Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano has declined the chance to defend his Singapore Open title this week after a disagreement with the tournament’s organisers.
Speaking to golfbytourmiss.com, the Spaniard expressed his disappointment that his request for airfares and accommodation were ignored.
“I just didn’t get an agreement with the promoters,” said the 32-year-old, whose biggest pay cheque came in this event last year.
“I asked them for flights and accommodation and they kept postponing the answer and just kept postponing, so I needed to make up my schedule.
“It just got to a point that I was fed up waiting for a reply and it’s disappointing as it was a fantastic win in a fantastic tournament and I will always have great memories of my week in Singapore.”
But one man who won’t miss out on the chance to taste victory again in Singapore is Adam Scott, who returns to a favourite hunting ground happy that his Open Championship meltdown has had no long-term ill effects.
The Australian, who won the $6million Barclays-sponsored event in 2005, 2006 and 2010, surrendered a four-shot lead coming down the stretch at Royal Lytham in June to hand Ernie Els the title.
“My attitude towards the game has not changed at all,” insisted the 32-year-old. “In fact, it has reassured me that I am doing all the right things. Putting myself in that position, playing that quality of golf at the right time, that is what I am trying to do.
“When the majors come around next year I will be doing the same stuff to prepare myself. It has filled me with confidence more than anything else, more belief in myself that I have the game to win major championships.
And in Singapore, Scott knows he has a chance of picking up his first win since the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in August last year.
“I had a good finish last week after coming off a five-week break,” he said of his eighth place at the HSBC Champions. “But I am getting to the point now that I am getting a little desperate to win a tournament. There are not that many left and this one would be a great one for me to do that.
“I’ve always enjoyed tremendous support here in Singapore and I’ve made some fantastic friends here and particularly at Sentosa Golf Club. So it is a fun week to come back and meet up with everyone. It is a relaxed atmosphere and I do enjoy the golf course.”
Elsewhere in the field is one man who did manage to win the Open Championship: John Daly. And the American is always draws the big crowds wherever he plays.
“I think that’s the intriguing thing about me, and I feel it every day,” said the two-time major champion. “It’s like I don’t know which John Daly will show up. This year in particular, I’ve had some horrific rounds and horrific ball striking rounds but I’ve hung in there and that’s the thing I wish I had learnt at a young age.”
Other big names in the field include World No.1 Rory McIlroy, in-form South African Louis Oosthuizen, American Ryder Cup star Phil Mickelson and Grand Slam of Golf champion Padraig Harrington.
Singapore Open
Where?
Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore
When?
Thursday November 8 to Sunday November 11
The Course
Par 71; 7,372 yards
Purse
$6,000,000 (winner $720,000)
Defending champion
Gonzalo-Fernandez-Castano (-14)
Most wins
3 (Adam Scott 2005, 2006, 2010) In 2006, Scott became the first player to successfully defend the title.
Did you know?
The Singapore Open was cancelled between 2002 and 2004 through lack of sponsorship, but was revived in 2005 thanks to Sentosa Leisure Group. In 2009, the tournament became a co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event.
Live coverage
Thursday: Sky Sports 1 from 5am
Friday: Sky Sports 2 from 5am
Saturday: Sky Sports 2 from 3am
Sunday: Sky Sports 3 from 3am
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