John Catlin’s career has been sprinkled with notable successes. But he’d never experienced anything quite like the week of the inaugural International Series Macau presented by Wynn last year. Indeed, only a handful of elite players can say they ever have. Story from the 2024 Asian Tour Yearbook.

At the Macau Golf and Country Club not only did the 33-year-old American record his fifth victory on the Asian Tour, and his first since the 2019 Thailand Open. It was also his maiden triumph on The International Series.

But it wasn’t just those statistics that made his dramatic sudden-death play-off defeat of Spaniard David Puig so memorable.

Some 24 hours before his victory was confirmed, Catlin ensured his name was etched into Asian Tour folklore after posting an 11-under-par 59 in round three. It was the first sub-60 return in the history of the Asian Tour.

“I’m pretty much speechless,” said Catlin, who holed an eight-footer for birdie at the 239-yard, par-three 17th and snared a left-to-right breaking 20-footer for eagle at the par-five 18th to seal the deal. Prior to that, he made six birdies on the front side and three on the back nine.

“Wow! It’s crazy. The emotions are hitting me. After everything I’ve been through over the last two years, to be here is pretty special,” said the Californian, who won on the Asian Development Tour in 2016 and 2017 before graduating to the main Tour where he won three times in 2018 and once in 2019.

Three victories followed in Europe before a loss of form resulted in him forfeiting his card there. He opted to return to the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, finishing 19th and regaining his playing privileges in the region.

In the wake of the euphoria that followed his 59 and gave him a two-stroke advantage at the top of the leaderboard, Catlin needed to re-focus ahead of the final round.

He did just that, covering the opening nine in four-under 30 and extending his lead to five shots after gaining another stroke at the 10th.

However, he dropped a shot on 11 before Puig, playing four groups ahead, emerged from the chasing pack with a birdie at 12 and an eagle at 13 to reduce the deficit to two.

Further birdies at 15 and 16 saw Puig draw level, before Catlin holed from eight feet for birdie on 14 to regain top spot. But Puig squared things up again when he got up-and-down for a birdie on 18, signing for a closing 60.

For Catlin, a considerable measure of good fortune was then needed at the first play-off hole when his fairway wood approach to the par-five 18th looked to be heading out of bounds.

To Catlin’s relief, his ball came to rest on the road behind the main hospitality marquee from there he was able to take a free drop. While he was sizing up his options, Puig hit the pin with a sensational 20-yard bunker shot that left him with a tap-in birdie.

With little green to work with, Catlin did well to chip to within six feet of the cup from where he holed to extend the play-off.

The next time round, Puig again appeared to hold the ascendancy when he reached the putting surface in two, while Catlin’s second shot again missed the green on the right, leaving another awkward chip.

After seeing Puig’s long range eagle attempt come up short, Catlin sensed an opportunity, taking out the pin and almost holing his third. When Puig missed his birdie putt, the stage was clear for Catlin to tap-in for an epic victory.

Reflecting on his latest win, Catlin said: “That was one heck of a battle. If you’d told me I’d finish at minus 23 and still have to be in a play-off, I’d be like: ‘You’re kidding’. I fought really hard. I was battling all week long. To come out on top is really special.”

Catlin reserved special praise for Noah Montgomery, his coach for the past 10 years. “Being a professional golfer, you sacrifice a lot. I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have Noah in my corner,” he said.

A fortnight after his success in the season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open, Puig was not too disheartened.

He said: “I played well. I had a good back nine and I’m happy that I got into the play-off and had a chance. I’m pretty tired, this being the seventh week in a row. I’m glad I finished on a good note and am ready for what’s next.”