Former Masters champion Sergio Garcia is expected to headline next week’s historic US$1.5 million St Andrews Bay Championship on the outskirts of the famed Auld Grey Toon.
Additionally, nine of the top-10 on the current Asian Tour Order of Merit have confirmed their entries for the showpiece event over the Torrance Course at Fairmont St. Andrews – the Asian Tour’s first foray onto Scottish soil.
This first-ever Asian Tour event to be staged in the Home of Golf nation will also feature the current No. 1 and No. 2 on the money list in Andy Ogletree and Miguel Tabuena. American Ogletree (969.52 points) currently holds a slender lead over Filipino Tabuena (965.24) at the top of the standings.
Behind them, Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent (fourth), Australians Wade Ormsby (fifth), Brendan Jones (seventh) and Kevin Yuan (eighth), Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho (10th) and Thais Sadom Kaewkanjana (sixth) and Gunn Charoenkul (ninth) will all be bidding to make up ground on the leading duo.
Also expected to feature prominently in the 12th leg of the 2023 Asian Tour season, and the sixth stop on The International Series, are former Masters Tournament winner Garcia, along with Chilean Mito Pereira.
The participation of Patrick Reed, who was also expected to attend, has been left in doubt after the 2018 Masters winner was forced to withdraw from this week’s event at Close House due to unforeseen personal circumstances.
Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “With only a week to go before the St Andrews Bay Championship tees-off, anticipation is building for what is another notable landmark in the Asian Tour’s history.
“It’s testament to the significance of this championship that we have such a fantastic turnout from Asian Tour members. Everyone wants to be a part of this ground-breaking new addition to our calendar.”
Callum Nicoll, Director of Golf and Estates at Fairmont St Andrews, said: “There’s a tremendous buzz at Fairmont St Andrews as we enter the final countdown to what promises to be a truly memorable week.
“The Torrance Course is looking in great shape and all of us at the venue are ready and raring to go.”
Designed by European Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance, the 7,230-yard layout has previously hosted the DP World Tour and European Seniors Tour, as well as being a venue for Open Championship Qualifying.
Part of the Asian Tour’s 2023 ‘UK Summer Swing’, the St Andrews showpiece is preceded by this week’s International Series England, at Close House in Newcastle.
And a reminder to all golf fans looking to attend the tournament, that entry is free to all.
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