American superstar Jordan Spieth will make his debut appearance in South-East Asia at this week’s SMBC Singapore Open as the current world number one after a strong start to the year.
Spieth, who has led the Official World Golf Ranking for 12 weeks, comes into the tournament at Sentosa Golf Club from January 28-31 after victory in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in Hawaii earlier this month and a joint fifth place finish in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The 2015 Masters and US Open champion felt that his rhythm was a little bit off last week due partly to “long travel and limited practice” but is looking forward to teeing it up at the famed Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.
“I did not get in a rhythm and when I did have chances, they just would not go,” said the 22 year old. “Just a little off on the read or the speed (of the greens), one of the two. Sometimes that happens during a week and we kind of grinded out eight-under on the weekend in what really could have been something special but it also could have been worse.
“I’ve always wanted to visit here (Abu Dhabi) and I’ve always wanted to visit there (Singapore). I’ve heard from quite a few people that it’s arguably the best city in that part of the world, very clean, very fun to go to, good food, great golf course.
“It’s an event that we’ve kind of had our mind on for a year or two and thought it might work out on a trip around the world. Go this way and just kind of puddle-jump over there I guess and (then) go home. The week (in Singapore) will be fun.”
Spieth tied fifth in Abu Dhabi with Korea’s An Byeong-hun, the European Tour Rookie of the Year in 2015 who will also play the SMBC Singapore Open for the first time later this week.
Darren Clarke, winner of the The Open Championship in 2011, will arrive at Sentosa Golf Club after a battling 61st place finish in Abu Dhabi.
The SMBC Singapore Open will feature the top 60 from the Asian Tour, top 60 from the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, leading Singapore professionals and amateurs and invites including players from the top 50 in the world.
