After the excitement of LIV Golf Promotions at the weekend – the LIV Golf League’s version of their Qualifying School – the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School commences tomorrow here in Hua Hin, Thailand, boasting a high-calibre field of 208 players.

Lee Chieh-po, who claimed his maiden title this year on the Asian Tour at the International Series Thailand, made history by winning LIV Golf Promotions to become the first player from Chinese-Taipei to earn a place on the incredibly lucrative LIV Golf League.

Just the winner was rewarded with playing rights for next year, whereas 35 cards are on the line this week at Lake View Resort and Golf Club – where two layouts are being used: A&B and C&D.

Of the many players who standout here this week is Jack Thompson – who won the school here at Lake View at the beginning of 2023. Remarkably, he made it into the week by claiming the final qualifying berth at the First Stage Qualifying Section C tournament at Blue Canyon Country Club in Phuket. And prior to that he had not been able to practice for three weeks because of a wrist injury.

Jack Thompson. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Thompson kept his card that first season, finishing 54^th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM), while this year he missed out, agonisingly by the narrowest of margins.

Just over two weeks ago at International Series Qatar, the final OOM counting event, he fired a final round 75 to tie for 49^th. It meant he finished 69^th on the merit list with only the top 65 retaining their cards.

“Probably 30 minutes to an hour after I finished in Qatar, I wasn’t angry or anything, just annoyed,” said the 26-year-old from Adelaide.

“It was past that point. What can you really do? I didn’t really play scared or anything, so I was proud about that. Just found it a bit difficult on the last day.

“If I was two shots better, I wouldn’t be here this week. Your outlook on the season would be pretty different but that’s the fine margins in golf.”

He was 22-under-par for five rounds when he won here two years ago and prevailed on the last day by two shots after a closing five-under-par 66. All strong memories and knowledge he can draw upon this week.

Jack Thompson. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

He explained: “After Qatar, obviously it was disappointing to miss out. I have had eight days off, and didn’t touch a club. I was knackered and went back home but feel pretty fresh. Obviously don’t want to be back here but I am looking at it in the way that I get another chance.”

He feels he did not putt quite as well this year, while an element of complacency also resulted in his season not being as good.

In November this year he tied for fifth in the Taiwan Class Taifong Open for his best finish on the Asian Tour, but he played better in the more lucrative International Series events last year, which helped him on the OOM.

“I feel pretty relaxed, whatever happens, happens; it’s always nice coming back to a course you have played well at,” said Thompson.

Thirty nine nationalities are represented this week along with a wealth of past winners on the Asian Tour, including: Berry Henson, Trevor Simsby, Rashid Khan, Suradit Yongcharoenchai, Miguel Carballo, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Carlos Pigem, Taehoon Ok, Yikeun Chang, Siddikur Rahman, Marcus Fraser and Jason Knutzon.

Asian Tour regulars Ervin Chang, Shahriffuddin Ariffin, Jonthan Wijono, Chikkarangappa S, and David Drysdale are also here along with DP World Tour winners Wu Ashun, Alejandro Canizares, Marc Warren and Paul Dunne.

Jack Thompson pictured winning in 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

A cut will be made after the first two rounds with the leading 140 and ties making it through before a second cut is made after the fourth round. The top 70 and ties survive that cut.

The top 35, and no ties, will earn their cards on the fifth and final day, which will be played on the A&B layout.

If there is a tie for first place and 35th position then they will be decided by sudden-death play-offs.