John Catlin returns this week to the scene of arguably his great achievement at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.

He is the defending champion here at Macau Golf and Country Club – where he also carded an 11-under-par 59 in the third round, the Asian Tour’s first-ever sub-60.

It was an achievement that will long live in the memory and was the centre piece of a career defining season, that saw him win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for the first time.

“I would love to repeat that this year, but we’ll see,” said the American.

“I was playing well last year; I knew I was playing well but that kind of round, a 59, is never planned. I remember on 18, when I holed for an eagle Patrick [Reed] said to me, ‘was that for a 59?’ I said, ‘oh yes’.”

Rounds of 67, 66, 59 and 65 saw him end in a tie with Spain’s David Puig before the American won with a birdie on the second extra hole.

John Catlin. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I was up against it on both play-off holes. I just never gave up. I came back to Asia and the Asian Tour last year after struggling in Europe. I struggled for a season there but re-discovered myself in Asia. Shooting 59 showed that,” he added.

At a press conference today his compatriot Patrick Reed said: “It was an honour to be part of that. We also played with Andy Ogletree, and we were watching in disbelief.” Remarkably, Reed shot 59 later in the year enroute to winning the Link Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Golf Club.

“Funnily enough we both had similar length, left to rights putts on the last for 59s,” said Catlin.

He received his Asian Tour Order of Merit trophy at the Asian Tour Gala Dinner last night at Wynn Palace.

He said: “I have so many people to thank for last year. It was the culmination of so much hard work. I absolutely love being here in Macau. I hope this week will be the catalyst for another great season.”

The 34-year-old has arrived here, having played in LIV Golf Singapore last week – where he won the multi-million dollar circuit’s first ever pre-qualifier for reserves. That came soon after a top-10 in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

He said: “The season has started well. Not quite as good as last year but it’s early days. There’s a lot to play for with so many opportunities ahead.”

When he departed for Europe in 2020 to try his hand on the DP World Tour, there was concern that the Asian Tour would rarely get to see one of its most successful players.

When he proceeded to win two events in September, in Spain and Ireland – in the midst of the global pandemic and strictly controlled tournament bubbles – and another the following year in Austria, the likelihood of return trips seemed even more slim. The goal of getting into the top 50 in the world and playing Majors meant opportunities to head East were limited.

Golf does throw curveballs though and that was the case in 2023 when he surprisingly failed to keep his playing privileges in Europe after an unusually inconsistent season. His exemptions from those three victories had also expired and he was left to work out where he would play in 2024.

It was a simple decision for him to head back to Asia although he faced the daunting task of needing to navigate the Final Stage of the Tour’s Qualifying School, as he also had no playing status in the region.

John Catlin and Patrick Reed pictured together during round three last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Helped by the fact that the school was staged in Hua Hin, which he calls his second home, Catlin comfortably made it through claiming the 19^th card from the 35 on offer.

It was the start of what proved to be the finest season of his career, it meant the Asian Tour was able to welcome home a player that meant so much, and the prelude to a record-setting 59 that rocked the region.