Tom Lehman, the 1996 Open Champion and 2006 United States Ryder Cup Captain, will finish his 2018 season on the paradise islands of Mauritius and Seychelles after confirming his appearance at this year’s MCB Tour Championship.
Announced earlier this year, the MCB Tour Championship will now comprise of two events, the first in Mauritius from December 7-9, and the second in Seychelles the following week from December 14-16.
The 59 year old, a three-time Ryder Cup player and three-time Senior Major Champion, will return to the site of his MCB Tour Championship victory in 2011 at the stunning Constance Belle Mare Plage in Mauritius.
The Staysure Tour will then make the near-2,000km journey north to Seychelles for the island’s first-ever professional golf tournament, held at Constance Lemuria.
Lehman has enjoyed a resurgence in form this season, winning his 11th PGA TOUR Champions title and recording six further top ten finishes, including a tied sixth result at The Senior Open Presented by Rolex at St Andrews.
“I can’t wait to return to Mauritius for this year’s MCB Tour Championship,” said Lehman. “I have special memories of the island after my win in 2011, and this year is made even more special by having the event in Seychelles immediately after.
“Raoul and his team at MCB have been fantastic supporters of the Staysure Tour over the last eight years and the Indian Ocean Swing, which they have been instrumental in creating, will be the envy of the golfing world at the end of the year.
“I would love to win the MCB Tour Championship again but, with the top players from the European circuit also teeing it up, competition will be fierce. It promises to be a fantastic fortnight of golf.”
Raoul Goufflet, Deputy CEO, MCB, said: “MCB has always been a keen supporter of the tourism industry in the Indian Ocean, and we are proud to have brought competitive golf to this remote, yet accessible, part of the world.
“We value our long-term association with Constance Hotels, and are proud of the relationship we have developed over the past ten years with the European and Staysure Tours.
“The celebration of our tenth year of involvement in sponsoring professional golf, and the 8th year of the MCB Tour Championship, the addition of the Seychelles as the final destination of the newly branded Indian Ocean Swing represents another step in our commitment to promote golf and tourism in the Indian Ocean.
“All of this could not have happened without the support of our partners, now friends and the players themselves who, with their unflinching support to our events, have helped put Mauritius and now Seychelles on the world map of exclusive golf destinations.
“We look forward to another exciting fortnight of golf in the Indian Ocean. With many great swings and shots.”
Sherin Francis, CEO, Seychelles Tourism Board, said: “It is an exciting moment for Seychelles and for the first time to be hosting a golf event of that magnitude in our country.
“Welcoming renowned internal golfers such as Tom Lehman to Seychelles will definitely raises the profile of the event and positioned us on the map of golfers across the globe. We are truly looking forward welcoming him and all the competitors to our shores in December.”
Jean-Jacques Vallet, CEO, Constance Hotels & Resorts, said: “‘We are delighted to welcome Tom Lehman back to Constance Hotels & Resorts and for him to enjoy our hospitality in both Mauritius and the Seychelles.
“Our golf courses – the Links and the Legend – in Mauritius are already well known and hugely popular with golfers on the Tour and it is incredibly exciting that the competitors now have the opportunity to take on the challenges of our unique course at Constance Lemuria in the Seychelles.
“With stunning terraced greens, incredible views of the ocean and a jaw dropping 15th hole, the MCB Tour golfers are set for a very exciting week.’
