Glory for Rory in International Series England qualifier
Former world number five Ian Poulter, will join his long-time friend and Majesticks GC co-captain Lee Westwood, in an ever-strengthening field for the upcoming International Series England, at Close House from 17-20 August.
The fifth tournament of The International Series 2023, and 11th on the Asian Tour, can expect the flamboyant fashionista to bring some colour to the famously monochromatic city of Newcastle, and not for the first time.
Poulter has dazzled golf fans at Close House previously – the Englishman put rounds of 66, 65, 68 and 70 together to finish tied-11th on his last competitive visit in 2017.
Now looking ahead to the hotly anticipated North-eastern showdown, Poulter said: “I always enjoy the opportunity to tee-up on home turf and Close House is a fantastic venue where the crowds are packed with knowledgeable golf fans.
Ian Poulter with the trophy after winning the Barclays Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club in 2009. Picture by Ian Walton/Getty Images.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to witness some of the top talents of the Asian Tour first-hand in the [LIV Golf] League, especially Andy Ogletree who stepped in for Lee in DC and turned in a 62! So, I’m looking forward to my International Series debut.”
Nicknamed ‘The Postman’ for consistently delivering vital points for Team Europe in The Ryder Cup, the 47-year-old has 17 professional victories under his, often brightly coloured, belt.
Two of Poulter’s wins have come on the Asian Tour, including the 2009 Singapore Open and 2010 Hong Kong Open, the latter of which is now also among the 10 International Series events contributing to the Asian Tour schedule in 2023.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood are the definition of global golfers – having played, and won throughout the world. They are beloved by English golf fans, and anyone attending International Series England is in for a very special week.
“The International Series now regularly welcomes titans of the game, with Patrick [Reed], Eugenio [Chacarra] and Abraham [Ancer] all competing alongside Ian [Poulter] and Lee [Westwood] this August, demonstrating the strength of the Asian Tour right now.”
Tickets to the International Series England are still available from SeeTickets. Prices start from £10 for adults with free admission for under-16s when entering with a paying adult.
Poulter on his way to victory at the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open at The Hong Kong Golf Club. Picture by Ian Walton/Getty Images.
The International Series England is part of an exciting ‘UK summer swing’ for the Asian Tour and is followed by the St Andrews Bay Championship – being played on the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews, 24-27 August.
Korean-American Seungsu Han claimed the jewel in the crown of Korean golf today after recording an astonishing wire-to-wire victory in the Kolon Korea Open.
On another hot and sunny day at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club he coolheadedly handled the pressure of front running from the-get-go to close with an even-par 71 for a six under par winning total and a commanding six-shot win over Korea’s Kyungnam Kang, who also carded a 71.
Korean Seungbin Choi claimed third, a shot further back, after shooting a 68 – the best round of the day, and one of only two sub 70 rounds, on the taxing Woo Jeong Hills track.
Han’s magnificent triumph also allowed him to secure one of the two spots on offer in this year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Kang took the other.
Any doubts that Han, who started today with a slim one-shot lead over Jaekyeong Lee from Korea, would succumb to the pressure were put to rest on the front nine when he made the turn with a five-shot lead, on seven under, ahead of Korean Junghwan Lee.
Kyungnam Kang. Picture courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
It was just the cushion he was looking for despite an up and down front nine, consisting of three birdies and two bogeys. His lead was seven at one point on the back nine with the rest of the field going backwards while he was coasting.
He averted a potential disaster on the par-four 15th after a wayward tee shot left saw his ball finish in a terrible lie – in long, thick grass. Bravely opting not to take a drop he hit an explosive recovery shot back into play, reached the green with his third and to the roar of the crowd holed a 30 footer for an astonishing par save – affirming this was most certainly his week, and the greatest of his career so far.
His lead was cut to six on the ensuing hole after a bogey and by the 18th he was five ahead, but he put the icing on the cake by holing a six-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th.
“This is such a great honour,” said Han, the 36 year old who was born in Incheon, Korea, but moved to the United States when he was 13, where he still lives, and first started to play in Asia back in 2010, enjoying most of his success in Japan.
“I was really struggling with foot pains and my throat wasn’t good either, so it was tremendously challenging. I hardly looks at the scores, maybe a few times. I didn’t look at it on purpose. It was about being mentally strong and my putting was great, I holed some long ones.
“I first started playing in Korea when I was 13, so the Korea Open means a lot to me. I think it is the best tournament in Korea.”
Remarkably he was the only player to finish under par, and for his fine effort he earned a cheque for US$222,222.
He becomes the 12th wire to wire winner of the tournament, and the seventh American to win after Ricky Fowler (2011), Edward Loar (2004), John Daly (2003), Mike Cunning (1994), Scott Hoch (1990 and 1991), and Orville Moody, who won the first three editions of the event starting in 1958.
Han’s six-shot winning margin also matched the record set by Fowler, based on records going back to 1996.
It is the biggest victory of his 14-year professional career, although his other wins were also significant: the Casio World Open in Japan in 2017, and the 2020 LG Signature Players Championship on the Korean PGA Tour.
He also enjoyed success in the amateur game, attending the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and winning the 2006 Porter Cup – a long-standing, prestigious amateur event in the United States won by some of the game’s biggest names, including Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ben Crenshaw.
Kyungnam Kang and Seungsu Han both qualified for The Open. Picture courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
While it will be the second time he has played in a Major – he made the cut in the PGA Championship in 2018 – it will be 11-time Korean Tour winner Kang’s maiden appearance.
Defending champion Minkyu Kim of Korea returned a 73 to tie for fourth on two over par with countrymen Dongmin Lee, Jaekyeong Lee and Junghwan Lee, and Australian Brendan Jones – this year’s New Zealand Open champion.
This week’s KRW1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,075,000) event was the 10th stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
Seungsu Han continued his impressive run at the Kolon Korea Open today shooting a one-over-par 72, for a six-under-par tournament total, to maintain the lead for the third day in a row at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
The surprise front runner has a one-shot advantage over fellow Korean Jaekyeong Lee – on a hot and sunny day on the stunning but exacting Woo Jeong Hills track, strictly set up to provide the toughest of tests that has resulted in no bogey free rounds so far.
Lee carded a 70 in what was a two-horse race all day, with Australian Junseok Lee (68) and Ian Snyman from South Africa (72) the next best placed, tied for third, four back from Han.
Only six players are under par after three rounds for the KRW1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,075,000) event, which is part of The Open Qualifying Series, and will see the leading two players tomorrow make it through to golf’s eldest Major – being played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club next month.
Jaekyeong Lee. Picture Courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
Han started the day with a three-shot lead over second-placed Lee, who put the pressure on his playing-partner Han from start to finish.
Eight pars and a birdie on eight kept Han in the driver’s seat before a double-bogey on 11 turned a few heads before he hit reset and birdied 15.
However, there was drama on the iconic par-five 18th when Han, two ahead of Lee, pulled his tee shot left into trees while Lee pushed his right and watched concerned as his ball hit the cart path and took two giant bounces forward. He found his ball but had to take a free drop.
While Han punched back into the fairway, leaving him a long third, Lee played a brave shot from a poor side hill lie that found the long fairway bunker that stretches all the way to the green.
While Han airmailed the green with his third and failed to get up and down, making a bogey, Lee made a brilliant sand save for par, after holing an eight footer.
“It was so hot out there, physically demanding!” said Korean-American Han, who has played on the Japan, Asian, Canadian and Nationwide Tours since turning professional 2009.
“It’s a shame about the 18th hole. There were a few crisis moments, but I overcame them. I’ll try to concentrate as much as I can tomorrow. It will be equally difficult tomorrow. I’ll be patient and take the hits when they come.”
Born in Incheon, Korea he moved to the United States when he was 13, where he still lives, and started playing in Asia in 2010.
His dominance so far is unexpected but the 36 year old is a proven winner, having recorded some notable victories. In 2017 he won the Casio World Open, one of Japan’s biggest events, the year he finished fifth on their Money List – helped by two runner-up placings and three third place finishes.
And in 2020 he claimed the LG Signature Players Championship, a big one on the Korean PGA Tour, while he was an amateur star at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, winning the 2006 Porter Cup – a long-standing, prestigious amateur event in the United States won by some of the game’s biggest names, including Phil Mickelson, David Duval and Ben Crenshaw.
Ian Snyman. Picture Courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
Said Lee, who made four birdies and three bogeys: “I recorded a lot of birdies in the beginning but couldn’t keep that going. Had some shaky tee shots later on and found the deep rough too much. The weather was also a big distraction.
“On the 18th hole, my tee shot actually hit a tree as well, so that kept my ball in play. Golf is about luck sometimes. Just need some good energy tomorrow. It’s the last day, so I’ll do my best.”
Aged 23, and a professional since 2017, he is another of the bright new generation of Korean golfers and has tasted victory three times in Korea, in 2019, his first year on Tour, 2021, and this year, in their Matchplay competition.
Koreans Junggon Hwang and Junghwan Lee, in with 71 and 73 respectively, are joint fifth on one under.
Defending champion Minkyu Kim of Korea returned a 70 to give himself an outside chance on Sunday. He is even par for the tournament, the same as fellow Korean Mingyu Cho, whom he beat in a gripping three-hole play-off here last year.
Extra time in Kolon Korea Open is played over three holes, not sudden death, which is the same format as the Open Championship – the Major that competitors will be trying so hard to book a berth in tomorrow.
Seungsu Han continued to show no fear on day two of the Kolon Korea Open maintaining his lead after carding a two-under-par 69 at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
The little-known Korean’s seven under par total and three-shot lead make light of the scale and importance of this event and the mighty challenge that the golf course presents.
His compatriot Jaekyeong Lee is in second place following a 68, while Canada’s Richard T. Lee (67), Australian Brendan Jones (69), Koreans Junghwan Lee (69) and Jeongwoo Ham (70) and Ian Snyman from South Africa (71) are in a tie for third, four behind the leader.
The KRW1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,075,000) event is the 10th stop of the season on the Asian Tour, the jewel in the crown of Korean golf, and part of The Open Qualifying Series. The leading two players on Sunday make it through to golf’s eldest Major – being played at Royal Liverpool Golf Club next month.
Jaekyeong Lee.
Han was joint first-round leader here last year before falling away thereafter but this time round, and no doubt enlightened by that experience, he is moving in the right direction.
He may be inexperienced at this level – this is also only the fourth time he has played this tournament – but he played with conviction and confidence today fighting back after losing the lead with a bogey on 10 with birdies on 13, 16 and 17.
“It was not easy because the course was so difficult,” said Han, who led with a 66 on day one and was in the second from last group out today.
“I can’t wait to go back and rest. The score is not so important, it’s that I played well for two days. I’m feeling a little bit of pain, but I’m trying not to worry about it. I think I’ll be fine after resting.”
The Korean has won once in Japan and Korea during a 14-year professional career, and so a win for him at the weekend would be one of the biggest upsets in the 65-year history of the event.
Birdies on 16 and 17 saw Jaekyeong Lee make his late dash to the top.
He won the Matchplay event on the Korean PGA Tour this season and today showed he is equally as strong playing strokeplay.
Brendan Jones.
The Korean made four birdies and a bogey and for the second day on the trot had the par four penultimate hole to thank for being pivotal.
“I recorded birdies on the 17th hole for two consecutive days,” he said.
“I was lucky in both rounds. In the first round, I chipped in for birdie. And today my approach ball hit the ball of my playing partner Miguel Tabuena. I wish I have luck in the third and final rounds as well!”
He is a two-time winner in Korea and is both focused and philosophical about the weekend.
“Victory is determined by heaven,” he said.
“The goal is to finish number one on the Korean Tour this season and earn a place in the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School Final. And I want to go to The Open championship, too. I have been there as a spectator thanks to The KJ Choi Foundation once. I’ll be a player this time. I will be patient tomorrow.”
Only 12 players finished under par today for two rounds – indicating the course’s level of difficulty and demanding set up.
Defending champion Minkyu Kim returned a 69 yesterday but will be disappointed with his 74 today which put him at one over, but still in the hunt.
Only seven players have successful defended this tournament since its inauguration in 1958, they are: Koreans Changsang Han, Yoonsoo Choi, Sangmoon Bae, and Kyounghoon Lee, Chinese-Taipei’s Chen Tze-ming and Americans Scott Hoch and Orville Moody, who had the distinction of winning the first three editions.
Chanmin Jung recorded a 75 to finish on six over and miss the cut by one – a disappointing week for one of Korean golf’s biggest hitters, who hit the headlines earlier this year following a shock win in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
Jeongwoo Ham.
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent had an unusually poor week adding a 73 to his first round 80 to miss the cut. Last year’s winner of the International Series Order of Merit showed his class on the last hole though, making an eagle on the par five, for a touch of inspiration ahead of his trip to LIV Golf Valderrama next week.
All pictures courtesy of KGA Tournament Committee.
Australian Brendan Jones (main picture) and Jeongwoo Ham from Korea have the clubhouse lead mid-way through day two of the Kolon Korea Open at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.
Jones, winner of this year’s New Zealand Open, fired a two-under-par 69, while Ham came in with a 70.
They are three under for the KRW1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,075,000) event – which is the 10th stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
Korean Kyongjun Moon returned an excellent 67 and is next best placed at one under, with half the field, including overnight leader Seungsu Han from the United States, still on the course.
Veteran Jones claimed New Zealand’s national Open in March for his first victory in four years, it was also the 48 year old’s first triumph on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia, a surprising statistic considering he has won on 15 occasions in Japan.
Jeongwoo Ham. Picture courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
And he still looks to be in fine form this week. He started on hole 10 and made the turn in even with a birdie and a bogey before shifting gear on the next half with birdies on two, three and five before dropping a shot on seven.
Ham, playing in the group behind Jones, picked up three birdies verses two bogeys.
His strong start to the tournament comes as no surprise as Woo Jeong Hills is his home club and he lives in Cheonan, the main city in the area.
The 28 year old has won once before on the Korean PGA Tour, at the Hyundai Insurance Kj Choi Invitational in 2021.
Defending champion Minkyu Kim returned a 69 yesterday but will be disappointed with his 74 today which puts him at one over, still very much in the hunt.
Only seven players have successful defended this tournament since its inauguration in 1958, they are: Koreans Changsang Han, Yoonsoo Choi, Sangmoon Bae, and Kyounghoon Lee, Chinese-Taipei’s Chen Tze-ming and Americans Scott Hoch and Orville Moody, who had the distinction of winning the first three editions.
Korean-American Seungsu Han took route 66 on the opening day of the Kolon Korea Open today – impressively taking the lead on five under at the notoriously challenging Woo Jeong Hills Country Club, in Cheonan, south of Seoul.
South African Ian Snyman fired a 68, while Koreans Minkyu Kim, the defending champion, Inhoi Hur, Jeongwoo Ham and Sungjoon Park plus India’s Chikkarangappa S and Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Chieh-po returned 69s.
Han is a winner on both the Japan Golf Tour and the Korean Tour, but today’s round will rank amongst one of his finest in a tournament every Korean dreams of winning.
Remarkably, he was also joint first-round leader last year following a 68 before finishing in tie for 42nd after a disappointing Sunday score which was 10 shots worse than his opening day effort.
Six birdies and just one dropped shot helped him post a rare round in the mid-60s at Woo Jeong Hills – a ball-strikers course with limited room for error where the winning total last year was just four under for four days.
Ian Snyman. Picture courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
“I didn’t feel well this morning,” said the 36 year old, who warmed up for this week by tying for 12th in last week’s Hana Bank Invitational – a event jointly-sanction by the Japan Golf Tour and Korean PGA Tour
“I think it led to a good result because I was able to empty my mind and play. I want to play hard until the end because it’s a big tournament. Woo Jeong Hills is always difficult, the layout is difficult, as is the course set up. So, I think I have to play patiently from beginning to end.”
A professional for 14 years, and a graduate from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, he won the Casio World Open in Japan in 2017, and on the Korean PGA Tour he claimed the LG Signature Players Championship in 2020.
Snyman, playing just his second season on the Asian Tour, was equally as happy to get the better of Woo Jeung Hills, which has hosted this tournament since 2003, the year American John Daly lifted the trophy.
He said: “Tough golf course, very hard to hit fairways, some of these fairways are eight yards wide! I just tried and played to the bigger side of the fairways and hit a bunch of three woods off the tee. Being in the fairway is everything out here. That was the game plan, it worked, putted great.”
He cruised into the lead with four birdies before his only dropped shot of the day came on 16.
Minkyu Kim. Picture courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
“To be honest this year has been pretty average, I am struggling to put four rounds together,” said Snyman.
“It has been three good rounds then I will shoot a two over, and I feel on the Asian Tour, especially this year because the depth is so deep, if you shoot a two over on an average difficulty golf course you go from eighth to 35th in a heartbeat. I need my whole game to click, usually there is one thing off.
“I was in relaxed mode out there, got my buddy caddying for me for the first time in a pro event, and we are just taking it easy, enjoying Korea, eating some Korean BBQ, trying all the other dishes, it’s been good.”
Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent, winner of the International Series Vietnam in April, which was his first victory in the pro game, shot a 70, while Ji-ho Yang from Korea, who was triumphant in the Hana Bank Invitational last Sunday, signed for a 72.
Filipino Miguel Tabuena, the highest ranked player here on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in second place, came in with a 73, as did Chanmin Jung, the burly Korean who won this year’s GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
Zimbabwean star Scott Vincent – older brother of Kieran and winner of last year’s International Series Order of Merit, currently enjoying success on the LIV Golf League – signed for an uncharacteristic 80.
Korean Yubin Jang – the leading amateur in the field according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking in 92nd place – finished the day as the leading amateur after shooting a 71. Nine amateurs are competing.
Inhoi Hur. Picture courtesy KGA Tournament Committee.
This week’s tournament is part of The Open Qualifying Series and will see the leading two players make it through to The Open at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, 20-23 July.
Korean Bio Kim and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, both playing this week, have already secured their places in golf’s oldest Major, thanks to strong performances at the World City Championship presented by the Hong Kong Golf Club. They had poor days, with the former carding a 76, and the latter an 80.
The 65th staging of the Kolon Korea Open brings with it a treasure trove of storylines thanks to an exceptional starting line up this week at Woo Jeung Hills Country Club – located in Cheonan, just over an hour drive south of Korea’s capital Seoul.
The opportunity to win one of the region’s most illustrious competitions coupled with the chance to claim one of the two places up for grabs in this year’s Open Championship at Royal Liverpool Golf Club has meant the tournament is strong in depth.
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent returns to what is the 10th event of the season on the Asian Tour, after a hugely impressive run on the LIV Golf League – highlighted by a fourth-place finish in Singapore.
He is joined by his brother Kieran, who claimed the International Series Vietnam in April and is one of five winners from the Asian Tour this year competing here, along with Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho (World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club), Miguel Tabuena (The DGC Open presented by Mastercard) from the Philippines and Australian Brendan Jones (New Zealand Open).
Miguel Tabuena.
Tabuena, who has not finished worse than 22nd in six starts in 2023, is the leading player competing from the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM), sitting in second place; while Kieran Vincent is the top golfer from the International Series OOM. He is in third place on that Merit list, which sees the winner at the end of the season earn passage onto the 2024 LIV Golf League – a feat achieved by his brother Scott last year.
The other Asian Tour winner from this season is Korea’s shining new star Chanmin Jung, who recorded a surprise victory in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in May.
The strapping 23 year old, nicknamed ‘Korea’s Hulk’, is bidding to become only the second player to win the Maekyung event and Kolon Korea Open in the same season. His compatriot Sangmoon Bae, did the double in 2009.
Defending champion Minkyu Kim, who beat fellow Korean Mingyu Cho in a play-off last season, is back this year along with five other former winners: Junseok Lee (2021), Seunghyuk Kim (2014), Yikeun Chang (2017), Minchel Choi (2018), and veteran Jong-duck Kim (1997).
All eyes will also be on Korea’s Ji-Ho Yang who won the Hana Bank Invitational on the Japan Golf Tour last week while one of the country’s most successful golfers Bio Kim is here looking to claim the title for the first time.
Bio Kim and Kho have the advantage of having already booked their tickets to The Open after top-four finishes in the World City Championship.
In addition, the tournament features nine amateurs, led by reigning Korea amateur champion Hyunuk Kim, Minhyuk Song, who tied for second in the Maekyung tournament, Wooyoung Cho, winner of the Golfzon Open on the Korean PGA Tour this year, and Yubin Jang, the highest ranked amateur in the field according to the World Amateur Golf Ranking in 92nd place.
Chanmin Jung pictured winning the GS Caltex Maekyung Open earlier this year.
Korea’s Daesub Kim is the only amateur to have tasted victory in Korea’s national Open; he triumphed twice, in 1998 and 2001, and completed his hat-trick as a professional in 2012.
All have some way to go to catch Korean Changsang Han, who has been victorious in this event a record seven times in the 1960s and 1970s – a remarkable achievement for the former caddie who went on to become Chairman of the Korean PGA.
Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann will be aiming to maintain their major momentum when they line-up in the Asian Tour’s inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship.
Spaniard Garcia and Chile’s Niemann both made the cut in last week’s US Open at Los Angeles Country Club and are looking to continue their good form in the second half of 2023.
Garcia’s fellow former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa and Chile’s Mito Pereira have also confirmed their places in the starting line-up at Fairmont St Andrews from August 24-27.
The US$1.5 million St Andrews Bay Championship will be the 12th leg of the 2023 Asian Tour season and the sixth stop on The International Series.
Joaquin Niemann pictured at the International Series Oman. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
“As our first tournament in the country that gave golf to the world, the St Andrews Bay Championship promises to be a momentous week for us,” said Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO.
“It’s fitting, therefore, that we should have Major champions such as Sergio and Charl and players of the calibre of Joaquin and Mito to grace this auspicious occasion.”
Garcia, who tied for 27th in Los Angeles last week, has appeared regularly in Asian Tour events over the past two decades and has the distinction of having won titles in no fewer than six different countries – China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Part of the Asian Tour’s 2023 ‘UK Summer Swing’, the St Andrews showpiece will be preceded by the International Series England, at Close House in Newcastle.
The Asian Tour’s elite-level International Series comprises 10 events, featuring elevated prize funds and welcoming top golfers from every continent and Tour.
On his International Series debut in February, Garcia tied for fifth in Oman, alongside Niemann.
Following the first four International Series events of 2023, American Andy Ogletree leads the way in the overall standings with Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent and Australian Wade Ormsby in pursuit.
Callum Nicoll, Director of Golf & Estates at Fairmont St Andrews, said: “We’re thrilled that established stars such as Sergio, Charl, Mito and Joaquin will be competing in this historic and world-class event at Fairmont St Andrews.”
Charl Schwartzel at the International Series Qatar. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Stretching to 7,320 yards, the Torrance Course at Fairmont, set among 520 acres of stunning Scottish coastline with views of St Andrews Bay, is sure to provide a tough test.
Sculpted by European Ryder Cup legend Sam Torrance, the layout has previously hosted the DP World Tour and European Seniors Tour as well as being a venue for Open Qualifying.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Nitithorn Thippong will be looking for redemption when he tees off in the Kolon Korea Open at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club on Thursday – having had an impressive run at the title last year before being struck by sickness on Sunday.
Opening rounds of 69, 74 and 68 saw him in contention throughout the week and meant he was just three off the lead starting the final day in the country’s most-esteemed tournament, which has made its regular home at the Woo Jeong Hills venue since 2003.
Nitithorn, the young Thai star nicknamed “Fever” who was red-hot last year when he won both his Asian Tour titles – The DGC Open presented by Mastercard and the International Series Singapore – shot a six-over-par 77 on the last day after a calamitous run of holes from the eighth, which he double bogeyed and followed up with six bogeys and no gains on the second half.
Much to his disappointment he tied for 22nd, eight shots behind the score that saw Koreans Minkyu Kim and Mingyu Cho tie for the lead to force a three-hole play-off, won by the former.
It also meant Nitithorn missed out on one of the two places available in The Open, something which is also a target for all the competitors this week, as the event is again part of The Open Qualifying Series.
However, the story does not end there.
Nitithorn Thippong.
Said Nitithorn: “When I woke up for the final round, I felt a bit sick, but still I had the patience that I could do it because my goal was to be at The Open. Unfortunately, I had a fever, but I played really well on the first seven holes, and I was really focused on my game.”
Having played the first seven holes in two under, one of The Open tickets was within his grasp, but as his health struggled so did his score.
“I knew that I had to be like, super focused that day, because my body was not active,” he said.
“But after the eighth hole where I made a double bogey, it can happen but you… I don’t know how to say it, after eight holes I tried to be like, keep focused, keep patient, but my body wasn’t working anymore, not responding anymore. Like on the 14th tee I said to my caddie, I cannot walk anymore. But okay, just hit it until I finish, that’s all I could do at that time.”
The reason for the unfortunate turn of events was soon to be revealed.
Said Nitithorn: “Yeah, I went to do a test after the round, I tested positive for COVID-19, so I felt so sorry for everyone. I felt bad that I didn’t play as well as I expected, but I had already done my best, you know. So yeah, I had already done my best and had a good chance to be at The Open, but this year maybe I can do it.”
This week he is fully committed to taking his revenge on the difficult Woo Jeong Hills layout, encouraged by his tied 11th at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at Nam Seoul Country Club in Korea earlier this season.
“The first year that I played in Korea, even the Maekyung Open, the course is quite difficult. But for me, I really love difficult courses because you have to hit the ball in the fairway, and you have to be patient on every shot,” said the 26 year old.
“I got beaten by the course on the first year, so I just said to myself that’s okay, next time I’ll beat it. This year, I have already beaten Nam Seoul so I’m gonna try to beat Woo Jeong Hills, that’s my goal.”
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