Golf’s Singapore Open returns with The Business Times as new presenting partner

[SINGAPORE] This year’s Singapore Open golf tournament will tee off in April with The Business Times – the country’s only financial daily – scoring an ace as the event’s new presenting partner.

This is the first time that an SPH Media news publication has been involved with the prestigious annual competition at such a level, and it takes place during the year that BT celebrates its 50th anniversary.

The US$2 million event will be staged from Apr 23 to 26 at Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong course, making this the first time the tournament will be played at this award-winning venue since 2022.

The Serapong course is where the Singapore Open has crowned illustrious champions such as Sergio Garcia and Adam Scott over the years. 

The 2026 edition is the second tournament on The International Series’ calendar, after the season opener in Japan that will be played from Apr 2 to 5. It is also the fourth event on the Asian Tour schedule.

Two strong brands

BT editor Chen Huifen said that with the publication marking a milestone anniversary this year, the strategic partnership with the Asian Tour in the Singapore Open represents a “perfect synergy between two disciplines defined by strategy and foresight”.

“For half a century, we have served as Singapore’s leading financial daily – not just reporting on the markets, but also championing excellence through our various business awards that mirror our nation’s economic priorities,” she noted in a statement on Tuesday (Mar 24) evening.

“By anchoring ourselves in this premier regional circuit, we reinforce our commitment to transcending borders – aligned with our own evolution as we bring our trusted financial insights to the wider base of audiences.”

BT’s other main association with golf is the annual The Straits Times and The Business Times Corporate Golf League presented by Singapore Pools. The five-leg competition teed off earlier this month.

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Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour’s commissioner and chief executive officer, described the Singapore Open and The Business Times as two of the Republic’s “strongest brands”, and he hailed this new relationship as an exciting one that “promises to be a win-win”.

“The new partnership is perfectly timed as we prepare for the tournament’s return to Sentosa Golf Club. We thank SPH Media and The Business Times for taking this decision,” he added.

“This is phenomenal for the Singapore Open and the Asian Tour, as it means we can reach more audiences through SPH Media’s vast network of media outlets and partners, both in Singapore and throughout the South-east Asian region.”

Singapore Golf Association CEO Joshua Ho said: “As Singapore’s National Open, it is important for us to work with strong local partners, and there is positive synergy in this partnership.”

He added that The Business Times has a “strong reach” and is a credible platform to tell meaningful stories – from the players and competition to the broader impact of golf’s ecosystem in Singapore.

“This partnership will help strengthen the tournament’s connection with the business community while broadening engagement with golf fans across the region,” said Ho.

Decades of history

This year’s Singapore Open will be the 54th staging of what is one of the region’s most famous golf Opens. Last year’s edition – the 2025 Moutai Singapore Open – was won by Japan’s Yosuke Asaji after he overcame South Korea’s Wang Jeung-hun on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off at the Singapore Island Country Club’s New Course.

That victory helped him finish second on the International Series rankings, which enabled him to earn playing privileges on the LIV Golf league this year.

This year’s Singapore Open will also pave the way for qualification to The Open in July, with the leading two players, not otherwise exempt, rewarded with places in the sport’s oldest Major that will be played at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England.

Since its inauguration in 1961, the Singapore Open has grown in stature to become one of the most prestigious championships in Asia. Among the recent title sponsors of the event were Barclays Bank, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp and Kweichow Moutai.

Over the years, the Singapore Open has produced a list of champions including the late Kyi Hla Han (1994), Adam Scott (2005, 2006, 2010), Jeev Milkha Singh (2008), Ian Poulter (2009), Sergio Garcia (2018) and Matt Kuchar (2020).

Many household names such as Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh, Lee Westwood, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy have also participated in the tournament.

While a Singaporean golfer has yet to triumph at the event, it was Madasamy Murugiah who came closest with a joint-fourth finish back in 1995, closing with a five-under 66 as he finished five shots behind eventual champion Steven Conran of Australia.