American golf legend Davis Love III will compete in next year’s SMBC Singapore Open organisers have confirmed, marking the first time he will play in the prestigious tournament.
Love has won nearly every accolade in the game and is an outstanding addition to Singapore’s national Open – to be played on The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club from January 17 to 20, 2019.
Tickets for the US$1 million event are also now on sale on APACTix, with “Early Bird” tickets, giving a 10% discount, available until November 30. Children below the age of 12 can attend the event with free access – a move aimed at encouraging more juniors to come and watch the golf.
Hospitality tickets are also on sale but there is a limited quantity available.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia recently announced he will return to defend the title he claimed at the beginning of this year.
And for the fourth consecutive year the SMBC Singapore Open will be jointly-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation. It will be the opening event of the season on both circuits.
“I have played golf all over the world and so I am really excited to have the opportunity to play a tournament in Singapore, where I have not been before,” said 54-year-old Love, who was one of the assistant captain’s at the Ryder Cup two weeks ago.
“I have heard a lot about the tournament and most of the world’s best players have competed there so it’s going to be a great way for me to start 2019.”
Love was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2017 following a stellar career.
He has claimed 21 titles on the PGA Tour: the first in 1987 and most recent in 2015 (the Wyndham Championship).
Most notable of those victories are the 1997 PGA Championship and The Players Championship, in 1992 and 2003.
He captained the United States to victory in the 2016 Ryder Cup and was also captain in 2012, when Europe triumphed.
The American has played in the Ryder Cup and the Presidents Cup on six occasions each, and he famously won the World Cup of Golf with compatriot Fred Couples four years on the trot starting in 1992, also claiming the individual title in 1995.
For the third successive year, the SMBC Singapore Open will be part of The Open Qualifying Series – meaning the leading players will qualify for the 148th Open at Royal Portrush.
