Superstar Sergio to debut in SMBC Singapore Open

Singapore, August 1: Spanish golfing great Sergio Garcia has confirmed he will compete in next year’s SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club, organisers revealed today.

Garcia, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, 11 on the European Tour and nine on the U.S. PGA Tour, will be making his first appearance in Singapore’s national Open – to be played on Sentosa’s Serapong Course from January 19 to 22, 2017.

The US$1 million event, which saw victory go to Korean Younghan Song by a shot from American Jordan Spieth at the start of this year, will once again be jointly-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.

Garcia, who will turn 37 the week before next year’s event, has played in Singapore before in a Skins Game in 2002 along with Retief Goosen, Vijay Singh and Padraig Harrington but the SMBC Singapore Open will be his first start in a tour event in the Lion City.

“I have great memories of playing in Singapore so the chance to go back there and play in the SMBC Singapore Open is one that I am really looking forward to,” said Garcia.

The popular Spaniard is no doubt keen to return to Asia as he has claimed five titles in the region: the Kolon Cup Korea Open (2002), the Champions Tournament, Shanghai (2008), the Iskandar Johor Open (2012), the Thailand Golf Championship (2013), and the Ho Tram Open, Vietnam (2015).

“The SMBC Singapore Open has certainly established itself as one of the top events in Asia, regularly attracting the world’s best, so it is an ideal way for me to start 2017,” added the Spaniard.

Garcia’s most recent victory came in the AT&T Byron Nelson in May on the US PGA Tour.

“It will be a treat for everyone in Singapore to see Sergio Garcia compete in the SMBC Singapore Open,” said Ross Tan, President, Singapore Golf Association.

“He is one of the few global stars not to have played in the tournament so we look forward to welcoming him and adding another feather in the cap for our Open.”

Golf fans also know Garcia best for his starring roles in the Ryder Cup. He was a member of the European Ryder Cup team in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, and 2014. Five of his appearances have resulted in victories.

Next year will mark the 51st edition of the Singapore Open and it will be the opening event of the season on both the Asian Tour and JGTO.