There isn’t a golfer in the field at the 153rd Open Championship who wouldn’t gladly accept some divine inspiration in a bid to get their hands on the Claret Jug. Report by Spencer Robinson, Asian Tour contributor, at Royal Portrush.

In that department, Sadom Kaewkanjana may perhaps enjoy a greater advantage than any of his fellow-competitors in the 156-strong starting line-up at Royal Portrush Golf Club this week.

The 27-year-old Thai was a study in serenity as he soared high with a composed opening three-under-par 68 on Thursday.

It was a typically calm and unflustered performance from the former Asian Tour Rookie of the Year – and one that captured the attention of the world’s golfing media, intrigued at the participation of an ordained Buddhist monk.

It was in 2023 that Sadom took time out from playing golf to practice meditation. By his own admission, that experience has helped him in a golfing career that has already brought him three victories on the Asian Tour to sit alongside multiple All Thailand Golf Tour triumphs.

Riki Kawamoto and Sadom Kaewkanjana shake hands after finishing round one. Picture by Warren Little/Getty Images.

It was entirely fitting that Sadom’s first taste of international stardom should have come in the 150th edition of The Open at St Andrews, the spiritual Home of Golf.

Making his Open Championship debut there in 2022, Sadom fired a closing 65 to claim a share of 11th place, the best performance from a Thai golfer at the world’s eldest championship.

Following his fast start at Portrush, it would be easy for Sadom to get ahead of himself and contemplate an even higher finish or, whisper it softly, a run at becoming Thailand’s first Major champion.

The player himself, of course, takes all this in his stride, pointing to the extra responsibility that goes with his Buddhist beliefs.

He said: “It’s my responsibility in Thailand. Being a monk helps me concentrate more on the golf course and outside the golf course. It’s helped me focus a lot better – to forget everything outside, just live in the present.”

Due to tee-off in the final flight on day two here at 4.16 pm local time, some 24 hours after the completion of his first round, Sadom will have had plenty of time to ponder on what the golfing Gods may have in store for him in the coming days.

Not that there’s the slightest chance of him allowing his mind to wander too far into the future.

In 2023 Sadom took time out from playing golf to practice meditation.

He said: “I’m just very excited to play … and very excited to watch the top players play in the same conditions, same golf course, and learn how to play like them.

“When I play links course, it’s a new experience for me. I really enjoy it. It’s fun to play with a windy course and tough conditions.”

While he would not dream of downplaying the attraction of a higher calling, he acknowledges that there are further golfing ambitions to address before looking to a career beyond golf and fully dedicating himself to Buddhism.

“My goal is to play in the Masters. I want to play (there) one time. So, to get in the top-50 in the world ranking, that’s my goal,” said Sadom.

Currently 262nd in the standings that are widely used to determine a player’s prospects of appearing in the Majors, there’s still a long way for Sadom to go. A strong showing over the final 54 holes at Portrush would certainly help. No doubt a little divine intervention along the way would not go amiss.

Sadom Kaewkanjana is literally on a roll at The Open.

Having made headlines in the game’s oldest Major by tying for 11^th in 2022, when it was played at St Andrews, he is once again in contention following an outstanding three-under-par 68 in the first round at Royal Portrush Golf Club on Thursday.

The 27-year-old [main picture] is in a tie for sixth place but just one shot behind the leading pack, which includes China’s Li Hoatong.

Sadom rolled in a mammoth 40-foot putt for a birdie on the par-three 16^th – which was followed by a huge roar from the large gallery.

Sadom Kaewkanjana is playing in just his second Open. Picture by Alex Pantling/R&A/R&A via Getty Images.

The Thai star made the perfect start by going out in three-under. He made a birdie on the second before he became the first player this week to eagle the par-four fifth, where he reached the green from the tee and drained a 20 footer.

He dropped his only shot of the day on 11 before countering that with his stunning putt on 16.

Sadom’s performance three years ago was the best ever result by a Thai golfer in The Open.

He is now on course to better that finish this weekend, especially after a confidence boosting win in another Open two months ago.

In May he claimed the Kolon Korea Open for his third title on Asian Tour but first in three years. His victory was one of the most impressive of the season so far as the golf club, La Vie Est Belle (Dunes Course), was set up like a US Open venue. Overseas players winning in the Land of Morning Calm is also a rarity.

His win in Korea is also the reason why he is playing in The Open, as the tournament is part of this year’s Open Qualifying Series.

Talk about a Major baptism of fire. For Ryan Peake there was a mixture of nerves, excitement … and ultimately a large measure of regret at failing to take advantage of favourable early morning conditions on the opening day at the 153rd Open Championship. Report by Spencer Robinson, Asian Tour contributor, at Royal Portrush.

Teeing-off at 7.19 am (local time) in the fifth flight out at Royal Portrush Golf Club, the Australian stuttered to an error-strewn six-over-par 77. He said he felt like Santa Claus.

“I was like Father Christmas out there. I was just handing out presents to the golf course. I just kept throwing them (shots) away. It was very frustrating,” said the left-hander, who secured his maiden Major championship ticket courtesy of winning the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport in March.

While he may have given away a few gifts, Peake could at least be thankful for walking off with a number of mementos from his much-vaunted playing partner Phil Mickelson, namely a golf ball and glove, both signed by his fellow lefty, who thrilled the galleries with a one-under 70.

Peake [main picture with Mickelson] said: “His caddie gave away golf balls as we were walking off and I yelled out: ‘What about me?’ He had a laugh, thought I was being sarcastic. He said: ‘Are you serious’, and I said: ‘I’m deadly serious’.

Ryan Peake looks on from the rough on the second hole during day one of The 153rd Open. Picture by Christian Petersen/Getty Images.

“He (Mickelson) was a hero to me growing up. My own boy is out here this week and he loves him as well.”

Asked if the former Open champion had proffered any advice during the course of the round, Peake responded: “No, he wasn’t offering me help. I would have known I was in a bad place if he’d come over and started offering me help.

“But we chatted. He’s very friendly. We had a lot of normal chit-chat, talked about family. We talked about different things. Nothing in particular.”

Although he’ll treasure his Mickelson exchanges and keepsakes, Peake will also look back in anguish on what he knows was a missed opportunity.

“It looks like I’ve copped the best side of the draw, and I haven’t taken advantage of that at all. I’m very disappointed with the round. Not what I wanted. So, I’m pretty flat. I was pretty flat out there as well. I just got beat up,” was Peake’s brutally honest assessment of a scorecard that was scattered with no fewer than eight bogeys.

One of only two birdies came at the par-three 16th, among the more difficult holes on the course. Not that he took much comfort from that.

He said: “I’m sure if I was two-under going there, that hole looks a little bit more daunting. But when you’re seven-over, not much worse can happen. So it was easy to get up there and pull the trigger.

“It’s a course where you need to get off to good start … because as soon as you start trying to chase birdies, you can’t chase them. Everything is hard. You’ve got to play good golf. If you hit good golf shots, you get rewarded. If you hit poor ones, you get crucified for them. That’s what happened today.

Peake and his caddie walk on the first hole. Picture by Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

“Obviously I was nervous. I wouldn’t say nervous because I was playing next to Phil. It’s just, I guess, your first Major and things like that. But I’ve just got to get better at that.”

Despite his downbeat mood, Peake, seventh in the current Asian Tour Order of Merit standings, acknowledged that all is not yet lost.

He said: “I’ve still got tomorrow and I’ll try and do something to make this cut. I’m definitely not counting myself out of it.

“But the whole experience, that’s something that I’ll look on further down the track. I’m here to compete. I’m in a competitive mode.”

For followers of Asian golf, arguably the most intriguing opening-round pairing at the 153rd Open Championship will be provided by Game 26. Report by Spencer Robinson, Asian Tour contributor, at Royal Portrush.

At 11.15 am tomorrow local time (Thursday), Asian Tour stars Sadom Kaewkanjana [main picture at Royal Portrush] and Sampson Zheng will launch their Royal Portrush campaigns alongside Japan’s Riki Kawamoto.

Adding further Asian flavour to the grouping will be the presence of Vu Nguyen as the designated referee. General Secretary of the Vietnam Golf Association, Vu represents the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation on The R&A’s Rules of Golf Committee.

While China’s Zheng is making his Open Championship debut, for Thai Sadom this will be his second taste of the action at the eldest of the four annual men’s Majors.

With Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO Cho Minn Thant and Chief Operating Officer David Rollo among those watching from the sidelines at this stunning venue, Sadom and Zheng are intent on elevating themselves into the global golfing spotlight.

Sadom Kaewkanjana is playing in The Open by virtue of winning the Kolon Korea Open – an Open Qualifying Series event. Picture by Chung Sung-Jun/R&A/R&A via Getty Images.

They’re also aware that strong performances here would further raise the profile of their ‘home’ circuit in the eyes of the golfing world.

While Zheng, who is celebrating his 24th birthday today, is relishing his first sampling of a Major championship, 27-year-old Sadom is calling on the experience he gained at St Andrews in 2022.

On that occasion, he produced a superb closing 65 to climb into a tie for 11th, the best finish by a Thai at The Open.

“I’m proud of my performance at St Andrews and I hope to do better and have a top-10 finish this week. Portrush is a longer course (than St Andrews), the rough is thicker and the greens are tricky,” said Sadom, before heading out for his final practice round.

“I’m feeling more confident with my game than I was last year,” added Sadom, who has made light of complications caused by his luggage being waylaid en route to Northern Ireland from Bangkok.

“I had to go out shopping for new clothes, but they’ve now located my suitcase at Heathrow and it should be arriving here today,” he said.

Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2019, Sadom rose to a high of 75th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) in 2022 after victory in the SMBC Singapore Open.

A quiet period followed, but the Thai has regained form this year, qualifying for Royal Portrush courtesy of winning May’s Kolon Korea Open, part of The Open Qualifying Series.

Third in the current Asian Tour Order of Merit standings and 262nd in the OWGR, Sadom says a good week here would be the ideal catalyst for a late-season surge. “Winning the Order of Merit is one of my targets,” added Sadom, who is looking forward to accompanying Zheng in round one.

Sadom’s victory in Korea was his third success on the Asian Tour.  Picture by Chung Sung-Jun/R&A/R&A via Getty Images.

“I’ve played with Sampson a couple of times. He’s a good player and I’m pleased to be playing with him here. I feel relaxed playing with other Asian golfers,” said Sadom, who is being supported at Portrush by his girlfriend and members of his family.

Zheng can also count on plenty of family backing as he seeks to make a big impression.

A graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Zheng finished runner-up in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne in late 2023, narrowly missing out on the reward of starting spots in last year’s Open and Masters Tournament.

Belatedly, his Major moment has now arrived – and he’s chomping at the bit.

“Whenever I play events, it’s about giving myself the best chance to win. This week is no different, even though it’s my first Major,” said Zheng, who turned professional mid-way through 2024 and made an immediate impact on the Asian Tour, finishing joint fourth in the International Series England and tied second in the Mandiri Indonesia Open.

Never short on self-belief, Zheng secured his starting place at Royal Portrush on the first day of July, firing rounds of 68 and 69 to take the second of five available places in Final Qualifying at West Lancashire.

Now, he’s setting his sights on bigger prizes. “I don’t want to sound arrogant, and I don’t want to say I can win, but I’m doing everything I can to get myself up there on the leaderboard.”

Wednesday this week is a big day for Sampson Zheng. He turns 24. However, the talented Japan-based Chinese star is hoping Sunday is even more special. Story by Joy Chakravarty, Asian Tour contributor, in Portrush.

Zheng, currently ranked 26th in the Asian Tour Order of Merit and a regular contender since turning pro at the start of last year, is making his major championship debut at the 153rd Open – which starts Thursday at the stunning Royal Portrush Golf Club.

He secured his place among the world’s finest by finishing second in the Final Qualifying event at West Lancashire with rounds of 68 and 69, two weeks ago.

“I am very excited. This is what I have dreamed of doing all my life. This is what I look forward to, and this is why I play golf,” said Zheng, one of seven Asian Tour members competing this week.

“Whenever I play events, it’s always about preparation and just giving myself the best chance to win. This week is no different, even though it’s my first major. I don’t want to sound arrogant, and I don’t want to say I can win, but I’m doing everything I can to get myself up there on the leaderboard. And whatever happens, I am not too worried about the result, but just the process.”

As part of his preparation, Zheng arrived early at Portrush and has a few practice rounds under his belt already. More importantly, he has also experienced the wind switch on the golf course, playing the HS Colt-redesigned gem in two very different conditions.

“After the International Series Morocco, I came here on Wednesday and probably played the course three times now. The rough is very penalising. Some areas of the course are very slopey, and even if you hit the fairway, you could end up with a rough ball, maybe in the fescue. Wind is obviously going to play a really big factor. But the course is designed in a way that if you position yourself right, there will be plenty of opportunities,” said Zheng, who finished tied 10th in Morocco at the start of the month.

“Depending on the pin or the wind, it’s going to change very dramatically. Easy holes could turn into very tough holes, and vice versa.

“Luckily, I have now played the course in different winds, which is very good practice. For example, take the par-five seventh. The first time I played it, it was driver, hybrid and a wedge to reach the green. Yesterday, I was actually able to reach it in two.”

The current season hasn’t been spectacular so far for Zheng, and Morocco was his best finish. That came about after switching to a new model of putter, which has helped him hole a few more.

“I had been struggling with my putting recently. A couple of weeks ago, I visited the Scottie Cameron workshop in California and got myself a new mallet putter, which I put straight into my bag before the Open qualifier. Found some magic in the qualifier and kind of carried it into Morocco as well. I’m hoping that keeps on,” said Zheng.

“I’d say I felt pretty comfortable on the course here. Speed control is key on a course like this, where the greens are much slower, and the new putter has been tremendous.”

Zheng came within a whisker of playing the 152nd Open when Australian Jasper Stubbs denied him a win at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in a play-off at the legendary Royal Melbourne Golf Club. A win would have earned him an invitation to the Masters as well.

As disappointing as that result was, it included an unforgettable third-round six-under par 65 when brutal winds and cement-like greens turned the Alister MacKenzie-designed course into a monster.

That preposterous Saturday round Down Under continues to augment Zheng’s immense self-belief. Also, for someone who does not have a lot of links golf experience, he also felt the conditions at Royal Melbourne were fantastic prep.

“I was really, really bummed that week at the AAC, but thankfully, everything worked out. I kind of used that as a fuel and played good after that. That tournament is part of the reason why I got here today as a pro. Things happen for a reason, but it always works out in the end, if you just keep knocking on the door,” said Zheng, whose career best finish on the Asian Tour is a tied second at the 2024 Mandiri Indonesia Open.

“That round is still very special to me. I navigated a very tough course, with high winds, pretty much perfectly. The conditions are pretty similar here in many ways. It will be windy, of course. The greens will not be as fast, but the pins will probably be around the same toughness as well. They really toughen it up for us at the AAC. So, definitely a lot of confidence, thinking back about that day.

“I haven’t played real links courses in this area of the world much, but playing Royal Melbourne was probably very close. The fairways were firm, and the wind was up when we played the AAC. So, I can hopefully bring my learnings from there to The Open.”

And then there is the matter of his birthday. With every member of his family – father, mum, and his younger sister, who is studying at the renowned Berklee School of Music in Boston – with him, it would have been a nice celebration. But these are unusual times.

“My birthday is always around the tournament. It’s very, very cool. I’d watch The Open growing up and think that the nicest birthday present would be to be playing the tournament,” added Zheng, a standout performer for the University of California in his US college days.

“The celebration will be after the event. If it was on a Monday or Tuesday, we would have gone out and have dinner, but Wednesday is cutting it too close. My entire family is going to be here, and just playing this week is going to be fun for me anyway. We will save the celebration for Sunday.”

Pictures: Sampson Zheng during Final Qualifying. Courtesy Getty Images.