The SMBC Singapore Open has been given a major boost with news that the prestigious tournament will be part of The Open Qualifying Series for 2017.
The leading two non-exempt players, who finish in the top ten and ties at next January’s event will secure their place in the field at The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale from 16 to 23 July, 2017.
The SMBC Singapore Open, which is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour, will be played at Sentosa Golf Club from January 19 to 22 with three-time winner Adam Scott of Australia and Spain’s Sergio Garcia as the main drawcards.
“We are delighted to welcome the SMBC Singapore Open to The Open Qualifying Series in 2017,” said Dominic Wall, Director – Asia-Pacific at The R&A. “The addition of two places in The Open will add an exciting new element to this fantastic event in Singapore and gives the players a huge incentive to compete for places in golf’s oldest championship at Royal Birkdale next summer.”
2017 marks the 51st staging of Singapore’s national Open and all eyes will be on Scott who will be bidding to win for the fourth time. He has triumphed a record three times in 2005, 2006 and 2010.
Andrew Johnston, General Manager and Director of Agronomy at Sentosa Golf Club, said: “Sentosa Golf Club is proud to be the host venue of the SMBC Singapore Open, an event with a rich history that has been labelled as Asia’s Major over the years. With the inclusion of the event in The Open Qualifying Series, it will continue to gain strength in the region. We are humbled to be in the presence of The R&A and to be connected to one of the greatest championships in golf, The Open.”
In January 2016, Song Younghan of Korea recorded a slender victory over then world number one Jordan Spieth in the SMBC Singapore Open, which returned to the schedule after a three-year absence. 2017 will be the first time the event is part of The Open Qualifying Series.
“This move by The R&A further validates the SMBC Singapore Open as one of Asia’s biggest and most important national Opens. It is also a brilliant reward for players to compete for at Sentosa that will help to contribute to an exciting week of golf. We thank The R&A for making this happen,” said Patrick Feizal Joyce, Vice President – Golf, Asia.
A total of 44 places in The 146th Open are available through The Open Qualifying Series, which provides golfers with opportunities to qualify for golf’s oldest and most international Major Championship at events around the world on the Asian Tour, the Japan Golf Tour, the PGA TOUR, the European Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Sunshine Tour.
