Palmer Makes Long-Awaited Return To South America At Colombian Open

More than fifteen years after making his debut on the PSA Tour in Brazil, Australia's world number six David Palmer is returning to South America for the first time to compete in this week's XII Abierto Colombian Open in the Colombia capital Bogotá.

Palmer, the 33-year-old from New South Wales who celebrated his 108th successive month in the world top 10 this month, is top seed in the $30,000 PSA World Tour event in its 12th year since 1995.

"I am happy to be playing back in South America again and look forward to playing in Bogotá again this week," said Palmer from his home in Boston, USA.

"I first went to Brazil when I was 17, for my first PSA tournament - and played in seven events across South America."

The former world number one is making his first appearance on the Tour after a long break since March, when he won the ISS Canary Wharf Classic in London. In July, he and his wife Mel celebrated the birth of their second daughter Miley.

Palmer is expected to face second seed Borja Golan, the world No11 from Spain, in the final on Sunday. But the event has attracted a strong field, including Malaysian Mohd Azlan Iskandar and Finn Olli Tuominen, ranked 16 and 20, respectively, in the world.

Miguel Angel Rodriguez, the world No25 from Bogotá and Colombia's highest-ranked player of all-time, is the event's fifth seed.

"The draw in Bogotá this week is very strong and I expect a tough time trying to win the title," explained Palmer. "I think Borja, Azlan and Olli will all be hard to beat down there, along with the top Colombia player Miguel as well.

"My summer has been good, but very busy! Our second child Miley was born four weeks ago, so it's been hard to train as much as I would like - but my family comes first now.

"But I still feel good and am looking forward to some good matches this week," Palmer added.

Palmer faces a qualifier in the first round on Thursday (27 September) before a likely clash with Mexican Jorge Isaac Baltazar Ferreira in the quarter-finals.

Victory in Bogotá would mark Palmer's 26th PSA Tour success - and extend his lead as the current player boasting the most title triumphs.