championship at The Old Course during a 4-hole playoff on July 20, 2015 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
In 2020 the top four finishers to qualify where Joohyung Kim of Korea, Poom Saksansin of Thailand, Canada’s Richard T. Lee and Ryosuke Kinoshita of Japan.
They earned a place in the elite field at Royal St George’s this year. Both Kinoshita and Poom excelled by making the cut, making it memorable first appearance in the event.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, is another player who has truly benefited from The Open Qualifying Series berths made available through Singapore as he secured a place in both 2018 and 2019 ‒ the latter resulting from winning the SMBC Singapore Open.
The Open Qualifying Series provides the opportunity for players to realise their dream of playing in golf’s original Championship.
Places in The Open are available in a host of events across multiple continents.
The Open Qualifying Series started at the Joburg Open at Randpark in Johannesburg last November.
Three places were on offer at there, with Thriston Lawrence, Zander Lombard and Ashley Chesters booking their spots at St Andrews.
In total 16 professional events in 11 countries make up The Open Qualifying Series in 2022.
The Asian Tour are set to enjoy a gripping finish to its season next month after announcing today they will stage a new event, The Singapore International ‒ the week before the season-ending SMBC Singapore Open.
The US$1million tournament will be played on the re-developed championship Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club from January 13-16, and will mark the start of an exciting Singapore swing of events that will bring the 2020-21 season to a thrilling conclusion.
The cream of the Tour’s membership will compete as so much is at stake, including the Asian Tour Order of Merit title and final placings on the Merit list.
The Tour resumed play at the end of November with back-to-back events in Phuket – after a 20-month hiatus caused by COVID-19, and attention will now turn to what will be a unique and ground-breaking end to the season in the Lion City.
“This will certainly be an unprecedented and memorable end to the season for the Asian Tour,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
“The Tour are delighted to be able to launch a new event, The Singapore International, which will play such a key role in helping to bring down the curtain on our season while also adding an exciting new international event to Singapore’s sporting calendar.”
The 2020-21 season, which was combined and will end in 2022 because of the pandemic, has seen six events played on Tour so far. Australian Wade Ormsby won the very first of those, the Hong Kong Open, in January last year and has led the Merit list since then.
“Tanah Merah Country Club and our Tampines Course will be honoured to host The Singapore International ‒ the penultimate event on the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 season,” said Ho Beng Huat, President of Tanah Merah Country Club.
‘It has been a testing two years for everyone because of the pandemic but Tanah Merah Country Club are thrilled to be able to play our part in bringing an inaugural Asian Tour event to Singapore. And this will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the pristine course condition of the Tampines Course, following its reopening in 2018.
“Tanah Merah Country Club has a long tradition of supporting international golf tournaments and have in the past hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic, Lexus Cup, and HSBC Women‘s Championship. The Tampines Course is designed for championship play, and we can look forward to seeing some fine display of golfing skills by the golfers as they play the challenging layout.”
The Club, the Tour and event-organiser SPORTFIVE will strictly adhere to all of the Singapore government’s COVID-19 protocols to ensure a safe playing and working environment for everyone at the tournament.
As well as Ormsby, other leading players competing will be Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Phachara Khongwatmai, Malaysian Gavin Green, Shubhankar Sharma from India and Joohyung Kim from Korea.
All of Singapore’s top players will compete including Gregory Foo, Abdul Hadi, Koh Dengshan, Jesse Yap and Choo Tze Huang.
An extra incentive for competitors is that the top-30 from the final Merit list will be exempt for the US$5million Saudi International powered by SoftBank Advisers – which starts in February and is the 2022 season opener.
The SMBC Singapore Open will make a welcome return in 2022, and with an increased prize purse of US$1.25 million, up from the US$1 million previously on offer. The event will once again take place on the Serapong Course at the Sentosa Golf Club from 20 to 23 January.
After a hiatus in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore’s premier men’s championship will be the final event of the 2020/21 Asian Tour season. The tournament, jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organization, will decide who will be crowned The Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.
Said Ross Tan, President of the Singapore Golf Association: “The SMBC Singapore Open has always been a highlight on the local sporting calendar, and organisers have worked with the relevant authorities to create a truly unrivalled experience under the circumstances and in the safest possible manner. We look forward to welcoming the players back to Singapore and are confident of staging another successful edition of the SMBC Singapore Open.”
Andy Johnston – General Manager and Director of Agronomy, Sentosa Golf Club said: ““We are very excited to host and welcome the players back to Sentosa Island and Sentosa Golf Club again for the SMBC Singapore Open. Since we last hosted the tournament, we have made many improvements to The Serapong and we are very much looking forward to the players experiencing and enjoying the changes we have made.”
The Serapong was voted best course on Tour in 2019,
Public health and safety remain the highest priority during the event and organisers, SPORTFIVE, have been working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that all protocols will be followed .
Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
All players and officials will adhere to strict protocols including pre-departure tests and tests on arrival. Working closely with both Sentosa Golf Club and Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, Singapore, SPORTFIVE will ensure the highest level of preparedness. All onsite personnel will also undergo all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all parties. It is unlikely there will be spectators allowed but limited hospitality is being planned. More details will be shared later.
Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO said: “We are very pleased that the SMBC Singapore Open will be returning in 2022. The tournament has always been popular among players and fans, and we are confident that event organisers and partners are working hard to put together a high-quality event that is safe for all involved.”
Isao Aoki, Chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Organization said: “The SMBC Singapore Open 2020 was the opening event of the 2020 Japan Golf Tour Organization. We are delighted to be starting our year in Singapore again in 2022 and resuming the Tour in style. We appreciate the tournament organisers’ efforts to ensure the safe return of professional golf to Singapore and look forward to watching some of the world’s top golfers in action at Sentosa Golf Club.”
Singapore’s flagship golf tournament has a storied history and has consistently attracted some of golf’s biggest names since its inaugural edition in 1961. Stars who have competed here most recently include then-world No. 1 Jordan Spieth in 2016, and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia ‒ who won the 2018 title. Updates on the players who will feature in the 2022 event will be shared soon.
The 2020 edition of the SMBC Singapore Open took place from January 16-19 on Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course. Matt Kuchar, the bronze medallist from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, pulled off a stunning comeback in the final round to win the tournament with an 18-under par total, turning the tables on gold medallist Justin Rose, who finished second, three shots back at 15-under par.
Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
Jeev Milkha Singh turns 50 today (congratulations Mr Singh) and while most professional athletes at his age are retired the Indian great is not even close to putting his clubs away.
“It feels good in a way [to be turning 50] because I am heading to the Senior Tour for my second innings!” he said, this week.
“It has been an amazing journey: I have played all over the world, I have made good friends, I have made a living out of what I love doing, and I have had success.”
The two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, and winner of six titles on Tour, is exempt for the senior circuits in Europe, Japan and Korea and is hoping to receive invites for the Champions Tour.
He should also be able to play in the Senior British Open, US Senior Open, and the Senior PGA Championship.
Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Singh added: “I will probably start in March in either Europe or Japan – just waiting for the schedule to come out. I am going to play full time and shuttle between Europe, Japan and Korea.”
Jeev Milkha Singh has taken up associate membership for the Champions Tour, where he hopes to get two or three starts.
The Indian star’s plans are coming off the back of a traumatic and tragic year that saw his famous sporting parents pass away in the same week in June because of COVID-19 related complications.
His father Milkha Singh, the country’s most famous runner popularly known as The Flying Sikh, died at the age of 91. A few days before that, his wife Nirmal Kaur, a former captain of the India women’s national volleyball team, also passed away.
“It was really difficult as I lost my parents in the space of five days. It was a double whammy,” he adds.
“I was spending a lot of time in the hospital with them, so it was very difficult for me because I saw the way they were breathing and the way they went. I have had these images since then and had trouble sleeping, and all the memories keep coming back.”
He said he had little desire to play golf and it wasn’t until his 11-year-old son Harjai asked for a game one day that he decided to play again.
He adds: “My son loves the game – he is a good eight handicapper ‒ and he asked me to play, and I decided I did not want to be a bad parent. My father did a lot for us, and if I did not follow in his foot-steps I would not be doing justice to my son.”
Singh recently competed in the Asian Tour Phuket Series and made the cut in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship.
“It was a good start after 20 months of no golf on the Asian Tour. It was great to get the competitive juices going, feel the butterflies. I enjoyed getting back, and it was a great way of getting ready for the Senior Tour,” he said.
Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
His weekly routine now is six days practice, three days workout, plus yoga and physiotherapy.
“I need a lot of work to be done, especially as I lost a lot of distance because I did not touch a club for five months. I need to get my clubhead speed back. I have lost close to about 15 to 20 yards, that’s basically a club and a half. And I played with that in Phuket and I was having a tough time,” he said.
Indeed, it’s been a tough year for India’s golfing talisman and as he stands on the threshold of the star-studded senior game there is one incredible emotion that will be driving him forward.
“I am going to be playing golf for my parents as they got me started.”
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