VETERANS, YOUTHS SET FOR S'PORE OPEN

Seasoned pro Mardan and teen Lee among Il locals keen to make mark at $2.6m event

- Kimberly Kwek Sports Correspondent

The nation’s top golfers are ready to test themselves on home soil, with a contingent of 11 players set to compete at the Nov 6-9 Moutai Singapore Open, the organisers announced on Oct 21.

The local field includes a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging amateurs, all eager to make their mark at the US$2 million (S$2.6 million) tournament at the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC).

Among them is five-time Asian Tour champion Mardan Mamat, who will be making his 23rd appearance at the Singapore Open.

The 57-year-old has enjoyed a decorated career that has taken him around the world, but holds fond memories of playing on home ground.

On his professional debut at the 1994 Singapore Open, Mardan made a hole-in-one at the Tanah Merah Country Club.

In 2006, he triumphed at the Osim Singapore Masters - an event jointly sanctioned by the European Tour and Asian Tour - holding off the defending champion Nick Dougherty of England for a one-stroke win at Laguna National.