Golf: Sergio Garcia to play in SMBC Singapore Open again

SINGAPORE - Spanish superstar golfer Sergio Garcia, the reigning US Masters champion, has confirmed his participation in the SMBC Singapore Open for a second straight year, organisers confirmed on Monday (Aug 7).
 
The US$1 million (S$1.36 million) tournament, which will be held at the Sentosa Golf Club from Jan 18-21,  is jointly-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
 
The 37-year-old Garcia, ranked fifth in the world,  will be hoping that his participation in the Singapore Open will lead to great things once again, just as it did this year. 

Just weeks after finishing joint 11th in the tournament behind eventual winner Prayad Marksaeng of Thaialnd, he lifted the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Two months later,  he claimed his first-ever Major with a play-off victory over England’s Justin Rose in April.
 
Garcia said that even though he did not win the Singapore Open, he loved his time in Singapore. “It was the ideal way to start the golfing year,” he said in a media release. 

“I did not manage victory in the SMBC Singapore Open but I won twice soon afterwards, including, of course, my first Major at the Masters.
 
“I am happy to be coming back to the SMBC Singapore Open next year. It is a great event on a superb golf course.”
 
Garcia will also be returning to Singapore with a change in his marital status – he married former Golf Channel reporter Angela Akins last month.
 
He is now hoping to strike the jackpot In his second outing at the Singapore Open, after winning a slew of tournaments in Asia over the past 15 years. He was victorious in 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).
 
“I feel comfortable playing in Asia and I have had success there in the past,” he said. “Hopefully I can add the SMBC Singapore Open to that list.”
 
Ross Tan, President, Singapore Golf Association, said that it would be great to welcome Garcia back to the tournament.
 
“His presence lifted the stature of the event this year and I am thrilled he is returning, this time as a deserved Major champion,” he said.