Dubuisson to defend Turkish Airlines Open title

Ryder Cup hero Victor Dubuisson will defend his Turkish Airlines Open from November 13-16, when the European Tour’s hottest new event returns to the stunning Montgomerie Maxx Royal.

Being held for the second year in Turkey’s Antalya region, the tournament, which offers a prize fund of $7m, is the penultimate event of the European Tour’s lucrative Final Series.

Frenchman Dubuisson will be joined by fellow 2014 Ryder Cup victors Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer for what is set to be one of the year’s strongest fields.

Two-time Major Champion John Daly will also compete alongside Montgomerie Maxx Royal golf course designer and eight-time European Tour Order of Merit victor Colin Montgomerie.

And, in support of a burgeoning grass roots golf scene, President of the Turkish Golf Federation, Ahmet Ağaoğlu, announced that three Turkish players would also tee-it-up in the 78-man field.

Of the positive effect the event has had on Turkish golf, he said: “All of the organisations involved in the staging of this wonderful tournament have contributed to the recognition of not only Belek and Antalya but also the whole of Turkey. Everyone, including European Tour CEO George O’Grady, applauded last year’s tournament and we are again working hard to organise a perfect event with the help of our sponsors, particularly Turkish Airlines and Maxx Royal. The fact that we have so many of Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup players attending makes the tournament even more attractive.”

Mehmet Ersoy, CEO of the ETStur, Maxx Royal Hotels and Voyage Hotels said his organization was very proud to host one of golf’s most prestigious events for the second time.

Outlining improvements to both course and clubhouse ahead of the 2014 tournament, he commented: “We had a flawless tournament after nine months of hard work last year and we are looking forward to proving the quality of the Montgomerie Maxx Royal one more time to our distinguished guests from different countries and the world’s best golfers.”

With just under a month until play commences, Cahit Şahin, Director of Maxx Royal Golf Course, emphasized that the course is in immaculate condition, including an extension of the 3rd hole to 365m. “We have completed all of the preparations on the course and in the clubhouse. There is only the tournament left itself.”

To find out more about the Montgomerie Maxx Royal course, visit www.montgomeriemaxxroyal.com or, alternatively, for information about the Maxx Royal Golf Resort log on to www.maxroyal.com