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Cabrera enters Singapore Open
12/07/2007 09:49 - (SA)
Singapore - Golf's latest major winner Angel Cabrera has been added to the impressive field for the $4m Singapore Open, organisers said on Thursday.
Since beating Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk to the US Open last month, the Argentine has become hot property and his attendance at the November 1-4 event is a major coup for the organisers.
It also adds a little more gold dust to what had already been a glittering draw for an Asian Tour tournament.
"Cabrera joins an exciting field of some of the world's top players," event chairperson Graham Bell said.
"He's been playing especially well this year and it'll be a treat for spectators to see some of the world's best golfers grace our shores once again."
The team behind the Asian Tour event - Asia's richest national Open - is determined to elevate its prestige to virtual major status and no cost has been spared in the process.
More than S$12m has been spent on renovating the course on Singapore's island resort Sentosa while sponsor Barclays have cranked up their investment.
A record $4m purse is on offer this year - up from $3m last year - and it will rise to $5m in 2008.
The burgeoning prestige of the event had already attracted a trio of top 10 names.
Adam Scott, Vijay Singh and Ernie Els lead the strongest field yet assembled.
World number four Scott is targeting a third straight Singapore Open crown.
Cabrera's celebrity status has sky-rocketed in his native Argentina after landing the US Open in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
His triumph made him only the second South American to win a major title, emulating the achievement of compatriot Roberto de Vicenzo, winner of the 1967 British Open at Hoylake.
- Reuters
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