Hong Kong star Kho feels “super special” to be in St Andrews for the first time
After posting two impressive top-25s on the Asian Tour in 2022 while playing as an amateur, Taichi Kho from Hong Kong secured his playing rights as a professional by finishing tied 22nd at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January. Report by Olle Nordberg, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour.
He would waste little time in securing his first Asian Tour title in dramatic fashion at his home club Hong Kong Golf Club, smashing a driver down the dangerously narrow 18th hole to win the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club by two shots over a strong field that included global stars like the 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson and Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter.
The enormously popular victory was Kho’s first win as a professional, and it was also the maiden Asian Tour victory by a Hong Kong player. It also meant he qualified for his first Open Championship, played at Royal Liverpool in July – meaning he became the first player born in Hong Kong to compete in the game’s oldest Major.
This week Kho is in Scotland for the St. Andrews Bay Championship at Fairmont St. Andrews – an event that is part of Asian Tour’s International Series – and asked how he feels about teeing it up this week the 22-year-old said: “Super special. I’ve never been to St. Andrews before, but everyone that I’ve talked to has only said great things about it. I’m just looking forward to embracing the week as a whole and look forward to playing some links golf again. I feel like I got some great experiences from The Open so hopefully that can help.”
After a lean spell following his win in Hong Kong that included some missed cuts, Kho steadied the ship at last week’s International Series England. Against a star-studded field that included Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell, Kho fired a final round five-under-par 66 to finish tied-ninth and feels like his game is still on the right track.
Said Kho: “Yeah, I mean, I feel like the tournaments I played after Hong Kong, like they’ve all been pretty new experiences for me. Like playing in Korea is really different, you know, playing The Open was a pretty stiff challenge.”
Taichi Kho. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“So overall, I feel like my game has been there since Hong Kong and I feel like it’s been continuing to progress. It’s just sometimes the scores come and go, and it was kind of going, but overall, I didn’t really falter in the sense that I knew the game was there. So, it was just a matter of time.”
Having narrowly missed out on earning a spot in last year’s Open Championship when he finished runner-up in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2021, Kho made his debut at Royal Liverpool in July and was over the moon about the experience.
“Yeah, it was magical, really,” he said.
“I mean, I wish the week lasted forever, but it didn’t. It was just the amount of people that came out, and the players you play with, like I watched them growing up on TV and it’s just, you know, to be part of that crew was really special. And it really did motivate me, like I know I didn’t play my best, but it really motivated me and gave me kind of like a pump of determination into my game just to get back there in years to come. Because I’ve honestly never played an event like that, it was just the most magical experience ever,” he said.
At The Open Kho also had the chance to play a practice round with the 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott, who offered up some invaluable advice to the young Hong Kong native.
He said: “Yeah, I played 18 with Adam Scott leading up to the event on the Wednesday, just to see how he kind of prepares in the sense of like, he’s okay hitting some loose shots in the practice rounds, like that doesn’t really get him panicked or anything. He’s just very levelheaded. And he has a really, really great sense of how far each club goes, like, for example, a nine o’clock [swing] seven iron from 140 goes, and that’s something I’ve never heard of before with a mid-iron. So, I’m kind of incorporating that into my game as well, it has really helped me.”
While the former Notre Dame University standout has never been to St. Andrews and Scotland, he does have some experience playing on links courses at this year’s Open Championship and the 2022 Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, and he thinks the style of play fits his game well.
“Yeah, I learned a lot from playing at The Open, just controlling my yardages with my irons a little better, flighting my shots a little better. And being a little more, I guess, mentally aggressive in the wind, just knowing that if I hit a good shot, I will get rewarded. So overall, I feel like, yeah, links golf really suits real good feel players, with good control over your distances and your ball. So, I feel like that’s something that I’ve been continuing to work on, especially after The Open, and since then I feel like I’ve really progressed.”
There’s always a measured sense of calm on Sadom Kaewkanjana’s face. But mention links golf and he brightens up, considerably. Story by Joy Chakravarty.
That’s a bit surprising, considering that the 25-year-old Thai hardly played on links courses in his growing years. His first stint came well into his teenage years in amateur tournaments, and the love story reached a peak last year during the 150th Open Championship at the Old Course where he closed with a stunning seven-under par 65 for a tied 11th place last year – the best-ever performance by a player from his country in the event.
Ahead of this week’s US$1.5 million St Andrews Bay Championship, being played Fairmont St Andrews, he says there is a very specific reason for his love for links golf, and the excitement is palpable.
“I love links courses. I have been looking forward to this tournament,” said Sadom, currently in sixth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Sadom Kaewkanjana. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Honestly, I don’t like to chip much. But the links courses give you an amazing opportunity to be creative with your putter. To be able to putt from way off the green is a challenge that I love. It’s a great satisfaction when you hit a long putt and can see it snaking all the way to the hole.”
Sadom, who eagled the fifth hole at the Open last year with a well-read putt from 45 feet, finished third in the inaugural International Series England at Slaley Hall last year, another indication of how comfortable he is in British conditions.
“I really like playing in the UK. I don’t mind the cold and I don’t mind the wind. I am also ok with the rain. I played well at The Open last year and also at Slaley Hall. Hopefully, I will be able to carry on the great memories I have from the Old Course to Fairmont, which is just a few miles away in St Andrews,” said Sadom.
“St Andrews is such a special place for golf and all the courses in the area are a dream to play for any golfer. One should not be worrying about the weather when we get a chance to play here.”
The Thai superstar recently spent a month as a practicing monk in a monastery back home, and feels the lessons he learned there will become a powerful 15th club in his arsenal when on a golf course.
“It was something that I wanted to do and when I got the break in Asian Tour schedule, I went ahead with it,” he said.
“It was all about leading a very simple life, and a very regimented one. We had to follow a strict schedule. We only ate breakfast and lunch, and that felt good. We were not allowed to use our mobile phones when in the monastery.
Sadom Kaewkanjana. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It was a great experience as a person, and I really believe it is going to beneficial for my golf. We had to do a lot of meditation, and it has helped me concentrate better. It was all about living in the present, and those are just some of the things that you need to do when playing golf.”
The St Andrews Bay Championship starts on Thursday and is part of The International Series.
The highly anticipated 2023 SJM Macao Open will bring world-class golf back to the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China this October 12-15.
To be played at its traditional venue, the picturesque and challenging Macau Golf and Country Club, the US$1 million tournament will form part of the 2023 Asian Tour schedule and feature a field of 144 players.
The Macao Open is title sponsored by SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM), who have signed a three-year agreement with tournament promoter and organiser IMG. SJM is a leading owner, operator and developer of premium integrated entertainment resorts in Macao. The Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government is the co-organiser of the SJM Macao Open, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Macao Golf Association.
Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour CEO & Commissioner lauded the return of the event, saying: “The return of the Macao Open is hugely significant for the Asian Tour, as it has played such an important role in our history for over two decades. There is no doubt that our members are all excited to see it back on the schedule and look forward to turning out in force to soak up the atmosphere of competing in this special event. Our thanks go to SJM Resorts for paving the way for the event’s return together with the Sports Bureau of Macao, the Macao Golf Association, Macau Golf and Country Club and IMG.”
Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government, said: “We are extremely grateful for the full support of the title sponsor SJM Resorts, as well as the commitment of the Asian Tour and the Macau Golf Association, in reinstating the Macao Open. The Sports Bureau continues to introduce various large-scale sports events, using sports as a platform to enhance Macau’s image as a world centre of tourism and leisure. By combining sports, culture and tourism, the branding and impact of sports events are enhanced while promoting the development of Macau’s sports industry.”
Min Woo Lee. Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.
Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, remarked, “We are extremely excited to see the homecoming of the Macao Open since 2017. As we tee-off to a three-year partnership, we are ready to roll out the red carpet to the world’s golf legends as well as welcome overseas golf enthusiasts to our hometown.” She further emphasised, “The event will not only bring Macau to the forefront of the global golf community but will also give our local youngsters the chance to participate in PGA-caliber competitions. The SJM Macao Open is a highlight of our annual international sports calendar curated to showcase Macau as a true hub of sporting excellence and drive the dynamic fusion of ‘Sports + Tourism’ developments for Macau.”
The SJM Macao Open has attracted some of the world’s leading players since its inception in 1998. Players confirmed so far for the tournament this year include rising Australian star Min Woo Lee, currently ranked among the top 50 in the world, and China’s legendary trailblazer, Zhang Lianwei, who won the tournament twice in 2001 and 2002.
“This will be my first time competing in the SJM Macao Open and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve heard so many great things about the event and the venue, Macau Golf and Country Club, and hopefully I will be able to add my name to the illustrious list of winners,” said the 25-year-old Lee, who is the younger brother of LPGA star Minjee Lee.
Zhang is regarded as a pioneer for Chinese professional golf with numerous wins worldwide including five on the Asian Tour and is also the first Chinese golfer to play in the Masters Tournament in 2004.
“The Macao Open is one my favourite tournaments as it has provided so memorable moments in my career, especially in 2002 when I won a playoff against Nick Price. I’m sure we will see some great action this year and I can’t wait to test my skills against the next generation of golfers,” noted Zhang.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, the title holder from the tournament’s last staging in 2017, will be returning to Macao to defend his title. He will be joined by other leading golfers from the region such as 2016 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Scott Hend of Australia who has won 10 times on the tour, Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines who has three Asian Tour titles to his name, and Australian Wade Ormsby who has won four times on the circuit.
Regional powerhouse Thailand will have a host of players in the field, led by Sadom Kaewkanjana and the legendary Thaworn Wiratchant, who holds the record for most Asian Tour wins having amassed 18 titles over his glittering career.
The 2023 SJM Macao Open will also feature young talents such as Taichi Kho of Hong Kong, China, who won the World City Championship on home soil earlier this year for his maiden Asian Tour title, and promising local amateurs Hun Pui-In and Kaijun Ma.
Hun played in the SJM Macao Open in 2016 and 2017 while he was still a junior, missing the cut on both occasions. However, he gained valuable experience from his two appearances and is looking forward to the third.
“It was a truly unforgettable experience playing in the Macao Open, and I gained a lot of valuable knowledge and insight competing against some of the best players in the world. I am so happy to be given the chance to play in the event again and hope to do better this time,” said the 23-year-old.
Zhang Lianwei pictured winning the Macau Open in 2011. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Charles Lo, President of Macao Golf Association stressed that the return of Macao Open was a welcome development. “After a lapse of five years, the return of the Macao Open is something that we are all looking forward to tremendously. The tournament will certainly provide a huge boost to the local golf industry,” he said.
Grant Slack, EVP & Managing Director, Golf Events of IMG, noted: “It has been a pleasure to play our part in the staging of the SJM Macao Open over the years. We are very excited about the 2023 edition, and it is our aim to make it a memorable occasion befitting the 20th milestone.”
Australia’s strong contingent of players competing on the Asian Tour have underscored the importance of the Tour’s decision to stage one of its First Stage Qualifying School events ‘Down Under’.
Speaking at last week’s International Series England, Wade Ormsby, winner of this year’s International Series Thailand, Jack Thompson, who finished top of the class at this year’s Qualifying School, and former New Zealand Open champion Zach Murray have all welcomed what will only be the second time a stage has been played in their country.
The highly anticipated 2024 Asian Tour Qualifying School starts next month, with the first of six First Stage qualifiers being played at the Mt Derrimut Golf & Community Club in Victoria, from September 26-29.
“Well, it’s fantastic!” said Ormsby – a four-time winner on the Tour, including a pair of Hong Kong Open titles.
“There are a lot of guys in Australia asking questions on how they can get onto Tours worldwide and Asia has made it quite accessible for guys to have that opportunity.
Jack Thompson of Australia pictured after winning this year’s Qualifying School. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“There are only a certain number of cards that are given out in golf worldwide – in terms of getting on major Tours, whether it’s in the US, Europe or Asia. So, to have that opportunity on our doorstep is fantastic. And I think it’s one that a lot of young Aussies are going to look at and pop on their schedule.”
Thompson graduated with honours at the Final Stage, played at Lakeview Golf and Country Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, in January. Remarkably, he only secured his place in the Final Stage by claiming the final qualifying berth at the First Stage Qualifying event held at Blue Canyon Country Club. He is quick to point out that that extended period away from home will no longer be needed for his countrymen.
Said the rising star: “I think it’s great. I think financially as well, for the Aussie guys, you’re only going have to make one trip up if you get through. I think it will be good for them and hopefully it’s a decent turnout for that first stage.
“There are a lot of guys on Tour now and I think it’s a great place to play for Australian guys. And you know, it’s only really one flight for most of the tournaments, sort of same time zone, so I think it’s great, and will be good to see more guys out here.”
The 25-year-old produced his best performance of the season on the Asian Tour last week, finishing tied for 12th at Close House, where victory went to American Andy Ogletree.
Presently, 28 players from Australia are members of the Asian Tour which continues to provide great opportunities for players from one of the game’s most powerful golfing nations.
Murray is another player to have successfully negotiated the rigours of the Qualifying School: he finished fourth at the school in 2019, and two months later triumphed in New Zealand.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for all the guys in Australia to try and get their card in Asia,” said the Australian.
“Obviously the cost is a big factor, certainly saves a lot for guys, definitely. I know it’s in Victoria, so golf in Victoria being a bit of a hub in Australia, a lot of the guys that even aren’t from there will have contacts and be able to maybe stay with friends, and it certainly saves probably $2,000 to $3,000 on flights and hotels.
Zach Murray of Australia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“And having the ability to maybe bring your own caddie is a huge factor as well, so all that. I don’t think you can put a monetary value on how crucial it is to have that first stage at home to try and get themselves into the final stage.”
Following Australia – which last hosted a stage of the Qualifying School 17-years ago – the second First Stage event will be played in the United States, at Soboba Springs Golf Club in California, from November 7-10.
Thailand will then host the ensuing stages at Grand Prix Golf Club, Kanchanaburi from December 12-15, and Pattana Sports Resort, Chonburi from December 19-22.
The final two First Stage qualifiers will be played simultaneously from January 9-12 at Phoenix Gold Golf Bangkok and Grand Prix Golf Club.
Each event will be played over four rounds, with the top-placed finishers earning places in the Final Qualifying Stage, to be played in Thailand from January 16-20. The top-35 will earn their cards for the 2024 Asian Tour season with the venue for the Final Qualifying Stage to be announced in due course.
The Final Qualifying Stage will be played over five rounds. The top-140 players (and ties) after 36 holes will progress to round three and four. The top-70 players (and ties) after 72 holes will play in the decisive final round, which will be held on January 20. At the conclusion of 90 holes, the top-35 will be ranked accordingly for the forthcoming season.
Registration for the 2024 Asian Tour Qualifying School began on August 7. Check out asiantour.com/q-school for more information.
Andy Ogletree stamped his authority once again on the Asian Tour today by claiming the US$2 million International Series England after a stunning seven-stroke victory – with a runaway 16-under tournament total.
The American was unstoppable at Close House, near Newcastle, shooting a final-round seven-under-par 64 – the joint lowest round of the week – to finish ahead of second-placed Ian Poulter from England, who closed with the same score.
Indian Anirban Lahiri also excelled, carding a 68, to take sole possession of third, one back from Poulter.
This is Ogletree’s third convincing International Series victory – he triumphed in Qatar by three this year, and by four in Egypt last season – and it consolidated his lead on both the Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merits.
Andy Ogletree. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I don’t think I could hit it much better than I did this week,” said the 25-year-old, who banked US$360,000.
“The greens were super bumpy so it’s hard to tell exactly how my putting was, but I was pleased with how I played and my speed control coming down the stretch today was awesome. And it was nice to see a few putts go in, so we’re just gonna keep trying to get better every week. My game is in a really good spot against a world-class field, super honored to play the way I did.”
He had a one-stroke advantage at the start of the day, and after brushing off a bogey on the opening hole he boarded the birdie train with birdies on the following hole, four, five and eight.
He uncharacteristically missed a five-foot putt for par on the ninth that saw him make the turn with a three-shot lead, before he stormed home unchallenged with two birdies and an eagle on the back nine.
His success is all the more remarkable considering his last event on the Asian Tour was the International Series Vietnam in April, having focused on the LIV Golf League thereafter – the multi-million dollar circuit that he will play on full-time next year if, as looks likely, he finishes first on the International Series merit list.
Poulter, playing in the fifth from last group, closed Ogletree’s lead to five after he eagled the par-five 16th, only to see the American frontrunner do the same soon after.
Ian Poulter. Picture By Ian Walton.
Poulter, attempting to win for the first time in five years, said: “I just kind of found the key to hitting a few putts on these greens, which I didn’t have the first three days. And you know, when you do that and you play good golf like I played the first three days, then you’re going to be able to make some birdies. And that’s what I did today. I made quite a few ‘birds’, and it was 16 feet on 16 there, and rolled that one in.”
Lahiri finished second in the International Series Vietnam and backed that up this week.
“Very, very pleased,” said the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
“I think that was probably the top-three ball-striking round of the year for me, I think I would rate this round better than my Saturday at Bedminster and better than Adelaide. I think I was very, very happy with how I swung it. My control of the ball in the air, my distance control everything was spot on. I was drove it phenomenally. I think three-under is probably the absolute worst score I could have shot today. Honestly, if my dad putted for me today, we would have shot a 65!”
Amateur golfer Luke Poulter, who plays college golf at the University of Florida and is the 19-year-old son of Ian Poulter, completed an impressive tournament by closing with a 71, to finish in a tie for 22nd, on level-par.
“It’s been amazing,” he said.
“I beat him [Ian Poulter] one of the days, it was really cool but my main goal was to try and beat him this week, but, he got me by nine!”
Anirban Lahiri. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Asian Tour journeys north of the border next week for the inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship at Fairmont St Andrews. The US$1.5 million tees off on Thursday and features a host of marquee names, including former Masters champion Sergio Garcia from Spain, and American Harold Varner III.
Andy Ogletree demonstrated why he is the top player on the Asian Tour this year after shooting a four-under-par 67 today to take the third-round lead in the International Series England, on nine-under.
On a day when the sun came out for the first time this week, although a strong wind accompanied it, unheralded South African Neil Schietekat carded a 66 here at Close House, near Newcastle, to sit one back, while Australian Matt Jones (67), Abraham Ancer (69) from Mexico and Spaniard David Puig (70) are a further stroke adrift.
Ogletree, who heads both the Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merits, finished strongly with an eagle on the par-five 16th, followed by a birdie to edge ahead of a stacked leaderboard.
He had started the day one-shot behind overnight leader and playing partner Puig, who made a costly triple-bogey on the 12th, where he four putted, to hand the lead to the American.
Neil Schietekat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
However, Ogletree missed a two-footer for par on the following hole and saw Jones move in front over the closing stages before his storming finish.
“I stayed patient all day, super tough, you know you got a couple birdie opportunities coming in. Hit a great shot on 16 and ended up making an eagle so that was kind of a bonus,” said the 25-year-old American, who has claimed two International Series titles: in Qatar this year, and Egypt last season.
“It was brutal with the wind. Hit a couple of crazy clubs, like I hit a pitching wedge from 168 and stuff like that. So definitely 20-30 yard wind changes, whether it was into or down so pretty, pretty difficult.”
The American appears more well rested than rusty having not played 72-hole tournament golf since April, as he has been travelling with the LIV Golf League as a reserve.
Schietekat is overjoyed to be among the front runners, having nearly not started this week following a nasty fall off a golf buggy earlier in the week.
The 2020 Qualifying School graduate, who has only made one cut this year, said: “I have been with Hamish the physio since Tuesday when I fell off the cart, and on Thursday, I was seconds from pulling out when I was on the driving range.
“I looked at my caddy and I just said well, you know what’s the point, we’re hitting a seven iron 140. We kept on hitting and it kind of warmed up and it got better and then we just kind of figured a way to get it down there. Now I can’t hit my normal draw because I can’t get through the ball the way I normally do, so I’m just hitting it a little butter cut. This is a kind of golf course that you can just like poke it around and kind of get away with it.”
Jones’ gift for playing in the wind was on full display today.
The 43-year-old grew up playing in heavy winds in Australia, and when the wind picked up he seized the opportunity, firing six birdies, and two bogeys.
Matt Jones. Picture By Ian Walton.
Said the two-time Australian Open champion who now plays on the LIV Golf League with Ancer and Puig: “Yeah, it wasn’t easy at all, there was nothing easy about it. Greens and pin locations were tough, they did a good job setting the tees up, moving forward to make some holes a lot more playable. It was just about giving yourself the best chance to have a putt uphill on anything you could. And I mean we were hitting six irons 160 yards, so it was a good 30-yard, 40-yard wind.”
India’s Anirban Lahiri, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour and its Order of Merit champion in 2015, is in sole possession of sixth, four off the lead, following a 69.
He made four consecutive birdies from the 11th, and another on 16, to be in position to mount a challenge for his first Asian Tour victory in eight years.
Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland was inches away from a hole-in-one on the par-three 18th. He tapped in for his third birdie in the last five holes to card a 71 to finish the day on two under, in a tie for 13th.
Brilliant young Spanish golfer David Puig showed just what he is capable of today by shooting a bogey-free five-under-par 66 to take a share of the halfway lead at the International Series England, with Jason Kokrak from the United States.
Puig, in just his second year in the professional game, fired five birdies in his first eight holes and then parred his way home to top the leaderboard on six-under.
Kokrak returned a 69, while his compatriots Andy Ogletree and James Piot, Australian Jack Thompson and Abraham Ancer from Mexico, are one shot back.
Ogletee, leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) and the International Series (OOM), fired a fine retaliatory 65 after his opening 72, with Piot, Thompson, and Ancer returning 67s.
First-round leader Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand carded a 72, recovering well after a poor outward half that saw him make four bogeys on the trot, and is a further shot adrift.
Jason Kokrak. Picture By Ian Walton.
It was another grey and cold day at Close House, near Newcastle, with light showers in the afternoon but that did little to deter Puig, who is looking to claim his maiden title since turning professional following a fine amateur career at Arizona State University.
“Hitting the ball pretty good, the putts that dropped at the beginning didn’t drop at the end but overall, pretty happy,” said the 21-year-old.
“It was tough. But at the end of the day, at least for me, it’s a pretty short course so I have a lot of wedges in. It was maybe an extra club off the tee on some of those holes, but at the end of the day, you’re hitting the same club into the green.
“It was obviously a little more windy than yesterday, but I don’t think it played that tough because the greens are still pretty receptive and with preferred lies. But yeah, it was a grind too, I mean you needed to hit good shots to have birdie opportunities, and I think I did.”
In his first start on the Asian Tour last year, at the International Series Morocco, he led after three rounds before taking solo third and looks a safe bet to in the hunt on Sunday.
He said: “I think I have a good strategy here. Just try to hit fairways, it’s a pretty big advantage here, and then control my spin with those wedges and try to make as many putts as I can.”
“I’m really happy,” said Kokrak, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, the most recent in 2021, when he triumphed twice.
He made three birdies and dropped one shot, having gone bogey yesterday with a 67.
Andy Ogletree. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Yesterday with the way I got around, I hit it really nicely. Didn’t have my best stuff today, didn’t hit it quite as good. Made a few putts to start the round to kind of keep it going, a couple five, eight footers here and there, but hopefully, you know, tidy a few things up and make a few putts over the weekend.”
The 38-year-old is aiming to give himself “as many birdie-looks as possible” at the weekend plus “more birdie looks inside of 20 feet”.
Ogletree arrived this week short of playing time, having travelled with LIV Golf as a reserve, but has quickly wiped the dust off. He shot the best round of the week so far, tearing up the course with four birdies on the back nine after starting on 10, followed by three on the front side before dropping his only shot of the day on nine.
He said: “I hit my driver a lot better today and I was in position a lot, kept it on the right side of the hole locations. There are some big run offs around the greens here, so you have to really pay attention to where the up slopes are, and kind of play the right portions. That’s what I was doing today, just kind of kept it in front of me. One bad drive in the last hole there, cost me a little bogey coming in. But other than that it was a good round.”
The 2019 US Amateur champion has excelled on The International Series, winning this year’s International Series Qatar, and last year’s International Series stop in Egypt.
“I don’t think it’s so much the Series, just getting to play in golf tournaments now so people are getting to see how I can play. I’m trying to win every week I tee it up and I got a good chance this weekend,” he added.
After a poor season so far, Thompson is showing the kind of outstanding form that saw him win this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying School.
He played his first nine in level-par, but then shifted gear and shot up the leaderboard on the second half with four birdies, including two in the last three holes.
“I honestly didn’t do too much different to yesterday. I just hit it a little bit closer with the shorter irons, so yeah, happy with where it is at,” said Thompson.
On the wintery conditions, he commented: “You can get a little bit like this in Australia, I guess in winter. It’s been not too bad. I think so far probably I got the better side of the draw. I mean it wasn’t raining that much, but sometimes it can sort of play on your mind a little bit or you know. It’s cold as well so it doesn’t go as far, but I think I’ve been lucky with the weather as well.”
Jack Thompson. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
England’s Ian Poulter returned a 70 and is three under with Travis Smyth (68) and Matt Jones (70) from Australia, India’s Anirban Lahiri (69), South African Neil Schietekat (69), Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai (70) and Suradit Yongcharoenchai (71), and Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent (70).
England’s Lee Westwood (75) finished on the cut, made at three-over, along with Poulter’s son, Luke (73), an amateur.
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut fired an opening-round five-under-par 66 to take the lead in the International Series England today at Close House, near Newcastle.
He fired six birdies and one bogey in winter-like conditions on the Colt Course, to finish the day in front of American Jason Kokrak and Jaewoong Eom from Korea who carded 67s.
Germany’s Dominic Foos and Suradit Yongcharoenchai from Thailand returned 68s, while Ian Poulter was in group of 10 players on 69.
Sarit actually played a practice round here with countryman Pavit Tangkamolprasert before last year’s International Series England, which was played at a different venue, and said: “Maybe that helped a little bit today, there was more rain that time.”
He started on the back nine today, and birdied 10, and 14 before a brilliant two on the 18th – a difficult 185-yard par-three, that could be the scene of much drama come Sunday. He dropped a shot on the second, but recovered with gains on three, six and eight.
Jason Kokrak. Picture By Ian Walton.
“I have been hitting it really well,” he said. “Today was just about the putting, it is all about the putting. Still need to fix my long putting, I might practice that.”
Sarit triumphed for the first time on the Asian Tour last year, at the season-ending Indonesian Masters, but has struggled this year, until a top-10 finish in the Mandiri Indonesia Open two weeks ago.
“I had an injury at the beginning of the year, at first it was a back injury, then I got sick, I got COVID, I also had neck and wrist problems,” said the 25-year-old, who was also laid low by COVID last year.
“I took a lot of time off to repair my body, to not get into trouble with injury again, I think that’s worked.”
Kokrak, a three-time winner on the PGA Tour including two in 2021, finished strongly with birdies on 16 and 17.
“Very happy with that,” said the 38-year-old.
“I thought I was going along well but not really making any putts. I was hitting it well but thought I should be more under par. Made a couple there at the end, happy with it.
“The course is wet and super long. I would love to see this place really bouncy.”
Foos made it through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January and enjoyed his best opening round on the Tour today.
Dominic Foos. Picture By Ian Walton.
He said: “It was a solid round of golf. I didn’t expect it to be windy or anything. I kept the ball low, hit fairways and greens, made some putts here and there and played the par fives well and that was about it. But it was a very solid round.
“I have been playing on Challenge Tour mainly, but it’s obviously great to play a big International Series event here, and next week as well.”
He finished second in a Challenge Tour event in Germany last month and is in confident mood.
“My game feels very good, and I know as soon as the putts drop, I am going to shoot low scores. I’ll just try and keep doing the same thing,” he added.
Englishman Poulter, who has won twice before on the Asian Tour, was happy to get in the clubhouse among the leaders after a rough second half.
“Damage limitation!” said Poulter.
“Obviously, three under par through nine and cruising but bogeyed the first hole which is my 10th, a par five, which is suicide, frustrating to do that. I shanked it down four which is not ideal, nearly made par, and had another bogey on the par three with a pulled eight iron, I was in the middle of the fairway there. Dropping three shots on that nine was poor.”
His son, Luke, an amateur, started well with a 72 although made costly mistakes with the short stick.
Said Poulter: “He’s one over, he had four three putts! He will probably slap himself around the head, so he has obviously played good golf, and he has not done his job on the putting green. He is a good golfer, and great he is in the field this week.”
His compatriot and playing partner Lee Westwood, who is the Touring Professional for Close House, also looked set to be among the front runners but made a double on his third from last hole and came in with a 70.
Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood. Picture By Ian Walton.
American Andy Ogletree, who currently leads the Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merits, signed for a 72, while Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, who claimed the Mandiri Indonesia Open two weeks ago, shot 73.
Following a string of second-place finishes in the past couple of years, Anirban Lahiri is making no bones about his ravenous hunger to go one step better in the two Asian Tour International Series events he has committed to play in the UK. Story by Joy Chakravarty, in Newcastle.
The 36-year-old Indian competes in the International Series England this week after a stunning runner-up finish in last week’s LIV Golf Bedminster, where he surged into contention with a tournament-low seven-under par 64 on Saturday.
The only contracted player from India in LIV Golf, Lahiri has already had two second places before – in his debut appearance in Boston last year and at The Grange in Adelaide earlier this year. He was also second to Cameron Smith in last year’s Players Championship on the PGA Tour, and in April’s International Series Vietnam to Kieran Vincent.
Bedminster, with a US Open-like course set-up that was accentuated by weather, proved to be a tough test for the entire field with only Smith finishing in double-digits under par at 12 under. Lahiri was five-under par for the tournament despite playing solid golf, but he was not heaving a sigh of relief at the sight of a much more accessible Close House course, the venue for this week’s US$2 million event.
“At the end of the day, I look forward to competing, I look forward to trying to win tournaments. I look at these two weeks as two opportunities to try and do that. I’m very excited to be back playing on the Asian Tour and playing these International Series events,” said Lahiri, who has now dropped to 147th in the Official World Golf Ranking in the absence of any points for LIV Golf players.
Anirban Lahiri reacts to nearly holing out of a bunker on the 12th during day three of Liv Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Course on April 23, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images.
“I’m very hungry for world ranking points. They do mean a lot to me. And playing more of these events is something that I will look to do as we approach Paris (Olympics) next year. So, there’s a lot that I’m playing for. I’m very committed and I’m up for the challenge.”
Another big motivation for Lahiri is the fact that he gets to reunite with other Indian players. There are 15 of them in the field this week, apart from Lahiri.
“That’s definitely one of the things I look forward to, every time I come out to play on the Asian Tour. There are some very, very close friends and others who I have come to know over the last few years,” said Lahiri, winner of the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2015.
“I think as a brotherhood, we’re all rooting for each other. We all want each other to do well. It’s nice to go out on dinners with them. Just talk in Hindi and talk in Bangla sometimes. That kind of stuff is a huge positive… a bonus for me.”
Lahiri said it was always good to come to a tournament after doing well in the previous week, but he said he forces himself to forget what he did in the past.
“I feel like I have gotten to that point where every time I’ve played well, I’ve kind of looked at the things that I’ve done well and looked at the areas that I need to improve on. And then you kind of leave that result behind, whether you have had a good week or bad,” explained Lahiri.
“It’s easier to say than do. But I think that’s something that I’ve worked on over the last two, three years. I try and be in the moment, try and be in the present and do what is needed. Last week’s gone, it’s history. Every week has to be a re-set, where you try to carry forward the positives and the momentum. I just try and stick to my processes and my disciplines.
Anirban Lahiri and Ajeetesh Sandhu, both of India pictured on a golf buggy during an official practice round on Tuesday August 15, 2023 ahead of the International Series England. The US$2 million event is staged at Close House (Colt Course) from August 17-20, 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“For me, it’s about repeating those things over and over again, regardless of the result, regardless of the golf course, regardless of the prize money, or whatever is at stake. As long as I stay focused and stay disciplined on those things, it neutralises everything. You are always playing for the same thing, which is to try and do your best. That helps me take a lot of the distractions and the noise away.”
A one-under-par 70 today, helped by three birdies in the last five holes, is a solid start for the Indian star, who is looking for his eighth victory on the Asian Tour, but first since 2015.
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut fired an opening-round five-under-par 66 to move in front early on in the International Series England today at Close House, near Newcastle.
He has the clubhouse lead following the morning session after firing six birdies and one bogey in winter-like conditions on the Colt Course.
Germany’s Dominic Foos fired a 68, while Ian Poulter, Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, Australian Matt Jones, and Lee Chieh-po all carded 69s.
Sarit actually played a practice round here with Pavit before last year’s International Series England, which was played at a different venue, and said: “Maybe that helped a little bit today, there was more rain that time.”
Dominic Foos of Germany pictured during Round One, Thursday August 17, 2023 at the International Series England. The US$2 million event is staged at Close House (Colt Course) from August 17-20, 2023. Picture By Ian Walton.
He started on the back nine today, and birdied 10, and 14 before a brilliant two on the 18th – a difficult 185-yard par-three, that could be the scene of much drama come Sunday. He dropped a shot on the second, but recovered with gains on three, six and eight.
“I have been hitting it really well,” he said. “Today was just about the putting, it is all about the putting. Still need to fix my long putting, I might practice that.”
Sarit triumphed for the first time on the Asian Tour last year, at the season-ending Indonesian Masters, but has struggled this year, until a top-10 finish in the Mandiri Indonesia Open two weeks ago.
“I had an injury at the beginning of the year, at first it was a back injury, then I got sick, I got COVID, I also had neck and wrist problems,” said the 25-year-old, who was also laid low by COVID last year.
“I took a lot of time off to repair my body, to not get into trouble with injury again, I think that’s worked.”
Foos made it through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January and enjoyed his best opening round on the Tour today.
He said: “It was a solid round of golf. I didn’t expect it to be windy or anything. I kept the ball low, hit fairways and greens, made some putts here and there and played the par fives well and that was about it. But it was a very solid round.
“I have been playing on Challenge Tour mainly, but it’s obviously great to play a big International Series event here, and next week as well.”
He finished second in a Challenge Tour event in Germany last month and is in confident mood.
“My game feels very good, and I know as soon as the putts drop, I am going to shoot low scores. I’ll just try and keep doing the same thing,” he added.
England’s golfing great Poulter, who has won twice before on the Asian Tour, was happy to get in the clubhouse among the leaders after a rough second half.
Ian Poulter of England pictured during Round One, Thursday August 17, 2023 at the The International Series England. The US$2 million event is staged at Close House (Colt Course) from August 17-20, 2023. Picture By Ian Walton.
“Damage limitation!” said Poulter.
“Obviously three under par through nine and cruising but bogeyed the first hole which is my 10th, a par five, which is suicide, frustrating to do that. I shanked it down four which is not ideal, nearly made par, and had another bogey on the par thre,e with a pulled eight iron, I was in the middle of the fairway there. Dropping three shots on that nine was poor.”
His son, Luke, an amateur, started well with a 72 although made costly mistakes with the short stick.
Said Pouler: “He’s one over, he had four three putts! He will probably slap himself around the head, so he has obviously played good golf, and he has not done his job on the putting green. He is a good golfer, and great he is in the field this week.”
His compatriot and playing partner today Lee Westwood, who is the Touring Professional for Close House, also looked set to be among the front runners but made a double on his third from last hole and came in with a 70.
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