Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
SINGAPORE — Spectators at the Porsche Singapore Classic can catch some of Asia’s top golfers in action, with Kiradech Aphibarnrat (Thailand), Gavin Green (Malaysia), Li Haotong (China) and Kho Taichi (Hong Kong) to begin the DP World Tour’s Asian Swing here from March 21-24, 2024.
The quartet will add further star power to an already impressive Porsche Singapore Classic field at the Laguna National Golf Resort Club. 2019 Open champion Shane Lowry of Ireland and Japanese Rikuya Hoshino, the most recent winner on the DP World Tour, earlier confirmed their participation in the US$2,500,000 event.
Li is China’s first male golfer to break into the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking following his stunning success at the 2018 Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
“It was great to return to Singapore last year and I’m really excited to head back there again next month,” said the 28-year-old.
“I love what the DP World Tour has done with the global Swings and I know all the golfers from the Far East are really looking forward to the Asian Swing.”
Four-time DP World Tour winner Aphibarnrat regained his playing privileges at Qualifying School in 2023 and is aiming to take advantage of familiar surroundings to keep his card in 2024.
“It feels great to be heading back to Asia and Singapore is such a fantastic country,” said the 34-year-old. “Laguna National is a great golf course and I can’t wait to tee it up next month.”
It is a big year for Malaysian Green, who will be aiming to represent his country for a third time at the Olympic Games in France this summer.
“Being able to play a DP World Tour event so close to home is really exciting,” said Green. “I know a lot of the Asian members on the DP World Tour are really looking forward the Asian Swing and we hope to see a lot of local support out there.”
Kho, who made his professional debut at the 2023 Singapore Classic and returns this year as the reigning Asian Games champion, is excited to test his game against the stars of the DP World Tour.
“It will be great for me to see how my game compares to some of the guys on the DP World Tour and I’m excited to tee it up,” said the 23-year-old.
Patrick Bowers, Executive Championship Director of the Porsche Singapore Classic, said: “We are proud to welcome this highly accomplished group of Asian golf stars who have achieved significant success over the years on the DP World Tour. Our fans love to root for players from their home countries and in a place as large and diverse as Asia, it is desirable for us to have significant professional representation from across the region – and this group of players allows the Porsche Singapore Classic to achieve that goal for our fans.”
Porsche announced last month that it is continuing its long-standing relationship with the DP World Tour by extending its global golf involvement with a new multi-year deal to become Title Partner of the Singapore Classic.
With the partnership between Porsche and the Singapore Classic, the sports car manufacturer is internationalising its activities in professional golf and affording its worldwide customers and fans additional exclusive brand experiences. The deal complements Porsche’s current worldwide activities in customer sport, revolving around the Porsche Golf Cup and the Porsche Golf Circle.
The DP World Tour returned to Singapore last year after a nine-year hiatus with South Africa’s Ockie Strydom triumphing at Laguna National.
The DP World Tour first visited Singapore in 1993, with Major Champions Sir Nick Faldo and Ian Woosnam winning the first editions of the Johnnie Walker Classic in 1993 and 1996. Fellow Major Champions Vijay Singh and Adam Scott are also winners on the DP World Tour in Singapore.
The 2006 edition of the Singapore Masters, held at Laguna National, was the scene of the most memorable moment in the country’s golfing history, when home favourite Mardan Mamat lifted the trophy, finishing one stroke ahead of England’s Nick Dougherty.
The Porsche Singapore Classic will take place at Laguna National Golf Resort Club from March 21-24, 2024, with a prize fund of US$2,500,000. Event updates can be found on the Singapore Classic website, as well as its Facebook and Instagram pages.
To buy tickets to attend the Porsche Singapore Classic, please click here. Children aged 16 and under receive complimentary entry when accompanied by an adult with a valid ticket. The Porsche Singapore Classic spectator village will feature a multitude of activities, food & beverage and entertainment options for golfers and non-golfers alike.
