The Asian Tour confirmed today they have entered a strategic partnership with the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Tour which will help facilitate the formation of one of the most comprehensive and innovative development tours in the modern game.

Based on a collective desire to consolidate their respective platforms, this new alliance will see the Asian Tour’s popular tier-two circuit, the Asian Development Tour (ADT), align with the MENA Tour ‒ with the ultimate goal of merging in 2023.

Next year will be a season of transition with the intention to stage a number of ADT and MENA Tour co-sanctioned tournaments before the end of Q2, which will provide equal playing opportunities to both sets of Members.

And, in 2023 the ADT and MENA Tour will then unify to become a single and formidable platform from which players can graduate to the main Tour. Competitors will be able to access the new development tour through the Asian Tour Qualifying School.

“We want to create an amplified pan-Asian development pathway by 2023 feeding directly into the Asian Tour,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.

“The Asian Development Tour has always been an intrinsic part of our ecosystem and this new partnership with our friends at the MENA Tour is a forward-thinking statement of intent to build a combined property for the betterment of professional golf across the length and breadth of our region.”

Earlier in the year both Tours announced plans to increase dialogue on ways of working together but as tournament golf in the region has slowly started to return, they felt the time was right to accelerate their co-operative plans.

“This is the most significant development for the MENA Tour since its inception in 2011,” said David Spencer, Commissioner, MENA Tour.

“As the only Official World Golf Ranking Tour based in the Middle East our goal has always been to encourage, identify and nurture talent from all corners of the world to experience golf in the region which we are so proud of. We have worked closely with the Asian Tour, Cho Minn Thant and his team to create an alliance that underpins a unique and strong pathway for our members. We are intensely proud of our new alliance with the Asian Tour, and I look forward to seeing it flourish over the coming years.”

The Asian Development Tour is hoping to stage 10-12 events in 2022 ‒ an important number of these with the MENA Tour. Dialogue and strategic planning will now continue at pace with the objective to optimise opportunities for all players and where possible try to minimise the amount of travel between tournaments to make it cost effective and safer for competitors.

The Asian Tour restarted last month with back-to-back events in Phuket which saw invitations to MENA Tour members at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship and Laguna Phuket Championship. Further invitations have been extended to MENA Tour members for next month’s The Singapore International ‒ the penultimate event of the 2020-21 season.

Ends.

The Asian Tour are set to enjoy a gripping finish to its season next month after announcing today they will stage a new event, The Singapore International ‒ the week before the season-ending SMBC Singapore Open.

The US$1million tournament will be played on the re-developed championship Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club from January 13-16, and will mark the start of an exciting Singapore swing of events that will bring the 2020-21 season to a thrilling conclusion.

The cream of the Tour’s membership will compete as so much is at stake, including the Asian Tour Order of Merit title and final placings on the Merit list.

The Tour resumed play at the end of November with back-to-back events in Phuket – after a 20-month hiatus caused by COVID-19, and attention will now turn to what will be a unique and ground-breaking end to the season in the Lion City.

“This will certainly be an unprecedented and memorable end to the season for the Asian Tour,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.

“The Tour are delighted to be able to launch a new event, The Singapore International, which will play such a key role in helping to bring down the curtain on our season while also adding an exciting new international event to Singapore’s sporting calendar.”

The 2020-21 season, which was combined and will end in 2022 because of the pandemic, has seen six events played on Tour so far. Australian Wade Ormsby won the very first of those, the Hong Kong Open, in January last year and has led the Merit list since then.

“Tanah Merah Country Club and our Tampines Course will be honoured to host The Singapore International ‒ the penultimate event on the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 season,” said Ho Beng Huat, President of Tanah Merah Country Club.

‘It has been a testing two years for everyone because of the pandemic but Tanah Merah Country Club are thrilled to be able to play our part in bringing an inaugural Asian Tour event to Singapore. And this will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase the pristine course condition of the Tampines Course, following its reopening in 2018.

“Tanah Merah Country Club has a long tradition of supporting international golf tournaments and have in the past hosted the Johnnie Walker Classic, Lexus Cup, and HSBC Women‘s Championship. The Tampines Course is designed for championship play, and we can look forward to seeing some fine display of golfing skills by the golfers as they play the challenging layout.”

The Club, the Tour and event-organiser SPORTFIVE will strictly adhere to all of the Singapore government’s COVID-19 protocols to ensure a safe playing and working environment for everyone at the tournament.

As well as Ormsby, other leading players competing will be Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Phachara Khongwatmai, Malaysian Gavin Green, Shubhankar Sharma from India and Joohyung Kim from Korea.

All of Singapore’s top players will compete including Gregory Foo, Abdul Hadi, Koh Dengshan, Jesse Yap and Choo Tze Huang.

An extra incentive for competitors is that the top-30 from the final Merit list will be exempt for the US$5million Saudi International powered by SoftBank Advisers – which starts in February and is the 2022 season opener.

The SMBC Singapore Open will make a welcome return in 2022, and with an increased prize purse of US$1.25 million, up from the US$1 million previously on offer. The event will once again take place on the Serapong Course at the Sentosa Golf Club from 20 to 23 January.

After a hiatus in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore’s premier men’s championship will be the final event of the 2020/21 Asian Tour season. The tournament, jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organization, will decide who will be crowned The Asian Tour Order of Merit winner.

Said Ross Tan, President of the Singapore Golf Association: “The SMBC Singapore Open has always been a highlight on the local sporting calendar, and organisers have worked with the relevant authorities to create a truly unrivalled experience under the circumstances and in the safest possible manner. We look forward to welcoming the players back to Singapore and are confident of staging another successful edition of the SMBC Singapore Open.”

Andy Johnston – General Manager and Director of Agronomy, Sentosa Golf Club said: ““We are very excited to host and welcome the players back to Sentosa Island and Sentosa Golf Club again for the SMBC Singapore Open. Since we last hosted the tournament, we have made many improvements to The Serapong and we are very much looking forward to the players experiencing and enjoying the changes we have made.”

The Serapong was voted best course on Tour in 2019,

Public health and safety remain the highest priority during the event and organisers, SPORTFIVE, have been working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that all protocols will be followed .

Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.

All players and officials will adhere to strict protocols including pre-departure tests and tests on arrival. Working closely with both Sentosa Golf Club and Shangri-La Rasa Sentosa, Singapore, SPORTFIVE will ensure the highest level of preparedness. All onsite personnel will also undergo all necessary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all parties. It is unlikely there will be spectators allowed but limited hospitality is being planned. More details will be shared later.

Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO said: “We are very pleased that the SMBC Singapore Open will be returning in 2022. The tournament has always been popular among players and fans, and we are confident that event organisers and partners are working hard to put together a high-quality event that is safe for all involved.”

Isao Aoki, Chairman of the Japan Golf Tour Organization said: “The SMBC Singapore Open 2020 was the opening event of the 2020 Japan Golf Tour Organization. We are delighted to be starting our year in Singapore again in 2022 and resuming the Tour in style. We appreciate the tournament organisers’ efforts to ensure the safe return of professional golf to Singapore and look forward to watching some of the world’s top golfers in action at Sentosa Golf Club.”

Singapore’s flagship golf tournament has a storied history and has consistently attracted some of golf’s biggest names since its inaugural edition in 1961. Stars who have competed here most recently include then-world No. 1 Jordan Spieth in 2016, and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia ‒ who won the 2018 title. Updates on the players who will feature in the 2022 event will be shared soon.
The 2020 edition of the SMBC Singapore Open took place from January 16-19 on Sentosa Golf Club’s Serapong Course. Matt Kuchar, the bronze medallist from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, pulled off a stunning comeback in the final round to win the tournament with an 18-under par total, turning the tables on gold medallist Justin Rose, who finished second, three shots back at 15-under par.

Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.

The tournament organisers for the country’s premier golfing event, the New Zealand Open have had overwhelmingly positive support from their key stakeholders and as a result, today confirmed that the 102nd edition of the New Zealand Open will be played at Millbrook Resort between March 31 and April 3, 2022.

In confirming that the Tournament will now go ahead as scheduled, Tournament Chairman John Hart said it has been humbling to see such positive support from all stakeholders and the Tournament Organisers are confident following discussions with their co-sanctioning partners the PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour, that a strong international field will be able to attend the Queenstown-based event, subject only to arriving at satisfactory options for players having to self isolate upon entry to New Zealand.

“We have had initial conversations with a number of international based players who have indicated that they would be willing to isolate ahead of the tournament if practice facilities were available. We are now working through options with the Government on how this will work and are confident in finding a positive outcome for all,”

“In such difficult times caused by the pandemic, it is extremely gratifying that the sponsors and partners of the tournament have given us their full support in hosting the New Zealand Open next year. Some of our International partners notwithstanding they will be unable to attend the event personally, have maintained their financial commitment to the Tournament,” said Hart

“We are extremely grateful to our Underwriters the Ishii family and Millbrook Resort for their commitment and support to enable the Tournament to proceed,” said Hart.

In addition to teeing it up to claim the Brodie Breeze trophy as the 102^nd Champion, the professional players will have the added incentive of a potential spot at The Open played at St Andrews.

As confirmed by the R&A earlier today, for the first time, the New Zealand Open has been included in The Open Qualifying Series, which will see the top three finishers in the New Zealand Open gain a coveted place in the field for the 150^th playing of The Open at St Andrews in July 2022.

“To have three guaranteed spots for the top finishers at the New Zealand Open at The Open is exceptional news, and we believe this will draw more and more international players to Queenstown in March”. said Hart.

Golf New Zealand Chief Executive, Dean Murphy commented that “this opportunity adds significantly to the history of the New Zealand Open”.

“It’s pretty exciting that our national championship in New Zealand has been given the opportunity to have three places at the 150^th milestone playing of The Open. We hope that this extra incentive provides those in the field a little more motivation to be at the top of the leaderboard when the final putt is sunk at Millbrook next year”.

“All kiwi golfers have a close affinity with The Open, following Sir Bob Charles’ win back in 1963. Today’s announcement represents a real opportunity for another kiwi to compete for the Claret Jug” said Murphy.

Sir Bob Charles, who famously claimed the Claret Jug in 1963 over American Phil Rodgers and became the first kiwi to win a Major said “I am delighted the R&A have recognised the New Zealand Open with this great opportunity and I hope that we will see more Kiwis play in this historic event,”.

The New Zealand Open is scheduled to be played between March 31 and April 3, 2022, across 36 holes at Millbrook Resort. The tournament will be broadcast by Sky Sport in New Zealand and through various networks internationally, showcasing the best of Queenstown and New Zealand to the world.

The Open Qualifying Series will give Golfers from all around the world the opportunity to claim places in the field at St Andrews at 16 professional events across 11 countries, including the PGA TOUR, DP World Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia, Asian Tour, Korean Tour, Japan Golf Tour and Sunshine Tour, where a minimum of 46 places in The Open are available.

For more information on The Open, please visit TheOpen.com.

Photo Credit: Photosport.nz

Jeev Milkha Singh turns 50 today (congratulations Mr Singh) and while most professional athletes at his age are retired the Indian great is not even close to putting his clubs away.

“It feels good in a way [to be turning 50] because I am heading to the Senior Tour for my second innings!” he said, this week.

“It has been an amazing journey: I have played all over the world, I have made good friends, I have made a living out of what I love doing, and I have had success.”

The two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, and winner of six titles on Tour, is exempt for the senior circuits in Europe, Japan and Korea and is hoping to receive invites for the Champions Tour.

He should also be able to play in the Senior British Open, US Senior Open, and the Senior PGA Championship.

Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Singh added: “I will probably start in March in either Europe or Japan – just waiting for the schedule to come out. I am going to play full time and shuttle between Europe, Japan and Korea.”

Jeev Milkha Singh has taken up associate membership for the Champions Tour, where he hopes to get two or three starts.

The Indian star’s plans are coming off the back of a traumatic and tragic year that saw his famous sporting parents pass away in the same week in June because of COVID-19 related complications.

His father Milkha Singh, the country’s most famous runner popularly known as The Flying Sikh, died at the age of 91. A few days before that, his wife Nirmal Kaur, a former captain of the India women’s national volleyball team, also passed away.

“It was really difficult as I lost my parents in the space of five days. It was a double whammy,” he adds.

“I was spending a lot of time in the hospital with them, so it was very difficult for me because I saw the way they were breathing and the way they went. I have had these images since then and had trouble sleeping, and all the memories keep coming back.”

He said he had little desire to play golf and it wasn’t until his 11-year-old son Harjai asked for a game one day that he decided to play again.

He adds: “My son loves the game – he is a good eight handicapper ‒ and he asked me to play, and I decided I did not want to be a bad parent. My father did a lot for us, and if I did not follow in his foot-steps I would not be doing justice to my son.”

Singh recently competed in the Asian Tour Phuket Series and made the cut in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship.

“It was a good start after 20 months of no golf on the Asian Tour.  It was great to get the competitive juices going, feel the butterflies. I enjoyed getting back, and it was a great way of getting ready for the Senior Tour,” he said.

Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

His weekly routine now is six days practice, three days workout, plus yoga and physiotherapy.

“I need a lot of work to be done, especially as I lost a lot of distance because I did not touch a club for five months. I need to get my clubhead speed back. I have lost close to about 15 to 20 yards, that’s basically a club and a half. And I played with that in Phuket and I was having a tough time,” he said.

Indeed, it’s been a tough year for India’s golfing talisman and as he stands on the threshold of the star-studded senior game there is one incredible emotion that will be driving him forward.

“I am going to be playing golf for my parents as they got me started.”

Asian Tour Media (ATM) has successfully utilised new cutting-edge golf remote production technology for the first time on the Asian Tour, delivering the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship and Laguna Phuket Championship broadcasts, the first Asian Tour events to take place since COVID-19 stopped play.

With the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and restrictions on travel, an innovative remote production technology solution was developed and trialled earlier this year by Asian Tour Media at two LPGA events in Singapore and Thailand. It successfully allowed crews to collaborate remotely from different locations and deliver outstanding broadcasts for global consumption with minimal staff on site. In what was a first for golf production, all the learnings and technological advancements now in place are set to forever change the golf event broadcast landscape with ATM leading the way.

The pandemic allowed the time and opportunity to relook at golf production from the ground up and develop a new framework, focusing on technology as never before. By utilising existing underground fibre optic cable networks in place all around the world and a compression technology, ATM can create content quicker and for less expense, changing the entire future delivery of production at live golf events.

PHUKET-THAILAND- The Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

The Phuket tournaments used a hybrid method of broadcasting, utilising both public internet and secure private telco lines with the remote production technology offering many benefits. It enables more optimal and flexible ways of working, allowing Asian Tour Media crews to produce multiple events in the same day, reduces travel and freight costs, and minimises wear and tear on expensive equipment. It also offers a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly method of production as it significantly reduces travel, thereby limiting carbon footprint.

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour said: “Utilizing this new technology allows us to potentially televise more content than ever before without the logistical barriers that we may ordinarily face. Showcasing the talent that competes regularly on the Asian Tour and reaching more fans on a more regular basis is one of our top priorities for the Tour moving forward.”

Peter White, Senior Head of Production, Asian Tour Media, commented: “We are delighted to have been able to deliver the first two Asian Tour events back utilising this new technology. Born out of necessity during the pandemic, we are pleased to be able to capitalise on the innovations and technologies developed for the long-term benefit of the Asian Tour. As we navigate the ongoing restrictions and challenges of the pandemic, our abilities in delivering this remote network solution will be invaluable in ensuring a top-quality Asian Tour broadcast.”

PHUKET-THAILAND- The Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), November 25th-28th, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Whiz-kid golfer TK Ratchanon Chantananuwat has revealed that he bravely battled back from a nose bleed, heat stroke and a severely blocked left ear in last week’s Laguna Phuket Championship at Laguna Golf Phuket.

The 14-year-old amateur star ‒ who made the cut in both the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship and the Laguna Phuket Championship, finishing as low amateur both times ‒ said he suffered from a blocked ear on day one last week and later in the week had heat stroke that nearly forced him to withdraw.

“I couldn’t hear since the first day,” he said.

“I went to see the doctor, but he said it would be too risky to treat it without the proper equipment. But I went to the hospital, as it was so bad, but they couldn’t clear it out. In the end I took some medicine and that helped.”

Impressively, he finished in a tie for 30th place at Laguna Golf Phuket but it was at the Blue Canyon event where he really attracted headlines after closing with a 65 to finish 12 under and tie 15th.
His ailments definitely had an impact at Laguna.

PHUKET-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14 year old amateur of Thailand pictured on Sunday, December 5, 2021 with the Low Amateur Award and his mother and father during the final round of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“It [the ear] is a big problem that started with my nose. It’s complicated. My problem is I get a lot of heat stroke, and I randomly get a runny nose and sneeze a lot and I get a lot of nose bleeds and because the nose is connected to the ear it causes some problems with my ear and that’s what caused the wax to be that stuck,” said Ratchanon.

“Apparently, I have pretty much no holes to breathe through in my nose, so I am barely breathing, so I just found that out. It’s basically an allergy which I have had since six.”

The night before his final round at the weekend TK Ratchanon had a very high fever that threatened his participation.

“My mum had to feed me dinner cos I was in bed and I couldn’t get out. At 9pm that night I had no chance of playing but I took a lot of medicine, woke up and felt pretty good.”

“TK”, as he is nicknamed, next competes in the All Thailand Golf Tour and Thailand Trust Tour’s biggest season-closing events this month.

Ends.