Former world No 1 Ernie Els to make his return to Singapore

SINGAPORE — After a six-year hiatus, four-time Major champion Ernie Els (picture) will be back on the greens of the Sentosa Golf Club for next year’s SMBC Singapore Open.

The South African will join a roster featuring three-time winner Adam Scott (Australia), and Spain’s Sergio Garcia at the Jan 19-22 tournament.

Popularly known as the “Big Easy”, former world No 1 Els last played at the Singapore Open in 2011, where he finished joint-23rd.

Currently ranked world No 345, the 47-year-old came close to clinching victory here in 2006 — when he lost by two shots in a playoff with Scott — and again in 2008, when he was beaten to the top spot by India’s Jeev Milkha Singh.

Els, who won the US Open and the British Open twice in his career, will be on the hunt for his maiden Singapore Open title next year.

“The last time I played in Singapore was in 2011, so I am really looking forward to getting back there and having another shot at the title,” he said. “It was good to see the tournament get back on the schedule earlier this year.

“There is a strong fan base of golf support there, it is a beautiful city and of course the Serapong Course is one of the best there is in Asia.”

Jointly-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation, the 51st edition of the Singapore Open will tee off at the Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course on Jan 19.

Golfers competing in the US$1 million (S$1.42 million) tournament will also get the chance to qualify for The 146th Open at Royal Birkdale, with the leading two non-exempt players who finish in the top 10 (and ties) to secure spots to the prestigious event in July. LOW LIN FHOONG

Tickets to the SMBC Singapore Open start from S$20 and are available at www.smbcsingaporeopen.com