21 Aussies line up at renewed Singapore Open
BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2005 Singapore Open | General | 25 Aug 2005
Adam Scott, Craig Parry and Nick O’Hern will lead a 21 strong Australasian field at the Singapore Open after the final entry list was confirmed for the event, which takes place in Singapore from September 8-11.
The impressive line-up of star players announced last week that included the aussie trio, has ballooned out with the announcement of the rest of the field to date.
The 42nd Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club will witness a stunning turn out of players from the Asian Tour rarely seen before at a national Open in Asia, thanks to the tournament’s popular return after a three-year hiatus, an outstanding new venue and record prize money of US$2 million.
The top five from the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit will compete in what is Asia’s richest national Open led by top ranked Thaworn Wiratchant from Thailand, his compatriot Thongchai Jaidee, who is in second place, Jyoti Randhawa from India, and Australians Terry Pilkadaris and Scott Barr.
The other players from the top-10 will be India’s Jeev Milka Singh, Australian Marcus Both, Simon Yates from Scotland and Taiwanese veteran Wang Ter-chang.
A host of Australasian tournament winners from the Asian Tour this year will be bidding for success. Adam Scott marched to victory in the Johnnie Walker Classic in April and Pilkadaris triumphed in the Brunei Open.
First time winners, Australians Scott Strange and Adam Le Vesconte claimed the Myanmar and Philippine Open titles respectively and New Zealander Richard Lee, was winner of the Thailand Open.
PGA Tour of Australasia Chief Executive Andrew Georgiou said he was delighted at the close ties the Australasian players had developed with the Asian Tour.
“The continuing growth of the Asian Tour is a testament to the hard work of the players over the last two years. As our closest neighbours, the Asian Tour provides important playing opportunities for our players and it is wonderful to see so many of them represented in this event.”
“I wish them all the very best for what should be one of the best tournaments in Asia this year.”
The Australasian players in the field are: Larry Austin, Scott Barr, Adam Blyth, Marcus Both, David Bransdon, Andrew Buckle, Martin Doyle, Kim Felton, Adam Fraser, Adam Groom, Brad Kennedy, Adam Le Vesconte, Eddie Lee (NZL), Richard Lee (NZL), Jarrod Lyle, Richard Moir, Nick O’Hern, Craig Parry, Terry Pilkadaris, Adam Scott & Scott Strange.
The field of 144 professionals will be gunning for the first place cheque of US$315,000 while the second place finisher will earn US$216,000.
Source – PGA Tour Australia
