Colin Montgomerie, fresh from a victory in the Ericcson Masters in Australia, launches his campaign on the 2001 European Tour International Schedule this week by returning to Singapore Island Country Club for the inaugural Caltex Singapore Masters.
Eight years ago Montgomerie was narrowly defeated by Nick Faldo in the 1993 Johnnie Walker Classic but his performance that week marked the start of his record breaking reign as Europe's Number One. Montgomerie shot a closing 66 on that occasion but Faldo birdied the last to take the title after a colossal battle on the final day.
Although pipped at the post by Faldo at Singapore Island Country Club, Montgomerie went on to win twice during the season and capture the first of his seven successive Volvo Order of Merit titles.
Playing with Faldo and Montgomerie during the final round was Steven Richardson, another player looking forward to a return to the course where he finished joint fourth alongside Greg Norman. "The course is a very good test of golf," said the 1991 Ryder Cup player. "You have to hit the ball straight round there or you will struggle. It is quite an undulating course with plenty of water features. Accuracy is certainly the key."
Also in the field is Masters Champion Vijay Singh who, like Montgomerie, will be aiming for successive victories after his win in last weeks Carlsberg Malaysian Open. Five times major champion Seve Ballesteros also plays alongside a host of champions from The European Tour and Asian PGA Tour for the second co-sanctioned event in the "Asian swing" on the 2001 European Tour International Schedule.
Andrew Coltart is another player familiar with the country after being narrowly defeated by Ian Woosnam during a play-off for the 1996 Johnnie Walker Classic, the last European Tour event to be played in Singapore. Woosnam first holed a 25 foot birdie putt on the 18th at Tanah Merah Golf and Country Club to force a play-off and then holed another from a similar distance at the third extra hole to claim the title
Coltart who reached the last 16 of the WGC - Accenture Match Play Championship at Metropolitan Golf Club last month before losing out to Craig Stadler in extra holes, makes his first appearance of the year in a stroke play event.
One of the key holes will be the 206 yard par three second hole, one of the toughest on the course with the green guarded by a steep slope to the right and bunkers on the left but it is the closing stretch which will undoubtedly decide the tournament. The 17th may only measure 133 yards from an elevated tee but the green is one of the smallest on the course with a lake running round the front and right hand side. The slopes and grain of the green add to the difficulties.
Water also features on the picturesque par five 18th hole which makes its way up to the Bukit clubhouse. A long drive is needed over water and with the green tucked around a dog-leg left an accurate second shot is needed to find the putting surface.
