By IANS
Singapore : The star-studded Barclays Singapore Open added another couple of stars as Australian Nick O’Hern and South African Charl Schwartzel, members of the European Tour, signed up for $4 million event, the richest national Open in Asia.
World number 36 O’Hern and 2007 Open de España champion Schwartzel will attempt to better their 2006 performances as the battle unfolds on the revamped Serapong course on the resort island of Sentosa Nov 1-4.
O’Hern and 23-year-old Schwartzel will face stiff competition as the Asian Tour tournament currently boasts of a strong field including four of the world’s top 10 golfers such as two-time defending champion Adam Scott (no. 6), Phil Mickelson (no. 2), Ernie Els (no. 5) and Choi Kyung-ju (no. 9).
Some of the other notable players in the field are Vijay Singh (no. 12), Angel Cabrera (no. 20) and Shingo Katayama (no. 63).
Bob Tan, chairman of the Barclays Singapore Open steering committee, said: “The return of one of the most consistent players in history, Nick O’Hern, rising South African star Charl Schwartzel and top-ranked players such as Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson create a good blend of youth and experience for the tournament. It’ll be a week of great golf for all spectators this November.”
Having finished 19th in last year’s tournament, O’Hern’s return marks his third appearance at the event. The 35-year-old left-hander, who was once world number 16, is arguably one of the straightest hitters in the world of golf.
O’Hern made history by becoming the first player to beat Tiger Woods twice in professional match play competition. Recently, the Australian was selected by Gary Player for the Presidents Cup 2007 International Team based on the merit of his match play experience.
Currently ranked world number 72, Schwartzel is looking to better his performance at this year’s event Open after his 15th place finish last year. The South African has shown his hunger for success by winning the 2007 Open de España in April.
The promising young player has won the Sunshine Tour order of merit for three consecutive years since turning professional in 2002.
The tournament, which started in 1961, has grown from strength to strength since Sentosa revived it in 2005 after a three-year break. Starting with a prize purse of $2 million in 2005, it was raised to $3 million in 2006, and will reach $5 million in 2008.
Attracting the world’s top golfing stars and leading Asian players, the Barclays Singapore Open has set its sights on being the ‘Major of Asia’ and is benchmarked against the highest standards in the world of golf.
The Barclays Singapore Open, held on the Serapong Course at the Sentosa Golf Club, presents a severe challenge each year because of the long roughs.
Nonetheless, Scott has won the tournament for two years running and returns to attempt a hat-trick in 2007. He beat Els by two shots in a three-hole play-off after the duo tied on eight under par 205 last year.