TOP PLAYERS TEE OFF AT PORSCHE SINGAPORE CLASSIC
International golf stars are set to take to the green at the new Porsche Singapore Classic from 21-24 March 2024.
This year, the Singapore Classic welcomes automobile giant Porsche as its Title Partner for the first time, combining passion for the great game with the iconic sports automotive experience. The event marks the start of the DP World Tour’s “Asian Swing” – on the 2024 Race to Dubai.
Players confirmed for the event include PGA Tour winner Matthieu Pavon, DP World Tour winner Rikuya Hoshino and Ryder Cup star Shane Lowry. A slew of Asian stars will also feature at the Porsche Singapore Classic – Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Gavin Green of Malaysia, Li Haotong of China and Kho Taichi, the reigning Asian Games champion from Hong Kong. Singapore will be represented by three golfers, who emerged tops in the qualifying event in February – Nicklaus Chiam, Joshua Yap and amateur Irvyn Tan.
The 27-year-old Hoshino recently claimed his maiden DP World Tour title at the Qatar Masters in Doha in February, securing his eighth professional win. “I’m really looking forward to competing in the Asian Swing and the Porsche Singapore Classic is the perfect place to start,” said the Japanese.
Irishman Lowry, who made history as the first amateur winner of the Irish Open in 2009, returns to Singapore after 12 years. “I’ve played in Singapore a few times earlier in my career, and loved experiencing everything the city has to offer,” Lowry said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to return.”
The 2024 Porsche Singapore Classic, to be held at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club, has a total prize fund of US$2.5 million – an increase from the US$2 million on offer last year. The hole-in-one prize is the Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid, a first on the DP World Tour in Asia.
Porsche’s multi-year partnership as Title Partner is part of the luxury sports car brand’s long-standing relationship with the DP World Tour. It demonstrates Porsche’s commitment to international golf, which started in 1988 through the Porsche Golf Cup. It also extends the brand’s involvement in golf to the important Asian market, focused on Southeast Asia, Korea, and Japan.
The new deal will look to further develop and grow the tournament in Singapore, which returned to the DP World Tour schedule last year after a nine-year break.
The DP World Tour is the main men’s professional golf Tour of the European Tour group. Past winners from the DP World Tour’s history of championships in Singapore include Major Champions Sir Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam, who won the tournaments in 1993 and 1996, respectively. Fellow Major Champions Vijay Singh and Adam Scott were also winners.
DP World Tour events in Singapore have also hosted a number of firsts in Asian golf: In 2006, Mardan Mamat became the first Singaporean to win on the DP World Tour in 2006, and remains the country’s only golfer to do so to date. In 2003, Zhang Lian Wei became the first-ever Chinese winner on the DP World Tour; in 2002 Arjun Atwal was the first-ever Indian player to take the trophy.
Tickets for the Porsche Singapore Classic are available on the DP World Tour website. Juniors aged 16 years and under will have complimentary entry when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket.
The Porsche Singapore Classic spectator village will feature a multitude of activities, food and beverage options, and entertainment for golfers and non-golfers alike. These include live music, putting challenges and a Closest to the Pin Shootout challenge, where spectators could qualify for the chance to win a brand new Porsche car.
Event updates can be found on the Singapore Classic website, as well as its Facebook and Instagram pages.