Adam Scott looking forward to ‘homecoming’ in Serapong

SINGAPORE — Fan favourite Adam Scott will make his much awaited return to the SMBC Singapore Open next year and bid to lift the trophy for a fourth time.

The US$1 million (S$1.35 million) tournament will be played from Jan 19-22 on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club — where the Australian claimed the tournament a record three times in 2005, 2006 and 2010. Scott joins swashbuckling Spaniard Sergio Garcia, who will make his maiden appearance in the Singapore showcase.

It was in 2012 when Scott last played in the tournament, when he again showed his liking for the Serapong layout, finishing in fifth place.

“It is hard to believe it has been 11 years since I first played in and won the Singapore Open,” said 36-year-old Scott.

“It was also the first time I had won a national Open and it meant a great deal to me. I am looking forward to playing the Serapong again. It will certainly feel like a homecoming of sorts.”

Scott’s biggest win to date is the 2013 US Masters, when he became the first Australian to claim the title. He is a 13-time winner on the US PGA Tour and has triumphed on 10 occasions in Europe.

Other significant wins include the 2004 Players Championship, the 2011 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and more recently the 2016 WGC-Cadillac Championship. He has also claimed all three of Australia’s hallowed titles, including the Emirates Australian Open in 2009.

“This is fantastic news for the SMBC Singapore Open,” said Takeshi Kunibe, president and CEO of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation. “I know everyone has been waiting for Adam Scott to return as he has a huge following in Singapore after three fine victories. With Sergio Garcia competing as well, we are all in for a real golfing spectacle.”

The SMBC Singapore Open is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation, and is the opening event of the season on both circuits.

Korean Young Han Song took the title in January this year, beating then-world-No 1 Jordan Spieth from the United States by a stroke.

Next year marks the 51st staging of Singapore’s national Open.