New Asian Tour event could see LIV players compete in St Andrews

The Asian Tour is coming to Fairmont St Andrews this summer, as part of its ‘UK Summer Swing.’ 

The event, called the St Andrews Bay Championship, will take place over the Torrance Course on 24 – 27 August. It will be part of the Asian Tour’s International Series, where players from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League often compete. It’s the first time the Asian Tour will break ground in Scotland.

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Earlier in the year, entrants to the Oman edition of the series included Brooks Koepka, Joaquin Niemann and Louis Oosthuizen. The event comes in a month-long break for the Greg Norman-fronted LIV Golf League, so a similar field could assemble in the east coast of Scotland to compete for the $1,500,000 prize fund, and, importantly, OWGR points. 

The tour’s ‘ UK Summer Swing’ also includes an event at Close House, which will take place the week before the event at the Fairmont. The Scottish event, which will follow a 72 hole strokeplay format, will be the sixth instalment of the International Series, with other stops including Oman, Qatar, Vietnam, England and Hong Kong.  

Callum Nicoll, Head of Golf and Estates at Fairmont St Andrews, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be staging another world class event at Fairmont St Andrews, and to be making history as the first Scottish host for the distinguished Asian Tour.  

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“The elevated nature of The International Series with generous purses, strong international fields, and the reward of a place for the Series winner in next year’s LIV Golf League all makes for a very exciting tournament in the summer.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, said: “There are few greater experiences in golf than playing in Scotland. It is widely known that Scotland’s golf fans are among the most knowledgeable fans anywhere in the world and our players are really looking forward to teeing it up at a venue that is linked to the origins of the game as we know it. It is a true privilege.”

The Torrance Course was the host to the DP World Tour’s Hero Open for the last three years, however that event now doesn’t appear to be on the European circuit’s schedule.

Lewis Fraser As bunkered’s Performance Editor, Lewis oversees the content that’s designed to make you a better player. From the latest gear to tuition, nutrition, strategy and more, he’s the man. A graduate of the University of Stirling, Lewis joined bunkered in 2021. Formerly a caddie at Castle Stuart Golf Links, he is a member of Bathgate Golf Club where he plays off four.

Performance Editor