Smart Infinity Philippine Open: Statistically speaking
Unheralded Frenchman Julien Sale [main picture] produced a stunning performance to win the Smart Infinity Philippine Open, in his first ever start on Asian Tour start. He defeated Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand and Japan’s Tomoyo Ikemura by a shot, despite a bogey on the 72nd hole, where Sadom and Ikenura both made birdies to keep things exciting right until they very end. Sale’s win came just a month after he’d earned his Tour card at the Qualifying School in Thailand.
The par on the Masters Course at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club was changed from 72 to 70, with Sale winning with a score of 11 under. That was eight shots less than American Micah Shin’s total when won the last time the Asian Tour visited the course in 2017. However, on both occasions their winning totals were 269.
Arguably, Sale’s most important statistic was topping the week’s birdie count with 22; Sadom made 20 and Ikemura had 17. However, he was also impressive in other categories, ranking third in Putts per Green in Regulation (GIR) with 1.649, T5 in GIR with 79.17%, 12th in Driving Distance with an average of 318.38 yards, 12th in Putts per Round on 28.5, T12 in Putts per Round with 28.5, and T26 in Fairways Hit on 69.64%.
Tomoyo Ikemura had the fewest number of bogies or worse, with just four bogies. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
If the 27-year-old can keep producing those kinds of numbers, we should see a lot more of him on the leaderboards in 2025.
Sadom who had held a three-shot lead halfway through the tournament had a great week on the greens ranking second in Putts per GIR with 1.642 and T8 in Putts per Round with 28.25. He also posted a solid GIR percentage of 73.61%, ranking 13th. The 20 birdies he made ranked tied second for the week, but unfortunately, he offset those red numbers with six bogeys and two doubles. His other stats numbers were: Driving Distance 296.38 yards (T39), Fairways Hit 66.07 (T38).
Ikemura, who was on top of the leaderboard going into the final round, led the field in Fewest Bogies or Worse with only four bogies made. His approach game was very solid for the week ranking T8 in GIR with 76.39% and he also had a good week on the greens ranking 13th in Putts per GIR with 1.709 and T8 in Putts per Round with 28.25.
Statistics Categories leaders at the Smart Infinity Philippine Open (of players making the cut):
- Putts per Round – S.S.P. Chawrasia (IND): 27
- Putts per GIR – Danthai Boonma (THA): 1.62
- GIR – Kevin Yuan (AUS): 84.72%
- Fairways Hit – Sean Ramos (PHI), Jiho Yang (KOR): 80.36%
- Driving Distance – Lawry Flynn (AUS): 337.5 Yards
- Most Eagles – 19 Players: 1
- Most Birdies – Julien Sale (FRA): 22
- Fewest Bogies or Worse – Tomoyo Ikemura (JPN): 4
- Scrambling – Ian Snyman (RSA): 80%
Scott Vincent is back playing full-time on the Asian Tour this year, and its flourishing International Series, having finished in the Drop Zone on the LIV Golf League last year, but he is typically philosophical about the road ahead.
“Getting back to LIV is not the focus,” insists the Zimbabwean, ahead of this week’s inaugural International Series India presented by DLF – the second event of the year on the Asian Tour, and the opening International Series tournament.
“The focus is to take care of all the little things and like, if that puts me back on LIV, that’s amazing.”
The Zimbabwean won The International Series Rankings in 2022 to secure his place on the league. Impressively, he finished 22nd on the standings in 2023 but was 50th last season, after a testing year.
Scott Vincent. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Yeah, it was definitely challenging,” said Vincent.
“It put me in a lot of uncomfortable situations. Just, you know, when you’re not playing great, this game can be challenging at times, and that was the year I had. But you know, those are the times that you do learn the most about yourself, and maybe like what you’re prioritising.
“So, yeah, I learned a lot from last year, the past three years, to be fair. You know, I’ve got zero complaints about LIV, it’s changed my life. And I still get to play out here so that’s a huge plus. And you never know, if you have a great year, you could be back out there.”
He started the year well in last week’s season-opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open, tying for eighth place.
He said: “Really great. I think, personally, just a lot of positives and kind of working on the things that are going to help us come November, December time. So, yeah, all in all, great. And obviously the week was great warm up for this week too, so looking forward to that.”
Scott Vincent pictured during today’s Pro-Am. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I mean right now it’s the Asian Tour that I have status on, and you know, I’m very happy to be out here and compete. And all these new elevated International Series events attract a lot of outside stars, so that’s great.
“And you know, you want to be playing against some of the best players in the world, and Asian Tour is offering that right now. So, yeah, everything’s great, we’re going to play out here and see where that puts us.”
He is no stranger to this week’s venue, DLF Golf and Country Club, a regular venue for Asian Tour events in the past.
“You know, it’s definitely one of the toughest courses I think I’ve played in my life, and every time I play it, like you’re always left with this feeling of I can’t wait to get back there and try again, because of how challenging and demanding it is,” he explained.
“I haven’t played it in the past four years or so but obviously remember a lot of the holes out there. You know, again, it’s great to play a course that tough early on in the season, it just kind of puts things in perspective from a game standpoint, and the things you need to work on.”
The 32-year-old from Harare played for Irons Head GC on LIV Golf while his younger brother Kieran was on the Legion XIII team, who claimed four team titles last year led by Spaniard John Rahm. Kieran also finished in the Drop Zone, so faces a full season on the Asian Tour. The Vincents are back 24/7 on the Tour where they first made their name, and all eyes will be on them to see what they can do next.
Indian golfer Shubhankar Sharma is under no illusion about the stern test that awaits him at International Series India presented by DLF, which starts Thursday at DLF Golf and Country Club.
The headlines may be about LIV Golf superstars such as reigning US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau from the United States and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann, The International Series Rankings winner last year, but Sharma is confident the local challenge will be strong thanks to the growth of the Asian Tour and The International Series.
Sharma, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour who has plied his trade more recently on the DP World Tour, said: “I can say this very proudly, but Indian golf has done so well in the last 10, 11 years since I have been a professional.
“A lot of the Indian players have applied their craft on the Asian Tour, and this is where I started as well – I won the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2018 and that’s where things really started for me, that was my first big trophy and the Asian Tour has always been my home.”
Shubhankar Sharma after winning the 2018 Maybank Championship – the year he claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title. Picture by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour.
He is joined this week by an impressive line-up of Indian players, that includes Anirban Lahiri, who plays with DeChambeau and England’s Paul Casey for Crushers GC, and Gaganjeet Bhullar, an 11-time winner on the Asian Tour, the most by an Indian.
“I have always said that [about the Asian Tour]. It’s where I learned to compete with the best and where I got a proper introduction into international golf and it is very heartening to see what the Asian Tour has got with The International Series,” added the 28-year-old.
“I couldn’t be happier for the Asian players and it’s great to see where the game is going and not only for India but for all the other countries that are doing so well. The fields are getting so much better, there’s more depth and the competition is so much more.
“I think The International Series events just shows that, I played in Riyadh at the end of last season (the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers) and I saw what the competition level was, it was low scoring but for me it’s amazing.
“For me it’s a homecoming – not only playing in India but playing on the Asian Tour. It’s much more relaxed and I know everyone so it’s a great atmosphere.”
This week’s US$2million event is the second event of the season on the Asian Tour and the first of the year on The International Series.
Steve Lewton has described his 2024 season as ‘bittersweet’ after the experience of winning his first title on the Asian Tour in a decade was offset by a disappointing closing stretch.
The Englishman won the Mandiri Indonesia Open in August but then didn’t push on as expected. He missed four out of eight cuts, with a best finish of joint 22nd.
“Yes, it was kind of bittersweet,” said Lewton, ahead of the Smart Infinity Philippine Open – which starts tomorrow at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club and is the season-opening event on the Asian Tour.
“Really nice to win again but I didn’t quite get to my goals. I will have to work a bit harder to achieve them this year.”
Steve Lewton shares a joke with Chase Koepka during a practice round at Manila Southwoods. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
He beat Australian Aaron Wilkin and China’s Sampson Zheng on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off in Indonesia. It was his second success on the Asian Tour after his victory in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2014.
The win was the culmination of a lot of hard work and justice after many near misses, including at the Indonesia Open, where he was second in the previous two editions.
It might have slipped under the radar for some but the 41-year-old has also won elsewhere in Asia, at the very event being played this week.
He claimed the Philippine Open in 2017 when it was played on the local tour, after prevailing in extra time against American Johannes Veerman, at a different venue from this week.
He said: “It was great to win back in 2017 because the Philippine Open is such a prestigious and old event. It’s great it’s back on Asian Tour this year. It is a privilege to be here.”
Steve Lewton. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
Lewton is one of five former champions in the field along with Filipino Clyde Mondilla (2019), Miguel Tabuena (2015 and 2018), Angelo Que (2008) and Gerald Rosales (2000).
“Game’s rusty but had a lot of time off which has been nice. I played a few times at home, but we’ll see how this week goes. I have done a bit of swing work so we will see if it’s paid work,” he said.
“I had an amazing off season. Didn’t touch a club for a long time and then had a holiday in Barbados, which was awesome to get some downtime, with my fiancée, and kind of played a few times last week.”
After his big win last year much is expected of Lewton again this season, although he is not giving much away.
He explained: “I have set myself a few goals this year. I achieved one last year obviously and I will keep the goals to myself for now. I have set a few new goals so let’s see if we can achieve them.”
Tournament Information
- Tournament: Smart Infinity Philippine Open
- Date: January 23-26, 2025
- Venue: The Manila Southwoods G&CC (Masters Course)
- Par/Yards: Par 70 / 7,138 Yards
- Purse: US$500,000
- Asian Tour leg: First event of the 2025 season
- Total number of players: 144
- Format: 72-hole stroke play with a cut made after two rounds to the leading 65 pros plus ties
- Social Media Hashtags: #TimeToRise #SmartInfinity #PhilippineOpen
Field breakdown
- Order of Merit winners: Sihwan Kim (2022), Jazz Janewattananond (2019)
- Nationalities: 28
- Top contenders: Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA), Miguel Tabuena (PHI), Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA), Steve Lewton (ENG), Travis Smyth (AUS), Scott Vincent (ZIM)
- Highest ranked player on OWGR: Suteepat Prateeptienchai #225
- Highest ranked player on 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit: Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA) #5
- Defending champion: Clyde Mondilla (PHI) 2019
- No. of amateurs: 7
- No. of Philippine players in the field: 39
Tournament Notes
- The National Open of the Philippines is making a return to the Asian Tour after a 10-year absence. It was last on the schedule in 2015, when Miguel Tabuena won for the first time on the Asian Tour. It has been played three times since then on the local tour.
- The tournament is the season-opening event on the Asian Tour.
- Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai is a three-time winner on the Asian Tour after winning twice in 2024, with both wins coming in Chinese Taipei at the Yeangder TPC and the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open. His maiden win also came at the latter event in 2023. Finishing fifth on the Order of Merit last year, he is also the highest ranked player in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) in the field this week at number 225.
- Filippino Miguel Tabuena is playing on home turf this week and has already won the Philippine Open twice, once when it was part of the Asian Tour in 2015 and again in 2018 when it was held on the local circuit. Tabuena had a strong season in 2024 finishing seventh on the Order of Merit. If he is successful this week he will join two legends of the game in the region who have achieved the hat-trick: Filipino Ben Arda and Chinese-Taipei’s Lu Liang-huang, serial winners in the 1960s and 70s.
- Travis Smyth of Australia is the third highest ranked player from the 2024 Order of Merit in the field this week finishing eighth last year. The winner of the 2022 Yeangder TPC posted four top 10s on the Asian Tour last year and is ranked 275th on the OWGR.
- Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana had a solid season in 2024 missing only one cut in 20 outings on the Asian Tour, and with three top 10s he finished 10th on the Order of Merit. He is a two-time Asian Tour winner.
- Englishman Steve Lewton picked up his second Asian Tour victory in the second half of 2024 when he won the Mandiri Indonesia Open in a play-off, finishing 16th on the Order of Merit overall. Lewton won this event in 2017 when it was part of the local tour.
- Zues Sara, winner of last year’s Philippine Open Amateur and Rianne Malixi, who hit global headlines last season after becoming only the second golfer to win both the U.S. Girls’ Junior and the U.S. Women’s Amateur in the same year, are two Filipino stars in the making also playing.
- The Philippine Open is one of the longest-running tournaments in the world. Inaugurated in 1913 it is Asia’s oldest golf tournament.
- The winningest player of the tournament is Filipino Larry Montes who won the tournament an incredible 12 times between 1929-1954.
- This year will mark the fifth time that Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club has hosted the event. It also staged it in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999.
Filipino Miguel Tabuena will attempt to join a select group of players who have won his country’s National Open three times when he tees-off in the Smart Infinity Philippine Open on Thursday.
The country’s top golfer [main picture] won the tournament in 2015 and again three years later, and if he is successful this week at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, he will join two legends of the game in the region who have achieved the hat-trick: Filipino Ben Arda and Chinese-Taipei’s Lu Liang-huang, serial winners in the 1960s and 70s.
His first victory in what is one of the game’s oldest National Opens – it was first played in 1913 – was particularly significant as it was his first title on the Asian Tour.
“It’s when I first felt I belonged on the Asian Tour,” said the 30-year-old about his win that year, when the event was played in Luisita.
Miguel Tabuena (right) pictured with Chan Shih-chang, who is staying with him this week. by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
“It was probably one of my proudest moments as a professional. It is also a different level if you win an Asian Tour event in your home country. I hope I keep it in Filipino hands this week.”
Surprisingly, this week marks the first time that the event has been played on the Asian Tour since that famous when win by the young Filipino, who was 21 at the time and a professional for four years.
“It was special,” he added, “it was surreal, and I can remember every single part of it. Hopefully, I can get the feeling again.”
Tabuena did not win on Tour last year, but he is coming off the back of an outstanding season that saw his finish seventh on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, thanks to recording two top threes, a fourth, a fifth and seven top 10s in total.
Most of the results came during a busy end to the year, after which he was in need of a well deserved break.
He said: “My game is good, it’s not the sharpest, but I don’t think anyone here will be sharp coming off the break. It’s not a very long off season for us. Especially for me, I ended it the second week of December and I just had to take some time off, it was a very packed end to the season last year.
“I just wanted to restart and just slow down for a bit. Obviously, I knew the consequences of not being as sharp but it’s still nice to build momentum through the start of the season.”
Miguel Tabuena. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
This week’s event, which boasts prizemoney of US$500,000, is the season-opener on the Asian Tour, and Tabuena, whose most recent win on the Asian Tour came at the DGC Open presented by Mastercard in 2023, is thrilled the regional circuit is back on his home turf.
“It’s going to be a different week. It’s nice to be in my home country. There can be some local knowledge that can be crucial this week,” explained the Filipino, who mentioned he practices regularly at Manila Southwoods, and even more so when he heard the Smart Infinity Philippine Open was being played there.
“It’s nice to see all the faces I am used to seeing on Tour in the Philippines and I hope I make everyone feel as welcome as possible.”
A third win this week would be a monumental achievement, although he has some way to go to catch compatriot Larry Montes, who has won it a record 12 times, between 1929 and 1954.
Just over two years ago, Shahriffuddin Ariffin [main picture] looked to have everything going for him. Buoyed by a victory at the PKNS Selangor Masters, he went on to finish fourth on the 2022 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit to earn his Asian Tour card. Report by Jonathan Ponniah at the PKNS Selangor Masters.
Fast forward to 2025 and the easy-going Malaysian is back for the 12th staging of the Selangor Masters, which tees-off tomorrow at Seri Selangor Golf Club, in an all together different head space.
‘Dino’, as he is known to close friends and family, failed to keep his Asian Tour card following a disappointing 2024 season, lit up by occasional flashes of brilliance, and is hoping that being back on familiar ground will reignite the fire that has been missing in his game of late.
“Being back here at Seri Selangor does give me a lift,” said the 25-year-old, who finished joint ninth at last year’s championship. “I want to regain my momentum and rediscover my feel, as I have performed well at past PKNS Selangor Masters.”
Shahriffuddin Ariffin.
Shahriffuddin has two ADT titles on his résumé, having also won the PGM Labuan Championship in 2018. What chances of another victory this week at Seri Selangor?
“I have many good memories from Seri Selangor and this week is a good chance for me to get a fresh start. I like tight courses and I’m aiming for a top-five finish to start this year. I don’t want to pressure myself too much, but If I do win, alhamdullilah,” said Shahriffuddin.
Family and friends played a huge role in keeping Shahriffuddin motivated through his on-course struggles in 2024.
“I struggled a lot last year, missing the cut narrowly in many tournaments. My swing was a bit off at the start of the year, and I had no idea why. Mentally, I was stressed due to the missed cuts. But my family was very supportive and kept encouraging me and kept praying for me, motivating me,” shared Shahriffuddin, who hails from the historic city of Malacca.
“I tried very hard to turn things around and regain my rhythm, and I had some deep conversations with my coach, caddie and family. My caddie, Firdaus, is my good friend and my former club-fitter in Malacca, so I talk with him a lot.
“Later in the year, I managed to get a bit of momentum, and I was quite satisfied with my performance in the last three months,” he added.
However, Shahriffuddin was still unable to keep his Asian Tour card and also failed to make it through December’s Qualifying School. That means the talented golfer will focus on the ADT this season.
Shahriffuddin pictured winning in 2022.
“This year I’ll be playing mainly on the ADT, and I might try to qualify for the All-Thailand Golf Tour. The ADT is the best tour for players starting out, and for players like me who are struggling to regain their form, as it gives us a chance to compete with international players,” he noted.
“I did my best to compete on the Asian Tour the last two years, but I wasn’t successful as my game was not sharp enough at that time. The level of play and pressure, the tournament set-ups, are different compared to the local tour and ADT. It’s a huge difference,” Shahriffuddin admitted.
Nevertheless, Shahriffuddin remains confident he can regain his form and relaunch his quest to play with the best, using the PKNS Selangor Masters as a launchpad.
“I am still confident that I can make it. My swing feels good right now, and I played well during the Albatross Cup earlier this month. I will try my best this week and hopefully build momentum with a good start to the year.”
Pictured courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.
A decade after it was last played on the Asian Tour, the Philippine Open makes a triumphant return to the schedule this week as the opening event of the season, boasting an outstanding field to celebrate the occasion and an exciting new title sponsor, Smart Infinity.
The country’s top golfer Miguel Tabuena is the player on everyone’s lips here at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, as he bids to win the event for a third time off the back of an impressive 2024 season.
The field is rich in talent, from top to bottom, and includes five former winners: Tabuena (2015 and 2018), England’s Steve Lewton (2017), plus Filipinos Clyde Mondilla (2019), Angelo Que (2008) and Gerald Rosales (2000).
Three past Asian Tour Order of Merit champions are competing, in American Sihwan Kim (2022), Jazz Janewattananond (2019) from Thailand, and Liang Wenchong, the veteran Chinese golfer, now aged 46, who was the Tour’s top player back in 2007.
Steve Lewton. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Another familiar veteran Anthony Lascuna – winner of last year’s Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit at the tender age of 53 thanks to two wins that added to his remarkable overall tally of 26 – is also competing.
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, who spent the last two seasons playing on the LIV Golf League by virtue of winning The International Series Rankings in 2022, has also made the trip.
And the next generation of Philippine golfers will also be on display with two of the nation’s talented teenagers playing: Zues Sara, winner of last year’s Philippine Open Amateur and Rianne Malixi – who hit global headlines last season after becoming only the second golfer to win both the U.S. Girls’ Junior and the U.S. Women’s Amateur in the same year.
The return of the tournament on the regional stage and its status as one of the oldest National Opens in the game – it was first played in 1913 – were just two of the reasons why Smart Infinity, a leader in telecommunications and digital innovation, chose to form such an important relationship with the event.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Philippine Open, a tournament that has long been a symbol of excellence and sportsmanship,” said Kristine Go, Senior Vice President, Head of Prepaid, Postpaid, and Fixed Wireless for Smart Communications, Inc. “As we continue to connect people and communities, this partnership underscores our commitment to supporting sports and fostering talent on both local and international stages.”
Angelo Que. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Al Panlilio, Chairman of the National Golf Association of the Philippines, added: “Having Smart Infinity as our title sponsor elevates the stature of the Philippine Open. Together, we aim to deliver an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and the golfing community.”
This year marks the fifth time Manila Southwoods has hosted the National Open. The other occasions were in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999. American Anthony Kang, now part of the Asian Tour television commentary team, triumphed in 1999.
The event, which boasts prizemoney of US$500,000, is being played on the Masters Course.
The tournament has been played three times since 2015 but as event on the domestic circuit.
The 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong winner, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, and the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, John Catlin from the United States, are among the latest stars to confirm their participation for the International Series India presented by DLF – the US$2 million tournament set to take place at DLF Golf and Country Club later this month.
Ancer and Catlin will join U.S. Open champion and captain of LIV Golf’s Crushers GC, Bryson DeChambeau from the United States, plus India’s Anirban Lahiri, and The International Series Rankings winner Joaquin Niemann from Chile for the highly anticipated tournament taking place from January 30 to February 02 in Gurugram, New Delhi.
It is the second event of the year on the Asian Tour, following a week after the season-opening Philippine Open.
Ancer, a key member of Spaniard Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC in 2024, delivered an impressive season in the LIV Golf League – finishing 12th in the individual standings thanks to his victory in Hong Kong and three additional top-10 finishes. He also claimed the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers in 2023 – that year’s season-opening event on the Asian Tour.
John Catlin. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Catlin enjoyed an outstanding 2024 campaign, claiming back-to-back Asian Tour victories at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn in March, where he carded an historic 59, the first on the Asian Tour, edging out Fireballs GC’s David Puig from Spain in a thrilling play-off, and at the Saudi Open presented by PIF in April.
In addition to his wins, the American delivered strong performances with two play-off defeats on The International Series. He narrowly missed out at the International Series Morocco to Ben Campbell, who just joined LIV Golf with RangeGoats GC, and at the Black Mountain Championship in Thailand to compatriot M.J. Maguire.
He also enjoyed a successful season as alternate on the LIV Golf League, with a tied seventh his season-high in six appearances for three different teams, Crushers GC, Smash GC and Legion XIII.
International Series India presented by DLF marks the debut of the LIV Golf-backed series on the subcontinent. It is the first of 10 International Series events on this season’s Asian Tour, featuring stops in destinations such as Macau, Morocco, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia, with additional locations to be announced soon.
The series provides a global pathway for players to qualify for the LIV Golf League, with the season-ending rankings champion securing a guaranteed spot on the roster for the following season.
Anirban Lahiri. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Additionally, The International Series Rankings offer players a second opportunity to earn their place in the LIV Golf League through the innovative LIV Golf Promotions event.
For more information on The International Series, visit: www.internationalseries.com
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