Second Oman Open will boast Ryder Cup stars and multiple European Tour winners

Sport360 staff 18:38 13/02/2019
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Triumphant 2018 Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn makes an appearance in Oman.

    With the field now confirmed and the second edition of the Oman Open only two weeks away, this year’s tournament will boast a star-studded line-up full of Ryder Cup stars, multiple European Tour winners and a Major champion.

    The Sultanate’s biggest ever professional sports event returns to Al Mouj Golf in Muscat from February 28 to March 3.

    Six-time European Tour winner and defending Oman Open champion Joost Luiten headlines the event with the Dutchman targeting another solid performance in the capital after coming out on top of an enthralling final-round battle with close friend Chris Wood to seal the inaugural tournament last year.

    “I was surprised by how good Al Mouj Golf was,” said Luiten. “It was my first time playing in Oman and I didn’t know what to expect but I just fell in love with the course.

    “It’s a tough track and there is a stiff wind to contest with so you have to bring your ‘A’ game to be in contention come Sunday. It suits my game and I can’t wait to go back as champion and look forward to defending my title.”

    Thomas Pieters is just one of the stars in action.

    Thomas Pieters is just one of the stars in action.

    Luiten will be joined by two-time Ryder Cup star and 1999 Open Championship winner Paul Lawrie, who is looking forward to making his season debut at the 2019 Oman Open and returning to action on the European Tour after sitting out most of last year with a foot injury which eventually required surgery.

    “I might not be 100 per cent tournament sharp for my first week back after such a long spell on the sidelines, but I’ve got to start playing somewhere and what better place than Oman, where the course and climate are excellent,” said the Scot, who underwent a procedure to repair a ruptured tendon and torn ligaments last September.

    “My foot was causing me some problems at the tournament last year, so I hope I can make amends and really enjoy myself this time around.”

    European Tour stalwarts Robert Karlsson, Thongchai Jaidee, David Howell and 2018 winning Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjorn, who have 39 wins between them on Tour, will be going head-to-head with the next generation of superstars, which include 2018 Rookie of the Year Shubhankar Sharma, Belgium’s Thomas Pieters, French duo Alex Levy and Roman Wattell, English pair Tom Lewis and Jordan Smith and South African Brandon Stone, all of whom have at least one win under their belt on Tour.

    “The field that played last year tell me it’s an amazing golf course and the best that was on the schedule,” said five-time European Tour winner Howell.

    “I’m looking forward to competing and seeing a different side of the Middle East rather than in the middle of a vibrant city like Dubai.”

    Joining the elite field will be Dubai resident Max Burrow, who sealed his place with a 10&8 triumph over Mikkel Mathiesen in the final of the 2019 OHI Oman Amateur Open at Ghala Golf Club.

    Al Mouj Golf is the venue for the Oman Open.

    Al Mouj Golf is the venue for the Oman Open.

    This will be the first time the Englishman has featured in a European Tour event having previously competed with the stars of tomorrow in the Challenge Tour’s Ras Al Khaimah 2017 Golf Challenge.

    “This Amateur Open was arguably one of the biggest events of my season and having missed out in the play-off last year I was keen to come back,” said a delighted Burrow.

    “Obviously it’s great to have gone one better this year and I’m very much looking forward to playing a European Tour event in the Sultanate later this month.”

    Other notable names competing include two-time Omega Dubai Desert Classic champion Stephen Gallacher, previous Ryder Cup players Wood, Edoardo Molinari and Victor Dubuisson as well as history-making Oliver Fisher, who became the first man to shoot 59 in a European Tour event last season at the Portugal Masters.

    Recommended