Hung cruises to second ADT win at Taifong Open
Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao sealed a commanding five-stroke victory at the Taifong Golf Club for his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title and first since 2013 at the season-ending Taifong Open on Christmas day Sunday.
Entering the final round with a six-shot advantage, Hung’s spot at the top was barely threatened as he traded three birdies against four bogeys to close with a one-over-par 73 and a winning total of 11-under-par 277.
Thai talent Suteepat Prateeptienchai showed his worth once again by putting on a superb Sunday charge as he signed for a 68 to finish in second place with playing partner Joe Heraty of England, who returned a 69, in the US$200,000 ADT event.
Suteepat, who led the money list heading into this week, successfully became the third Thai, following Pavit Tangkamolprasert (2014) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017), to lift the ADT Order of Merit crown and earn his Asian Tour card for 2023.
Hung, who first won on the ADT in 2013, was victorious at the Taifong Open in 2020 when it was held only on the domestic circuit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His victory at the Taifong Golf Club today would mark his fourth win on home soil this year.
“I’m happy to clinch another win before the year ends. I saw my daughter on a video call my dad set up on the 18th green after I finished and I’m just happy that we can all go for our holiday in Japan tomorrow. It’s been a good year and it’s now time for a good break.
“I look forward to return to the Asian Tour next season and continue my chase for that first win outside of home. You need a bit of luck to win tournaments, but I’ll continue to work hard and do my best, hopefully better results await in 2023,” said the 30-year-old Hung, who took home a winner’s prize purse of US$35,000.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand – 2022 ADT Order of Merit champion
Suteepat’s joint runner-up result earned him a cheque of US$18,500 and brought his season’s haul to US$86,448. The 28-year-old Thai capped a solid season this year, thanks to three victories and six top-10 finishes.
“I felt relieved after making the cut. I knew I will most likely win the Order of Merit title so that took some pressure off me. After starting with that chip-in eagle on first, I gained some momentum and made two more birdies in the next four holes. I thought I might have a chance at winning today but unfortunately, the putts didn’t drop on the way home.
“Still happy with a joint runner-up finish. It’s been a great season. I didn’t expect this at all. The first win gave me a lot of confidence and I managed to build on that. I have a lot of friends playing on the Asian Tour, so I look forward to 2023. It’s going to be a lot tougher, but I am excited and can’t wait to tee off for my first event in Oman,” said Suteepat.
Despite failing to grab one of the 10 Asian Tour cards on offer on the ADT, Heraty took the positives as he ended the year by capping his best finish on Tour this season.
“Happy with the result today. The conditions were not as windy as the last few days. I’m glad I took advantage of that. Although I missed out on finishing inside top-10 on the Order of Merit, I’m happy to gain direct entry to final stage of the Qualifying School,” said Heraty, who moved up 30 spots to 13th place on the money list following his tied-second place finish.
The top-10 finishers on the 2022 ADT Order of Merit, following the conclusion of the Taifong Open, have earned playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2023.
Apart from Suteepat, the other nine players are Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (2nd), Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra (3rd), Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin (4th), China’s Chen Guxin (5th), Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (6th), Lloyd Jefferson Go (7th) of the Philippines, American Dodge Kemmer (8th), Australian Harrison Gilbert (9th) and Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub (10th).
Ends.
Overnight leader Hung Chien-yao extended his advantage at the top to six shots after carding a brilliant six-under-par 66 to put himself in prime position for a second Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory following the penultimate round of the US$200,000 Taifong Open on Saturday.
Hung, who claimed the 2020 Taifong Open with a record-breaking victory on his domestic circuit, set the course alight again when he fired an eagle and eight birdies against a double-bogey and two bogeys for a three-day total of 12-under-par 204 at the Taifong Golf Club.
He set the biggest winning margin in the tournament’s history with his commanding nine-stroke win two years ago and his winning total of 19-under-par 269 then was also the lowest so far.
Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei and Suteepat Prateeptienchai (right) of Thailand
“I must thank my playing partner Suteepat (Prateeptienchai) today. We chatted a lot and he made me feel very comfortable out there. I am happy to make a new friend! He’s likely to win the ADT Order of Merit so I am very happy for him. I look forward to playing and practising with him on the Asian Tour next year,” said Hung.
The 30-year-old Hung, who has won three titles in 10 starts on his domestic circuit this year, successfully retained his playing rights on the Asian Tour for 2023 after ending his season in 59th place on the Order of Merit.
“I just want to do my best out there tomorrow and focus on every shot I hit. I hit some good shots today too and I guess I was lucky as well. Made some mistakes today, Suteepat and I both hit it out of bounds on the 14th and I bogeyed the next hole too.
“I’m just competing against myself tomorrow. I can accept bogeys because mistakes are bound to happen, but I can’t accept double bogeys as those are caused by wayward drives. I will need to take note of that tomorrow. I really wasn’t thinking about the scores today and I think that helped,” added Hung, who has won once before on the ADT, in 2013.
Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei
Defending champion Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei complained of poor iron-play as he returned a 70 to sit in second place. His countryman Kevin Yu, a PGA TOUR player, battled to a 72 to trail eight shots off the pace in third on 212.
“I am very disappointed with my iron-play. I gave myself good opportunities to attack the pins but I didn’t take advantage of them. Disappointing to not close the gap on the leader but I’m going to work on it later and see how it goes tomorrow,” said the 28-year-old Lee.
ADT Order of Merit leader Suteepat, a three-time winner this season, slipped to a share of fifth on 214 after stumbling with a disappointing 75.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand
The winner of the Taifong Open, which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this week, will take home a prize purse of US$35,000. The popular event returned to the ADT for its seventh edition this week.
The top-10 finishers on the final Merit list after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.
Photos courtesy of Chung500
Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao reignited his love affair with the Taifong Golf Club by firing a solid five-under-par 67 to take a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the US$200,000 Taifong Open on Friday.
Hung, a winner on the Asian Development Tour in 2013 who has been playing mainly on the Asian Tour since, took advantage of the calmer conditions in the morning to fire eight birdies against three bogeys for a two-day total of six-under-par 138.
Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei
The 30-year-old claimed a commanding nine-stroke victory when he won this event at the same venue in 2020. That year it was held only on his domestic circuit and not on the ADT due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The greens are still rolling fast today although it was less windy out there. The pin positions are harder, but I gave myself a lot of opportunities. This week, I feel really relaxed. I’m just looking forward to taking my daughter to Japan for a short getaway next week.
“I’ve been playing consistently these two days. Nothing special. My iron shots were pretty accurate, and I guess that explains the eight birdies today. Made some adjustments before coming here this week so I’m feeling good with the game right now,” Hung said.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand
ADT Order of Merit leader Suteepat Prateeptienchai edged closer to sealing the Merit crown when he battled to a 70 to sit in solo second place in the 2022 ADT season finale, which is the joint richest event on the schedule this season.
“The pin positions are tougher today. But not much wind this morning. It’s not a good day for me but my score is still fine. I told myself to just make par on every hole, birdie is bonus,” said the 29-year-old.
Local hotshot Lee Chieh-po, the defending champion, lamented a disappointing quadruple seven on the 15th hole that was caused by two lost balls but took pride in the way he bounced back to stay in contention.
“Just one bad hole today. I hung in there and managed to convert a lot of birdies,” said Lee, who amassed only 23 putts in his round of 70.
Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei
Lee sits two shots off the pace in third alongside compatriot Kevin Yu on matching 140s. A former Asian amateur star and current PGA TOUR player, Yu caught fire when he nailed four straight birdies and an eagle to take the lead briefly before slipping with a triple-bogey and a bogey in his last four holes for a 69.
The shot of the day belonged to Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yi-tseng who aced the eighth hole with a seven iron from 171 yards. He won himself a cash prize of NTD100,000 (approximately US$3,254) that was on offer to the first player to ace the hole in the tournament.
Huang Yi-tseng of Chinese Taipei
A total of 56 players survived the halfway cut set at five-over-par 149 at the Taifong Open, which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this week.
The top-10 finishers on the final Merit list after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.
Ends.
Thai hotshot Suteepat Prateeptienchai signalled his strong intention to seal the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit crown by firing a three-under-par 69 in blustery conditions to take the opening-round lead at the Taifong Open on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Thai, who leads the money list thanks to three victories and five top-10s, fired five birdies against a double-bogey to lead by one shot over compatriot Sajawat Sriprasit and defending champion Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei at the Taifong Golf Club.
Local stars Chan Shih-chang, a five-time Asian Tour winner, Hung Chien-yao, winner of the 2020 Taifong Open, as well as Kevin Yu, the highest-ranked Taiwanese player in 188th place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), are amongst those tied in fourth place following matchings 71s.
The Taifong Open is the concluding event of the ADT season, and boasts a prize purse of US$200,000, the joint richest event on the schedule. The top-10 finishers on the final Merit list after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand
Suteepat, who sits atop the money list with a current haul of US67,948, surprised himself by taking the lead in his first appearance at the Taifong Open and on a day where players battled 35km/h winds and only 11 players broke par.
“My putter is hot today. Good tee shots too, I missed just one fairway on the 14th hole where I had a lost ball but other than that, all else is good. I’m surprised with my score. It was so windy out there,” said Suteepat, coming off the back of a tied-fourth place finish in Saudi Arabia last week.
“Most birdies were made from within six to seven feet. I just hit good drives and place it in good position. It was great to make a birdie on sixth because it’s a toughest hole today. I hit a good drive there and then a soft pitching wedge to about three feet to set up birdie,” he added.
Suteepat is attempting to become the third Thai player to lift the ADT Order of Merit crown following Pavit Tangkamolprasert (2014) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017), a former winner of the Taifong Open – which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this season.
Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei
Lee Chieh-po, who has already secured his Asian Tour for 2023 after finishing inside the top-70 on the Order of Merit earlier this month, got his title defence off to a fine start, thanks to a hot putter which helped him navigate his way around the greens in just 25 putts.
“My ball striking was disappointing today but I hit my irons well and I putted well too. Nice to return here as the defending champion but the conditions this week aren’t quite the same as last year. I just want to play my best. Nice to finish with two birdies,” said Lee.
Sajawat, who started from the 10th, traded four birdies against two birdies and also rode a hot putter.
He said: “I hung in there very well. It’s tough out there. The wind was really blowing. It’s my first time here but I heard about this course before coming. I kind of expected it to be this tough so I’m glad I came back with an under-par round today.
“I putted very well today, that was the key. Made a long 20-footer to save par on the first hole and that’s probably my highlight for today.”
Sajawat Sriprasit of Thailand
Ends.
Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, a three-time winner on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) this year, is hoping to end a successful year by sealing the Tour’s Order of Merit (OOM) crown at the US$200,000 Taifong Open, which starts tomorrow at Taifong Golf Club.
The 29-year-old Thai sits at the top of the OOM with a current haul of US$67,948, thanks to three victories and five top-10s, including a tied-fourth place finish at the Aramco Invitational in Saudi Arabia last week.
A host of players could potentially catch him at what is the joint most lucrative event on Tour but Suteepat is determined to ride on his recent good run of form to capture the prestigious Merit crown.
“This is my first time playing the Taifong Open,” said Suteepat.
“I am excited. It has been a great season for me. I have never thought that I would win three times. It will be superb if I can end the year with a good result this week and win the Order of Merit title.
“But I won’t think too much about it. I have strong competitors here. Playing on the ADT this year has been a great experience for me. I have learned a lot and I hope to bring them on to the Asian Tour next year.”
Suteepat is attempting to become the third Thai player to lift the ADT Order of Merit crown following Pavit Tangkamolprasert (2014) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017), a former winner of the Taifong Open – which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this season.
Chonlatit Chuenboonngam trails compatriot Suteepat by about US$6,619 in second place on the Merit list while Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra, a two-time winner on the ADT this season, sits in third place with a current haul of US$55,619.
GURGAON-INDIA-Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines pictured on Friday November 15, 2019 during the weather affected round one of the USD$ 400.000 Panasonic India Open at the Classic Golf and Country Club, Gurgaon, India. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines, placed sixth on the Merit list, is also playing this week and is looking to finish a strong season with his first ADT win. The 27 year old has notched seven top-10s in nine starts without missing a single cut.
He said: “The game is feeling good. This is my sixth event in-a-row already. I’m excited, we’ll see how it goes. I started playing on the ADT at the OB Golf Invitational in Indonesia in June and I just kept it going from there. Finished 39th last week which wasn’t ideal so I hope to rebound with a good result this week.”
Other notable players in the field include former Asian amateur star and PGA TOUR player Kevin Yu, defending champion Lee Chieh-po, who successfully secured his Asian Tour card for 2023 after finishing in the top-70 on the Order of Merit, as well as local star Chan Shih-chang, a proven winner on the Asian Tour and a three-time winner of the Taifong Open in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
The top-10 finishers on the final OOM after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for 2023 season.
Ends.
Dodge Kemmer, who narrowly failed to retain his Asian Tour card by one place earlier this month, has a shot at redemption at this week’s Taifong Open – the last event of the season on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), where the top-10 from the final Order of Merit (OOM) will earn playing privileges for the main Tour next season.
Following back-to-back top five finishes in the last two ADT events, both played in Saudi Arabia, he has moved into ninth place on the OOM and needs to play to well when the US$200,000 tournament tees off on Thursday at Taifong Golf Club to salvage the season.
The American has safely navigated the Asian Tour Qualifying School on multiple occasions since making his debut in 2012 but has never kept his card successfully.
He rallied to retain his playing rights this season only to lose it in brutal fashion, having finished one rung outside the top-70 cut-off mark on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, just a mere US$72 short of 70th-placed Miguel Tabuena’s season earnings of US$59,295.
Kemmer, however, has showed grit and determination as he worked his way back through the ADT.
“It was disappointing to miss out on my Asian Tour card in Indonesia a few weeks ago but I am glad I have another opportunity to earn it back now through the ADT. I played well the last two weeks to give myself a better chance coming into this week,” said the 35 year old, who won the Gurugram Challenge in India on the ADT in March.
“The Asian Tour schedule looks great next year but I will try not to think about what the results mean this week. I have had some good results, especially on the ADT. Never had a good result on the Asian Tour but I played solidly so it’s been a good year.”
Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra, who won on his professional debut at the OB Golf Invitational in June and claimed his second ADT title at the PIF Saudi Open a fortnight ago, is also here looking to end his year on a high note by winning the Merit title.
“It’s been a great start to my professional career. It’s only been six months and I have had two wins already. I’ve learned so much and I’m excited to play on the Asian Tour next year. I will try my best this week and give myself a chance to go for the Order of Merit title,” said the talented 22-year-old.
Naraajie, who sits in third place on the money list with earnings of US$55,619, has partially locked up his Asian Tour card for 2023 as he is unlikely to fall outside of top-10 this week. He is bidding to become the first Indonesian player to top the money list on the ADT.
Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, who claimed a battlefield promotion onto the Asian Tour in September following three brilliant ADT wins and leads the Merit list with a current haul of US$67,948, is also playing this week.
The Taifong Open was inaugurated on the local circuit in 2005 and has been part of the ADT schedule since 2014. It is making a welcome return to the ADT this week after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand’s Donlaphatchai Niyomchon won the event when it was last held on the ADT at the end of 2019. Local hotshots Hung Chien-yao and Lee Chieh-po emerged triumphant in 2020 and 2021 respectively when the event was held locally on the domestic circuit.
Other notable past champions of the Taifong Open include proven Asian Tour winners Chan Shih-chang (2010, 2014 and 2018) and Lu Wei-chih (2007) of Chinese Taipei, Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (2015) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017) as well as American Johannes Veerman (2016).
Ends.
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij made birdie on three of the last four holes to snatch victory at the death in the US$125,000 Aramco Invitational today at Rolling Hills Golf Course.
Varanyu’s bogey-free seven-under-par 64 saw him finish on 16 under to win by one from overnight leader Dodge Kemmer from the United States (67) and England’s Barnes Wallis (64).
Norway’s Jarand Ekeland Arnoy (65) and Thai Suteepat Prateeptienchai (66) tied for fourth three behind the winner.
This marked Varanyu’s third victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) but first in four years, as both previous wins came in 2018: in the Combiphar Players Championship in Indonesia, and the Singha Laguna Phuket Open.
And with one event remaining, the Taifong Open next week, his fine performance has moved him into 11th place on the ADT Order of Merit, which gives him an outstanding chance of finishing in the top-10, something which will secure his playing privileges for the 2023 Asian Tour season.
American Dodge Kemmer.
“I am so happy, it’s been a long time since I won. It’s been over three years. I am so happy,” said Varanyu, who made birdie on 15, 17 and 18.
“I have just continued to work hard and improve and today it has paid off. I would like to thank Rolling Hills, Aramco and the Saudi Aramco Golf Association for making this all possible. I am so appreciative.”
He had started the final round two back from Kemmer and Othman Ibrahim Almulla, the popular local professional who is based here at Rolling Hills, and made a statement of intent by starting with two birdies before nobody could match his brilliant finish.
To the disappointment of the home supporters, Almulla closed with a 73 to tie for 18th.
Suteepat, a three-time ADT winner this year, remains first on the OOM, while Kemmer’s solid week of work has moved him into ninth on the Merit list and on the brink of regaining his Asian Tour card having only just lost it by the narrowest of margins two weeks ago at the season-ending BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE.
He finished 71st on the final Asian Tour Order of Merit, about US$70 short of 70th place, held by Filipino Miguel Tabuena, which was the cut off mark.
The all important US$200,000 Taifong Open will be played at Taifong Golf Club from December 22-25.
American Dodge Kemmer and local favourite Othman Ibrahim Almulla from Saudi Arabia shot rounds of seven-under-par 64 and 65 respectively today at the US$125,000 Aramco Invitational to share the second-round lead in the 54-hole event.
The duo lead what is the penultimate event of the season on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) on 11 under by a shot from China’s Chen Guxin, who carded a 65.
First-round leader Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij from Thailand returned a 68 and is one stroke further back at Rolling Hills Golf Course.
Kemmer won the Gurugram Challenge in India in April, which was the first ADT played following the two-year break caused by the global pandemic, and his fine form this week could not have come at a better time as he is currently 11th on the ADT Order of Merit with the top-10 earning Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.
“It was a fun round,” said Kemmer, who started on 10.
Othman Ibrahim Almulla
“I got off to a shaky start but hit a stride in the middle and had six birdies in a row. From 14 through 1. So that was fun. That run ended on the second but got another one coming in.”
The American finished equal fourth in last week’s PIF Saudi Open.
He added: “I had a good round last final round last week. I have started to putt a bit better, I kind of feel the speed a little more, my wedges have been closer, and I have gotten away with a few wayward drives, compared with other weeks. It’s a combination of all those things and making a lot of birdies.
“The course is great, in great shape, there are a lot of chances but you have to be smart about it. You can’t hit driver everywhere, you have to think your way around it.”
Othman also began on the back nine and is clearly revelling playing on his home course.
He played his first nine holes in six-under-par 30 thanks to an eagle and four birdies, although there were less fireworks on his second nine, which he played in even par.
In what is only the second ADT event ever to be played in Saudi Arabia, last week’s PIF Saudi Open was the first, he’ll be hoping to make it a special day for the emerging golfing nation by winning the title.
Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai is lurking ominously in a tie for fifth, just three off the lead after a 65. The Tour’s Order of Merit leader is attempting to become the first player to win four times in a single season on the ADT.
Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra, last week’s champion, fired a 70 and has a lot to do to record his third win this year as he is seven off the pace.
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij posted a flawless six-under-par 65 to take the early lead in the Aramco Invitational at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Saudi Arabia today.
The 26-year-old Thai, winner of the Singha Classic on the All Thailand Golf Tour earlier this year, posted three birdies on each nine to edge into a slender lead in the US$125,000 Asian Development Tour event.
The early clubhouse leader, Saudi golfer Othman Almulla, started in the morning wave and despite a couple of early bogeys, made use of his local knowledge to pick up six shots on the back nine.
“Obviously, I’m so, so happy that we’re playing at my home course and I wanted to start really well. I didn’t start amazing on the front nine, I missed a couple of putts and made the turn at one over.
“I thought, I know this place, so I just need to keep giving myself chances. Some of the putts started to go in and I finished really strongly,” he recalled.
“I was sad to miss the Saudi Open for family reasons, so I felt like we needed to do something really nice this week.”
Othman Ibrahim Almulla
He said he was excited for Aramco and Rolling Hills to host their first international tournament, and how it meant a lot to him and other golfers in Saudi Arabia as part of the development of the sport in the Kingdom.
“It means a lot. I’ve been super lucky to be supported by Golf Saudi and Aramco since I was a young kid. I grew up playing golf here and have seen how they support sports and get people engaged with outdoor activities,” he said.
“They were one of the first real supporters of this transformation in the Kingdom with sport, from the first Saudi iInternational and then for them to support ADT as well, it provides a really cool platform for the best Asian players to come and develop and move up to the bigger ranks.”
“It just goes to show that when you get good organization and strong companies supporting the youth and the good talent, really cool things can happen,” he added.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing many, many young boys and girls from Saudi Arabia also playing and hopefully aspiring to be professional golfers soon.”
Also posting a five-under-par score of 66 were Thailand’s Suttijet Kooratanapisan, who dropped a single shot on the 10th hole, and Jarand Ekeland Arnoy of Norway.
Arnoy, who finished strongly at the PIF Saudi Open last week, had a more eventful day, with four bogeys offset by seven birdies and an eagle on the par 5 12th hole.
A shot back on 67, Thai golfers Sarun Sirithon, Pisitchai Thippong and Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng lead a group in fifth, including England’s Barnes Wallis and Order of Merit contender Chen Guxin of China, who missed last week’s PIF Saudi Open.
Dodge Kemmer of the USA, winner of the season-opening Gurugram Challenge in March, and Malaysia’s Khor Kheng Hwai, rounded out the group on four-under-par.
In 12th place, on three-under, a group of nine players includes last week’s winner Naraadjie E Ramadhanputra and the leading amateur in the field, El Mehdi Fakori of Morocco.
Ramadhanputra, who moved up into third place in the OOM following his win at the PIF Saudi Open, could be poised to make a late charge if he does well this week.
He currently leads OOM front runner Suteepat Prateeptienchai by a stroke while his other contenders – Chonlatit Chuenboonngam in second and Shariffuddin Ariffin in fourth – both scored par today.
With the race to secure a top-10 finish on the Final Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit (OOM), and with it playing privileges on next year’s Asian Tour, drawing to a conclusion, this week’s Aramco Invitational at Rolling Hills Golf Course, in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, has attracted one of the strongest fields of the season.
The US$125,000 event is the penultimate stop of 2022 and a total of 19 players from the top 20 on the OOM, and 13 winners from the 15 events played so far this season have entered.
Indonesia’s emerging star Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra is competing and is the in-form player having won last week’s PIF Saudi Open, to go with the OB Golf Invitational he won in June.
His success last week, which marked the first ADT event ever to be played in the Middle East, moved him into third place on the OOM, which is being led by Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, in first, and Chonlatit Chuenboonngamm, in second.
Both Thais are playing this week with Suteepat attempting to win his fourth title of the year, which would be an ADT record.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai is chasing an ADT record of four wins in a single season.
Malaysia Shahriffuddin Ariffin, winner of the PKNS Selangor Masters at the end of last month and ranked fourth, has entered along with Chen Guxin, a two-time champion in 2022 and the first Chinese golfer to claim an ADT event.
The 54-hole event commences tomorrow and will be followed by the season-ending US$200,000 Taifong Open at Taifong Golf Club, from December 22-25.
Building on 57 years of Aramco Invitational Tournament (SAIT) history, Aramco joined forces with the ADT to host its 58th edition as the Aramco Invitational Tournament.
The ADT is the best fit with SAIT’s history of developing and promoting golf in Aramco, Saudi Arabia, and the Middle East. The objective is to create more playing opportunities for players from Asia and around the world. Such involvement will provide Saudi national players with competitive opportunities and develop games and players at the grass-roots level.
The tournament, which is part of a new and exciting two-event swing in the Middle East, will feature a field of 126 golfers.
“The Asian Development Tour has enjoyed an incredible comeback year, post pandemic, and the Aramco Invitational is yet another boon for the Asian Tour’s secondary circuit,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
“Importantly, and in much the same way as the Asian Tour is becoming a tour of international destinations, the Asian Development Tour continues to branch out, and the chance to play in the Middle East for a second time this year is another incredible opportunity for our membership.
“Increasing playing opportunities in new markets for our players is always a top priority, so we would like to thank Aramco, Golf Saudi, the Aramco Golf Association, and the Rolling Hills Golf Course for bringing all the key components together to make the event possible.”
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