MONTY PLAYS IN INAUGURAL SICILIAN OPEN THIS MONTH

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE EUROPEAN TOUR

Europe’s Ryder Cup-winning captain Colin Montgomerie will headline the field at this month’s Sicilian Open.

Montgomerie will be among the star names at the stunning Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa from March 17-20 as he looks to win a remarkable 32nd European Tour event and reignite his career after guiding Europe to Ryder Cup victory in Wales last October.

The 47-year-old Scot believes new events such as the Sicilian Open are hugely important to the continuing development of The European Tour in its home continent and hopes this month’s inaugural event can help continue the development of an already booming Italian golf scene due to the continued heroics of Matteo Manassero and the Molinari brothers on the world stage.
“I’ve always been a great supporter of new events on The European Tour and I’m looking forward to visiting Sicily,” said Montgomerie.
“Italian golf is in a strong position at the moment and hopefully this tournament will help with this development.
“I’m delighted to lend my support to it and hopefully I will be able to contend as well. My game has been improving this year and this will be another opportunity for me to try to win another European Tour title.”
Montgomerie will meet stern competition from a host of European Tour winners in Sicily, with the likes of SSP Chowrasia (recent winner of the Avantha Masters), Nick Dougherty, Thongchai Jaidee and Jeev Milkha Singh among the favourites to contend for the Sicilian Open trophy.

The €1million Sicilian Open will be the first event of the 2011 International Schedule to be played on the Tour’s home continent as the European golf season warms up.

The magnificent Donnafugata Golf Resort and Spa will serve as the perfect location to begin the Tour’s home run in Europe, offering two championship courses (the Parkland Signature Course designed by Gary Player and an 18-hole Championship Course designed by Franco Piras) and superb all-round facilities.