The PKNS Selangor Masters returns to Seri Selangor Golf Club this November 8-11 with a beefed-up total purse of USD175,000, an increase of USD25,000 from last year.
One of the richest events on this year’s Asian Development Tour (ADT), the PKNS Selangor Masters will be co-sanctioned with the Toyota Tour, Malaysia’s domestic professional circuit. The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) returns as title sponsor for the second year running, while the event promoter is PKNS Golf Management Services Sdn Bhd which is a full subsidiary of PKNS.
The field of 144 will be made up of the leading 75 available players from the ADT and 40 from the Toyota Tour, with the remaining 19 spots allocated for tournament invitations. The invited players will include the boys’ champion of the preceding week’s Selangor International Junior Golf Championship at the same venue.
The country’s top player Gavin Green will spearhead the local challenge, hoping to become the third Malaysian winner of the event after Shahriffuddin Ariffin (2022) and Ben Leong (2008).
Winner of the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2017, Green competed in the 2013 Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor as an amateur and finished as top Malaysian in tied sixth place on four-under-par 280.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in the PKNS Selangor Masters as it’s always nice to compete on home soil,” said Green, who plays on the DP World Tour (European Tour).
“Seri Selangor is definitely one of my favourite courses and hopefully I can bring my ‘A’ game and do well next week,” added the 29-year-old.
Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO Cho Minn Thant noted: “We’re delighted to confirm the PKNS Selangor Masters’ place on the ADT schedule this year, and to be partnering with the Toyota Tour. We’re thankful to the Selangor State Development Corporation for their continued support and for ensuring the PKNS Selangor Masters remains one of the richest events on the Asian Development Tour.”
Launched this year, the Toyota Tour is the result of a tri-party agreement between the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, UMW Toyota Motor as the naming partner and MST Golf as the delivery agency.
Dato‘ Mahmud bin Abbas, Chief Executive Officer of PKNS, noted: “The partnership between the PKNS Selangor Masters and the ADT provides an important avenue for professionals to progress to the regional circuits and beyond. We therefore feel it is appropriate to further elevate the stature of the tournament by increasing its purse.”
With the top-10 players on the ADT’s end-of-season Order of Merit earning promotion to the lucrative Asian Tour in 2024, the PKNS Selangor Masters as part of the crucial closing stretch will play a key role in determining who makes it through.
Mohd Zubir Idrus, the Chief Executive Officer of Seri Selangor Golf Club, lauded the return of the event.
“We are delighted to be the host venue of the PKNS Selangor Masters again. Our golf course is one of the most challenging in the country and will be in prime condition for the tournament, providing a worthy challenge for the rising stars of the region as they strive to elevate their careers,” said Mohd Zubir.
After a seven-year hiatus, the PKNS Selangor Masters made a welcome return to the regional golfing schedule last year when Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin clinched a two-shot victory over Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub at Seri Selangor. One of the nation’s most talented young players, Shahriffuddin kept his nerve on an exciting final day to claim his second ADT title with a nine-under-par 275 total.
The victory helped Shahriffuddin finish fourth on the 2022 ADT Order of Merit, earning the 24-year-old playing rights on the Asian Tour for this year.
“Winning the PKNS Selangor Masters was a significant achievement for me because it was an ADT event at home here in Malaysia, and it helped me secure my Asian Tour card for 2023. The Seri Selangor course is a great layout and will be a good challenge for the professionals,” said Shahriffuddin.
Shahriffuddin was the second Malaysian to win the event, following in the footsteps of Ben Leong who fought off Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee at the second edition in 2008 when it became part of the Asian Tour.
Established as a statutory body in 1968, PKNS is the development agency for the state of Selangor and is involved in real estate development, trade development, industrial development and investment.
A project of PKNS, Seri Selangor Golf Club offers a challenging 18-hole course designed by Australian architect Ross Watson. The course opened for play in 1998 as Malaysia’s first genuine public facility and continues to provide an enthralling golf experience with its strategic design, tree-lined fairways and speedy greens.
Aramco has agreed one of the biggest and most significant partnerships in the history of the Asian Development Tour (ADT), after confirming title sponsorship of the Saudi Aramco Invitational for the next three editions, with an additional two-year option. The overall prize money will be US$250,000, making it the most lucrative event on the Tour, and establishing it as a prestigious season-ending tournament.
The 72-hole stroke play event will be held at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, from November 29 to December 2, bringing down the curtain on the ADT’s 2023 calendar in spectacular fashion and taking total ADT prize money for the season beyond the US$1 million barrier.
Nabil Al-Nuaim, Chairman of the Saudi Aramco Golf Association (SAGA) and Aramco’s Senior Vice President of Digital and Information Technology, said: “Aramco has a history of over 75 years supporting golf in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are proud to continue our tradition across the company and the Kingdom. We believe partnership with the Asian Development Tour is a natural fit with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Aramco’s mission to promote sports, and particularly golf, among the youth of Saudi Arabia.”
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO, said: “This is wonderful news for the Asian Development Tour, the Asian Tour’s flourishing feeder circuit, and we are truly appreciative to Aramco for their support.
“I know that all those who play on the ADT will welcome this exciting news, which, I’m sure will motivate them to work even harder as they bid to progress their way onto the Asian Tour,” he added.
With the top 10 players on the ADT’s end-of-season Order of Merit earning promotion to the Asian Tour in 2024, the Saudi Aramco Invitational will prove decisive in determining who makes it through.
Cho added: “Where Energy is Opportunity is Aramco’s tagline. The Saudi Aramco Invitational will energise and provide opportunity for the region’s up-and-coming professionals, as well as elite amateur players. We’re grateful to Aramco for their vision and commitment to the development of golf.”
The 120-strong field for the Saudi Aramco Invitational will be made up of 70 players from the ADT, 40 players selected by Aramco and 10 invitees.
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij triumphed in the 2022 inaugural tournament, which was also played at the Rolling Hills Golf Course.
Located in Dhahran, Rolling Hills is a private course for employees of Aramco.
Headquartered in Dhahran, Aramco is one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, creating value across the hydro-carbon chain and delivering societal and economic benefits to people and communities around the globe who rely on the vital energy it supplies.
“Aramco takes great pride in sponsoring and hosting Asia’s best up-and-coming talent at our beautiful, yet challenging, golf course,” said Mr Al-Nuaim.
“We are always seeking strategic and long-term partnerships and we look forward to further developing our relationship with the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour.”
Ends.
Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit contenders will be driving for glory when they line-up in November’s Toyota Tour Championship.
To be staged over the Palm Course (pictured) at Kuala Lumpur’s Saujana Golf & Country Club, the event is being co-sanctioned by the ADT and the Toyota Tour, Malaysia’s domestic professional circuit.
Both the ADT and Toyota Tour will be allocated 66 spots with six invites each in the starting line-up.
The total prize fund will be RM350,000 (approximately US$74,000).
As well as acting as the penultimate leg of the ADT’s 2023 season, the Toyota Tour Championship (November 15-18) will mark the culmination of the inaugural Toyota Tour campaign.
Following on from the PKNS Selangor Masters (November 8-11), it will also wrap-up a two-week mini-Malaysian swing for the ADT during which the Order of Merit battle is certain to intensify.
With promotion to the Asian Tour in 2024 the prize for the top-10 in the end-of-season ADT standings, the Malaysian tournaments will be pivotal in determining which players will make the step-up next year.
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “I know our players will be delighted to have back-to-back events in Malaysia as the ADT season heads towards what promises to be an exciting climax.
“With playing rights for the 2024 Asian Tour season on the line, there will be so much at stake. A good fortnight in Malaysia could confirm a player’s place in the top-10 or propel them into contention.
“Our thanks go to our friends at the Toyota Tour as well as the management and staff at Saujana, which has been the scene of so many memorable championships over the past 25 years.”
Launched this year, the Toyota Tour is a tri-party agreement between the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, UMW Toyota Motor as the naming partner and MST Golf as the delivery agency.
“The partnership with the ADT for the season-ending Toyota Tour Championship will provide an avenue for our professionals to progress to the regional circuits and beyond,” said PGM Tour Acting Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman.
Deyen Lawson of Australia chipped in on the first hole of a play-off to win the second Indo Masters presented by TNE today, beating Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom for his first win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
Lawson, who posted the low round of the day with a 65 to push himself into contention, appeared to be facing a disappointing second place from the clubhouse as Charng-Tai teed off on 18 with a one-shot lead at Imperial Klub Golf.
However, when a misplaced lay-up shot by Charng-Tai found the water, and when he could not get up and down from the drop, his bogey finish for a 66 meant the pair had to head out for a play-off.
On the par-five 18th, and with both players unable to make the green with their second shots, the hole was still open. Despite Charng-Tai’s best efforts to get close from a difficult lie, once Lawson chipped in from 20 yards, it was game over.
Said Lawson after his win: “It’s been close for the last few weeks and I’ve been playing solid, so it’s really good to get over the line.
“It was good to chip in to win,” he added. “You practice that shot all the time on the chipping green but you never really expect it to happen in a play-off so that was pretty fortunate. I’m really happy.”
With the win and several top 10 placings this season, Lawson is now leading the ADT Order of Merit as the season draws to a conclusion. “Obviously I want to finish in the top 10 to get an Asian Tour card,” he said, “but you never get sick of winning, no matter where it is, so I’m really excited.”
Four shots back in third place were Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit (66), England’s Joe Heraty (68) and Japan’s Naoki Sekito (69) who finished with a total of 207 over the three days.
In sixth place, with 208 strokes, were Thailand’s Chonjarern Baramithanaseth (69), Pattaraphol Khanthatcha (69) and Supravee Phatam (71), together with Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall (70), and Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar (71).
Three shots behind in 11th spot were Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul (71) and Italy’s Andrea Saracino (71).
Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (71), winner of the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August, was unable to recover from a poor performance on the opening day but remains in contention for the OOM after finishing in 13th tied with Thatland’s Pisitchai Thippong (72) on 213.
The next event on the ADT’s 2023 schedule is the PKNS Selangor Masters at Kelab Golf Seri Selangor in Malaysia, which takes place from November 8-11. The US$175,000 event is the tenth ADT event of the season and will be played over 72 holes.
Thai duo Supravee Phatam and Charng-Tai Sudsom managed to reclaim some ground on overnight leader Kevin Akbar of Indonesia in the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE today, setting the stage for a shoot-out in the final round at Imperial Klub Golf in Jakarta.
The trio lead by one shot from Indonesia’s George Gandranata (70) and Benita Kasiadi (68), together with Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall (69), Deyen Lawson (67) of Australia and Japan’s Naoki Sekito (69) on six under.
Akbar (70), who won the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura at Gunung Geulis Country Club In August, was pleased with his round but struggled to find the hole in this US$75,000 Asian Development Tour event.
“I played pretty solid today,” he said after his round. “I made a few mistakes but small mistakes. I hit a lot of greens but my putting was a bit cold. Missed a couple of good chances but it’s OK.
“Tomorrow same thing, try to hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens and hopefully the putter will be hot. I’m not thinking about it too much, anything can happen in 18 holes. I just want to keep the right mindset through the round and hopefully play better,” he added.
Sudsom (68), who turned in a colourful scorecard after his round with eight birdies and four bogeys, was more circumspect but managed to take some positives from his round, even though he started poorly.
“I was struggling on my second hole (11th) when I three putted,” he explained. “I’ve been working on my mental game so I just tried to keep a good mindset and be more consistent in my game.
“The afternoon was quite windy yesterday but it was a lot calmer today. Tomorrow I’m just going to play my own game. A win would mean a lot to me for next year but if not, I’ll be fine, I just hope to keep playing good golf,” he added.
In ninth spot, England’s Joe Heraty (70) maintained his sight on the leaders. together with Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthatcha (69) and Chonjarern Baramithanaseth (70).
Italy’s Andrea Saracino (73) shares 12th place with Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul (69), followed by the Thai trio of Sarut Vongchaisit (67), Pisitchai Thippong (69) and Thanpisit Omsin (72).
Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (66), winner of the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August, had a woeful opening round after just recently arriving back from Europe, but he managed to claw his way out of the cut zone and resume his fight for the season’s honours with the low round of the day.
Currently second in the Order of Merit following his win in Vietnam, and with leader Yuvraj Singh Sandhu playing in the SJM Macau Open on the Asian Tour, Wilkin revealed he was trying not to think about the pressure from players coming up behind him.
“It does a little bit, to be honest. I had a lot of head noise yesterday afternoon. I shot four over and I had to knuckle down. I did some practice yesterday and I just tried to reset and make the cut at least. That was my goal and hopefully tomorrow I can shoot a real low one.
“I’m starting to feel a little better after coming back from Europe, I think I underestimated the travel and jet lag and probably let myself go a little bit mentally yesterday.
“Today I still scored well when I wasn’t really in the fairway, always just off to the sides. I feel you need to be in the fairway to attack some of these pins, so tomorrow that will be my strategy, try and keep it a little bit straighter so I can go at more flags.”
The final round of the Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE starts tomorrow at 6.27 am. A total of 54 players made the cut from a from a field of 120 in the Asian Development Tour’s ninth event of the 2023 season.
Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar, already a winner on the Asian Development Tour this season, made a strong start to the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE today, posting a five under par 67 to post the early lead at Imperial Klub Golf in Jakarta.
He shares the leading spot with Italy’s Andrea Saracino, who is playing in Asia for the first time this season, and showed signs of steady progress in the region by matching Akbar to share the overnight lead.
“It was a pretty solid round,” said Akbar after his round. “I had a lot of luck in the first nine, made some long birdie putts and then chipped in on eight so I was like four under through the first nine. My short irons were pretty good today and I made some putts.
Making back to back bogeys on his back nine slowed the momentum somewhat but Akbar was quick to recover. “For me the back nine is a little bit tougher so I just tried to keep the ball in play. There was some bad decision making because the wind was switching around, on the par three I missed long, but it was a good putt for bogey though,” he added.
“A few holes have a pretty narrow fairway, especially if you are playing in the afternoon when the wind is switching around. You just have to try to miss in the right place,” he explained.
Akbar, who won the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura in August, was playing in a competitive group, with Aaron Wilkin who won the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August and Sangchai Kaewcharoen who won last week at the OB Golf Invitational presentd by Sentul Highlands Golf Club. The three are in close contention in the season-long Order Of merit.
“It was OK, just another round of golf really.” he laughed. “We talk, we have fun, we’ll just have to see how it goes tomorrow.”
Saracino, a member of the Italian national team playing with two compatriots, revealed after his round that he’s looking to cement his place in Asia.
“I love it here,” he said. “The weather is always hot, in Italy sometimes it’s too cold for me but I love it here in Asia, I love the people, I love the food,” he explained.
“I’ve been playing in Europe but i’m hoping to make the Asian Tour and also the Asian Tour Q-School. I’ll be playing Malaysia and hope to be playing next year on the ADT or Asian Tour.”
England’s Ben Robinson, making his second start on the ADT, posted a solid score to demonstrate how he’s also finding his feet in Asia, his bogey-free round of 68 earning him a share of third place with Indonesia’s Geroge Gandranata.
In fifth place, on three under 69, sits a sizeable group including the Thai foursome of Thanpisit Omsin, Chonjarern Baramithanaseth, Supravee Phatam and Charng-Tai Sudsom. They are joined by Japan’s Naoki Sekito, who won the OB Golf Championship last month, Joe Heraty of England, Indonesia’s Robby Sugara and Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden.
In 13th spot, on two under 70, are Samarth Dwivedi of India, Indonesia’s Benita Kasiadi and the Thai quartet of Peradol Panyathansedh, Sarun Sirithon, Arnond Vongvanij and Patatraphol Khanthacha, who won the Singha Pattaya Open in July.
Asian Development Tour (ADT) players will be vying for an increased prize purse at November’s PKNS Selangor Masters.
To be held at the Kelab Golf Seri Selangor from November 8-11, the 72-hole stroke play event will offer a total prize fund of US$175,000 – up from US$150,000 last year.
For 2023, the event is being co-sanctioned with the Toyota Tour, Malaysia’s domestic professional circuit. The ADT will be allocated 70 spots in the starting line-up, with the Toyota Tour receiving 40 places.
Launched this year, the Toyota Tour is a tri-party agreement between the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, UMW Toyota Motor as the naming partner and MST Golf as the delivery agency.
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to confirm the PKNS Selangor Masters’ place on the ADT schedule this year, and to be partnering with the Toyota Tour.
“We’re thankful to the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) for their continued support and for ensuring the PKNS Selangor Masters remains one of the richest events on the Asian Development Tour.”
Said YBhg. Dato‘ Mahmud bin Abbas, Chief Executive Officer, PKNS: “The partnership between the PKNS Selangor Masters and the ADT provides an important avenue for professionals to progress to the regional circuits and beyond. We therefore feel it is appropriate to further elevate the stature of the tournament by increasing its purse.”
With the top-10 on the ADT’s end-of-season Order of Merit (OOM) earning promotion to the Asian Tour in 2024, the PKNS Selangor Masters will be one of the closing tournaments that will prove decisive in determining who makes it through.
After an eight-year absence, the PKNS Selangor Masters made a welcome return to the region’s golfing schedule last year.
In a fitting finale, Malaysian Shahriffuddin Ariffin showed steely determination to clinch victory from Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub.
He was only the second Malaysian to savour success in the event, following Ben Leong who repelled the challenge of Thai Thongchai Jaidee to triumph in the inaugural Selangor Masters in 2008, when the tournament was part of the Asian Tour.
A project of the Selangor State Development Corporation, Seri Selangor’s Ross Watson-designed 18-hole course was launched amid much fanfare in 1998, billed as Malaysia’s first genuine public facility.
PKNS’ vision was to provide a sustainable golf experience that was affordable and accessible to all. A quarter of a century on, that vision still holds true.
Thailand’s Sangchai Kaewcharoen won in dramatic fashion on the second playoff hole to win the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands today.
Having forced himself into a playoff despite starting the day two shots behind the leaders, he chipped in to secure victory over India’s Khalin Joshi after the match was tied after three rounds.
The playoff ended up between just two players after regulation play, although in a tense finish to the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event, it could easily have been four.
The final group of Australia’s Deyen Lawson, Joshi and Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha were neck and neck after 14 holes, with Lawson having inserted himself into the battle after making up two shots on the overnight leaders.
While they were trading scores in the leading group, Sangchai was quietly gaining ground, firing in two closing birdies to top a bogey-free back nine score of 31 and join the group at 12 under as clubhouse leader.
And then disaster struck for Lawson and Khanthacha on the par five 17th. Where others had been confidently knocking in birdies and the occasional eagle, they could only manage a bogey and double bogey respectively, ending their chances and opening the door for Joshi who managed to par the hole.
Although tied for the lead and with one hole to go, Joshi (70) could only manage par on the last and triggered a playoff with the clubhouse leader with a total of 204. Despite halving the first playoff hole, he was unable to match Sangchai’s hole out from the left edge.
“I’m very happy,” said Songchai (68) after his victory. “This is my first win overseas. I want to make top ten in the ADT this season so I can get into the Asian Tour. “
His playing partner Yuvraj Singh Sandhu of India also posted a pair of closing birdies, scoring a three-under-par 69 to share third spot with Lawson (69) and a total score of 205.
Khanthacha (72) finished in solo fifth spot with a total of 206, followed by India’s Samarth Dwivedi (67), Ahmad Baig (68) of Pakistan and Andrea Saracino (69) of Italy in sixth with 207 strokes.
Nopparat Panichphol (70) of Thailand finished in ninth with 208 strokes, followed by compatriot Denwit Boriboonsub (68) in 10th on 209.
In 11th spot on 211 strokes were Thailand’s Puwit Anupansuebsai (70) and Jakraphon Premsirigorn (70), Justin Quiban of the Philippines and Japan’s Keisuke Takahashi who shot the low round of the day with an eagle on the 17th and a total of 66.
Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha and Khalin Joshi of India turned the tables on the overnight leader Newport Laparojkit at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands today, posting scores of 65 and 67 respectively to reach 10 under par.
Newport meanwhile was unable to keep the momentum going from his first round 61, dropping two shots in the afternoon to finish in a group at third on eight under par at the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event.
He was joined in third spot by overnight climbers Deyen Lawson (67) of Australia, Sangchai Kaewcharoen (69) of Thailand and India’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (66), winner of the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in August.
Pattaraphol, who won the Singha Pattaya Open in July, was happy enough with his round, but struggled to capitalise on a scorching front nine, after making the turn in 30 with no dropped shots.
“I played pretty well today, and got off to a good start,” he said after his round. “My game was flowing and I made a few birdies on the front nine, then I hit a solid shot on the sixth hole to make the eagle, but after the first nine, the game was quite nasty.
“I hit a three putt on 11 (par five) and from then on, putting was a bit more difficult,” he explained, having posted just the single birdie on his way into the clubhouse.
Joshi, who won the Panasonic Open India in 2018, has been struggling for form of late but has been recently revitalised after taking part in the recent Asian Games.
“In general I’ve been focusing more on the putting and my mid irons which ive been struggling with in the last few months,” he explained. “Last week I was at the Asian Games and I had Shubhankar (Sharma)’s coach there to help me out, had a new pair of eyes to look at my swing. It was a great experience, different atmosphere, I’m glad I made it there.”
In seventh place, with a total of 138 for the two rounds, were Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol (67), Andrea Saracino (69) of Italy and Sweden’s Filip Lundell (72).
Ahmad Baig (70) of Pakistan and Jack Murdoch (66) of Australia are tied for tenth while Justin Quiban (73) of the Philippines, Italy’s Michele Ortolani (71) and India’s Samarth Dwivedi (67) share 12th position.
In 15th spot, Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub (69), Jakraphan Premsrigorn (68) and Puwit Anupansuebsai (72) are joined by Kevin Phelan (68) of Ireland and Malaysia’s Paul San (71).
After two rounds, the cut has been made at +3 which means 51 players will contest the final round in the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands. The event, played from October 4-6, has attracted a field of 102 players and is the first time the ADT has played at Sentul Highlands, an 18 hole championship course designed by Gary Player and officially opened in 1997. Surrounded by several mountains in the Sentul City estate, the course offers sweeping vistas in nearly every direction.
A sensational 10-under-par round from Thailand’s Newport Laparojkit saw him secure a commanding lead in the first round of the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands Golf Club in Bogor, Indonesia today, opening up a four shot advantage over the field.
“Honestly, the best I’ve ever played so far,” was his verdict after posting a score of 62, which started from hole 10 in the morning session.
“I didn’t really make any putts the first three holes, just burned the edges, and then I made two consecutive long putts, then a short one on the on the par three on 15 and then chipped in on 17. I just gave myself a lot of opportunities and made them.
The 26-year-old golfer, in his third year on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour, has been working on his game in order to move up the ranks and it certainly showed how much improvement he’s been able to make off the course.
“I’ve been working with my Dad a lot with putting and a lot of mental game, and that helped a lot for me to shoot 10 under,” he explained after his round at the US$70,000 ADT event.
As with the rest of the field, the location was a new one for the clubhouse leader as it’s the first time the ADT has been to Sentul Highlands, and Newport was certainly a fan of the debut venue.
“I really like the course, not that I shoot ten under and then say I like the course,” he laughed. “It’s in great condition, the greens are very nice and there’s a lot of good views here so I am enjoying it.
“The driving range is awesome and yesterday I was chipping for two hours because the chipping green was so nice,” he added.
Sweden’s Filip Lundell, who also started in the morning, was the closest challenger with a first round score of 66, followed by Thailand’s Sangchai Kaewcharoen and India’s Khalin Joshi who shared third place with Justin Quiban of the Philippines with a score of 67.
In sixth place, with a score of 68, are Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit and Akinori Tani of Japan.
Rounding out the top 16 of the field with a share of eighth place on 69 are the Thai trio of Puwit Anupansuebsai, Arnond Vongvanij and Pattaraphol Khanthacha, together with top Indonesian scorer Indra Hermawan, Australia’s Deyen Lawson, Andrea Saracino and Michele Ortolani of Italy, Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig and Derek Petersen of South Africa.
The event, played from October 4-6, has attracted a field of 102 players and is the first time the ADT has played at Sentul Highlands, an 18 hole championship course designed by Gary Player and officially opened in 1997. Surrounded by several mountains in the Sentul City estate, the course offers sweeping vistas in nearly every direction.
Local hero looking to secure third home win for prestigious event
The PKNS Selangor Masters returns to Seri Selangor Golf Club this November 8-11 with a beefed-up total purse of USD175,000, an increase of USD25,000 from last year.
One of the richest events on this year’s Asian Development Tour (ADT), the PKNS Selangor Masters will be co-sanctioned with the Toyota Tour, Malaysia’s domestic professional circuit. The Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) returns as title sponsor for the second year running, while the event promoter is PKNS Golf Management Services Sdn Bhd which is a full subsidiary of PKNS.
The field of 144 will be made up of the leading 75 available players from the ADT and 40 from the Toyota Tour, with the remaining 19 spots allocated for tournament invitations. The invited players will include the boys’ champion of the preceding week’s Selangor International Junior Golf Championship at the same venue.
The country’s top player Gavin Green will spearhead the local challenge, hoping to become the third Malaysian winner of the event after Shahriffuddin Ariffin (2022) and Ben Leong (2008).
Winner of the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2017, Green competed in the 2013 Selangor Masters at Seri Selangor as an amateur and finished as top Malaysian in tied sixth place on four-under-par 280.
“I’m really looking forward to playing in the PKNS Selangor Masters as it’s always nice to compete on home soil,” said Green, who plays on the DP World Tour (European Tour).
“Seri Selangor is definitely one of my favourite courses and hopefully I can bring my ‘A’ game and do well next week,” added the 29-year-old.
Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO Cho Minn Thant noted: “We’re delighted to confirm the PKNS Selangor Masters’ place on the ADT schedule this year, and to be partnering with the Toyota Tour. We’re thankful to the Selangor State Development Corporation for their continued support and for ensuring the PKNS Selangor Masters remains one of the richest events on the Asian Development Tour.”
Launched this year, the Toyota Tour is the result of a tri-party agreement between the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, UMW Toyota Motor as the naming partner and MST Golf as the delivery agency.
Dato‘ Mahmud bin Abbas, Chief Executive Officer of PKNS, noted: “The partnership between the PKNS Selangor Masters and the ADT provides an important avenue for professionals to progress to the regional circuits and beyond. We therefore feel it is appropriate to further elevate the stature of the tournament by increasing its purse.”
With the top-10 players on the ADT’s end-of-season Order of Merit earning promotion to the lucrative Asian Tour in 2024, the PKNS Selangor Masters as part of the crucial closing stretch will play a key role in determining who makes it through.
Mohd Zubir Idrus, the Chief Executive Officer of Seri Selangor Golf Club, lauded the return of the event.
“We are delighted to be the host venue of the PKNS Selangor Masters again. Our golf course is one of the most challenging in the country and will be in prime condition for the tournament, providing a worthy challenge for the rising stars of the region as they strive to elevate their careers,” said Mohd Zubir.
After a seven-year hiatus, the PKNS Selangor Masters made a welcome return to the regional golfing schedule last year when Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin clinched a two-shot victory over Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub at Seri Selangor. One of the nation’s most talented young players, Shahriffuddin kept his nerve on an exciting final day to claim his second ADT title with a nine-under-par 275 total.
The victory helped Shahriffuddin finish fourth on the 2022 ADT Order of Merit, earning the 24-year-old playing rights on the Asian Tour for this year.
“Winning the PKNS Selangor Masters was a significant achievement for me because it was an ADT event at home here in Malaysia, and it helped me secure my Asian Tour card for 2023. The Seri Selangor course is a great layout and will be a good challenge for the professionals,” said Shahriffuddin.
Shahriffuddin was the second Malaysian to win the event, following in the footsteps of Ben Leong who fought off Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee at the second edition in 2008 when it became part of the Asian Tour.
Established as a statutory body in 1968, PKNS is the development agency for the state of Selangor and is involved in real estate development, trade development, industrial development and investment.
A project of PKNS, Seri Selangor Golf Club offers a challenging 18-hole course designed by Australian architect Ross Watson. The course opened for play in 1998 as Malaysia’s first genuine public facility and continues to provide an enthralling golf experience with its strategic design, tree-lined fairways and speedy greens.
Aramco has agreed one of the biggest and most significant partnerships in the history of the Asian Development Tour
Aramco has agreed one of the biggest and most significant partnerships in the history of the Asian Development Tour (ADT), after confirming title sponsorship of the Saudi Aramco Invitational for the next three editions, with an additional two-year option. The overall prize money will be US$250,000, making it the most lucrative event on the Tour, and establishing it as a prestigious season-ending tournament.
The 72-hole stroke play event will be held at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, from November 29 to December 2, bringing down the curtain on the ADT’s 2023 calendar in spectacular fashion and taking total ADT prize money for the season beyond the US$1 million barrier.
Nabil Al-Nuaim, Chairman of the Saudi Aramco Golf Association (SAGA) and Aramco’s Senior Vice President of Digital and Information Technology, said: “Aramco has a history of over 75 years supporting golf in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are proud to continue our tradition across the company and the Kingdom. We believe partnership with the Asian Development Tour is a natural fit with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Aramco’s mission to promote sports, and particularly golf, among the youth of Saudi Arabia.”
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO, said: “This is wonderful news for the Asian Development Tour, the Asian Tour’s flourishing feeder circuit, and we are truly appreciative to Aramco for their support.
“I know that all those who play on the ADT will welcome this exciting news, which, I’m sure will motivate them to work even harder as they bid to progress their way onto the Asian Tour,” he added.
With the top 10 players on the ADT’s end-of-season Order of Merit earning promotion to the Asian Tour in 2024, the Saudi Aramco Invitational will prove decisive in determining who makes it through.
Cho added: “Where Energy is Opportunity is Aramco’s tagline. The Saudi Aramco Invitational will energise and provide opportunity for the region’s up-and-coming professionals, as well as elite amateur players. We’re grateful to Aramco for their vision and commitment to the development of golf.”
The 120-strong field for the Saudi Aramco Invitational will be made up of 70 players from the ADT, 40 players selected by Aramco and 10 invitees.
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij triumphed in the 2022 inaugural tournament, which was also played at the Rolling Hills Golf Course.
Located in Dhahran, Rolling Hills is a private course for employees of Aramco.
Headquartered in Dhahran, Aramco is one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, creating value across the hydro-carbon chain and delivering societal and economic benefits to people and communities around the globe who rely on the vital energy it supplies.
“Aramco takes great pride in sponsoring and hosting Asia’s best up-and-coming talent at our beautiful, yet challenging, golf course,” said Mr Al-Nuaim.
“We are always seeking strategic and long-term partnerships and we look forward to further developing our relationship with the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour.”
Ends.
Tournament to be played on the Palm Course at Saujana from November 15-18
Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit contenders will be driving for glory when they line-up in November’s Toyota Tour Championship.
To be staged over the Palm Course (pictured) at Kuala Lumpur’s Saujana Golf & Country Club, the event is being co-sanctioned by the ADT and the Toyota Tour, Malaysia’s domestic professional circuit.
Both the ADT and Toyota Tour will be allocated 66 spots with six invites each in the starting line-up.
The total prize fund will be RM350,000 (approximately US$74,000).
As well as acting as the penultimate leg of the ADT’s 2023 season, the Toyota Tour Championship (November 15-18) will mark the culmination of the inaugural Toyota Tour campaign.
Following on from the PKNS Selangor Masters (November 8-11), it will also wrap-up a two-week mini-Malaysian swing for the ADT during which the Order of Merit battle is certain to intensify.
With promotion to the Asian Tour in 2024 the prize for the top-10 in the end-of-season ADT standings, the Malaysian tournaments will be pivotal in determining which players will make the step-up next year.
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “I know our players will be delighted to have back-to-back events in Malaysia as the ADT season heads towards what promises to be an exciting climax.
“With playing rights for the 2024 Asian Tour season on the line, there will be so much at stake. A good fortnight in Malaysia could confirm a player’s place in the top-10 or propel them into contention.
“Our thanks go to our friends at the Toyota Tour as well as the management and staff at Saujana, which has been the scene of so many memorable championships over the past 25 years.”
Launched this year, the Toyota Tour is a tri-party agreement between the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, UMW Toyota Motor as the naming partner and MST Golf as the delivery agency.
“The partnership with the ADT for the season-ending Toyota Tour Championship will provide an avenue for our professionals to progress to the regional circuits and beyond,” said PGM Tour Acting Chairman Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman.
Victory puts him on top in season-long Order Of Merit race
Deyen Lawson of Australia chipped in on the first hole of a play-off to win the second Indo Masters presented by TNE today, beating Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom for his first win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
Lawson, who posted the low round of the day with a 65 to push himself into contention, appeared to be facing a disappointing second place from the clubhouse as Charng-Tai teed off on 18 with a one-shot lead at Imperial Klub Golf.
However, when a misplaced lay-up shot by Charng-Tai found the water, and when he could not get up and down from the drop, his bogey finish for a 66 meant the pair had to head out for a play-off.
On the par-five 18th, and with both players unable to make the green with their second shots, the hole was still open. Despite Charng-Tai’s best efforts to get close from a difficult lie, once Lawson chipped in from 20 yards, it was game over.
Said Lawson after his win: “It’s been close for the last few weeks and I’ve been playing solid, so it’s really good to get over the line.
“It was good to chip in to win,” he added. “You practice that shot all the time on the chipping green but you never really expect it to happen in a play-off so that was pretty fortunate. I’m really happy.”
With the win and several top 10 placings this season, Lawson is now leading the ADT Order of Merit as the season draws to a conclusion. “Obviously I want to finish in the top 10 to get an Asian Tour card,” he said, “but you never get sick of winning, no matter where it is, so I’m really excited.”
Four shots back in third place were Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit (66), England’s Joe Heraty (68) and Japan’s Naoki Sekito (69) who finished with a total of 207 over the three days.
In sixth place, with 208 strokes, were Thailand’s Chonjarern Baramithanaseth (69), Pattaraphol Khanthatcha (69) and Supravee Phatam (71), together with Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall (70), and Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar (71).
Three shots behind in 11th spot were Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul (71) and Italy’s Andrea Saracino (71).
Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (71), winner of the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August, was unable to recover from a poor performance on the opening day but remains in contention for the OOM after finishing in 13th tied with Thatland’s Pisitchai Thippong (72) on 213.
The next event on the ADT’s 2023 schedule is the PKNS Selangor Masters at Kelab Golf Seri Selangor in Malaysia, which takes place from November 8-11. The US$175,000 event is the tenth ADT event of the season and will be played over 72 holes.
Group ready for battle at Imperial Klub
Thai duo Supravee Phatam and Charng-Tai Sudsom managed to reclaim some ground on overnight leader Kevin Akbar of Indonesia in the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE today, setting the stage for a shoot-out in the final round at Imperial Klub Golf in Jakarta.
The trio lead by one shot from Indonesia’s George Gandranata (70) and Benita Kasiadi (68), together with Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall (69), Deyen Lawson (67) of Australia and Japan’s Naoki Sekito (69) on six under.
Akbar (70), who won the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura at Gunung Geulis Country Club In August, was pleased with his round but struggled to find the hole in this US$75,000 Asian Development Tour event.
“I played pretty solid today,” he said after his round. “I made a few mistakes but small mistakes. I hit a lot of greens but my putting was a bit cold. Missed a couple of good chances but it’s OK.
“Tomorrow same thing, try to hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens and hopefully the putter will be hot. I’m not thinking about it too much, anything can happen in 18 holes. I just want to keep the right mindset through the round and hopefully play better,” he added.
Sudsom (68), who turned in a colourful scorecard after his round with eight birdies and four bogeys, was more circumspect but managed to take some positives from his round, even though he started poorly.
“I was struggling on my second hole (11th) when I three putted,” he explained. “I’ve been working on my mental game so I just tried to keep a good mindset and be more consistent in my game.
“The afternoon was quite windy yesterday but it was a lot calmer today. Tomorrow I’m just going to play my own game. A win would mean a lot to me for next year but if not, I’ll be fine, I just hope to keep playing good golf,” he added.
In ninth spot, England’s Joe Heraty (70) maintained his sight on the leaders. together with Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthatcha (69) and Chonjarern Baramithanaseth (70).
Italy’s Andrea Saracino (73) shares 12th place with Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul (69), followed by the Thai trio of Sarut Vongchaisit (67), Pisitchai Thippong (69) and Thanpisit Omsin (72).
Australia’s Aaron Wilkin (66), winner of the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August, had a woeful opening round after just recently arriving back from Europe, but he managed to claw his way out of the cut zone and resume his fight for the season’s honours with the low round of the day.
Currently second in the Order of Merit following his win in Vietnam, and with leader Yuvraj Singh Sandhu playing in the SJM Macau Open on the Asian Tour, Wilkin revealed he was trying not to think about the pressure from players coming up behind him.
“It does a little bit, to be honest. I had a lot of head noise yesterday afternoon. I shot four over and I had to knuckle down. I did some practice yesterday and I just tried to reset and make the cut at least. That was my goal and hopefully tomorrow I can shoot a real low one.
“I’m starting to feel a little better after coming back from Europe, I think I underestimated the travel and jet lag and probably let myself go a little bit mentally yesterday.
“Today I still scored well when I wasn’t really in the fairway, always just off to the sides. I feel you need to be in the fairway to attack some of these pins, so tomorrow that will be my strategy, try and keep it a little bit straighter so I can go at more flags.”
The final round of the Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE starts tomorrow at 6.27 am. A total of 54 players made the cut from a from a field of 120 in the Asian Development Tour’s ninth event of the 2023 season.
Tied with Italian contender Saracino after first round
Indonesia’s Kevin Akbar, already a winner on the Asian Development Tour this season, made a strong start to the second Indo Masters Golf Invitational presented by TNE today, posting a five under par 67 to post the early lead at Imperial Klub Golf in Jakarta.
He shares the leading spot with Italy’s Andrea Saracino, who is playing in Asia for the first time this season, and showed signs of steady progress in the region by matching Akbar to share the overnight lead.
“It was a pretty solid round,” said Akbar after his round. “I had a lot of luck in the first nine, made some long birdie putts and then chipped in on eight so I was like four under through the first nine. My short irons were pretty good today and I made some putts.
Making back to back bogeys on his back nine slowed the momentum somewhat but Akbar was quick to recover. “For me the back nine is a little bit tougher so I just tried to keep the ball in play. There was some bad decision making because the wind was switching around, on the par three I missed long, but it was a good putt for bogey though,” he added.
“A few holes have a pretty narrow fairway, especially if you are playing in the afternoon when the wind is switching around. You just have to try to miss in the right place,” he explained.
Akbar, who won the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura in August, was playing in a competitive group, with Aaron Wilkin who won the BRG Open Golf Championship in Vietnam in August and Sangchai Kaewcharoen who won last week at the OB Golf Invitational presentd by Sentul Highlands Golf Club. The three are in close contention in the season-long Order Of merit.
“It was OK, just another round of golf really.” he laughed. “We talk, we have fun, we’ll just have to see how it goes tomorrow.”
Saracino, a member of the Italian national team playing with two compatriots, revealed after his round that he’s looking to cement his place in Asia.
“I love it here,” he said. “The weather is always hot, in Italy sometimes it’s too cold for me but I love it here in Asia, I love the people, I love the food,” he explained.
“I’ve been playing in Europe but i’m hoping to make the Asian Tour and also the Asian Tour Q-School. I’ll be playing Malaysia and hope to be playing next year on the ADT or Asian Tour.”
England’s Ben Robinson, making his second start on the ADT, posted a solid score to demonstrate how he’s also finding his feet in Asia, his bogey-free round of 68 earning him a share of third place with Indonesia’s Geroge Gandranata.
In fifth place, on three under 69, sits a sizeable group including the Thai foursome of Thanpisit Omsin, Chonjarern Baramithanaseth, Supravee Phatam and Charng-Tai Sudsom. They are joined by Japan’s Naoki Sekito, who won the OB Golf Championship last month, Joe Heraty of England, Indonesia’s Robby Sugara and Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden.
In 13th spot, on two under 70, are Samarth Dwivedi of India, Indonesia’s Benita Kasiadi and the Thai quartet of Peradol Panyathansedh, Sarun Sirithon, Arnond Vongvanij and Patatraphol Khanthacha, who won the Singha Pattaya Open in July.
Total prize fund of US$175,000 – up from US$150,000 last year
Asian Development Tour (ADT) players will be vying for an increased prize purse at November’s PKNS Selangor Masters.
To be held at the Kelab Golf Seri Selangor from November 8-11, the 72-hole stroke play event will offer a total prize fund of US$175,000 – up from US$150,000 last year.
For 2023, the event is being co-sanctioned with the Toyota Tour, Malaysia’s domestic professional circuit. The ADT will be allocated 70 spots in the starting line-up, with the Toyota Tour receiving 40 places.
Launched this year, the Toyota Tour is a tri-party agreement between the Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM) Tour, UMW Toyota Motor as the naming partner and MST Golf as the delivery agency.
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “We’re delighted to confirm the PKNS Selangor Masters’ place on the ADT schedule this year, and to be partnering with the Toyota Tour.
“We’re thankful to the Selangor State Development Corporation (PKNS) for their continued support and for ensuring the PKNS Selangor Masters remains one of the richest events on the Asian Development Tour.”
Said YBhg. Dato‘ Mahmud bin Abbas, Chief Executive Officer, PKNS: “The partnership between the PKNS Selangor Masters and the ADT provides an important avenue for professionals to progress to the regional circuits and beyond. We therefore feel it is appropriate to further elevate the stature of the tournament by increasing its purse.”
With the top-10 on the ADT’s end-of-season Order of Merit (OOM) earning promotion to the Asian Tour in 2024, the PKNS Selangor Masters will be one of the closing tournaments that will prove decisive in determining who makes it through.
After an eight-year absence, the PKNS Selangor Masters made a welcome return to the region’s golfing schedule last year.
In a fitting finale, Malaysian Shahriffuddin Ariffin showed steely determination to clinch victory from Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub.
He was only the second Malaysian to savour success in the event, following Ben Leong who repelled the challenge of Thai Thongchai Jaidee to triumph in the inaugural Selangor Masters in 2008, when the tournament was part of the Asian Tour.
A project of the Selangor State Development Corporation, Seri Selangor’s Ross Watson-designed 18-hole course was launched amid much fanfare in 1998, billed as Malaysia’s first genuine public facility.
PKNS’ vision was to provide a sustainable golf experience that was affordable and accessible to all. A quarter of a century on, that vision still holds true.
Chipped on second playoff hole to secure win
Thailand’s Sangchai Kaewcharoen won in dramatic fashion on the second playoff hole to win the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands today.
Having forced himself into a playoff despite starting the day two shots behind the leaders, he chipped in to secure victory over India’s Khalin Joshi after the match was tied after three rounds.
The playoff ended up between just two players after regulation play, although in a tense finish to the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event, it could easily have been four.
The final group of Australia’s Deyen Lawson, Joshi and Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha were neck and neck after 14 holes, with Lawson having inserted himself into the battle after making up two shots on the overnight leaders.
While they were trading scores in the leading group, Sangchai was quietly gaining ground, firing in two closing birdies to top a bogey-free back nine score of 31 and join the group at 12 under as clubhouse leader.
And then disaster struck for Lawson and Khanthacha on the par five 17th. Where others had been confidently knocking in birdies and the occasional eagle, they could only manage a bogey and double bogey respectively, ending their chances and opening the door for Joshi who managed to par the hole.
Although tied for the lead and with one hole to go, Joshi (70) could only manage par on the last and triggered a playoff with the clubhouse leader with a total of 204. Despite halving the first playoff hole, he was unable to match Sangchai’s hole out from the left edge.
“I’m very happy,” said Songchai (68) after his victory. “This is my first win overseas. I want to make top ten in the ADT this season so I can get into the Asian Tour. “
His playing partner Yuvraj Singh Sandhu of India also posted a pair of closing birdies, scoring a three-under-par 69 to share third spot with Lawson (69) and a total score of 205.
Khanthacha (72) finished in solo fifth spot with a total of 206, followed by India’s Samarth Dwivedi (67), Ahmad Baig (68) of Pakistan and Andrea Saracino (69) of Italy in sixth with 207 strokes.
Nopparat Panichphol (70) of Thailand finished in ninth with 208 strokes, followed by compatriot Denwit Boriboonsub (68) in 10th on 209.
In 11th spot on 211 strokes were Thailand’s Puwit Anupansuebsai (70) and Jakraphon Premsirigorn (70), Justin Quiban of the Philippines and Japan’s Keisuke Takahashi who shot the low round of the day with an eagle on the 17th and a total of 66.
Opening round lead cut back as players jostle for position
Thailand’s Pattaraphol Khanthacha and Khalin Joshi of India turned the tables on the overnight leader Newport Laparojkit at the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands today, posting scores of 65 and 67 respectively to reach 10 under par.
Newport meanwhile was unable to keep the momentum going from his first round 61, dropping two shots in the afternoon to finish in a group at third on eight under par at the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour event.
He was joined in third spot by overnight climbers Deyen Lawson (67) of Australia, Sangchai Kaewcharoen (69) of Thailand and India’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (66), winner of the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in August.
Pattaraphol, who won the Singha Pattaya Open in July, was happy enough with his round, but struggled to capitalise on a scorching front nine, after making the turn in 30 with no dropped shots.
“I played pretty well today, and got off to a good start,” he said after his round. “My game was flowing and I made a few birdies on the front nine, then I hit a solid shot on the sixth hole to make the eagle, but after the first nine, the game was quite nasty.
“I hit a three putt on 11 (par five) and from then on, putting was a bit more difficult,” he explained, having posted just the single birdie on his way into the clubhouse.
Joshi, who won the Panasonic Open India in 2018, has been struggling for form of late but has been recently revitalised after taking part in the recent Asian Games.
“In general I’ve been focusing more on the putting and my mid irons which ive been struggling with in the last few months,” he explained. “Last week I was at the Asian Games and I had Shubhankar (Sharma)’s coach there to help me out, had a new pair of eyes to look at my swing. It was a great experience, different atmosphere, I’m glad I made it there.”
In seventh place, with a total of 138 for the two rounds, were Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol (67), Andrea Saracino (69) of Italy and Sweden’s Filip Lundell (72).
Ahmad Baig (70) of Pakistan and Jack Murdoch (66) of Australia are tied for tenth while Justin Quiban (73) of the Philippines, Italy’s Michele Ortolani (71) and India’s Samarth Dwivedi (67) share 12th position.
In 15th spot, Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub (69), Jakraphan Premsrigorn (68) and Puwit Anupansuebsai (72) are joined by Kevin Phelan (68) of Ireland and Malaysia’s Paul San (71).
After two rounds, the cut has been made at +3 which means 51 players will contest the final round in the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands. The event, played from October 4-6, has attracted a field of 102 players and is the first time the ADT has played at Sentul Highlands, an 18 hole championship course designed by Gary Player and officially opened in 1997. Surrounded by several mountains in the Sentul City estate, the course offers sweeping vistas in nearly every direction.
Blistering opening round gives him a four shot lead
A sensational 10-under-par round from Thailand’s Newport Laparojkit saw him secure a commanding lead in the first round of the OB Golf Invitational presented by Sentul Highlands Golf Club in Bogor, Indonesia today, opening up a four shot advantage over the field.
“Honestly, the best I’ve ever played so far,” was his verdict after posting a score of 62, which started from hole 10 in the morning session.
“I didn’t really make any putts the first three holes, just burned the edges, and then I made two consecutive long putts, then a short one on the on the par three on 15 and then chipped in on 17. I just gave myself a lot of opportunities and made them.
The 26-year-old golfer, in his third year on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour, has been working on his game in order to move up the ranks and it certainly showed how much improvement he’s been able to make off the course.
“I’ve been working with my Dad a lot with putting and a lot of mental game, and that helped a lot for me to shoot 10 under,” he explained after his round at the US$70,000 ADT event.
As with the rest of the field, the location was a new one for the clubhouse leader as it’s the first time the ADT has been to Sentul Highlands, and Newport was certainly a fan of the debut venue.
“I really like the course, not that I shoot ten under and then say I like the course,” he laughed. “It’s in great condition, the greens are very nice and there’s a lot of good views here so I am enjoying it.
“The driving range is awesome and yesterday I was chipping for two hours because the chipping green was so nice,” he added.
Sweden’s Filip Lundell, who also started in the morning, was the closest challenger with a first round score of 66, followed by Thailand’s Sangchai Kaewcharoen and India’s Khalin Joshi who shared third place with Justin Quiban of the Philippines with a score of 67.
In sixth place, with a score of 68, are Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit and Akinori Tani of Japan.
Rounding out the top 16 of the field with a share of eighth place on 69 are the Thai trio of Puwit Anupansuebsai, Arnond Vongvanij and Pattaraphol Khanthacha, together with top Indonesian scorer Indra Hermawan, Australia’s Deyen Lawson, Andrea Saracino and Michele Ortolani of Italy, Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig and Derek Petersen of South Africa.
The event, played from October 4-6, has attracted a field of 102 players and is the first time the ADT has played at Sentul Highlands, an 18 hole championship course designed by Gary Player and officially opened in 1997. Surrounded by several mountains in the Sentul City estate, the course offers sweeping vistas in nearly every direction.
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