Sentosa, November 1: As the fourth year of the Barclays Singapore Open reaches its conclusion today, Barclays, World Sport Group and Sentosa Development Corporation announce their commitment to continuing the success of  “Asia’s Major” until at least 2012.

“This is a fantastic event for Barclays”, said Robert Morrice, Chairman & CEO Asia Pacific, Barclays PLC, “and we are excited about growing the tournament with an increased field of players from around the world as a cornerstone of our brand strategy.”

The agreement includes:
 
1. The purse will remain at least US$5million;
2. Increasing the field size from 156 to 204 players, including 75 players from each of the European Tour and Asian Tour; 32 invitees from the region and 7 from the SPGA and the SGA;
3. The event will move to Week 46 of the annual golf calendar for 2010;
4. The first two days of the Barclays Singapore Open will be played across The Serapong and The Tanjong courses at Sentosa;
5. The event will remain co-sanctioned by the European Tour and the Asian Tour.

“The larger field will give more Asian golfers the opportunity to compete at the highest level at a world class event, which can only be good for the further development of golf in this region”, commented Seamus O’Brien, Chairman & CEO of World Sport Group.  “This could not have happened without the commitment from Barclays and Sentosa Development Corporation.”

“We are proud to remain the home of the Barclays Singapore Open and delighted to have the opportunity to showcase both our championship courses to the world,” said Mike Barclay, CEO of Sentosa Development Corporation.   “Some of the best players in the world have complimented the look and feel of the Tournament, comparing it to a Major set up. This event has shown that Sentosa Golf Club can deliver one of the best championship courses in Asia, if not the world.”