The Turkish Airlines Open is the first of three consecutive Rolex Series events which concludes with the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
As one of eight Rolex Series events in 2018, the field in Turkey has some top-line talent, including three members of the winning European Ryder Cup team: Tommy Fleetwood, defending champion Justin Rose, and 2016 winner Thorbjorn Olesen. Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn will also be teeing it up, as will two of his vice captains in Lee Westwood and Padraig Harrington.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Russell Knox, Thomas Pieters, Shane Lowry, Martin Kaymer, Danny Willett, Brandon Stone, and Matt Wallace are some of the other familiar names.
In all 13 of the top 20 on the Race to Dubai Rankings will be teeing it up at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort.
THE SKINNY
Tournament: Turkish Airlines Open
Dates: Nov. 1-4, 2018
Where: Antalya, Turkey
Course: Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort
Distance: Par 71, 7186 yards
Architect: Thomson Perrett & Lobb
Format: 78 players, 72 holes, no cut, stroke play
Purse: $7,000,000
Winning Share: $985,000
OWGR Points: 36
Defending Champion: Justin Rose
Marquee Players: Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Thorbjorn Olesen, Thomas Bjorn, Lee Westwood, Padraig Harrington, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Russell Knox, Thomas Pieters, Shane Lowry, Martin Kaymer, Danny Willett, Brandon Stone, and Matt Wallace
TV & ONLINE
Rd1: Thu 6 – 10:00 am (GOLF)
Rd2: Fri 6 – 10:00 am (GOLF)
Rd3: Sat 6 – 10:00 am (GOLF)
Rd4: Sun 6 – 8:30 am (GOLF)
All times EST
Online: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Wikipedia
HISTORY
The Turkish Airlines Open was first contested in 2013 and has always been part of an elite series on the European Tour season – first as part of the Final Series (2013-16), then becoming part of the Rolex Series (2017).
The first three editions were held at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal. In October 2015, Turkish Airlines came on board as the tournament sponsor, which expires after this edition (2018).
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson won the inaugural event in 2013, and again in 2015. World No. 1 Brooks Koepka won his first European Tour title in Turkey (2014).
In fact, since being added to the European Tour’s schedule, all four winners of the Turkish Airlines Open have gone on to play in the Ryder Cup, including Dubuisson (2014), Koepka (2016, 2018), Thorbjørn Olesen (2018), and Justin Rose (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018).
2017 WINNER
Justin Rose capped off another fantastic week of golf with a birdie on the 72nd hole to reach 18-under par and capture the 2017 Turkish Airlines Open by a single stroke.
Playing in the second to last group, the Englishman and his playing partner, Nicolas Colsaerts of Belgium, were deadlocked with South African Dylan Frittelli at 17 under.
The Olympic Gold Medalist finished with a final-round 6-under 65 at Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort to make it back-to-back wins,
FINAL TOP 5
1 Justin Rose -18
2 Dylan Frittelli -17
2 Nicolas Colsaerts -17
4 Padraig Harrington -16
4 Thorbjorn Olesen -15
RACE TO DUBAI
1 Francesco Molinari (ITA) 4,709,921
2 Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 3,502,538
3 Patrick Reed (USA) 3,268,511
4 Xander Schauffele (USA) 3,092,488
5 Alex Noren (SWE) 2,833,225
6 Rory McIlroy (NIR) 2,810,979
7 Thorbjorn Olesen (DEN) 2,695,583
8 Eddie Pepperell (ENG) 2,478,435
9 Tyrrell Hatton (ENG) 2,396,224
10 Justin Rose (ENG) 2,265,016
FULL FIELD: WORLD RANK & ODDS
Turkish Airlines Open | Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort | Antalya, Turkey | Nov. 1-4, 2018
Credit: European Tour Media, Getty Images
