Sentosa, Singapore, May 31: Promising talent Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand will brace himself for new challenges when he makes his debut appearance at The 147th Open at Carnoustie in July.

The 22-year-old Jazz, who earned the coveted berth by finishing tied-fourth at The Open Qualifying Series at the SMBC Singapore Open in January, is excited to make his first Major appearance at the venue where he watched his idol Tiger Woods in action in 2007.

“My father brought me to watch Tiger play in The Open at Carnoustie when I was around 10 years old so earning my Major debut to play at the same venue this year makes me feel really special. It has been a long journey since.

“I’m just trying to gather as many information as I can before I head there. It’s going to be a different kind of golf tournament for sure. I have never played there before so I need to expect the unexpected, go there with an open mind and see what I can do,” said Jazz.

Jazz reckons that playing in the unfamiliar conditions will be his biggest test when he tees off in the year’s third Major championship from July 19 to 22.

“I’ve been asking around to find out how it is like to play on a links course. I played with Thongchai (Jaidee) and Kiradech (Aphibarnrat) during a practice round at the Volvo China Open last month and they gave me some advice on what I should be prepared for,” he added.

Jazz turned professional at the end of 2010. Earlier that year, he played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour by becoming the youngest ever player, at the age of 14 years and 71 days, to make the halfway cut at the Asian Tour International.

He failed to retain his Asian Tour card for the first time at the end of 2016 but a breakthrough win at the 2017 Bangladesh Open saw him turned his career around and eventually finished the season in a career-high ninth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

“It’s difficult to find something that’s similar to the links course here. The weather is different and the ground is firmer. Everything is going to be different. Sometimes, when a big event comes, you try and do something different. But it doesn’t necessarily work all the time.

“I just want to give it my best. I will prepare to my best capability and see what happens. My parents will be heading over to Carnoustie with me so I am looking forward to it. Playing in a Major tournament is every professional golfer’s dream. I can’t wait to be there,” Jazz said.

This July, Jazz will represent his country alongside Kiradech Aphibarnrat, world number 30, and Danthai Boonma, who also secured his Major debut after finishing tied-fourth at the season-opener in Singapore in January.

Reigning Order of Merit champion Gavin Green of Malaysia and India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who leads the current Habitat for Humanity Standings, will also feature at The Open, golf’s oldest Major championship.

Other players expected to spearhead the Asian Tour challenge at The Open include 2015 Order of Merit champion Anirban Lahiri of India, South African Shaun Norris, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda and Mashiro Kawamura.

The upcoming Kolon Korean Open, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korean Golf Association, will be part of The Open Qualifying Series.

Two spots will be awarded to the leading two players (not otherwise exempt) finishing in the top-eight and ties in the event, which will take place at the Woo Jeong Hills from June 21 to 24.

Ends.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Bangkok, May 30: Indian star Rahil Gangjee will take aim at the US$300,000 Thailand Open next week, which will mark the start of the 2018/2019 Panasonic Swing race on the Asian Tour.

Gangjee finished second on the 2017/2018 Panasonic Swing ranking after sensationally winning his long-awaited second Asian Tour title at the Panasonic Open Championship in Japan in April.

The bubbly Indian, who is currently ranked third on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, hopes to get off to a fast start in the latest Panasonic Swing race when he tees it up at the Thailand Open which will be played at the Thai Country Club from June 7 to 10.

Gangjee will be joined at the Thailand Open by nine-time Asian Tour winner Scott Hend of Australia and defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan, who finished a notable third on the 2017/2018 Panasonic Swing ranking.

Newly-crowned Asian Tour winners John Catlin of the United States and Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski will also feature in the prestigious event alongside local hopes Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who won his sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title last week, and the talented Jazz Janewattananond.

Gangjee ended a 14-year title drought on the Asian Tour at the Panasonic Open Championship in April which also concluded the 2017/2018 Panasonic Swing and was won by his close friend Shiv Kapur.

The victory last month was a huge relief for Gangjee, who prior to the win had uncharacteristically missed several cuts. He also had to fight tooth-and-nail in the 2017 season to narrowly retain his Asian Tour card by finishing 60th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

“It has been 14 years. I’ve been in such situations a few times but obviously have not been able to convert my chances. It has been a very hard 14 years and the thing that surprises even myself is my will to keep going,” said a delighted Gangjee after his win in Japan.

Gangjee earned a x1.5 multiplier of Panasonic Swing points at the Panasonic Open Championship and his second place finish came with a bonus of US$50,000 while the winner Kapur took home US$70,000. Rattanon settled for US$30,000 after he finished third on the Panasonic Swing.

The Panasonic Swing, which was launched in 2017, is based on an aggregate points ranking earned by players at selected tournaments across Asia. The top-three finishers in the Panasonic Swing final ranking, which ends at the 2019 Panasonic Open Japan, will earn US$70,000, US$50,000 and US$30,000 respectively via a bonus pool reward scheme.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Singapore, May 31: Former World Number one and four-time major champion Ernie Els is looking forward to exploring the Pacific paradise of Fiji when he makes his debut at the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course from August 2 to August 5.

Els will make it a family affair when he travels to Fiji for the first time to play in the tournament tri-sanctioned by the ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia, European Tour and Asian Tour.

“I’ve never been to Fiji so when I was contacted to see if I’d like to play I thought why not, it’s going to be late July and early August, should be nice and warm so I may as well check out Fiji,” said Els.

“I’m really looking forward to it; I’m taking my daughter and my wife so we’re all really looking forward to the trip,” added Els.

A consummate professional, Els will be doing his research on the Vijay Singh designed Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course before teeing it up at the picturesque venue.

He’s well aware of some of the challenges the 18-holes can present, in particular the gusting winds on the holes exposed to the Coral Sea.

“I’ll do some homework on the course in Fiji, Vijay has played there and Brandt Snedeker has played there, I did watch a little bit one year when the wind was blowing unbelievably,” added Els.

“Hopefully the wind stays away a little bit but I’ll find some information on it before I get there and go through the course.”

The South African has one of the most glittering resumes in professional golf and has recorded wins on both the European Tour (28) and PGA TOUR (19) throughout his career which has taken him across the world and to the upper echelons of the sport.

“I’ve been to quite a few spots in my playing career, I’ve played professionally since I was 20-years-old and I’m 48 now so it’s been quite a while.

“I’m not sure how many continents or countries I’ve been to, I haven’t quite taken count like my countryman Gary Player has, he could probably tell you exactly where he’s been,” said Els.

He’s now reached another milestone in the game and was named Captain of the International Team for next year’s Presidents Cup to be held at Royal Melbourne Golf Club from December 9 to December 15.

It has slightly changed how “The Big Easy” approaches tournaments he plays in with one eye now on the performances of potential International Team members.

“It’s a little bit different now, my capacity as a player has changed a little bit, I’m getting closer to 50 and I’m a Presidents Cup Captain so I’m really looking around at players,” Els said of his new a role.

“So I’m looking forward to changing my role from a player to a Presidents Cup Captain, I still love competing and I still love playing and I’m looking forward to giving you guys a good show in Fiji,” he added.

Els and the International Team will have their work cut out for them to break the dominance Team USA has over the Presidents Cup.

In the 12 editions of the tournament, the U.S. has won 10 times with the Internationals recording a victory in 1998 and a tie in 2003, Els a playing member of the Internationals on both those occasions.

“To topple the U.S. is going to be an immense task, they’re in-form, they’ve won the Ryder Cup, they’ve won the Presidents Cup so they’re pretty confident,” added Els.

“If you’ve watched the last couple of weeks especially on the U.S. Tour and last week at Wentworth, some of the International boys have really done well.”

The top-8 players (excluding those eligible for the European Ryder Cup team) from the Official World Golf Ranking at a nominated date will automatically qualify, leaving Els and his team to select four additional players to make up a squad of 12.

He won’t be short of players to pick from should the form of eligible players across the golfing world hold up in time for the December 2019.

“Satoshi Kodaira won at Hilton Head and then we’ve had some really good finishes by Marc Leishman, obviously Jason Day has been off the charts winning and it seems like he’s ready to win a major this year, Louis Oosthuizen is a top-5 player, Emiliano Grillo has played well.

“The core group of guys are starting to play well, we’re waiting for Hideki (Matsuyama) to come around and Adam Scott looks like he’s finding form. We’ve got eight players that have got to qualify then four picks, so I think I’m going to be in a healthy state come next year when we start making picks.

“We need to chip away at them, we’ve got four days next year to do that and the mission is to win 15 and a half points and we’ll be ready.”

About the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways

To be held from 2-5 August 2018 the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course which boasts breathtaking views of the Coral Coast and is home to the Natadola Beach Land Estate. Enticed by the tropical destination, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways has attracted some of the world’s best golfers since its inaugural staging in 2014 including Fijian hero and three-time Major champion Vijay Singh, 2017 champion Jason Norris, 2016 champion Brandt Snedeker, 2015 champion Matt Kuchar, 2014 champion Steven Jeffress, Steven Bowditch, Boo Weekley and Nick Price.This year’s tournament is set to feature four-time Major champion and Captain of the International Team for the 2019 Presidents Cup, Ernie Els. In 2018, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways continues to have a global presence confirming its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region, with the tournament being tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour. A Pacific paradise, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways also boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3 8th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst socialising on the beach More than just a golf tournament, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in the Pacific region, with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to introduce and grow the game in Fiji. Owned by SEL and the PGA of Australia, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways is proudly supported by the Fijian Government, Tourism Fiji and the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Caption: (l-r) Masanori Kobayashi, Shota Akiyoshi, Michael Hendry and Masahiro Kawamura qualified for The 147th Open at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open at the Royal Golf Club in Japan.

Japan, May 28: Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura successfully earned his place at The 147th Open after closing with a one-under-par 71 to finish in tied-second place at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open held on home soil on Sunday.

The 24-year-old Kawamura, a one-time Asian Tour winner in 2013, ended his campaign one shot back of winner and compatriot Shota Akiyoshi on even-par 288 total to grab one of the four tickets on offer at The Royal Golf Club.

Kawamura will be making his debut at The Open, which gets underway at the Carnoustie Golf Links from July 19 to 22. It will be his second appearance in a Major championship since qualifying for the US Open through a sectional qualifier in Japan three years ago.

“To have earned a place in The Open is fantastic and I am very excited to be playing in the Championship” said Kawamura. “It will be my first visit to Scotland and I am looking forward to the challenge of playing Carnoustie,” he added.

“I am a little disappointed not to have won the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open but to have earned a place in The Open is fantastic and I am very excited to be playing in the Championship,” said Kawamura.

“It will be my first visit to Scotland and I am looking forward to the challenge of playing Carnoustie for the first time. I know that links golf is very different so I will speak to my friends in the UK to get some advice. The way in which the course was set up this week will give me good experience in preparation for playing Carnoustie,” he added.

Sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), the Mizuno Open is the fourth event in The Open Qualifying Series. The leading four players in the top-12 and ties, who were not already exempt, earned The Open berths this July.

New Zealander Michael Hendry and Japan’s Masanori Kobayashi, a one-time Asian Tour winner, also earned coveted spots at The Open after carding respective rounds of 74 and 71 to finish joint runner-ups at The Mizuno Open.

Indian hotshot Shubhankar Sharma, who leads the current Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, will be making his maiden appearance at Golf’s oldest Major this July.

He earned his ticket after claiming his breakthrough victory at the Joburg Open, which was the second tournament of The Open Qualifying Series, last December.

Asian Tour winners Jazz Janewattananond and Danthai Boonma of Thailand secured their dream debut at the year’s second Major championship after finishing tied-fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open in January.

Reigning Order of Merit champion Gavin Green of Malaysia and Thai star Kiradech Aphibarnrat are also set to tee up for The Open in two months’ time.

The upcoming Kolon Korean Open, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korean Golf Association, will be part of The Open Qualifying Series.

Two spots will be awarded to the leading two players (not otherwise exempt) finishing in the top-eight and ties in the event, which will take place at the Woo Jeong Hills from June 21 to 24.

Ends.

Bangkok, May 25: Australia’s Scott Hend hopes to bounce back into form and challenge for a 10th Asian Tour title at the US$300,000 Thailand Open, which gets underway from June 7 to 10.

The 2016 Asian Tour number one struggled with a back injury earlier this year but  is determined to turn the corner when he returns to Thailand, the country where he has won three out of nine Asian Tour titles.

The big-hitting Hend will be part of a strong line-up of Asian Tour stars gathered at the Thai Country Club. He will be joined by Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, Xiao Bowen of China and 2017 Rookie of the Year Micah Lauren Shin of the United States.

The home challenge will be spearheaded by defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan, Thaworn Wiratchant, the only player to win three Order of Merit titles, Pannakorn Uthaipas, Panuphol Pittayarat and Jazz Janewattananond.

Hend uncharacteristically missed five out of 10 cuts in 2018 but believes he is slowly rediscovering his form and ready to put up a title challenge at the Thailand Open, which will kick-start the second edition of the Panasonic Swing series.

“I had a little bit of back issues. My back’s getting better and it’s good to go now. After an extended break, it takes me a little bit more time to sharpen up again and try to win a tournament. I’m trying to fast track that a little bit and we’ll see how it goes,” said Hend.

His dip in form has seen him slip out of the top-200 on the Official World Golf Ranking but Hend is confident he will start playing his best golf again.

“I always try to finish the year inside the top-50 on the world rankings but  my rankings have been slipping rapidly because I’ve not been playing well. But I hope to change that very soon,” said Hend, who enjoyed a tied sixth result at the Thailand Open last year.

Hend is one of the most successful international golfers on the Asian Tour. He became the first Australian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title and the fourth player to surpass US$1 million in earnings during a season in 2016. During the same year, he was also voted by his peers as the Players’ Player of the Year.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Sentosa, Singapore, June 23: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat is the highest-ranked Asian Tour member at 31st place on the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) that was released on Monday.

Kiradech, a former Asian Tour number one, achieved his personal best of 29th place in the world after finishing tied-fifth at the WGC-Dell Technologies in March. Despite dropping two positions, the Thai is still safely inside the top-50 in the world.

A total of 16 Asian Tour members are also ranked inside the top-200 on the OWGR. Japan’s Yuta Ikeda, the only EurAsia Cup member that was undefeated in Team Asia, sits in 71st place while India’s Shubhankar Sharma is placed 74th.

Shubhankar Sharma of India

Sharma is currently the highest ranked Indian in the world and he enjoyed a big jump in rankings following his win at the Maybank Championship in February. He was ranked 202nd place at the end of 2017 after winning the Joburg Open in South Africa.

The other Asian Tour members in the top-200 include Hideto Tanihara (101st), Anirban Lahiri (104th), Shaun Norris (109th), Paul Peterson (137th), Jeunghun Wang (148th), Gaganjeet Bhullar (160th), Younghan Song (161st ), Sanghyun Park (166th), Jazz Janewattananond (174th), David Lipsky (178th), Gavin Green (186th), Ajeetesh Sandhu (192nd), Phachara Khongwatmai (198th).

The biggest mover last week on the Asian Tour was American John Catlin who moved to 207th place following his win at the Asia-Pacific Open in China last week. Prior to the win, he was ranked 507th at the end of 2017.

Ends.