Major winner Jimmy Walker, Ryder Cup champion Paul Casey to play in Porsche Singapore Classic

SINGAPORE – Golf Major winner Jimmy Walker is excited to be making his maiden appearance in the upcoming Porsche Singapore Classic at Laguna National Golf Resort Club.

Joining the 2016 PGA Championship winner at the US$2.5 million (S$3.34 million) March 20-23 Singapore event will be LIV Golf star Paul Casey, the organisers announced on Feb 24.

After spending most of his career on the PGA Tour in the United States, Walker now plays on the DP World Tour as he seeks to resurrect his game after a debilitating illness.

The American, 46, said: “It’s always exciting to play in new events, and the Porsche Singapore Classic is no exception...

“I’ve really enjoyed playing on the DP World Tour this season, and I’m looking forward to another great week in Singapore.”

The six-time PGA Tour winner has played three events on the DP World Tour this season, missing the cut in all three, with his best performance coming in the Bahrain Championship where he finished tied-74th.

Once ranked 10th in the world, Walker has endured a torrid journey since his last professional win at the 2016 PGA Championship.

In 2017, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease, an illness transmitted by tick bites. Symptoms include headaches, brain fog, insomnia, nausea, joint pain, and weight gain and loss.

The condition affected him physically and mentally, and his game suffered drastically.

In January, the world No. 517 told the DP World Tour’s website that his chipping and putting – areas he struggled with in the last three to four years – felt “very solid” after he spent last summer working on his game and getting back in shape.

He said: “I’ve just turned 46. A lot of young guys out here are hitting it really far now and I just have to keep it within my lane and do what I know I can do...

“Know my limitations, know my strengths and just go from there.

“Putting two rounds together has been the hard part. So that’s the concentration and that’s what I’m keeping an eye on, as we move forward with the year.”

Former world No. 3 Casey, a PGA Tour three-time winner who helped Europe win the Ryder Cup thrice, will be hoping to improve on his sixth-placed finish at Laguna’s Classic Course in 2024.

“Singapore is always a special place to visit,” said the 47-year-old Englishman, who finished 11th in the LIV Golf standings last season.

“You don’t often get the chance to be part of a premium event like this, which I am looking forward to. I simply love it here.”

Other stars slated for the event include Scotland’s world No. 16 Robert MacIntyre, who featured in the European team who won the 2023 Ryder Cup, and some of Asia’s top players, including Thailand’s four-time DP World Tour winner Kiradech Aphibarnrat.

Singapore will be represented by Brayden Lee, who earned his spot after emerging as the top local amateur at the qualifying event on Feb 18.