There are some mouthwatering match-ups in store after the tee times for the SMBC Singapore Open were released on Wednesday.
Chief amongst them is a renewal of the rivalry between world number 24 Paul Casey of England, the top ranked player in the field, and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, who beat him in the singles at the EurAsia Cup clash last year.
Casey, Poom and American Paul Peterson will tee off from the first hole of the Serapong Course at 12.40pm on Thursday.
Ten minutes later on the same hole, World Golf Hall of Famer Davis Love III, who rolled back the years with four rounds in the 60s at last week’s Sony Open in Haiwaii, will begin his campaign alongside Japan Tour number one Shugo Imahira and Asian Tour standout Justin Harding of South Africa.
The featured group in the morning session sees defending champion Sergio Garcia of Spain, the 2017 Masters champion, partnered by Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa, aka the ‘Bashful Prince’ and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, who tied fourth last year and gained a spot in The Open.
The high-profile trio will take to the fairways at 8.00am from the 10th tee.
Just ahead of them at 7.50am, a big treat is in store for spectators as showman Hosung Choi, who has one of the craziest swings in world golf, pirouettes on to the 10th tee.
He will be partnered by England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick, a five-time winner on the European Tour, and multiple champion Yuta Ikeda of Japan.
