The Asian Development Tour (ADT) will return to Thailand’s tropical island of Phuket once again this year, for the Singha Laguna Phuket Open – organisers announced today.
The tournament, won last year by Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert [main picture], will be staged at its regular home, Laguna Golf Phuket, from May 22-25, and boast total prizemoney of THB4million (approximately US$119,000).
It will be the fourth leg on this year’s circuit, mark the seventh successive season it has been an ADT event, and will be the tour’s first visit of the year to Thailand.
“The Singha Laguna Phuket Open is the latest event to be added to our schedule, and we are absolutely delighted to welcome back such an important and popular tournament,” said Ken Kudo, General Manager, Asian Development Tour.
“The tournament has been part of the Asian Development Tour since 2017 and we thank the All Thailand Golf Tour, Singha Corporation and Laguna Golf Phuket for helping to make the tournament such a huge success.”
Laguna Golf Phuket.
The event is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour – a trusted and long-term partner of the ADT. It is the seventh event to be added to this year’s calendar, with many more to be added soon. Last year 12 events were played, across eight countries, offering total prizemoney of US$1.5million.
“We are thrilled to continue our strategic co-sanctioning partnership with the Asian Development Tour, which represents a significant milestone in our commitment to nurturing professional golf talent across Asia. Under the leadership of Ken Kudo, the ADT has been instrumental in creating meaningful pathways for golfers to elevate their careers and compete at increasingly competitive levels,” said Jakraphong Thongyai, Commissioner, All Thailand Golf Tour.
“Our collaboration is further strengthened by the incredible support of Laguna Phuket, led by their M.D. – Paul Wilson, whose dedication has been crucial in making this tournament not just an event, but a platform for showcasing the extraordinary potential of emerging golf professionals. Together, we are not just hosting a tournament but building a robust ecosystem that supports and propels the dreams of aspiring golfers across the region.”
Last year Pavit held his nerve to win the Singha Laguna Phuket Open by a shot after a magnificent long lag putt on the last hole helped secure a par, holding off a determined group of contenders. It was his eighth victory on the ADT – the most by any on the circuit.
Said Paul Wilson, Managing Director, Laguna Phuket: “Laguna Golf Phuket is delighted to once again host the Singha Laguna Phuket Open. Our valued partnership with the All Thailand Golf Tour enables Laguna Phuket to welcome some of the best professional golfers in Asia and showcase our integrated destination internationally. The addition of the Asian Development Tour as co-sanctioning partner further enhances the tournament, and it promises to be a fantastic spectacle of top-level golf.”
Laguna Golf Phuket is a member of Asian Tour Destinations – an exclusive network of world-class golfing venues with direct ties to the Asian Tour.
Presently, 13 golf clubs ‒ representing the top-tier of golfing properties in Asia ‒ are part of the affiliate network programme.
Last week Aidric Chan of the Philippines clinched his first win on the ADT at the Lexus Challenge in Vietnam. He moved to third on the Merit list after three events behind Thailand’s Tawit Polthai and Filipino Juvic Pagunsan in first and second respectively.
The International Series Macau presented by Wynn turned out to be an event for the best ball-strikers, with some of the game’s pre-eminent iron players finishing on top of the leaderboard on Sunday after 72 holes.
The Macau Golf and Country Club greens proved extremely tricky on the weekend, even for the world-class players assembled.
Speeds in excess of 11 on the Stimpmeter and difficult pin positions demanded precise approach shots to below the hole to avoid the risk of three-putts.
There were 360 three-putts or worse made during the tournament, and of the players making the cut only two players, Australia’s Lucas Herbert and American Seungsu Han, managed to keep them off the card for the week while the highest number recorded was 10.
Patrick Reed. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
One of the star players likened the speed of the greens to Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament, when taking the slope into consideration.
In the end it was Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz who won the tournament by three shots in a tense battle with runner-up Patrick Reed of the United States, for his second win on the Asian Tour and The International Series.
Ortiz’s victory was thanks to a deadly combination of approach game, putting and power off the tee. He excelled with his iron play ranking T2 in Greens in Regulation (GIR) with 84.72%, and ranked fourth in Putts per GIR with 1.656.
Playing aggressively off the tee, he was T12 in Driving Distance on 313.38 yards while hitting 57.69% of the Fairways, ranking T37.
He tied Reed, Sergio Garcia from Spain and Mexican Abraham Ancer in Most Birdies for the week with 23, topped only by Jason Kokrak who posted 24. Ortiz also made two eagles during the 72 holes, crucially one on the 12th hole in the final round, one less than category leader Adrian Meronk of Poland with three.
Jason Kokrak. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 2018 Masters champion Reed was nearly flawless with his approach game, missing only seven greens and posting a 90.28% GIR for the tournament, a clear winner in this stat category hitting four more greens than Ortiz and Canadian Richard T. Lee. Unfortunately for the halfway leader Reed, his putter turned cold on the weekend where he posted 32 and 31 putts per round respectively, and he finished the week ranked 27th in Putts per GIR with 1.738. He did top the Fewest Bogies or Worse stat with 4.
While fellow American and third-placed finisher Kokrak was not as accurate into the greens with a 75% GIR (T26), he did have a very impressive week on the greens ranking second in the Putts per GIR category with 1.593, and T2 in Putts per Round with 27.5.
Combined with a Driving Distance average of 323.63 yards, ranking fifth, he would have had a lot of short distances into par fours and fives which helped set him up for most birdies made.
While Garcia put together a solid week stats-wise in Putting (third in Putts per GIR with 1.654), Driving Distance (16th with 311.25 yards) and Fairways Hit (T10 with 65.38%), it was perhaps a sub-par week by his lofty standards in GIR with 72.22% ranking T35. It left him with too much of an uphill battle to challenge for the win.
Statistics Categories leaders at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn (of players making the cut):
Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz held off Patrick Reed to claim the International Series Macau presented by Wynn today, after a closely fought battle between the LIV Golf stars at Macau Golf and Country Club.
Ortiz won the International Series Oman last year and made it win number two on The International Series and Asian Tour today after closing with a six-under-par 64 to finish three ahead of Reed on 22-under.
Reed, looking to add this week’s title to his win at the Link Hong Kong Open last November, fired a 67, as did fellow-American Jason Kokrak, three back in third.
All three were thrilled to book their berths for The Open at Royal Portrush this summer – as this week’s event is part of the Open Qualifying Series, with the top three, not already exempt, making it through to final Major of the year.
Carlos Ortiz of Mexico. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Sergio Garcia finished one stroke behind in fourth, following a 65. The Spaniard painfully missed a three-footer for birdie on the last which would have seen him tie with Kokrak and secure the third place in The Open through countback based on his higher world rankings.
Ortiz started the day sharing the lead with playing partner Reed but moved immediately in front with birdies on the first and third plus another on eight. He was two ahead at the turn before playing the pivotal par-five 12th. Ortiz struck a brilliant fairway wood to five feet and made the eagle putt, which meant he was two ahead of Reed and three from Kokrak, who both birdied the 12th.
A clutch eight-footer for par on the par-three 14th also proved crucial for Ortiz. He then missed a five-footer for birdie on the next which would have put him three ahead, but he was able to stay two ahead before a birdie on 18 put more daylight between him and Reed.
“It was a good week,” said Ortiz, who plays for Torque GC on LIV Golf.
“I think I did a good job of putting the ball in play, that’s important on this golf course. I think I drove it really well. I took advantage of the par fives and some of the short par fours, and I mean, I think that’s important on this golf course.
Patrick Reed, Carlos Ortiz and Jason Kokrak with The Open pin flags. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I mean, I think most of the trouble is from the tee, so once you put the driver in play, it opens up from there. So, I think I did a good job from there. I didn’t take full advantage of all those great drives, but I mean I took advantage enough. I am overjoyed to be heading to The Open.”
It’s the 10th win of Ortiz’s career. He’s also claimed one title a piece on the LIV Golf League and the PGA Tour. The 33-year-old moves to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings.
On his eagle on 12 he said: “I was trying to get it on the green and it looked good in the air, you know, getting it that close it’s obviously a little bit of luck, but I hit a great shot so it’s nice to be able to capitalize on that.”
He has played in The Open once before, in 2021, while it will be the 10th time Reed has played in game’s oldest Major, and the fifth for Kokrak.
Reed, who also led after the first and second rounds, said: “A little frustrating. I didn’t make many putts. Had the case of lip outs for two days. So that’s unfortunate. When you do something like that, it’s just hard to win golf tournaments.
Patrick Reed. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Put myself in position, and yeah, I hit the ball plenty well enough. 16 greens today, had a decent amount of looks, just, you know, just lipping out and burning edges.
“So, you know, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the win. But, you know, anytime you can play bogey free on Sundays, always positive, you know, really. To go and finish solo second, get at spot in The Open, yeah, it means a lot.”
Canada’s Richard T. Lee closed with a 65 to take fifth outright, while Poland’s Adrian Meronk and Taichi Kho from Hong Kong, shared sixth after rounds of 64 and 65 respectively.
Defending champion John Catlin from the United States returned a 68 to finish in a tie for 26th.
The Asian Tour heads to the GS Caltex Maekyung Open next at Namseoul Country Club in Seoul, Korea. The tournament will be played from May 1-4, and is followed the week after by the inaugural International Series Japan – being played at Caledonian Golf Club.
Patrick Reed and Carlos Ortiz will start tomorrow’s final round of the International Series Macau presented by Wynn sharing the lead after the pair battled it out for top spot all day today.
Reed, who has led since day one, shot a three-under-par 67, while Ortiz returned a 66 here at Macau Golf and Country Club.
They lead on 16-under by three from Germany’s Dominic Foos and American Jason Kokrak, who both returned 65s.
Australia’s Lucas Herbert is two strokes further back, in an event that will see the top three secure places in The Open Championship, held this year at Royal Portrush.
Reed had a comfortable four-shot lead after six holes before a three-shot swing on the eighth, where the American dropped a shot while Ortiz chipped in for an eagle two. That remained the gap at the turn before Ortiz drew level for the first time after making birdie on 10.
Carlos Ortiz. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Reed regained the lead with a birdie on 13 before dropping a shot on the next, where he saw his first putt roll off the green, unable to stop due to the slick surface. Ortiz also made bogey there though, to stay one back. Reed later bogeyed the penultimate hole before they both made fours on the par-five 18th.
“It was kind of sloppy, I missed a lot of putts,” said Reed – the 2018 Masters champion.
“My three bogeys were two three-putts, and I putted a ball off the green on 14. Yeah, a couple of difficult pins out there I would say for sure, but everyone has to play them. And, you know, just gotta hit it closer, I guess, and hopefully make the putts.”
Reed, who plays for 4Aces GC on LIV Golf, appears to have worked out what it takes to play well in Asia, having won the Link Hong Kong Open last November for his maiden win on the Asian Tour and The International Series. He will be attempting to win his 11th title on Sunday since turning professional in 2011.
He added: “Just plan to do same thing tomorrow. Just go out there and continue hitting quality golf shots, putting a good roll on it and just trusting the process.”
Like Reed, Ortiz is also chasing his second victory on the Asian Tour, having won last year’s International Series Oman.
Dominic Foos. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Mexican, who is on the Torque GC team, said: “Good overall. It was a good round. I put it in play most of the day. I honestly felt like I did a good job. It was not yesterday (Ortiz shot a second-round 61) but it was a decent run. Definitely need to shoot as low as possible tomorrow.”
Foos stormed through at the end, making five birdies in the last seven holes.
“Yeah, I started off pretty slow, made a couple of bogeys in the beginning,” said the German, who is a graduate from this year’s Qualifying School.
“But yeah, I’ve been playing really well, and I knew it was only a matter of time until some putts dropped, and yeah, lucky that happened on the back nine.
“It’s playing very tricky. I think, like most of the putts, you just want to get it to the hole or around the hole, because so many times just past it, it’s like straight downhill.”
Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent both carded 69s and are tied for sixth, six behind the frontrunners.
Nick Voke of New Zealand is a shot further back in a nine-man group on nine under after shooting a 64, the lowest round of the day.
Defending champion John Catlin from the United States shot a 68 and is in joint 38th position on four under.
The US$2million event is the second stop on The International Series – 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway on to the LIV Golf League.
The tournament is also part of the Open Qualifying Series.
ENDS
Patrick Reed from the United States impressed again today at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, shooting a second-round six-under-par 64 to take the lead by one from Carlos Ortiz.
Mexico’s Ortiz was also in inspired form shooting a 61 – which matched the course record – while Australians Lucas Herbert and Travis Smyth are two strokes further back after they both returned 65s.
Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent (65), Spain’s Sergio Garcia (66), and Filipino Miguel Tabuena (67) are an additional shot behind, in the second event of the year on The International Series – the Asian Tour’s top-tier of million-dollar events.
Reed was the overnight leader following a 63 here at Macau Golf & Country Club yesterday and picked up where he left off, chalking up seven birdies and a solitary bogey to reach 13-under.
Carlos Ortiz. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He finished fourth here last year, while Herbert was third, so they both have unfinished business heading into the weekend.
“I think the biggest motivation is going out and getting in contention on Sundays,” said Reed – who won the Link Hong Kong Open last November.
“You know, I feel like the game has been pretty solid this year. I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball decently, feel like I’ve been hitting a lot of quality putts, just the results aren’t really speaking for it. The ball’s not going how I want it to, so to go out there these first two days and play the way I did, I feel like that’s just kind of how I’ve been playing.”
The 34-year-old also has one eye on qualifying for The Open this year, as this week’s event is part of the Open Qualifying Series. Three places are up for grabs at Royal Portrush this summer.
He added: “You know, to finally get the scores out is nice, and hopefully I just go ahead and do the same thing on the weekend. Not only will I try to earn one of the three spots in The Open, but you know, hoist the trophy.”
Lucas Herbert. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ortiz’s spectacular round consisted of 10 birdies and one bogey, on the fifth. Remarkably, seven of those birdies came on the back nine, and featured four in a row from the 10th. He matched the 61 recorded by Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan when he won last season. American John Catlin shot a 59 here last year but unlike today, it was on a day when preferred lies were played.
“It’s always good when you make a lot of birdies,” said Ortiz, who claimed the International Series Oman last year.
“I feel like I played solid. I left myself in good spots, I drove the ball pretty well, so it’s nice to take advantage of a good day.”
Herbert missed the play-off here last year – which saw Catlin beat Spain’s David Puig on the second extra-hole – by just two shots. It looks like he will go close once more in what is the second edition of the event.
“Just played reasonably solid,” he said. “I think I made a few pars where I needed to. Still feels like there were more shots out there, though, which is promising. Going into the weekend, you know, probably have to shoot another couple of low ones to try and catch Patrick.”
Like Reed he started on the 10th and managed to go bogey free.
Travis Smyth. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“So yeah, happy to be in the house at 10 under. I think it was kind of the goal for two rounds. So, yeah, lunch will taste nice on the back of that,” he added.
Garcia is also coming off a win in Hong Kong but more recently than Reed. He won LIV Golf Hong Kong two weeks ago – which like the Link Hong Kong Open was also played at Hong Kong Golf Club.
When asked what has led to his recent purple patch, which has also helped him steer his Fireballs GC team to three successive wins on the LIV Golf League, he explained: “A little bit of everything, I guess. Obviously, the long game has been good, the short game it’s improved, so it’s a good mix of things there. But, you know, there’s still a lot of things that I need to get better at.”
Macau’s Kelvin Si is enjoying the tournament of his life. He came in with a 67 and is seven under, in a tie for 11th, along with Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, who returned a 66.
Said Si: “It’s my home course, so it’s definitely a big advantage. The conditions were really good today – sunny, with not much wind. I played this event last year, missed the cut, but it was a good experience. I can use that this week, and I feel much more comfortable than last year because that was my first time playing a professional tournament on this course.”
Catlin shot a 72 yesterday but bounced back with a 66 today to move to two under and make the cut by one.
Patrick Reed’s affinity for the Greater Bay Area was evident once more today after he shot a majestic seven-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead in the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
Four months ago the American claimed the Link Hong Kong Open, helped by a spectacular 59 on the third day, and he was unstoppable again today, overcoming Macau Golf and Country Club with seven birdies and no bogeys.
He leads the US$2million event, which is part of The International Series on the Asian Tour, from Filipino Miguel Tabuena, Peter Uihlein from the United States, and Finland’s Kalle Samooja, who carded 64s.
Reed, who finished fourth here last year, birdied 16 and 18 to edge ahead later in the day. Uihlein had eagled the par-five 18th moments earlier while Tabuena led for most of the day having started at 7am.
“It was a steady day,” said Reed, a member of 4Aces GC on the LIV Golf League.
Miguel Tabuena. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I wasn’t feeling that great when I first got up. Mainly my body was a little tight, but it loosened up nicely on the range.
“You know, got off to good a start. Was hitting my golf ball how I wanted to. Was hitting pretty solid. I was kind of getting it out in front of me where I wanted, where I was looking, and I was leaving myself in the right spot. So, I felt like that was the biggest thing today.”
He made a birdie on the fourth and then made three in a row from the sixth, before another came on 13. On the last his 20 footer for an eagle just finished short.
He added: “These greens got kind of really fast, and with some of those pin locations there on the back nine, you had to put the ball in the right spot, because it’s hard to putt from above the hole. And I was able to do a nice job on that. Hit a couple close and, you know, kind of had a stress free seven-under par today.”
Tabuena shook off the effects of a 3.45am wake-up call and an uncharacteristic missed one-foot putt on his first hole to set the bar early on.
The Filipino, who made eight birdies against two bogeys, said: “Woke up at 3.45, got in the gym at 4.10. Did some stretching; did some activation stuff, yeah, but it’s routine. The game feels really good except for my three putt on the first hole, which was number 10. Missed it from a foot. So that was pretty funny. I just laughed it out.”
Peter Uihlein. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He rallied and made the turn in two under, with four birdies and two bogeys, before finding his rhythm on the second half with birdies on three, four, seven and eight.
“My game’s in a good spot, but it’s still very early in the tournament. There’s three more days, and hopefully I can continue this form,” he said.
“It is about playing the par fives well here. If you score on the par fires, I think you’ll do well. And you must understand where the wind is blowing, because it’s really bouncing around the mountains here, especially in the morning. I took advantage because it was pretty calm this morning.”
He is looking for his first win on the Asian Tour since The DGC Open presented by Mastercard in 2023. He’s had seven top fives since then so a win may well be just around the corner.
Uihlein, who won twice on the Asian Tour last year at International Series events in England and Qatar, struck a six-iron from well over 200 yards on the 18th to a matter of inches from the cup. Samooja also made a three there.
“Played super well, despite coming off a slight strain on my hand since last week. It helped by resting it,” said the American.
“I am just very relaxed out here, trying to enjoy it and we’ll see where that takes us.”
Spain’s Sergio Garcia, winner of LIV Golf Hong Kong two weeks ago, fired a 65 and is in a group of six players next best placed.
Defending champion John Catlin from the United States, returned a disappointing 72 but did will to recover as he was four over after five.
American Ollie Schniederjans, who leads both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings, was forced to withdraw due to a muscle strain.
Qualification for The Open is clearly on the minds of the players in the field this week for the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, with three spots up for grabs.
Major champions Sergio Garcia from Spain and American Patrick Reed are two of the standout players here at Macau Golf and Country Club, and both are eager to take the opportunity offered by the event being part of the Open Qualifying Series.
Garcia, the 2017 Masters winner, said: “This is an important week. It’s a great tournament, it’s a very good field, and also with those three spots up for grabs for The Open Championship, it’s important. It’s my favourite major, so I would love to be back in it, with not playing the last couple of years. So I’m going to give it my best shot this week.
“Obviously we all love to play in the majors and be a part of them and give ourselves a shot at it. So to have the opportunity of qualifying here with these three top spots it’s huge and it just shows the growth of the Asian Tour and how important it is with the quality of players that we have here. So it should be a great week.”
Garcia was recently in the winner’s circle at LIV Golf Hong Kong at Hong Kong Golf Club, a course that Reed also found success on having won the Link Hong Kong Open in 2024. The Spaniard won the individual trophy at Fanling, and also celebrated his Fireballs GC’s team victory – the second of three victories on the bounce.
Garcia finished T21 in last year’s Macau showpiece with Reed finishing in fourth position, just three shots behind eventual champion John Catlin and David Puig, with his American compatriot coming out on top in a nail-biting play-off.
The 2018 Masters winner Reed, a regular on The International Series, echoed Garcia’s thoughts on the extra motivation he has coming into the event this week.
Reed said: “I feel like any time you have an opportunity to qualify for a major it just gives you extra motivation to go out and have a little bit more drive to go out and try make those putts and play your best game, because at the end of the day, they’re the four events that we’re trying to always play.
“Last year was the first time I didn’t play a major since my first one – which was 42 straight and you know, to only be able to play two of the majors last year, it will mean a lot to get back on that run. Hopefully we can have some more fireworks this week to get there.”
John Catlin returns this week to the scene of arguably his great achievement at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
He is the defending champion here at Macau Golf and Country Club – where he also carded an 11-under-par 59 in the third round, the Asian Tour’s first-ever sub-60.
It was an achievement that will long live in the memory and was the centre piece of a career defining season, that saw him win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for the first time.
“I would love to repeat that this year, but we’ll see,” said the American.
“I was playing well last year; I knew I was playing well but that kind of round, a 59, is never planned. I remember on 18, when I holed for an eagle Patrick [Reed] said to me, ‘was that for a 59?’ I said, ‘oh yes’.”
Rounds of 67, 66, 59 and 65 saw him end in a tie with Spain’s David Puig before the American won with a birdie on the second extra hole.
John Catlin. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I was up against it on both play-off holes. I just never gave up. I came back to Asia and the Asian Tour last year after struggling in Europe. I struggled for a season there but re-discovered myself in Asia. Shooting 59 showed that,” he added.
At a press conference today his compatriot Patrick Reed said: “It was an honour to be part of that. We also played with Andy Ogletree, and we were watching in disbelief.” Remarkably, Reed shot 59 later in the year enroute to winning the Link Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Golf Club.
“Funnily enough we both had similar length, left to rights putts on the last for 59s,” said Catlin.
He received his Asian Tour Order of Merit trophy at the Asian Tour Gala Dinner last night at Wynn Palace.
He said: “I have so many people to thank for last year. It was the culmination of so much hard work. I absolutely love being here in Macau. I hope this week will be the catalyst for another great season.”
The 34-year-old has arrived here, having played in LIV Golf Singapore last week – where he won the multi-million dollar circuit’s first ever pre-qualifier for reserves. That came soon after a top-10 in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
He said: “The season has started well. Not quite as good as last year but it’s early days. There’s a lot to play for with so many opportunities ahead.”
When he departed for Europe in 2020 to try his hand on the DP World Tour, there was concern that the Asian Tour would rarely get to see one of its most successful players.
When he proceeded to win two events in September, in Spain and Ireland – in the midst of the global pandemic and strictly controlled tournament bubbles – and another the following year in Austria, the likelihood of return trips seemed even more slim. The goal of getting into the top 50 in the world and playing Majors meant opportunities to head East were limited.
Golf does throw curveballs though and that was the case in 2023 when he surprisingly failed to keep his playing privileges in Europe after an unusually inconsistent season. His exemptions from those three victories had also expired and he was left to work out where he would play in 2024.
It was a simple decision for him to head back to Asia although he faced the daunting task of needing to navigate the Final Stage of the Tour’s Qualifying School, as he also had no playing status in the region.
John Catlin and Patrick Reed pictured together during round three last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Helped by the fact that the school was staged in Hua Hin, which he calls his second home, Catlin comfortably made it through claiming the 19th card from the 35 on offer.
It was the start of what proved to be the finest season of his career, it meant the Asian Tour was able to welcome home a player that meant so much, and the prelude to a record-setting 59 that rocked the region.
Tournament Information
Picture by Graham Uden/54.
Field Breakdown
The famous par-three 17th. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Tournament Notes
John Catlin’s career has been sprinkled with notable successes. But he’d never experienced anything quite like the week of the inaugural International Series Macau presented by Wynn last year. Indeed, only a handful of elite players can say they ever have. Story from the 2024 Asian Tour Yearbook.
At the Macau Golf and Country Club not only did the 33-year-old American record his fifth victory on the Asian Tour, and his first since the 2019 Thailand Open. It was also his maiden triumph on The International Series.
But it wasn’t just those statistics that made his dramatic sudden-death play-off defeat of Spaniard David Puig so memorable.
Some 24 hours before his victory was confirmed, Catlin ensured his name was etched into Asian Tour folklore after posting an 11-under-par 59 in round three. It was the first sub-60 return in the history of the Asian Tour.
“I’m pretty much speechless,” said Catlin, who holed an eight-footer for birdie at the 239-yard, par-three 17th and snared a left-to-right breaking 20-footer for eagle at the par-five 18th to seal the deal. Prior to that, he made six birdies on the front side and three on the back nine.
“Wow! It’s crazy. The emotions are hitting me. After everything I’ve been through over the last two years, to be here is pretty special,” said the Californian, who won on the Asian Development Tour in 2016 and 2017 before graduating to the main Tour where he won three times in 2018 and once in 2019.
Three victories followed in Europe before a loss of form resulted in him forfeiting his card there. He opted to return to the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, finishing 19th and regaining his playing privileges in the region.
In the wake of the euphoria that followed his 59 and gave him a two-stroke advantage at the top of the leaderboard, Catlin needed to re-focus ahead of the final round.
He did just that, covering the opening nine in four-under 30 and extending his lead to five shots after gaining another stroke at the 10th.
However, he dropped a shot on 11 before Puig, playing four groups ahead, emerged from the chasing pack with a birdie at 12 and an eagle at 13 to reduce the deficit to two.
Further birdies at 15 and 16 saw Puig draw level, before Catlin holed from eight feet for birdie on 14 to regain top spot. But Puig squared things up again when he got up-and-down for a birdie on 18, signing for a closing 60.
For Catlin, a considerable measure of good fortune was then needed at the first play-off hole when his fairway wood approach to the par-five 18th looked to be heading out of bounds.
To Catlin’s relief, his ball came to rest on the road behind the main hospitality marquee from there he was able to take a free drop. While he was sizing up his options, Puig hit the pin with a sensational 20-yard bunker shot that left him with a tap-in birdie.
With little green to work with, Catlin did well to chip to within six feet of the cup from where he holed to extend the play-off.
The next time round, Puig again appeared to hold the ascendancy when he reached the putting surface in two, while Catlin’s second shot again missed the green on the right, leaving another awkward chip.
After seeing Puig’s long range eagle attempt come up short, Catlin sensed an opportunity, taking out the pin and almost holing his third. When Puig missed his birdie putt, the stage was clear for Catlin to tap-in for an epic victory.
Reflecting on his latest win, Catlin said: “That was one heck of a battle. If you’d told me I’d finish at minus 23 and still have to be in a play-off, I’d be like: ‘You’re kidding’. I fought really hard. I was battling all week long. To come out on top is really special.”
Catlin reserved special praise for Noah Montgomery, his coach for the past 10 years. “Being a professional golfer, you sacrifice a lot. I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have Noah in my corner,” he said.
A fortnight after his success in the season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open, Puig was not too disheartened.
He said: “I played well. I had a good back nine and I’m happy that I got into the play-off and had a chance. I’m pretty tired, this being the seventh week in a row. I’m glad I finished on a good note and am ready for what’s next.”
Celebrated event will be staged at its regular home, Laguna Golf Phuket, from May 22-25
The Asian Development Tour (ADT) will return to Thailand’s tropical island of Phuket once again this year, for the Singha Laguna Phuket Open – organisers announced today.
The tournament, won last year by Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert [main picture], will be staged at its regular home, Laguna Golf Phuket, from May 22-25, and boast total prizemoney of THB4million (approximately US$119,000).
It will be the fourth leg on this year’s circuit, mark the seventh successive season it has been an ADT event, and will be the tour’s first visit of the year to Thailand.
“The Singha Laguna Phuket Open is the latest event to be added to our schedule, and we are absolutely delighted to welcome back such an important and popular tournament,” said Ken Kudo, General Manager, Asian Development Tour.
“The tournament has been part of the Asian Development Tour since 2017 and we thank the All Thailand Golf Tour, Singha Corporation and Laguna Golf Phuket for helping to make the tournament such a huge success.”
Laguna Golf Phuket.
The event is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour – a trusted and long-term partner of the ADT. It is the seventh event to be added to this year’s calendar, with many more to be added soon. Last year 12 events were played, across eight countries, offering total prizemoney of US$1.5million.
“We are thrilled to continue our strategic co-sanctioning partnership with the Asian Development Tour, which represents a significant milestone in our commitment to nurturing professional golf talent across Asia. Under the leadership of Ken Kudo, the ADT has been instrumental in creating meaningful pathways for golfers to elevate their careers and compete at increasingly competitive levels,” said Jakraphong Thongyai, Commissioner, All Thailand Golf Tour.
“Our collaboration is further strengthened by the incredible support of Laguna Phuket, led by their M.D. – Paul Wilson, whose dedication has been crucial in making this tournament not just an event, but a platform for showcasing the extraordinary potential of emerging golf professionals. Together, we are not just hosting a tournament but building a robust ecosystem that supports and propels the dreams of aspiring golfers across the region.”
Last year Pavit held his nerve to win the Singha Laguna Phuket Open by a shot after a magnificent long lag putt on the last hole helped secure a par, holding off a determined group of contenders. It was his eighth victory on the ADT – the most by any on the circuit.
Said Paul Wilson, Managing Director, Laguna Phuket: “Laguna Golf Phuket is delighted to once again host the Singha Laguna Phuket Open. Our valued partnership with the All Thailand Golf Tour enables Laguna Phuket to welcome some of the best professional golfers in Asia and showcase our integrated destination internationally. The addition of the Asian Development Tour as co-sanctioning partner further enhances the tournament, and it promises to be a fantastic spectacle of top-level golf.”
Laguna Golf Phuket is a member of Asian Tour Destinations – an exclusive network of world-class golfing venues with direct ties to the Asian Tour.
Presently, 13 golf clubs ‒ representing the top-tier of golfing properties in Asia ‒ are part of the affiliate network programme.
Last week Aidric Chan of the Philippines clinched his first win on the ADT at the Lexus Challenge in Vietnam. He moved to third on the Merit list after three events behind Thailand’s Tawit Polthai and Filipino Juvic Pagunsan in first and second respectively.
The International Series Macau presented by Wynn turned out to be an event for the best ball-strikers
The International Series Macau presented by Wynn turned out to be an event for the best ball-strikers, with some of the game’s pre-eminent iron players finishing on top of the leaderboard on Sunday after 72 holes.
The Macau Golf and Country Club greens proved extremely tricky on the weekend, even for the world-class players assembled.
Speeds in excess of 11 on the Stimpmeter and difficult pin positions demanded precise approach shots to below the hole to avoid the risk of three-putts.
There were 360 three-putts or worse made during the tournament, and of the players making the cut only two players, Australia’s Lucas Herbert and American Seungsu Han, managed to keep them off the card for the week while the highest number recorded was 10.
Patrick Reed. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
One of the star players likened the speed of the greens to Augusta National, home of the Masters Tournament, when taking the slope into consideration.
In the end it was Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz who won the tournament by three shots in a tense battle with runner-up Patrick Reed of the United States, for his second win on the Asian Tour and The International Series.
Ortiz’s victory was thanks to a deadly combination of approach game, putting and power off the tee. He excelled with his iron play ranking T2 in Greens in Regulation (GIR) with 84.72%, and ranked fourth in Putts per GIR with 1.656.
Playing aggressively off the tee, he was T12 in Driving Distance on 313.38 yards while hitting 57.69% of the Fairways, ranking T37.
He tied Reed, Sergio Garcia from Spain and Mexican Abraham Ancer in Most Birdies for the week with 23, topped only by Jason Kokrak who posted 24. Ortiz also made two eagles during the 72 holes, crucially one on the 12th hole in the final round, one less than category leader Adrian Meronk of Poland with three.
Jason Kokrak. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 2018 Masters champion Reed was nearly flawless with his approach game, missing only seven greens and posting a 90.28% GIR for the tournament, a clear winner in this stat category hitting four more greens than Ortiz and Canadian Richard T. Lee. Unfortunately for the halfway leader Reed, his putter turned cold on the weekend where he posted 32 and 31 putts per round respectively, and he finished the week ranked 27th in Putts per GIR with 1.738. He did top the Fewest Bogies or Worse stat with 4.
While fellow American and third-placed finisher Kokrak was not as accurate into the greens with a 75% GIR (T26), he did have a very impressive week on the greens ranking second in the Putts per GIR category with 1.593, and T2 in Putts per Round with 27.5.
Combined with a Driving Distance average of 323.63 yards, ranking fifth, he would have had a lot of short distances into par fours and fives which helped set him up for most birdies made.
While Garcia put together a solid week stats-wise in Putting (third in Putts per GIR with 1.654), Driving Distance (16th with 311.25 yards) and Fairways Hit (T10 with 65.38%), it was perhaps a sub-par week by his lofty standards in GIR with 72.22% ranking T35. It left him with too much of an uphill battle to challenge for the win.
Statistics Categories leaders at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn (of players making the cut):
Mexican claims second title on Asian Tour at International Series Macau presented by Wynn
Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz held off Patrick Reed to claim the International Series Macau presented by Wynn today, after a closely fought battle between the LIV Golf stars at Macau Golf and Country Club.
Ortiz won the International Series Oman last year and made it win number two on The International Series and Asian Tour today after closing with a six-under-par 64 to finish three ahead of Reed on 22-under.
Reed, looking to add this week’s title to his win at the Link Hong Kong Open last November, fired a 67, as did fellow-American Jason Kokrak, three back in third.
All three were thrilled to book their berths for The Open at Royal Portrush this summer – as this week’s event is part of the Open Qualifying Series, with the top three, not already exempt, making it through to final Major of the year.
Carlos Ortiz of Mexico. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Sergio Garcia finished one stroke behind in fourth, following a 65. The Spaniard painfully missed a three-footer for birdie on the last which would have seen him tie with Kokrak and secure the third place in The Open through countback based on his higher world rankings.
Ortiz started the day sharing the lead with playing partner Reed but moved immediately in front with birdies on the first and third plus another on eight. He was two ahead at the turn before playing the pivotal par-five 12th. Ortiz struck a brilliant fairway wood to five feet and made the eagle putt, which meant he was two ahead of Reed and three from Kokrak, who both birdied the 12th.
A clutch eight-footer for par on the par-three 14th also proved crucial for Ortiz. He then missed a five-footer for birdie on the next which would have put him three ahead, but he was able to stay two ahead before a birdie on 18 put more daylight between him and Reed.
“It was a good week,” said Ortiz, who plays for Torque GC on LIV Golf.
“I think I did a good job of putting the ball in play, that’s important on this golf course. I think I drove it really well. I took advantage of the par fives and some of the short par fours, and I mean, I think that’s important on this golf course.
Patrick Reed, Carlos Ortiz and Jason Kokrak with The Open pin flags. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I mean, I think most of the trouble is from the tee, so once you put the driver in play, it opens up from there. So, I think I did a good job from there. I didn’t take full advantage of all those great drives, but I mean I took advantage enough. I am overjoyed to be heading to The Open.”
It’s the 10th win of Ortiz’s career. He’s also claimed one title a piece on the LIV Golf League and the PGA Tour. The 33-year-old moves to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings.
On his eagle on 12 he said: “I was trying to get it on the green and it looked good in the air, you know, getting it that close it’s obviously a little bit of luck, but I hit a great shot so it’s nice to be able to capitalize on that.”
He has played in The Open once before, in 2021, while it will be the 10th time Reed has played in game’s oldest Major, and the fifth for Kokrak.
Reed, who also led after the first and second rounds, said: “A little frustrating. I didn’t make many putts. Had the case of lip outs for two days. So that’s unfortunate. When you do something like that, it’s just hard to win golf tournaments.
Patrick Reed. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Put myself in position, and yeah, I hit the ball plenty well enough. 16 greens today, had a decent amount of looks, just, you know, just lipping out and burning edges.
“So, you know, unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get the win. But, you know, anytime you can play bogey free on Sundays, always positive, you know, really. To go and finish solo second, get at spot in The Open, yeah, it means a lot.”
Canada’s Richard T. Lee closed with a 65 to take fifth outright, while Poland’s Adrian Meronk and Taichi Kho from Hong Kong, shared sixth after rounds of 64 and 65 respectively.
Defending champion John Catlin from the United States returned a 68 to finish in a tie for 26th.
The Asian Tour heads to the GS Caltex Maekyung Open next at Namseoul Country Club in Seoul, Korea. The tournament will be played from May 1-4, and is followed the week after by the inaugural International Series Japan – being played at Caledonian Golf Club.
LIV Golf stars lead International Series Macau presented by Wynn by three shots on 16 under
Patrick Reed and Carlos Ortiz will start tomorrow’s final round of the International Series Macau presented by Wynn sharing the lead after the pair battled it out for top spot all day today.
Reed, who has led since day one, shot a three-under-par 67, while Ortiz returned a 66 here at Macau Golf and Country Club.
They lead on 16-under by three from Germany’s Dominic Foos and American Jason Kokrak, who both returned 65s.
Australia’s Lucas Herbert is two strokes further back, in an event that will see the top three secure places in The Open Championship, held this year at Royal Portrush.
Reed had a comfortable four-shot lead after six holes before a three-shot swing on the eighth, where the American dropped a shot while Ortiz chipped in for an eagle two. That remained the gap at the turn before Ortiz drew level for the first time after making birdie on 10.
Carlos Ortiz. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Reed regained the lead with a birdie on 13 before dropping a shot on the next, where he saw his first putt roll off the green, unable to stop due to the slick surface. Ortiz also made bogey there though, to stay one back. Reed later bogeyed the penultimate hole before they both made fours on the par-five 18th.
“It was kind of sloppy, I missed a lot of putts,” said Reed – the 2018 Masters champion.
“My three bogeys were two three-putts, and I putted a ball off the green on 14. Yeah, a couple of difficult pins out there I would say for sure, but everyone has to play them. And, you know, just gotta hit it closer, I guess, and hopefully make the putts.”
Reed, who plays for 4Aces GC on LIV Golf, appears to have worked out what it takes to play well in Asia, having won the Link Hong Kong Open last November for his maiden win on the Asian Tour and The International Series. He will be attempting to win his 11th title on Sunday since turning professional in 2011.
He added: “Just plan to do same thing tomorrow. Just go out there and continue hitting quality golf shots, putting a good roll on it and just trusting the process.”
Like Reed, Ortiz is also chasing his second victory on the Asian Tour, having won last year’s International Series Oman.
Dominic Foos. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Mexican, who is on the Torque GC team, said: “Good overall. It was a good round. I put it in play most of the day. I honestly felt like I did a good job. It was not yesterday (Ortiz shot a second-round 61) but it was a decent run. Definitely need to shoot as low as possible tomorrow.”
Foos stormed through at the end, making five birdies in the last seven holes.
“Yeah, I started off pretty slow, made a couple of bogeys in the beginning,” said the German, who is a graduate from this year’s Qualifying School.
“But yeah, I’ve been playing really well, and I knew it was only a matter of time until some putts dropped, and yeah, lucky that happened on the back nine.
“It’s playing very tricky. I think, like most of the putts, you just want to get it to the hole or around the hole, because so many times just past it, it’s like straight downhill.”
Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent both carded 69s and are tied for sixth, six behind the frontrunners.
Nick Voke of New Zealand is a shot further back in a nine-man group on nine under after shooting a 64, the lowest round of the day.
Defending champion John Catlin from the United States shot a 68 and is in joint 38th position on four under.
The US$2million event is the second stop on The International Series – 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway on to the LIV Golf League.
The tournament is also part of the Open Qualifying Series.
ENDS
Reed has half-way lead at International Series Macau presented by Wynn
Patrick Reed from the United States impressed again today at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, shooting a second-round six-under-par 64 to take the lead by one from Carlos Ortiz.
Mexico’s Ortiz was also in inspired form shooting a 61 – which matched the course record – while Australians Lucas Herbert and Travis Smyth are two strokes further back after they both returned 65s.
Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent (65), Spain’s Sergio Garcia (66), and Filipino Miguel Tabuena (67) are an additional shot behind, in the second event of the year on The International Series – the Asian Tour’s top-tier of million-dollar events.
Reed was the overnight leader following a 63 here at Macau Golf & Country Club yesterday and picked up where he left off, chalking up seven birdies and a solitary bogey to reach 13-under.
Carlos Ortiz. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He finished fourth here last year, while Herbert was third, so they both have unfinished business heading into the weekend.
“I think the biggest motivation is going out and getting in contention on Sundays,” said Reed – who won the Link Hong Kong Open last November.
“You know, I feel like the game has been pretty solid this year. I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball decently, feel like I’ve been hitting a lot of quality putts, just the results aren’t really speaking for it. The ball’s not going how I want it to, so to go out there these first two days and play the way I did, I feel like that’s just kind of how I’ve been playing.”
The 34-year-old also has one eye on qualifying for The Open this year, as this week’s event is part of the Open Qualifying Series. Three places are up for grabs at Royal Portrush this summer.
He added: “You know, to finally get the scores out is nice, and hopefully I just go ahead and do the same thing on the weekend. Not only will I try to earn one of the three spots in The Open, but you know, hoist the trophy.”
Lucas Herbert. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ortiz’s spectacular round consisted of 10 birdies and one bogey, on the fifth. Remarkably, seven of those birdies came on the back nine, and featured four in a row from the 10th. He matched the 61 recorded by Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan when he won last season. American John Catlin shot a 59 here last year but unlike today, it was on a day when preferred lies were played.
“It’s always good when you make a lot of birdies,” said Ortiz, who claimed the International Series Oman last year.
“I feel like I played solid. I left myself in good spots, I drove the ball pretty well, so it’s nice to take advantage of a good day.”
Herbert missed the play-off here last year – which saw Catlin beat Spain’s David Puig on the second extra-hole – by just two shots. It looks like he will go close once more in what is the second edition of the event.
“Just played reasonably solid,” he said. “I think I made a few pars where I needed to. Still feels like there were more shots out there, though, which is promising. Going into the weekend, you know, probably have to shoot another couple of low ones to try and catch Patrick.”
Like Reed he started on the 10th and managed to go bogey free.
Travis Smyth. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“So yeah, happy to be in the house at 10 under. I think it was kind of the goal for two rounds. So, yeah, lunch will taste nice on the back of that,” he added.
Garcia is also coming off a win in Hong Kong but more recently than Reed. He won LIV Golf Hong Kong two weeks ago – which like the Link Hong Kong Open was also played at Hong Kong Golf Club.
When asked what has led to his recent purple patch, which has also helped him steer his Fireballs GC team to three successive wins on the LIV Golf League, he explained: “A little bit of everything, I guess. Obviously, the long game has been good, the short game it’s improved, so it’s a good mix of things there. But, you know, there’s still a lot of things that I need to get better at.”
Macau’s Kelvin Si is enjoying the tournament of his life. He came in with a 67 and is seven under, in a tie for 11th, along with Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, who returned a 66.
Said Si: “It’s my home course, so it’s definitely a big advantage. The conditions were really good today – sunny, with not much wind. I played this event last year, missed the cut, but it was a good experience. I can use that this week, and I feel much more comfortable than last year because that was my first time playing a professional tournament on this course.”
Catlin shot a 72 yesterday but bounced back with a 66 today to move to two under and make the cut by one.
American, winner of last year’s Link Hong Kong Open, clearly feeling at home in the Greater Bay Area
Patrick Reed’s affinity for the Greater Bay Area was evident once more today after he shot a majestic seven-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead in the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
Four months ago the American claimed the Link Hong Kong Open, helped by a spectacular 59 on the third day, and he was unstoppable again today, overcoming Macau Golf and Country Club with seven birdies and no bogeys.
He leads the US$2million event, which is part of The International Series on the Asian Tour, from Filipino Miguel Tabuena, Peter Uihlein from the United States, and Finland’s Kalle Samooja, who carded 64s.
Reed, who finished fourth here last year, birdied 16 and 18 to edge ahead later in the day. Uihlein had eagled the par-five 18th moments earlier while Tabuena led for most of the day having started at 7am.
“It was a steady day,” said Reed, a member of 4Aces GC on the LIV Golf League.
Miguel Tabuena. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I wasn’t feeling that great when I first got up. Mainly my body was a little tight, but it loosened up nicely on the range.
“You know, got off to good a start. Was hitting my golf ball how I wanted to. Was hitting pretty solid. I was kind of getting it out in front of me where I wanted, where I was looking, and I was leaving myself in the right spot. So, I felt like that was the biggest thing today.”
He made a birdie on the fourth and then made three in a row from the sixth, before another came on 13. On the last his 20 footer for an eagle just finished short.
He added: “These greens got kind of really fast, and with some of those pin locations there on the back nine, you had to put the ball in the right spot, because it’s hard to putt from above the hole. And I was able to do a nice job on that. Hit a couple close and, you know, kind of had a stress free seven-under par today.”
Tabuena shook off the effects of a 3.45am wake-up call and an uncharacteristic missed one-foot putt on his first hole to set the bar early on.
The Filipino, who made eight birdies against two bogeys, said: “Woke up at 3.45, got in the gym at 4.10. Did some stretching; did some activation stuff, yeah, but it’s routine. The game feels really good except for my three putt on the first hole, which was number 10. Missed it from a foot. So that was pretty funny. I just laughed it out.”
Peter Uihlein. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He rallied and made the turn in two under, with four birdies and two bogeys, before finding his rhythm on the second half with birdies on three, four, seven and eight.
“My game’s in a good spot, but it’s still very early in the tournament. There’s three more days, and hopefully I can continue this form,” he said.
“It is about playing the par fives well here. If you score on the par fires, I think you’ll do well. And you must understand where the wind is blowing, because it’s really bouncing around the mountains here, especially in the morning. I took advantage because it was pretty calm this morning.”
He is looking for his first win on the Asian Tour since The DGC Open presented by Mastercard in 2023. He’s had seven top fives since then so a win may well be just around the corner.
Uihlein, who won twice on the Asian Tour last year at International Series events in England and Qatar, struck a six-iron from well over 200 yards on the 18th to a matter of inches from the cup. Samooja also made a three there.
“Played super well, despite coming off a slight strain on my hand since last week. It helped by resting it,” said the American.
“I am just very relaxed out here, trying to enjoy it and we’ll see where that takes us.”
Spain’s Sergio Garcia, winner of LIV Golf Hong Kong two weeks ago, fired a 65 and is in a group of six players next best placed.
Defending champion John Catlin from the United States, returned a disappointing 72 but did will to recover as he was four over after five.
American Ollie Schniederjans, who leads both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings, was forced to withdraw due to a muscle strain.
Three places in The Open up for grabs in the International Series Macau presented by Wynn this week
Qualification for The Open is clearly on the minds of the players in the field this week for the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, with three spots up for grabs.
Major champions Sergio Garcia from Spain and American Patrick Reed are two of the standout players here at Macau Golf and Country Club, and both are eager to take the opportunity offered by the event being part of the Open Qualifying Series.
Garcia, the 2017 Masters winner, said: “This is an important week. It’s a great tournament, it’s a very good field, and also with those three spots up for grabs for The Open Championship, it’s important. It’s my favourite major, so I would love to be back in it, with not playing the last couple of years. So I’m going to give it my best shot this week.
“Obviously we all love to play in the majors and be a part of them and give ourselves a shot at it. So to have the opportunity of qualifying here with these three top spots it’s huge and it just shows the growth of the Asian Tour and how important it is with the quality of players that we have here. So it should be a great week.”
Garcia was recently in the winner’s circle at LIV Golf Hong Kong at Hong Kong Golf Club, a course that Reed also found success on having won the Link Hong Kong Open in 2024. The Spaniard won the individual trophy at Fanling, and also celebrated his Fireballs GC’s team victory – the second of three victories on the bounce.
Garcia finished T21 in last year’s Macau showpiece with Reed finishing in fourth position, just three shots behind eventual champion John Catlin and David Puig, with his American compatriot coming out on top in a nail-biting play-off.
The 2018 Masters winner Reed, a regular on The International Series, echoed Garcia’s thoughts on the extra motivation he has coming into the event this week.
Reed said: “I feel like any time you have an opportunity to qualify for a major it just gives you extra motivation to go out and have a little bit more drive to go out and try make those putts and play your best game, because at the end of the day, they’re the four events that we’re trying to always play.
“Last year was the first time I didn’t play a major since my first one – which was 42 straight and you know, to only be able to play two of the majors last year, it will mean a lot to get back on that run. Hopefully we can have some more fireworks this week to get there.”
American hoping International Series Macau presented by Wynn will once again be pivotal this week
John Catlin returns this week to the scene of arguably his great achievement at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
He is the defending champion here at Macau Golf and Country Club – where he also carded an 11-under-par 59 in the third round, the Asian Tour’s first-ever sub-60.
It was an achievement that will long live in the memory and was the centre piece of a career defining season, that saw him win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for the first time.
“I would love to repeat that this year, but we’ll see,” said the American.
“I was playing well last year; I knew I was playing well but that kind of round, a 59, is never planned. I remember on 18, when I holed for an eagle Patrick [Reed] said to me, ‘was that for a 59?’ I said, ‘oh yes’.”
Rounds of 67, 66, 59 and 65 saw him end in a tie with Spain’s David Puig before the American won with a birdie on the second extra hole.
John Catlin. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I was up against it on both play-off holes. I just never gave up. I came back to Asia and the Asian Tour last year after struggling in Europe. I struggled for a season there but re-discovered myself in Asia. Shooting 59 showed that,” he added.
At a press conference today his compatriot Patrick Reed said: “It was an honour to be part of that. We also played with Andy Ogletree, and we were watching in disbelief.” Remarkably, Reed shot 59 later in the year enroute to winning the Link Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Golf Club.
“Funnily enough we both had similar length, left to rights putts on the last for 59s,” said Catlin.
He received his Asian Tour Order of Merit trophy at the Asian Tour Gala Dinner last night at Wynn Palace.
He said: “I have so many people to thank for last year. It was the culmination of so much hard work. I absolutely love being here in Macau. I hope this week will be the catalyst for another great season.”
The 34-year-old has arrived here, having played in LIV Golf Singapore last week – where he won the multi-million dollar circuit’s first ever pre-qualifier for reserves. That came soon after a top-10 in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
He said: “The season has started well. Not quite as good as last year but it’s early days. There’s a lot to play for with so many opportunities ahead.”
When he departed for Europe in 2020 to try his hand on the DP World Tour, there was concern that the Asian Tour would rarely get to see one of its most successful players.
When he proceeded to win two events in September, in Spain and Ireland – in the midst of the global pandemic and strictly controlled tournament bubbles – and another the following year in Austria, the likelihood of return trips seemed even more slim. The goal of getting into the top 50 in the world and playing Majors meant opportunities to head East were limited.
Golf does throw curveballs though and that was the case in 2023 when he surprisingly failed to keep his playing privileges in Europe after an unusually inconsistent season. His exemptions from those three victories had also expired and he was left to work out where he would play in 2024.
It was a simple decision for him to head back to Asia although he faced the daunting task of needing to navigate the Final Stage of the Tour’s Qualifying School, as he also had no playing status in the region.
John Catlin and Patrick Reed pictured together during round three last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Helped by the fact that the school was staged in Hua Hin, which he calls his second home, Catlin comfortably made it through claiming the 19th card from the 35 on offer.
It was the start of what proved to be the finest season of his career, it meant the Asian Tour was able to welcome home a player that meant so much, and the prelude to a record-setting 59 that rocked the region.
All you need to know about this week’s International Series Macau presented by Wynn
Tournament Information
Picture by Graham Uden/54.
Field Breakdown
The famous par-three 17th. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Tournament Notes
A look back at last year’s inaugural International Series Macau presented by Wynn
John Catlin’s career has been sprinkled with notable successes. But he’d never experienced anything quite like the week of the inaugural International Series Macau presented by Wynn last year. Indeed, only a handful of elite players can say they ever have. Story from the 2024 Asian Tour Yearbook.
At the Macau Golf and Country Club not only did the 33-year-old American record his fifth victory on the Asian Tour, and his first since the 2019 Thailand Open. It was also his maiden triumph on The International Series.
But it wasn’t just those statistics that made his dramatic sudden-death play-off defeat of Spaniard David Puig so memorable.
Some 24 hours before his victory was confirmed, Catlin ensured his name was etched into Asian Tour folklore after posting an 11-under-par 59 in round three. It was the first sub-60 return in the history of the Asian Tour.
“I’m pretty much speechless,” said Catlin, who holed an eight-footer for birdie at the 239-yard, par-three 17th and snared a left-to-right breaking 20-footer for eagle at the par-five 18th to seal the deal. Prior to that, he made six birdies on the front side and three on the back nine.
“Wow! It’s crazy. The emotions are hitting me. After everything I’ve been through over the last two years, to be here is pretty special,” said the Californian, who won on the Asian Development Tour in 2016 and 2017 before graduating to the main Tour where he won three times in 2018 and once in 2019.
Three victories followed in Europe before a loss of form resulted in him forfeiting his card there. He opted to return to the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, finishing 19th and regaining his playing privileges in the region.
In the wake of the euphoria that followed his 59 and gave him a two-stroke advantage at the top of the leaderboard, Catlin needed to re-focus ahead of the final round.
He did just that, covering the opening nine in four-under 30 and extending his lead to five shots after gaining another stroke at the 10th.
However, he dropped a shot on 11 before Puig, playing four groups ahead, emerged from the chasing pack with a birdie at 12 and an eagle at 13 to reduce the deficit to two.
Further birdies at 15 and 16 saw Puig draw level, before Catlin holed from eight feet for birdie on 14 to regain top spot. But Puig squared things up again when he got up-and-down for a birdie on 18, signing for a closing 60.
For Catlin, a considerable measure of good fortune was then needed at the first play-off hole when his fairway wood approach to the par-five 18th looked to be heading out of bounds.
To Catlin’s relief, his ball came to rest on the road behind the main hospitality marquee from there he was able to take a free drop. While he was sizing up his options, Puig hit the pin with a sensational 20-yard bunker shot that left him with a tap-in birdie.
With little green to work with, Catlin did well to chip to within six feet of the cup from where he holed to extend the play-off.
The next time round, Puig again appeared to hold the ascendancy when he reached the putting surface in two, while Catlin’s second shot again missed the green on the right, leaving another awkward chip.
After seeing Puig’s long range eagle attempt come up short, Catlin sensed an opportunity, taking out the pin and almost holing his third. When Puig missed his birdie putt, the stage was clear for Catlin to tap-in for an epic victory.
Reflecting on his latest win, Catlin said: “That was one heck of a battle. If you’d told me I’d finish at minus 23 and still have to be in a play-off, I’d be like: ‘You’re kidding’. I fought really hard. I was battling all week long. To come out on top is really special.”
Catlin reserved special praise for Noah Montgomery, his coach for the past 10 years. “Being a professional golfer, you sacrifice a lot. I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have Noah in my corner,” he said.
A fortnight after his success in the season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open, Puig was not too disheartened.
He said: “I played well. I had a good back nine and I’m happy that I got into the play-off and had a chance. I’m pretty tired, this being the seventh week in a row. I’m glad I finished on a good note and am ready for what’s next.”
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