Macao: Two-time World Golf Championships winner Ian Poulter will make an eagerly anticipated return following a four-month layoff with a foot injury when he tees up for the first time at The Venetian Macao Open 2016 at the Macau Golf & Country Club next week.
One of the most flamboyant and passionate golfers in the game, the Englishman was sidelined by an arthritic joint in his right foot, which has kept him out of tournament action since June.
Poulter is a 16-time winner in his professional career, with two titles on the Asian Tour. The 40-year-old has recorded eight top-10 finishes in Major Championships and represented Europe five times as a player in the Ryder Cup, winning on four occasions.
Last week, Poulter assumed the role of Vice Captain for the very first time. Prior to his injury, the highlight of his 2016 season was a tied-third finish at the Puerto Rico Open.
Poulter is no stranger to playing in Asia, following wins in Hong Kong and Singapore, but 2016 will mark his first foray to Macao as he looks to regain some form and momentum heading into the end of the season.
He commented: "It has been a long road back from my injury and I am delighted to make my comeback at The Venetian Macao Open, one of the best run tournaments in Asia. It has a great field this year with Branden Grace, Darren Clarke and Scott Hend all playing and I look forward to reconnecting with my fans there. The Venetian Macao has a great reputation in hospitality and entertainment and I can't wait to check that out for myself."
Poulter will be in good company at the 18th edition of The Venetian Macao Open 2016 from October 13 to 16, with defending champion Hend, Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Clarke, world number 14 Grace, 2014 winner Anirban Lahiri, and Chinese golfing legends Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong all signed up for the prestigious event.
Inaugurated in 1998, The Venetian Macao became title sponsor of the tournament in 2012 and since then, has seen it develop into one of the most prestigious professional golf tournaments in the region and the highest purse at US$1.1 million for a full-field Asian Tour event this year.
The 144-player championship will continue to be jointly organised by Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government (MSB) and the Golf Association of Macau. It is sanctioned by both the Asian Tour and the Golf Association of Macau, and promoted by IMG.
