Since 2017, the SMBC Singapore Open has been part of The Open Qualifying Series – an honour bestowed on the tournament by The R&A.
And this relationship continues in 2020, with The R&A once again announcing the tournament as part of their full schedule of qualifying events.
Four Open spots were up for grabs at last year’s SMBC Singapore Open with the champion Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand, runner-up Yoshinori Fujimoto of Japan, Prom Meesawat of Thailand and Korea’s Doyeob Mun, all making it through to Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
Jazz also qualified for The Open via the SMBC Singapore Open the year before – truly taking advantage of The Open Qualifying Series.
And this year four spots are also available for the 149th edition of The Open – to be played at Royal St George’s in Kent, from 12-19 July.
The road to Royal St George’s began at the Emirates Australian Open in December – the first of 16 events in 11 countries across five continents that make up The Open Qualifying Series for 2020.
The Open Qualifying Series will visit Morocco for the first time with the European Tour’s Trophee Hassan II event offering one qualifying place for golf’s original championship, while the Travelers Championship on the PGA TOUR returns to the schedule for the first time since 2015 with two qualifying spots available.
A minimum of 46 places in The Open are available through the Series, which provides golfers with opportunities to qualify at events around the world on the PGA TOUR, the European Tour, the PGA Tour of Australasia, the Asian Tour, the Korean Tour, the Japan Golf Tour and the Sunshine Tour.
Johnnie Cole-Hamilton, Executive Director – Championships at The R&A, said: “We have agreed an exciting schedule of events with our colleagues at the leading professional tours around the world and we will look forward to finding out which golfers qualify for Royal St George’s.
“We know there is real excitement among fans at the prospect of The Open returning to Royal St George’s which will undoubtedly spur on players to qualify to compete over the famous Kent links come July.”
Regional Qualifying events will take place throughout Great Britain and Ireland with Caldy, Rochester & Cobham Park and Moor Park confirmed as three new venues for 2020. A minimum of 12 places will then be available at Final Qualifying events taking place at Fairmont St Andrews, Notts (Hollinwell), Prince’s and St Annes Old Links.
