Stinger GC stars eager to take advantage of schedule on The International Series

South African star Dean Burmester has emphasised the importance of The International Series to LIV Golf League stars, after grinding his way into position at T15 going into the final day of International Series Oman at Al Mouj Golf.

The Stinger GC star shot a one-under 71 to go seven under in a bunched leaderboard, five shots behind captain Louis Oosthuizen and Carlos Ortiz of Torque GC.

The 34-year-old, who won two consecutive tournaments in as many weeks at the start of the season, the Joburg Open and the Investec South African Open Championship, is eager to play as many of the elevated Asian Tour events as possible – for world ranking points and to maintain form throughout the season.

He explained: “I am definitely going to try and stay sharp. This is our only chance to get world ranking points between here and the Sunshine Tour. They are the only two tours where I can earn world ranking points.

“At the end of the day we are here to try and improve our ranking and keep sharp. I am looking forward to playing Qatar (28 November – 1 December), and I will try and do one or two others as well.”

Team-mate Branden Grace is in full agreement. The 35-year-old, a 15-time winner, is two shots further back in T25 after a one-under 71 and will be eager to improve on Sunday – to climb the leaderboard and to prepare for a two-week swing on the road at LIV Golf Jeddah and LIV Golf Hong Kong.

He said: “When we saw it on the schedule it was an easy yes, I think it goes very well hand-in-hand with Jeddah coming up and then Hong Kong as well. You can make a decent stretch out of it.

“You know when you come here, the course is going to be in good condition. You know it is going to be windy but it’s a great course to play and try to get the game sharp.”

‍

Grace is eager to take full advantage of The International Series schedule this season, as he explained: “I actually think I am going to play up to five events this year. I’m trying to play them in the lead up to the LIV events.

“I like playing myself into form so that is the idea of coming to Oman this week. I’m probably going to play Morocco, Qatar and Saudi at the end of the year.”