Sports

Bjorn to compete with world’s best

January 22, 2019
Thomas Bjorn
Thomas Bjorn

JEDDAH — Fresh from captaining Europe to Ryder Cup victory, Thomas Bjorn has a two-pronged mission in mind when he tees it up for the inaugural Saudi International, powered by SBIA later this month, to play his part in history and grow the game in Saudi Arabia, while showing he can still compete with the world’s best.

The Great Dane has been a huge supporter of golf in the Middle East for more than 20 years, winning the Dubai Desert Classic back in 2001. And, as someone who has played an integral role in helping to shape the European Tour’s global framework, the 47-year-old was quick to seize the opportunity to be part of the first-ever European Tour golf event in Saudi Arabia.

“The chance to be part of history and play in the first European Tour event ever held in Saudi Arabia is a real privilege. I’ve heard about the Kingdom’s plans to grow the game and it sounds very exciting. The course looks stunning and the field is extremely strong, so it’s set to be a great addition to the Middle East swing,” said Bjorn, who has collected 21 tournament victories around the world in a professional career which began in 1993.

“It’s always great to see golf breaking new ground and becoming popular in different countries, as it shows the growth of the game globally. Any opportunity to give golf a high-profile platform in a new country and introduce it to thousands of people is a good one.”

After cutting back on playing time during 2018 to focus on masterminding Team Europe’s 17.5-10.5 Ryder Cup victory over Team USA at Le Golf National in Paris, Bjorn is looking forward to focusing on his game in 2019 and showing he’s still got it on the majestic fairways and greens of the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, the host venue for the Saudi International powered by SBIA, from Jan. 31 to Feb. 3.

The big Dane, whose last victory came at the 2013 Nedbank Challenge in South Africa, faces a tough challenge in a star-studded field that will feature the world’s top three players, four of the top five, alongside multiple major winners and fellow crowd favorites. So, does he think he can still mix it with the best players in the world?

“I like to think I can! I’m not getting any younger, but I still love the game and enjoy playing. As long as my body allows me to be competitive, I will be teeing it up,” he added.

“It was nice to have a different challenge last year and put all my focus on the Ryder Cup, but now it’s time to see where my own game is and concentrate on competing again. It takes a lot of hard work to compete today, and your body and mind have to allow it, so we will see how that goes over the next few months.

“I know there is a lot of excitement about the arrival of a world-class golf tournament for the first time in Saudi Arabia. The Royal Greens Golf & Country Club looks spectacular, with stunning views out across the Red Sea, top-notch practice facilities and a state-of-the-art clubhouse.”

With Bjorn keen to show golf’s young guns a thing or two and the world’s top-ranked players rolling into King Abdulla Economic City (KAEC), golf fans are assured of plenty of top-class action over the four-day tournament.

The Saudi International continues to bolster its field strength, announcing the confirmation of European Ryder Cup stars world No. 2 Justin Rose; 2017 Masters Champion Sergio Garcia; 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson; and 17-time worldwide winner Ian Poulter, in the inaugural event, taking place in King Abdullah Economic City at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

Tickets for the history-making tournament are now on sale at https://www.ticketingboxoffice.com/saudi-international-tickets/group/649/en — SG


January 22, 2019
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