There’s not much that John Catlin has not achieved since turning professional in 2013.

Winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2024, claiming seven titles on the Tour, three on the DP World Tour, two on the Asian Development Tour plus one on the Hotelplanner Tour have been the highlights of a glittering career so far.

He’s also competed in The Open on four occasions – most noticeably excelling 2024 when he tied for 17^th.

However, his most recent victory, achieved at the Link Hong Kong Open on Sunday, has given him the opportunity to reach another landmark moment.

His five-shot win at the Hong Kong Golf Club not only earned him another invite to The Open, but also a place in the starting line-up at next year’s Masters Tournament.

“It’s like a dream come true,” said the 35-year-old about the prospect of his debut at Augusta National Golf Club.

“I mean, I remember when I was five, seven, 10 years old, practicing hitting putts to win the Masters. It’s been a long time coming, a lot of hard work, a lot of times when you know you weren’t sure what was coming.

John Catlin after winning in Hong Kong.

“But you just kind of hold the faith, and I just kept working. Me and my coach Noah Montgomery, we just continue to put in the work, and to finally be at the Masters, speechless. It’s just the culmination of a long, long time coming.”

The prospect of playing on the Old Course at St Andrews next year, which is hosting The Open, is also something that has him fired up.

“I mean, it’s such a special tournament. It’s my fifth chance to play in The Open. You know, second chance to play the home golf. I played in 2022. I know the course very well, and I’m sure they’re going to get it firm and really fast. And you’re going to have to control your ball, but I mean that’s The open. I mean that’s what you expect when you go there, and you know you can battle some elements as well.

“But I love The Open. I mean it’s the most unique test we have in professional golf. There’s not really a test like it, so it’s special to be that.”

For now though, the American faces a vitally important few weeks that will determine his schedule for next year.

This week he is competing in the Grand Final in Mallorca on the Hotelplanner Tour – where a top-15 finish will secure him a DP World Tour card for next year

And in two weeks time he will return to the region for the Philippine Open presented by Philippine Sports Commission – the season-ending event on the Asian Tour.

Catlin’s win in Hong Kong moved him fourth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) to give him a chance of winning the OOM for a second time, should the results go his way. Finishing first on the OOM also rewards the champion with a DP World Tour card.

He said: “Hopefully, I finish it off in Mallorca and get my DP World Tour card. I have a lot of options to consider.”

Two other Asian Tour members, and winners, are also competing in Spain: France’s Julien Sale and Germany’s Dominic Foos.