Barclays Singapore Open Preview

The European Tour heads to the Far East this week as the Race to Dubai nears its climax. Padraig Harrington and Phil Mickelson head a strong field at the Barclays Singapore Open.

Phil Mickelson
Fergus Bisset
By Fergus Bisset
published

Lowdown: The European Tour heads to the Far East this week as the Race to Dubai nears its climax. Padraig Harrington and Phil Mickelson head a strong field at the Barclays Singapore Open. First played in 1961, this will be the 46th running of the Singapore Open but it will be the first time it has featured on the European Tour. It will be the 58th tournament to be co-sanctioned by the European and Asian Tours. With the largest prize fund of any national Open in Asia, the tournament has attracted a strong field and is looked on by many as "Asia's Major." Padraig Harrington is in the field and he'll be looking to climb into the top-15 on the Race to Dubai, he's currently in 16th spot. World Number two Phil Mickelson is also on the entry list as are Ernie Els, Geoff Ogilvy and Michael Campbell. The 156-man field is made up of 65 players from the European Tour, 65 from the Asian Tour plus qualifiers and sponsor's invites. In last year's tournament Jeev Milkha Singh finished one clear of Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els. Singh is not back to defend his title as he's competing in the Volvo World Match Play in Spain.

Venue: Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club, Date: October 29 - November 1 Course stats: par 71, 7,300 yards Purse: $5,000,000 Winner: $833,330 Defending Champion: Jeev Milkha Singh (-7) TV Coverage: Thursday 22 - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 9am Friday 23 - Live on Sky Sports 1 from 9am Saturday 24 - Live on Sky Sports 2 from 9am Sunday 25 - Live on Sky Sports 2 from 9am

Player Watch: Padraig Harrington - The three-time Major champion is on a mission to make a late charge at the Race to Dubai. He really needs a victory here to give himself a chance. Phil Mickelson - One of the most talented players in the world, Mickelson has the ability to walk away from any field if he's on his game. Geoff Ogilvy - The 2006 US Open Champion is currently fifth on the Race to Dubai a victory here could propel him into second.

Key hole: 18th. A par 5 of 542 yards, this is a great finishing hole. Reachable in two for most, a lake lurks all down the left hand side. The hole turns from right to left so anything with a touch too much draw on it could end up wet.

Skills required: Driving. With only one par 4 under 400 yards the Seraong course requires long and straight hitting from the tee. Five of the par 4s measure over 450 yards and the shortest par 5 is 542 yards.

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly. 

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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