Former World Number One Lee Westwood will be hoping to bolster his position in The 2013 Race to Dubai when he returns to European soil for the Turkish Airlines Open presented by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, which takes place from November 7-10.
Westwood will be eyeing a strong performance at the inaugural US$7million tournament, taking place at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal in Belek, Antalya, as he enters The 2013 Race to Dubai’s Final Series still harbouring hopes of being crowned The European Tour’s Number One player for a third time.
“I feel like I have played well this season without necessarily getting the results my performances have deserved,” said Westwood, who finished tied for third place at The Open Championship in Muirfield last July and is currently 18th in The Race to Dubai.
“There is plenty of time for me to put that right between now and the end of the season, though, and I am looking to finish off the year in style.”
It is the Englishman’s second visit to the country in just over a year, having reached the final of the eight-man Turkish Airlines World Golf Final in October 2012.
“I really enjoyed my time in Turkey,” said Westwood. “The climate, facilities and atmosphere were all fantastic and a credit to the strides Turkish golf has made in the last few years. I am really looking forward to returning.”
Ahmet Ali Ağaoğlu, President of the Turkish Golf Federation, is thrilled The European Tour’s record prize money winner has confirmed his place in the event, which forms part of The Final Series, a lucrative new four-tournament conclusion to The Race to Dubai, and also features World Number One Tiger Woods.
“Having a player of Lee’s calibre and standing in the game commit to the tournament is further proof of Turkey being, in our opinion, the leading golf destination in Europe,” he said. “We are delighted he is returning.”
Faruk Cizmecioglu, Chief Marketing Officer at Turkish Airlines, added: “Lee is a significant addition to what is shaping up to be a very competitive field. He performed superbly on Turkish soil last year and we look forward to welcoming him once more.”
