Changhwa, Chinese Taipei, August 19:  Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang clinched his sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Taifong Open on Sunday to equal the record of most ADT wins.  

The 32-year-old Chan carded a bogey-free four-under-par 68 to triumph by two shots with a winning total of 13-under-par 275 at the Taifong Golf Course. He and close friend Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand, now hold the joint record for the most number of wins on the ADT.

Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil and Han Lee of the United States settled for second place after signing for matching 66s at the US$160,000 ADT event.  

Wearing his lucky polka-dot shirt, Chan won the Taifong Open for the third time in his career. In 2010, he won the event on the local circuit and was victorious again in 2014 when the tournament was sanctioned by the ADT.

He took advantage of an overnight two-shot lead and was rewarded for his safe approach in the final round where he opted to use his three-wood off the tees on most holes.

“I played it safe today because I missed quite a number of fairways this week. So, I took out my three-wood on a lot of holes just to keep it in in play. I was nervous but the home crowds really encouraged me to push forward so I am very grateful for their support,” said Chan.

He was delighted to match the winning record set by Pavit earlier this year when the latter won the Betagro Championship in Thailand in May.

“Pavit is one of my closest friends on Tour and I am happy to be holding the record of the ADT with him. It has been a great week and to bring the trophy back home is very special,” added Chan, who is also a two-time Asian Tour winner.

With the victory, Chan took home a prize purse of US$28,000 and received six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.

 “It feels so good to be back in the winner’s circle. I have been struggling with my swing all year and I decided to just take things simple and go back to my old swing this week. I was pretty nervous all week to be honest but I just focused on keeping the momentum going each round,” said Chan.

Despite missing out on his maiden ADT victory, Chinnarat took pride in his best finish on the ADT this season at the richest event on the ADT schedule.

“Today was a good day, I hit a lot of good shots into the greens and I felt comfortable around the greens. I looked at the leaderboard after the seventh hole and I was four-under-par. The only mistake I made was on hole eight when I three-putted after a made a bad chip. But I’m still very happy with how I finished. My game is coming back and this marks my best finish this season on the ADT,” said Chinnarat, who finished tied-10th at the Betagro Championship in May.

Japan’s Kazuki Higa traded five birdies against two bogeys to card a 69 in the final round and take tied-fourth with local veteran Lin Wen-tang who posted a 68. Higa climbed up to second-place on the ADT Order of Merit just US$2,446 behind Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong who still holds the top spot with a current haul of US$23,603.

The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Ends.

Leading fourth round scores: 

75 – CHAN Shih-chang (TPE) 71 65 71 68

277 – Han LEE (USA) 70 69 72 66, Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 72 70 69 66

278 – LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 70 68 72 68, Kazuki HIGA (JPN) 69 72 68 69

279 – Masaru TAKAHASHI (JPN) 71 70 71 67, LU Wei-chih (TPE) 71 69 71 68

281 – Panuwat MUENLEK (THA) 71 71 70 69, TSAI Chi-huang (TPE) 66 70 74 71

282 – Benjamin LEIN (USA) 74 69 67 72, Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 67 72 72 71, WANG Wei-lun (TPE) 68 71 70 73

283 – David SHEN (TPE) 72 73 67 71, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 69 72 68 74

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading seven players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Jakarta, Indonesia, August 22:  Local hotshot George Gandranata closed with three straight birdies to sign for an opening seven-under-par 65, sharing a one-shot lead with Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic on Wednesday.

Gandranata, the first Indonesian to win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2016, fired one eagle and six birdies against a bogey to match the efforts of Namchok, who returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by eight birdies, at the par-72 BSD Course by Damai Indah Golf.

Australian David Gleeson, a three-time Asian Tour winner, took third place with young Thai Phanuvich Onchu while Japan’s Shohei Hasegawa, placed fourth on the current Order of Merit, was tied in fifth place following a 67 at the US$110,000 ADT event.

Starting from the first, Gandranata nailed two birdies to turn in 34 before dropping a shot on the 10th hole. The 32-year-old, however, bounced back with an eagle on the par-four 12th hole before storming home with four more birdies in his closing five holes.

“My putting was good. I trusted my line and my caddy was good too. I read the lines well and got the speed right. I had some good par saves as well. It was a good bogey on the 10th actually. I eagled the 12th after holing out my second shot with a seven-iron from 151 yards. That got my momentum going,” said Gandranata, who needed only 25 putts around the greens.

“It’s good to be playing at home. I feel pretty relaxed. This course is not too long. I think it’s going to be a putting contest this week. If you can putt well, you should stand a good chance,” added Gandranata, who had enjoyed a fourth-place finish in an ADT event on home soil earlier in March.

The 31-year-old Namchok, a two-time winner on the region’s secondary circuit, is playing in his first event after taking a four-week break from golf to recover from a shoulder injury.

“I hit the ball good today. This is my first tournament in a month. I took four weeks off to recover from a shoulder injury. I am feeling much better now and it’s great to shoot a good score after taking the break!” said Namchok.

“This is my first time playing in this event. The course condition is really good. I holed a good birdie on the par-four sixth hole after making the putt from about nine feet. That’s probably my best birdie today,” he added.

The Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, which is celebrating its fifth consecutive edition on the ADT this week, is the 15th leg of the 2018 season and the second to be played in Indonesia this year.

As one of the richest events on the ADT schedule this season, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will play a pivotal role in determining the Order of Merit rankings, where the top seven players on the final 2018 Order of Merit will earn a coveted Asian Tour card for 2019.

By featuring on the ADT schedule, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will also offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Leading first round scores:

65 – George GANDRANATA (INA) , Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 

66 – Phanuvich ONCHU (THA) , David GLEESON (AUS) 

67 – Peradol PANYATHANASEDH (THA) , Jakraphan PREMSIRIGORN (THA) , Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN) , Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 

68 – Ye Htet AUNG (MYN) , Quincy QUEK (SGP) , Varanyu RATTANAPHIBOONKIJ (THA) , Udayan MANE (IND) , Kasidit LEPKURTE (THA) , Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) , Nirun SAE-UENG (THA) 

69 – Sam GILLIS (USA) , Samarth DWIVEDI (IND) , Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) , Indra HERMAWAN (INA) 

70 – Kentaro NANAYAMA (A) (INA) , Blake SNYDER (USA) , William HARROLD (ENG) , Jordan IRAWAN (INA) , Brett MUNSON (USA) , Steve LEWTON (ENG) , Mitchell SLORACH (SGP) , Erwan VIEILLEDENT (FRA) , Elki KOW (INA) , WANG Wei-lun (TWN) , Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) , Arie Irawan (MAS) , Han LEE (USA) , Dominikus GLENN (A) (INA) 

71 – Syed Saqib AHMED (IND) , Martin DIVE (AUS) , Suttijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) , Matt KILLEN (ENG) , Kevin TECHAKANOKBOON (THA) , Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) , Annop TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) , Oskar ARVIDSSON (SWE) , Hanbo LEE (RSA) , Deepinder Singh KULLAR (IND) 

Ends.

About Panasonic

Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the company has expanded globally and now operates 495 subsidiaries and 91 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.343 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2017. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global

About Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course

Recognized as one of the finest courses which Jack Nicklaus ever designed, Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) Course. This award-winning course features the “Spirit of the Hills” with lush tropical landscaping, green rolling hills and many enormous and yet challenging bunkers.

Operated since 1992, The BSD Course was designed to offer an enjoyable mental challenge within a visually appearing setting with every hole positioned within beautifully landscape settings and it’s playable for every type of golfers, whether a high or low handicapper. As Jack Nicklaus’ maiden project in Indonesia, he ensured this remarkable 6,545 meter, par 72 course incorporated many of his personal favorite features from some of the world’s top courses. The BSD Course is undisputable one of the best the world has to offer.

Found alongside the Cisadane River and within the Serpong Valley, the course is located in the outskirt of Jakarta, around 32 km or 45 minutes from the SCBD part of down-town, and can be accessed from Jakarta–Meraktoll road and outer ring road.

Damai Indah Golf, Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) Course is the home of many international tournament, such as Indonesia President Invitational 2007 and 2009, Indonesia PGA Championship 2014.

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading seven players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, May 27: Thai hotshot Pavit Tangkamolprasert bounced back from a wrist injury after closing with a three-under-par 69 to claim a record sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Betagro Championship on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Pavit, who held a three-shot advantage heading into the final round thanks to a sparkling third round 62, traded six birdies against three bogeys to win by one shot with a 19-under-par 269 total at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.

With this victory which also marks his first on home soil, Pavit now holds the most number of wins on the ADT, which was inaugurated as a gateway to the Asian Tour in 2010. He had shared the record with Chan Shih-chang after claiming his fifth title in Chinese Taipei in 2016.

Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong, playing in his first tournament following an eight-month injury-layoff, was hot on Pavit’s heels, firing five birdies against a bogey in his opening 11 holes before nailing an eagle-birdie from 14 to tie the lead.

Two bogeys in his closing three holes, however, saw Thitiphun settle for a 67 to share second place with countryman Sattaya Supupramai, who carded a solid 65, at the ฿3,000,000 (approx. US$96,000) event.

“It feels incredible, I didn’t have any expectations this week because I was just looking forward to coming back to compete and playing with my friends on home ground. I think that’s why I did well because I didn’t think about winning. It is just a bonus that I can set a new record on the ADT,” said Pavit, the 2014 ADT Order of Merit champion.

Pavit, who injured his right wrist after hitting an errant shot at the Asian Tour’s Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan last month, was forced to stay away from competitive golf prior to this week. He attempted to tee up at the Asian Tour’s Maekyung Open in Korea earlier this month but only to withdrew from the tournament during the second round.

“I made a couple of small mistakes here and there today. I knew Thitiphun was catching up when I was on the 12th hole. That was the turning point for me as it got me determined to finish strong. I had a two-shot lead coming to the last hole so I knew I didn’t have to try too hard,” added Pavit.

Pavit will take home a winner’s purse of US$14,100 and receive a total of seven Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, thanks to his victory. The top-six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.

Pavit, who turned professional in 2007, is a proud graduate of the ADT, a platform where he had honed his skills in the early stage of his career before working his way up to the Asian Tour.

He claimed his ADT breakthrough at the 2013 season-ending event in Indonesia and secured three victories in 2014 to become only the second player following Chan to win three titles in a single season.

Thitiphun, 25, admitted his disappointment for missing out on the victory but kept his head up as he takes away the positives from this week which will give him a lot of confidence when he returns to compete on the premier Asian Tour.

“I hit a bad tee shot with my three-wood on the last hole which left my ball plucked in the fairway bunker. Other than that last hole, I played well all day and I am just happy to be competing again. I hope to bring over this good form to the next couple of tournaments in Thailand that I will play on the Asian Tour,” said Thitiphun, a one-time Asian Tour winner in 2016.

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond signed for a 67 to settle three shots back of Pavit in fourth place with Qualifying School graduate Kevin Lee of Korea, who posted a commendable 65. Order of Merit leader Nitithorn Thippong battled to a 74 to finish in tied-46th position.

The Betagro Championship, which is jointly sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour and the ADT, is the ninth leg of the ADT’s 2018 schedule.

The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Ends.

Leading final round scores

269 – Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 71 67 62 69

270 – Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 70 66 69 65, Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 69 65 69 67

272 – Kevin LEE (KOR) 71 65 71 65, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 65 68 72 67

273 – Kazuki HIGA (JPN) 68 68 72 65, Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) 67 70 67 69

274 – Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 65 69 73 67, Javier GALLEGOS (ESP) 69 69 67 69

275 – Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 67 67 75 66, Sadom KAEWKANJANA (A) (THA) 69 66 70 70, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 69 67 69 70, Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 72 68 65 70, Sarit SUWANNARUT (THA) 69 70 66 70, Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 70 66 67 72

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Sentosa, Singapore, July 9: The Asian Development Tour (ADT) is set to enter an exciting development in the second half of the 2018 season as it will now reward the top seven players on the final Order of Merit with playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2019.

This development is a significant boost for aspiring professionals on the ADT as it is the highest number of Asian Tour cards on offer in a single season since the region’s secondary circuit was inaugurated as a gateway to the premier Tour in 2010.

Previously, only the top three players on the ADT Order of Merit for each season obtained their Asian Tour cards from 2010 to 2013. The number of Asian Tour cards on offer was increased to five for the next four consecutive seasons before the addition of two more spots this year.

Players will have everything to play for when they resume their Order of Merit chase at the PGM Northport Championship, which gets underway at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia from July 25 to 28.

Cho Minn Thant, Chief Operating Officer of the Asian Tour, said: “We’ve enjoyed a great season so far on the ADT, celebrating the emergence of six new winners and the record-setting victory by Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who won for the sixth time on the secondary circuit in May.

“This year, we also witnessed former regulars John Catlin and Malcolm Kokocinski winning on the Asian Tour. We believe there are numerous players from the region who are capable of achieving success and the ADT platform can continue to unearth rising stars of the game.”

“With the increase in the number of Asian Tour cards on offer to top-seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit, I am sure players will have added motivation to do well as they strive to play their way onto the Asian Tour,” Cho added.

After gaining invaluable experiences by playing and winning twice on the ADT, American Catlin showed true grit on the Asian Tour by claiming his second victory in Malaysia last week and became the first player to win twice on the region’s premier Tour this season.

“This is a very good move because guys are putting in so many weeks on the ADT and trying to earn their card on the Asian Tour. Look at the last couple of years – Gavin Green and Johannes Veerman coming from the ADT and having a great year on the Asian Tour. I’m also having a good year and that speaks of the calibre of the ADT,” said the 27-year-old Catlin.

Catlin signaled his arrival in Asia when he made the mark in his first attempt at the Qualifying School in 2015. While he did not manage to retain his card for the following season, Catlin was able to regain his playing rights after another successful attempt at the Qualifying School in 2016.

The American made only three cuts made in eight starts on the Asian Tour in 2016 but would find success on the ADT in November when he claimed his breakthrough at the Combiphar Golf Invitational in Indonesia.

A third attempt at the Qualifying School in 2017 saw him miss the mark for the first time, causing him to switch his focus entirely to the ADT, where he would play his way back onto the main Tour with a second win and five other top-10s before finishing third on the money list.

“There’s always been a lot of talent on the ADT. The level of play on the Asian Tour has been very high. Seeing that in my first two years made me realised that I have to work harder. Having the ADT to work on my game was huge for me.

“I’m sure a lot of other guys have seen that and that’s why they are playing better golf and shooting lower scores. It is hard to win on the ADT! I had a lot of second place and third place finishes,” Catlin added.

Young Thai talent Nitithorn Thippong leads the money list with a current haul of US$21,084, thanks to one victory and four top-10 results. Singapore’s Johnson Poh sits in second while Shohei Hasegawa of Japan takes third.

The ADT will continue to offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the sixth consecutive year in 2018. From launching with five tournaments in 2010 to offering a total of 22 tournaments in 2018, the ADT has proved to be a successful platform for upcoming players to gain entry into the region’s premier Tour.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Ends.

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 28: Josh Salah of the United States was victorious after beating Bangladesh’s Shakhawat Shohel after three extra holes at the PGM Northport Championship on Saturday.

Salah and Shakhawat were tied on 13-under-par 275 at the end of regulation play at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) event, hosted by Glenmarie Golf and Country Club.

The 27-year-old Salah, who carded a bogey-free six-under-par 66, had a great chance to win at the first play-off hole, but his ball narrowly lipped out. He also missed another opportunity from six feet at the second extra hole.

The play-off was moved from the 18th hole to the 17th hole and that was where Salah managed to edge ahead of Shakhawat. The Bangladeshi drove it into the right hazard and was not able to get up-and-down, while Salah parred the hole for his second win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).

Starting the day three shots behind the leader, Salah closed the deficit with birdies on holes one, three and five. Crucial par saves on the ninth and the 18th allowed him to force his way into the play-off.

“At the ninth, I drove my tee shot into the trees. After punching it out, I had about 80 yards left but I hit a huge wedge shot and putted in for par. The 18th was also crucial. I rolled it in for par from around nine feet to keep it at 13-under-par. Otherwise, I would have missed out on the play-offs,” said Salah, who will receive six Official World Golf Ranking points.

He added: “I was planning to play in the Royal Cup Qualifier but I just didn’t feel right about it. I know Glenmarie very well and I liked my chances here. Now that I’ve won, I’ll be aiming for one of the seven Asian Tour cards on offer for the 2019 season. I’m ready for the next step.”

Kemarol Baharin emerged as the top local finisher at the PGM Northport Championship. The Malaysian signed for a flawless 66 to grab lone third place.

“I’ve had an exception round today. My short game was on point and this is the first time I did not three-putt in the entire round. Overall, I’m very happy with my performance. Last week, I won a tournament on the local circuit and that has probably helped set me up for this week,” said Kemarol.

The PGM Northport Championship is the 10th leg on the ADT’s 2018 schedule. The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Leading round four scores

275 – Josh SALAH (USA) 70 69 70 66, Shakhawat SOHEL (BAN) 71 68 67 69

277 – Kemarol BAHARIN (MAS) 69 73 69 66

278 – Varanyu RATTANAPHIBOONKIJ (THA) 69 70 71 68, Ervin CHANG (A) (MAS) 75 66 67 70

279 – KOH Deng Shan (SGP) 71 68 74 66, CHOO Tze Huang (SGP) 71 71 68 69, Chanat SAKULPOLPHAISAN (THA) 71 66 71 71

280 – R. Nachimuthu (MAS) 72 70 67 71

281 – Panuwat MUENLEK (THA) 69 71 73 68, Mathiam KEYSER (RSA) 69 68 74 70, Janne KASKE (FIN) 68 72 71 70, Tawit POLTHAI (THA) 68 71 71 71, Scott BARR (AUS) 72 71 65 73

282 – Sam GILLIS (USA) 78 67 70 67, Ratchapol JANTAVARA (THA) 74 70 69 69, Shariffuddin ARIFFIN (MAS) 71 70 70 71

283 – Daeng Abdul Rahman (MAS) 72 66 72 73, Sukree OTHMAN (MAS) 68 69 72 74

284 – Erwan VIEILLEDENT (FRA) 68 72 71 73

285 – Phanuvich ONCHU (THA) 73 71 75 66, Naoki SEKITO (JPN) 72 71 67 75

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Bengaluru, India, August 3: Rahil Gangjee continued his impressive form in 2018 after winning the Louis Philippe Cup with a stunning final round seven-under-par 63 on Friday.

The bubbly Indian equalled the low round of the week to seal the title by three shots with a winning total of 11-under-par 269 at the Asian Development Tour (ADT) event. It was his second win following his victory on the Asian Tour in April.

Overnight co-leader Rashid Khan and Om Prakash Chouhan settled for tied second place following rounds of 71 and 66 respectively at the Prestige Golfshire Club while Marcus Both (67) of Australia and Udayan Mane (72) finished a further shot back on 273.

Gangjee got off to a hot start with three straight birdies before marking his card with four more birdies. He dropped a single shot on 16 but enjoyed a grandstand finish when he birdied the last hole to romp to victory.

“It feels awesome. Today was a dream come true kind of round. I hit everything good and every putt fell. When I got to about nine or 10-under I started to get excited but I told myself to stay calm just like what I did when I won in Japan. The experience of winning earlier in the year did help,” said the Indian, who won US$13,125.

Gangjee, who turns 40 in October, is enjoying a superb season following a stressful 2017 where he had to fight tooth-and-nail to keep his Tour card. He eventually claimed the second last card on offer after finishing in 60th place on the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit.

The win in April was a huge confidence booster for Gangjee as he ended a 14-year title drought on the Asian Tour while the latest win at the Louis Philippe Cup will give him an extra spring in his step heading into business-end of the year.

“I can’t even explain how free I’m feeling after this two wins. The first one did the trick and it freed me up. You’ve seen it happen to other players when they win and now it is happening to me,” smiled Gangjee, who moved to Bengaluru two years ago.

Leading final round scores:

269 – Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 69 69 68 63

272 – Om Prakash CHOUHAN (IND) 65 67 74 66, Rashid KHAN (IND) 70 64 67 71

273 – Marcus BOTH (AUS) 68 70 68 67, Udayan MANE (IND) 63 69 69 72

274 – Khalin JOSHI (IND) 66 68 71 69

275 – Harendra GUPTA (IND) 66 69 72 68, Akshay SHARMA (IND) 70 71 66 68, Mukesh KUMAR (IND) 67 69 70 69

276 – Sanjeev KUMAR (L) (IND) 70 70 66 70

277 – Himmat RAI (IND) 72 67 71 67, Sam GILLIS (USA) 65 74 69 69, Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 63 68 74 72

278 – Aadil BEDI (A) (IND) 70 67 73 68, Abhijit CHADHA (IND) 71 71 68 68, Tarik CAN (USA) 69 71 74 64, Pawan KUMAR (IND) 68 69 72 69, Tapy GHAI (IND) 71 69 68 70

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Penang, Malaysia, May 5: Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand won his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title with a final round three-under-par 69 at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) PGM Penang Championship on Saturday.

The 21-year-old, who entered the last day of the tournament one shot behind overnight leader Miguel Carballo of Argentina, made four birdies against a lone bogey to close with a winning total of 15-under-par 273 at the Bukit Jawi Golf Resort. 

Carballo was in a prime position for victory, but he had to settle for tied-second after returning a 72. Also in second place is Swede Malcolm Kokocinski, who earned his fifth top-10 finish this year. With this, Kokocinski has taken over the lead on the ADT Order of Merit list from American John Catlin, who was not in the field this week. 

"I can’t describe my feeling right now! I’ve had excellent shots during the entire round and I’m thrilled to get my first victory outside my home country and on the ADT," said Nitithorn, who has been in supreme form on Tour in 2018. Before his win, he earned three top-10s in three starts.

"I know that Miguel (Carballo) is a very good and experienced player as he has played on the PGA Tour, so I felt a little bit of pressure playing alongside him. I worked out some strategies with my coach, kept my composure and focused on my game. I’m glad that everything worked out!" he added.

Wilson Choo of Malaysia finished commendably in tied-10th on a 279 total. Amir Nazrin is the next highest-ranked Malaysian. He carded a 66, the day’s lowest score, to finish in 17th place.

The PGM Penang Championship is the seventh leg of the 2018 ADT schedule this year. It is also the ADT’s third stop in Malaysia. Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered on all ADT events with the winner earning a total of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.

The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Leading final round scores:

273 – Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 70 67 67 69

275 – Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 70 67 69 69, Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 65 68 70 72

276 – Sydney CHUNG (USA) 72 68 68 68

277 – Justin DE LOS SANTOS (USA) 67 73 70 67, Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) 70 68 70 69, Mathiam KEYSER (RSA) 69 69 69 70, Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) 71 67 68 71

278 – Adam BLYTH (AUS) 68 73 69 68

279 – Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA) 73 69 68 69, Yutaka ARAKI (JPN) 71 65 73 70, Wilson CHOO (MAS) 70 71 68 70

280 – Johnson POH (SGP) 73 70 68 69, Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN) 69 70 72 69, Poom PATTAROPONG (THA) 72 72 67 69, Donlaphatchai NIYOMCHON (THA) 69 70 68 73

281 – Amir NAZRIN (MAS) 71 71 73 66

282 – Kwanchai TANNIN (THA) 70 69 71 72

283 – Sukree OTHMAN (MAS) 69 72 71 71, Panuwat MUENLEK (THA) 68 74 69 72, Nirun SAE-UENG (THA) 70 68 73 72, Ratchapol JANTAVARA (THA) 68 69 72 74

Ends.

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.

Phuket, May 13: Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij savoured his first professional victory in front of his family after closing with an even-par 70 to win by six shots in the final round of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open on Sunday.

The 21-year-old Thai displayed great form all week as he traded two birdies against as many bogeys on Sunday to secure his wire-to-wire Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory on 18-under-par 262 total at Laguna Golf Phuket.

Compatriot Pawin Ingkhapradit returned with an impressive 66, but he was unable to overhaul Varanyu’s lead. He took second-place on his own at the ฿2 million (approx. US$64,000) event co-sanctioned by the ADT and the All Thailand Golf Tour.

South African Mathiam Keyser signed for a 69 to take third place, marking his best finish on the ADT this season. Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand, who started the final round in second, struggled with nerves and dropped two places after carding a 71 while Sweden’s Oscar Zetterwall (67) and Thailand’s Worrasorn Suwanpanang (68) share fifth place on 272 at the Tour’s eighth leg of the season.

Playing in the final group for the first time in his professional career, Varanyu was surprised by his father and sister who flew down from his hometown of Phetchaburi, Thailand, to watch him play.

“It feels like a dream! I have worked so hard all year and to finally get a win and in Thailand is amazing. My mother has been following me all four days and I didn’t know my father was going to come. It makes me so happy that they got to see my first win,” said Varanyu who also had his brother on his bag this week.

Varanyu dropped a shot on the first hole but would soon recover with a birdie on hole three. He maintained a steady momentum with nine pars, before dropping another shot on hole 13 due to an errant drive. He would finish out his last five holes with a birdie on 14 when he made an up-and-down from 15 yards followed by four more pars.

“After I made bogey on hole one, my brother just told me to stay calm and not speed up my tempo. I was nervous but having my whole family there to support me helped. He would distract me from the scores and I just stuck to the game plan of playing like I did the past three days,” added Varanyu.

Sticking to his tee-to-fairway-to-green game plan, Pawin fired four birdies in a bogey-free round to match his low round one score.

“The highlight of today’s’ round would have to be hole 16 when I missed the green to the left and chipped-in for birdie from 15-yards. I hit everything well today and my tempo was good. I am pretty happy with my second-place finish especially since I played all four rounds under par this week. I felt like I was really focused on my game plan and not thinking about other people today.” said the 26-year-old Pawin.

After this win, Varanyu took up membership on the ADT and is currently 10th on the merit rankings. He took home a winner’s prize purse of US$9,450 and six Official World Golf Ranking points while the top-six players and ties earned points on a sliding scale.

The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

Ends.

Leading round four scores

262 – Varanyu RATTANAPHIBOONKIJ (THA) 62 61 69 70

268 – Pawin INGKHAPRADIT (THA) 66 69 67 66

270 – Mathiam KEYSER (RSA) 66 67 68 69

271 – Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 64 66 70 71

272 – Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) 64 67 74 67, Worrasorn SUWANPANANG (THA) 68 67 69 68

273 – Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 68 69 70 66, John Michael O’TOOLE (USA) 65 71 69 68

274 – Itthipat BURANATANYARAT (THA) 73 68 68 65

About Laguna Golf Phuket

Laguna Golf Phuket is an 18-hole, par 71 golf course situated in the heart of Asia’s first integrated resort – Laguna Phuket, conveniently accessible by complimentary shuttle service from the surrounding hotels. Thoroughly redesigned and reopened in 2015, the new landscaping with great emphasis on natural surroundings and wildlife provides golfers a whole new golfing experience. During the game, a tranquil journey into the native cultural experience with infused local elements creates a unique sense of place. The Thai villa design clubhouse offers a host of luxury facilities, including a well-stocked Pro Shop and international dining option. The course also features Southeast Asia’s first PGA-branded golf academy, offering a holistic learning experience by PGA instructors with a wide range of teaching packages, and extensive practice facilities including dedicated swing rooms with Trackman video analysis, as well as a purpose-built fitness studio with private sessions designed to improve your performance on the course.

About Asian Development Tour

The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.