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Graeme McDowell. Asian Tour
Two of LIV Golf’s major champions — Graeme McDowell and Charl Schwartzel — are set to join the cream of the Asian Tour for the latest International Series showdown in Singapore.
The pair are among the headline acts set to tee it up at Tanah Merah Country Club from October 5-8.
One man looking to upstage the veterans is Andy Ogletree, looking to build on a tremendous season as Order of Merit leader and eyeing his own place on the 2024 LIV Golf roster.
The $2 million event will be the seventh stop on the International Series 2023 schedule and will be played on the prestigious Tampines Course at Tanah Merah.
McDowell, the 2010 US Open Champion, looks like he is returning to form after a top-20 finish at International Series England in August.
The European Ryder Cup legend said: “My time at Close House was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to putting on another solid performance to give myself the chance to win my first International Series event.
“I have always enjoyed playing in Asia, so I am excited to get back to Singapore this year and to experience Tanah Merah Country Club for the first time.”
Schwartzel, who famously won the 2011 Masters, again etched his name into the history books at the inaugural LIV Golf London event in June 2022, winning the individual title by one shot over compatriot, Hennie du Plessis.
The South African clinched a shared 13th place in his most recent appearance at the International Series Qatar in February 2023 and arrives at this event following a commendable top 20 finish at LIV Golf Bedminster just last month.
Andy Ogletree won his first pro title in Egypt. Asian Tour
The International Series No. 1 Andy Ogletree, who boasts three International Series titles, including triumphs in Egypt in 2022 followed by Qatar and England in 2023, will be looking to build his lead on both the International Series and Asian Tour Orders of Merit, reaffirming his star potential after winning the 2019 US Amateur Championship.
The 25-year-old said: “I’ve had the pleasure of participating in the LIV Golf League already, which is an experience I relished. As we enter the final leg of The International Series 2023 schedule, each event now holds immense significance in securing my spot for the upcoming year.”
Nitithorn Thippong, the defending champion in Singapore and one of the brightest emerging talents in Asian golf, is determined to retain his title at TMCC and returns in great form after winning the Mandiri Indonesia Open in August.
The Thai golfer said: “After my victory on the Tampines Course last year, I believe I’ve unlocked the secret to performing exceptionally well on this course and I just can’t wait to return to Singapore and defend my title.”
McDowell will be joined at TMCC by two of his LIV teammates at Cleek in Bernd Wiesberger and Richard Bland. The field will also feature Hideto Tanihara, who at the weekend secured victory at the ANA Open Golf Tournament on the Japan Golf Tour and Sadom Kaewkanjana, a dual Asian Tour champion.
High-flying Zimbabwean brothers Scott and Kieran Vincent will also return to the Tampines Course having teed up in the 2022 edition. Older brother Scott, who topped tThe International Series 2022 Order of Merit to earn his place in the LIV Golf League, showed exceptional form when last in the country in April 2023, setting an unofficial course record (due to preferred lies) around Sentosa Golf Club with a blemish-free 62 during LIV Golf Singapore.
An International Series winner in his own right, having clinched his debut professional victory in April 2023 at KN Golf Links in Vietnam, Kieran Vincent will be looking to emulate his elder brother’s stunning Singapore performance.
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “The International Series Singapore marks the first visit of the season to Singapore, and as the Lion City is the home of the Asian Tour, we are thrilled our membership will have the opportunity to compete here that week — especially on the tremendous Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club.”
