This week the European Tour heads to Turkey for the inaugural Turkish Airlines Open by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the penultimate event on the Final Series calendar before the grand finale in Dubai next week.
Following a resilient victorious performance by Gonzalo Fernandez Castano at the BMW Masters and an impressive display by big hitting American Dustin Johnson last week to claim the WGC HSBC Championship, this week provides European Tour players the last opportunity to make the top 60 on the Race to Dubai Order of Merit and qualify for the Tour Championship FInal in Dubai.
Architect in Chief of the host course this week, the Montgomerie Maxx Royal, multiple European Tour Order of Merit winner and stalwart of the European Tour, Colin Montgomerie commented, “I am really looking forward to getting back out on the European Tour and what better place to return than at one of my courses,”
“It is fantastic that the Turkish Airlines Open features so many of the European Tour’s leading players and, as the penultimate event on the Race to Dubai, there is a lot to play for.”
One of those players with a lot to play for is Champions of Golf’s own Scott Jamieson, currently ranked 27th on the European Tour Order of Merit Scott has had his best professional season ever and playing alongside Montgomerie and multiple major winner Padraig Harrington for the opening round will certainly focus his attention on the job at hand. With his position in the starting field for Dubai already secure, Scott’s main aim is to increase his standing in the world rankings (currently 105th) and critically gain entry into next season’s marquee events such as the World Golf Championships and major tournaments for 2014.
Marc Warren, a fellow Champions of Golf player who also has his place secure in Dubai, is another golfer looking to book their berth in 2014 major events with a strong finish to the 2013 season. With the added incentive of the Ryder Cup 2014 being on home soil in Scotland, Marc and Scott will have one eye on the points race as the challenge for those automatic spots in the European team intensifies.
The final Champions of Golf professional teeing off at the Turkish Airlines Open this week is Graeme Storm, after a strong season, including a second place finish at the Open de France earlier in the season Graeme is currently just outside the illusive top 60 on the Order of Merit, but breaking into this select group is well within his grasp this week in Turkey. A top finish will be required but Graeme is more than capable of battling against the world’s best to secure his spot in the season finale.
Round One Tee Times:
Marc: 09.05am (08.05 UK time) alongside Ross Fisher and Wen-Chong Liang.
Scott: 09.45am (08.45 UK time) alongside Padraig Harington and Colin Montgomerie.
Graeme: 10.15am (09.15 UK time) alongside Eddie Pepperell and Ediz Kemaloglu (AM)
Keep up to date with all the scores from Turkey through the European Tour at www.europeantour.com or watch the live action unfold throughout the week only on Sky Sports television.