The European Tour is pleased to announce a new co-sanctioned event with the Asian PGA’’s Davidoff Tour to be played in Singapore in 2001. The Singapore Masters will be held on February 22-25 with a minimum prize fund of US$825,000.
The Singapore Masters will be played the week after the Malaysian Open, which is also co-sanctioned by the European and Asian PGA Tours, and February's two-tournament Asian swing will attract world-class players from both Tours. The event will be jointly promoted by the Asian PGA Tour Ltd and CNBC Sports International Ltd.
The Singapore Tourism Board has given its full support to this exciting venture for a minimum period of three years.
Mr. Yeo Khee Leng, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board, said: "Hosting a joint-sanctioned tournament between Europe and Asia is tremendous recognition for the Lion City. We have a wealth of world-class facilities, and a superb sporting infrastructure to host international events, and we are fully committed to the success of this initiative.
"Golf in Singapore will benefit because a tournament of this importance will provide the impetus for more kids to take up the game. Our local professionals will also have the opportunity to test their talent against many of the finest
golfers in the world, and face the challenge of winning on home soil.
“It will be a huge boost for tourism, for sure, as the event will receive extensive worldwide coverage from the international media and television. We look forward to hosting the Singapore Masters and to the benefits it will bring to the game in our country.”
Ramlan Dato' Harun, Executive Director of the Asian PGA said that the Singapore Tourism Board's initiative to fully support the event was very welcomed. He explained: “The success of any event isn't possible without the support of relevant bodies and sponsors. I am delighted that the Singapore Tourism Board has committed itself to this venture and their initiative will help ensure the success of the Singapore Masters.
"Singapore is an excellent golfing destination and I'm confident that this new event will be a major success. It is also a great honour for the Asian PGA to be working hand-in-hand with our European counterparts again. This partnership will give our Members the opportunity to take their game onto a higher level."
Ken Schofield, Executive Director of The European Tour, said: “We are pleased to be part of this second co-sanctioned event with the Asian PGA Davidoff Tour and in particular in returning to Singapore for the first time since the Johnnie Walker Classic in 1996. The two-week Asian swing, with the Singapore Masters following the Malaysian Open, further enhances the early months of the European Tour International Schedule.
“Once again it gives me great pleasure to be working with our Asian PGA Davidoff Tour colleagues and I would like to congratulate the Singapore Tourism Board for their foresight in supporting the Singapore Masters. I would also like to thank the promoters, CNBC Sports International Ltd, for their support.”
The winner of the Singapore Masters will gain a two-year exemption on the European Tour.
