Respecting DGC is the key to doing well there, says Yuvraj Singh Sandhu
By Joy Chakravarty, Contributing Editor, Asian Tour
Yuvraj Singh Sandhu, such a dominant player on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) in 2022, comes to this week’s The DGC Open presented by Mastercard at Delhi Golf Club (DGC) under very different circumstances compared to last year. And he has a feeling it could lead to an even better result than his tied sixth finish in the inaugural edition last season.
Last year, the 26-year-old Chandigarh star was coming off an incredible victory on the PGTI Tour, having won the previous week at Tollygunge Club in Kolkata – making up a three-shot deficit against leader Viraj Madappa over the last three holes.
Sandhu then started The DGC Open presented by Mastercard with a disappointing three-over-par 75, but a closing 67 ensured he finished inside the top 10.
“I’m excited and I’m nervous at the same time, because I know that the game is in the right place,” said Sandhu, who finished tied 25th in the Hero Indian Open last month but has yet to reproduce the kind of form that saw him win five PGTI titles in 2022 and finish second on the Order of Merit, something that earned him a country exemption to play on the Asian Tour.
“It is the Delhi Golf Club. You have got to put yourself in that position to even be in contention. It’s a golf course where you need to be at 100 percent with every single shot.
Yuvraj Singh Sandhu finished joint sixth in The DGC Open presented by Mastercard last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I have always found DGC a course where you have to let go of your ego. You can’t overpower this course. You have to respect it, no matter what. I always come here with that mindset that if I respect the golf course, somehow the course will respect me back.”
Even though Sandhu was in better form last year, he said he made a cardinal mistake at the DGC. He was overconfident.
“Last year, I had just won Tolly before coming to the DGC. It was a most unexpected and thrilling win, and one of my best ever,” said Sandhu, who is now ranked 407th in the OWGR.
“When I reached DGC, everybody was like congratulating me and saying ‘well played’. I went into the tournament playing good golf and I had this feeling that I was going to have another good week. But that’s something you can’t do at DGC. It obviously showed me my place after the first three days.
“On the last day, I lowered my expectations, started respecting the golf course, and suddenly it started giving me back. I birdied the 12th, eagled the 14th, birdied 15th, made a bogey on 17th and then made a birdie the next hole again. It was a very casual round in terms of the mindset.
“I know I have not had big finishes this season, so I’ve already lowered my expectations, which is a good thing. This is the best mindset to enter DGC with.”
Sandhu, who was involved in a record six-hole play-off at DGC against his current room mate Arjun Prasad during the 2017 Northern India Amateur, said he felt confident he would be able to lift his game despite his recent run of form.
“I feel my game is not that consistent, but I feel sharp enough to win, or score better, this year. I know that if my body and my mind are both aligned in that same week, I will have a pretty good chance at winning like I did at some of the events last year where I won by eight and nine shots,” said Sandhu.
“I’m not looking for consistency in the sense that I want to push as hard as I can. And I have accepted the fact that when I push hard, there are going to be times when things are working in my favour and times when they are not. But there is a lot of comfort in knowing that these things that I am trying right now will pay off later in my golfing career.
“It’s something that I want to know about myself… how hard can I push? What’s the limit? I’m just trying to tell myself again and again and trying to make myself believe that I’m getting there. It will take time, but I am on the right path. I’m sure this year, I should have an international win under my belt.”
Not surprisingly the play-off loss in 2017 to Prasad is a constant topic of conversation, but Sandhu plans to recall only one memory when he tees off tomorrow in the US$750,000 tournament.
“Arjun is my roommate now and whenever we talk and room together, we invariably end up talking about that day. Probably, it’s time the golf course paid me back,” said Sandhu.
“But I don’t think of that loss. The only thing I remember from last year is shooting five-under on the last day. That’s something that I’m going to stick to. That’s the only memory I’m going to go with.”
Nitithorn Thippong, who defends The DGC Open presented by Mastercard tournament this week at Delhi Golf Club, has many great memories about his victory last year but one thing stands out.
“Oh, I can remember the last hole,” says the Thai not surprisingly as he beat India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to lift his maiden Asian Tour trophy.
“I can remember almost every shot, but the highlight is the second shot on the play-off on the first hole, I hit a three wood onto the green. That’s the best one in my life.”
Living up to his nickname ‘Fever’, he raised the temperature of his game on the DGC’s par-five 18th. Tied with playing-partner Sandhu on the final hole of regulation, he holed a 10-footer for birdie and a closing 73, forcing his opponent to make his four from five feet to match the Thai’s seven-under 281 total and send the tournament into overtime.
In the play-off, the Thai reached the green in two with that memorable three wood, leaving himself a 15-foot eagle putt while Sandhu found the putting surface in three having landed in trouble off the tee. After Sandhu missed his birdie attempt from 18 feet, Nitithorn two-putted to earn a cheque for US$90,000.
Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand, R K Khanna – Captain of DGC, K K Bajoria -President DGC, Manasi Narasimhan – Vice President Mastercard South Asia, Shiv Kapur of India and defending champion, Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand and Rahul Singh, Head of the International Series, Asian Tour, pictured at The DGC Open presented by Mastercard press conference. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He adds: “I think last year the key is just hit the ball in the fairway, because the course is quite narrow. So, for me, it’s like a two iron into the fairway, and then you got like wedge or short iron to the green. So just hit it in the fairway. That’s the key.”
He went on to claim the International Series Singapore in August and become one of only three players to win twice during the season. He finished the year fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
While yet to rediscover that form this year after five season-opening events, he will be looking for some inspiration this week to get him back on track at such an important venue for him.
“I’m very excited to be back at Delhi Golf Club to defend my title. Yeah, I feel very excited,” said Nitithorn.
“I mean, compared to last year, right now, I am not really playing as well but I’m playing okay, not bad. So, hopefully, this week, although I’m not as confident as last year, I’ll try my best.”
One of the strongest fields ever assembled for an Asian Tour event in India is competing this week, led by Nitithorn, ensuring that once again the action will come think and fast for the many fans who are in attendance and the millions watching the live broadcast at home.
An emphatic play-off victory for Wade Ormsby at Black Mountain Golf Club has propelled the Australian into second place in both the Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merits, behind American Andy Ogletree.
Holing a clutch 12-foot putt for birdie on the first extra hole handed the 42 year old victory in the US$2m International Series Thailand.
Crediting new coach Grant Field for a change in his fortunes after three years without a win, Ormsby said: “We all analyse our games all the time and I feel my new coach has given me a lot of the answers to why I’ve struggled in certain areas. I’ve had great coaches all the way through my career but sometimes the penny drops and that’s been the case with Grant.”
The now four-time Asian Tour winner and his play-off companion, Chonlatit Chuenboonngam, completed 72 holes of the tournament on 20-under par. The 24-year-old Thai player joins Ormsby in The International Series Order of Merit’s top 10.
Wade Ormsby. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Boosting the overall Asian Tour prize fund by US$19m in 2023, The International Series will, this year, comprise of 10 enhanced events at world class venues, featuring elevated prize funds, with expanded entry criteria to welcome talented golfers from every continent and tour.
Ormsby added: “The International Series events are massively important. They’re the logical stepping stone back to LIV for me.
“My number one priority is to get my game back to where I can get into tournaments and start to contend for wins. As far as getting back to LIV, I’ll lay it out there. If you win the International Series Order of Merit you’re back there.”
Up next for the elite Asian Tour series is Vietnam at KN Links Golf, Cam Ranh on 13-16 April 2023, and it is a priority for Ormsby: “Absolutely I’ll be there. All the International Series events are first on my schedule this year.”
Wade Ormsby overcame Chonlatit Chuenboonngam on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to win the International Series Thailand today after a compelling finish at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin.
Australia’s Ormsby triumphed after holing a 12-foot birdie putt on the par-five 18th while Chonlatit missed his birdie attempt from eight feet.
The 42 year old Ormsby had trailed Chonlatit, the clubhouse leader on 20 under, by one shot with three to play but made a birdie on 16 and had a chance to win on the last when he splashed out to 12 feet from a greenside bunker but missed his birdie attempt to set up extra time.
The Australian closed with a seven-under-par 65 while little-known Chonlatit, a graduate from the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last year and playing the tournament of his life, shot a 64.
Ormsby and Chonlatit shake hands after the play-off . Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
It’s the fourth Asian Tour victory of Ormsby’s career and the first since his win in the Hong Kong Open in 2020.
The U$2 million event was wide open on the final day with dozens of players in with a chance before Ormsby and Chonlatit edged ahead.
Korean Yeongsu Kim (66) and Micah Lauren Shin (67) from the United States tied for third one shot back while Australian Kevin Yuan (67) ended outright fifth.
“I can’t believe I am here,” said Ormsby.
“I had a tough week down in New Zealand last week. I was so annoyed with myself as I knew I was playing well. I worked so hard with my coach Grant Field. I am so stoked.”
Ormsby started the day two behind the leaders: Siddikur Rahman from Bangladesh, India’s Chikkarangappa S, Zach Murray from Australia and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.
Chonlatit enjoyed the finest week of his career. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
However, while all four leaders quickly fell away Ormsby raced up the leaderboard with birdies on two, four, five, six and nine to go out in five-under-par 31. He dropped his only shot of the day on 11 but bounced with birdies on 12, 13 and 16.
He had a chance to win in normal time but missed a 15 footer for birdie on the last.
“I hit a good putt, but it didn’t turn right, the grain was hard off the left. It didn’t go in, all you can do is try and hit a good putt. So, I went to the range to get ready. I got a little bit unlucky on the play off hole to find the bunker, but I holed the 12 footer when it mattered,” he added.
“The Asian Tour and International Series are high up on my priority list, I’d love to get back on LIV, I just have to try and manage it all. I just so happy I have won an International Series event especially here at Black Mountain, I love the place.”
Chonlatit also missed a makeable birdie putt on the final hole, from six feet, to go to 21 under but was still overjoyed with far and away the most successful tournament of his six-year professional career.
“I did my best, and I’m super happy with the result and my performance today and this week,” said the 24 year old.
“My first priority was to keep my card on the Asian Tour, but this week I’m very happy with my performance so I now would like to win one. I’m sure I can, and I will try.”
He finished second on the ADT Order of Merit last year – the top-10 earned Asian Tour cards for this season – won the Gunung Geulis Invitational, finished second three times, and third twice.
Chonlatit’s birdie putt in the play-off agonisingly slips by. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Like Ormsby he gradually moved in front thanks to a five-under-par front nine, with only one bogey, before a brave back nine saw him birdie 12, 13 and 17 to set a mark for the field to chase.
The Asian Tour heads to the subcontinent next for The DGC Open presented by Mastercard. The US$750,000 tournament is being played at Delhi Golf Club from March 16-19.
Siddikur Rahman shot one of the lowest rounds of his 18-year professional career today, an eight-under-par 64, to share the third-round lead at the International Series Thailand with India’s Chikkarangappa S, Zach Murray from Australia and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond.
Chikkarangappa carded 67, Murray 68 and Jazz 69 at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin.
They lead the Asian Tour event on 15 under by one shot from Koreans Yongjun Bae (65), Mingyu Cho (66), and Jaewoong Eom (68), Micah Lauren Shin (67) from the United States, and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji (68).
Overnight leader Dodge Kemmer from the United States slipped back with 74 and is 12 under.
With 28 players within three shots of the lead the tournament is wide open and the stage set for a gripping final day, in what is the third International Series event of the season.
Bangladesh’s golfing idol Siddikur looked like he was going to shoot an even lower round as six birdies on the front saw him turn in six-under-par 30 and when birdies followed on 12, 13 and 15 the course record of 62, set by American Sihwan Kim last year, looked within reach.
However, the 38 year old, whose nickname is ‘the Tiger of Dhaka’, made his only bogey of the day on 17.
Chikkarangappa S. of India pictured on Saturday March 11, 2023, during Round Three of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. The US$ 2 million Asian Tour tournament is being held between March 9-12, 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It was a wonderful day, I was so sound,” said Siddikur.
“My hitting was excellent and at the same time my putting was too good. So, all over it was a wonderful round for me, nine birdies and one bogey, the last two holes a little bit unlucky, but, again, I’m happy for today.”
Siddikur is one of the shortest hitters on Tour, not suited to Black Mountain, which favours the long ball players, but the Bangladeshi countered that with a brilliant short stick display.
He said: “I especially enjoyed my putting today because the first two days I couldn’t putt that good. The first day my hitting was excellent, but I couldn’t putt honestly. But today, yeah, no complaints on the putting and my hitting was excellent too.”
Siddikur is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour but the most recent of those is the 2013 Hero Indian Open. He has been relatively subdued over the past four years but showed glimpses of his former self by finishing tied third in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and joint fourth in the Bangladesh Open last year.
Chikkarangappa, looking for his first win on the Asian Tour, had a chance to hold the outright lead but made bogey on the par-five 18th but that didn’t stop him from enjoying the day.
“I’ve been playing well, you know I had a great season at the end [of 2022] where I made my card on the Asian Tour, and I had a Tour championship back in my local tour PGTI, and I managed to win that,” said the Indian.
“So that kind of gave me a lot of confidence. And I’ve been in good form, feeling good about the game. And I went back to my coach and Anirban [Lahiri], so we spent a lot of time there for about 20 days. We did a lot of good quality practice and that kind of has given me good confidence, and yeah, I’m feeling good about it.
Jazz didn’t produce his best today and also missed a chance to take the lead on his own after failing to hole a 16-foot birdie putt on 18, but he is well placed heading into Sunday.
“Just slow today, nothing really went for me but hung in there, gave myself a good position to go in and play good in the last round,” said the 2019 Asian Tour number one.
“I mean golf is golf right, if the ball goes in you play good. You just have to go out there and do the same thing and hope the ball goes in.”
With Black Mountain being his home course he desperately wants to secure his first win here tomorrow.
He said: “I just want to do one for the members you know, I’ve been here with them since I was 15, so it would be nice to do something nice for the club here. But if not, it’s okay, they still can’t fire me, they can’t kick me out.”
Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand pictured on Saturday March 11, 2023, during Round Three of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. The US$ 2 million Asian Tour tournament is being held between March 9-12, 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, two off the lead at the start of the day, had a surprisingly poor start going out in two over, he battled back making four birdies in a row from the 13th but carded a 71 and is two behind the leaders.
The Asian Tour Annual Awards Night took place on Friday evening at the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, to celebrate the 2022 season and its many winners.
One of the finest years in the history of the Tour was reviewed and reflected upon, while the most successful players, tournaments and venues were rewarded.
Former LPGA Tour player Virada Niraphatpongporn and Dominique Boulet, the Asian Tour’s lead commentator, hosted the glamorous evening, and conducted entertaining Q&A sessions with players and officials.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, and the Tour’s Chairman Jimmy Masrin both took the stage to talk about the season and indeed their hopes for the future.
A distinguished list of winners received their awards.
Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Sihwan Kim, although not present due to playing commitments, was rewarded for a phenomenal season on the Asian Tour by being voted The Players’ Player of the Year by the Tour’s membership, based on a final count from an online poll.
Cho Minn Thant Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour and Jimmy Masrin, Chairman – Asian Tour, pictured together at the Asian Tour Annual Awards at Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa hotel. Picture by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour.
It was the icing on the cake for the American after a career-defining season and saw him join an elite line up of award winners from 2022.
Players voted the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers as The Tournament of the Year, the International Series Thailand as The International Series Tournament of the Year, and Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo, Egypt, as The Players’ Choice Course of the Year.
The US$5 million Saudi event, played at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club last year near Jeddah, was the opening tournament of the 2022 season and saw the Asian Tour enjoy one of the most memorable weeks in its history at an event that boasted the strongest field it had ever assembled, playing for one of its most lucrative prize funds.
The following month the International Series was launched at the International Series Thailand, played at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, where victory went to Kim.
Madinaty Golf Club, opened in late 2020 and at the forefront of the Egyptian golf scene, hosted the inaugural International Series Egypt in November – where former amateur star American Andy Ogletree won for the first time as a professional – and its golf course was an instant hit with the players.
“I am sure nobody is surprised that Sihwan Kim has been bestowed with one of the Asian Tour’s most important awards, The Players’ Player of the Year Award,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
“This is a mark of true respect as it is voted for by the players, and it is justly served to a player who stayed dedicated and focused, patiently waiting for his time to come.”
Will Righton, Director of Agronomy and Youseff Kadry, Commercial Director of Talaat Moustafa Group, Madinaty Golf Club, Egypt, pose with the Player’s Choice Course of the Year trophy. Picture by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour.
Kim completed the finest season of his 11-year professional career at the season-ending Indonesian Masters when he wrapped up the Merit title, appropriately on the day he turned 34.
“At the Saudi International the Asian Tour got off to the best possible start thanks to a world-class field and global television audience. The whole experience set the benchmark for the Tour and was aspirational,” said Cho.
“The International Series Thailand was held soon after and was a resounding success and the ideal way to kick off the International Series, while Madinaty Golf Club proved to be an outstanding venue, something that our members repeatedly said throughout the week. The course lent itself perfectly to a tournament of that scale, which is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone at this very special venue.
“The club also went the extra mile by building a driving range for us and put in extra effort to present the golf course in immaculate condition. Several of the players and officials mentioned that the course was the best paspalum course they had ever seen.”
Bio Kim had the honour of being named Rookie of the Year. In his first full season on the Tour, the Korean won the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on home soil, and had four other top-five finishes to come close to winning the Merit list.
Korean Joohyung Kim won Best Stroke Average with a score of 68.93, the pre-cursor to a breakthrough season on the PGA Tour where has triumphed twice; Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong topped Total Birdies with 263 birdies; Korean Kyongjoon Moon led Greens in Regulation on 77.41%; Swede Bjorn Hellgren secured the Driving Distance title with an average of 313.62 yards; and Siddikur Rahman’s mastery of the short game was on display once again with the Bangladesh star leading Putts per Round, with a median of 28.25 putts per round.
Nitithorn Thippong poses with the Total Birdies trophy. Picture by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour.
Brazilian Adilson Da Silva enjoyed the rare distinction of winning two awards: Driving Accuracy on 84.71% and Scrambling with 69.31%.
American Dodge Kemmer backed up his opening round eight-under-par 64 with a fine 66 to take the lead in the International Series Thailand today at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin.
The 35 year old, impressively out in front on 14 under, holds a two-shot lead from two of the giants of golf in Thailand, Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond, who carded 67s, and their countryman Settee Prakongvech, in with a 66.
Australian Zach Murray returned a 66 and is an another stroke back, while Filipino Miguel Tabuena, the joint-overnight leader with Kemmer, fired a 70 and is in a group of players tied sixth on 10 under.
Kemmer is an emerging story. At last year’s season-ending Indonesian Masters in December he agonisingly missed keeping his Asian Tour card by one place on the Order of Merit (OOM), but immediately bounced back with two top-four finishes on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in the ensuing two weeks, which helped him to finish in the top 10 the ADT OOM, which also provides passage on to the Asian Tour.
He said: “[After the Indonesian Masters] I had to turn around the next week and go and play ADT and I did really well those two weeks. I came back nicely, and I was proud of myself, to earn my card from the ADT season.”
The putts didn’t drop for Kiradech on the front but that soon changed. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The American caught the birdie train again today, making eight and dropping just two shots. He was 15 under with two to play but his final bogey of the day came on his penultimate hole.
“I have been hitting it nicely, struggled on the greens last week, but if I can get a few more of those to fall I will be right in there. It would be great [to win this week], it was tough last year,” said Kemmer, whose best finish on the Asian Tour is third at the Bangladesh Open in 2017.
“The greens were superfast in the practice rounds, they have slowed down a little bit but they are still really good. You have to think your way into the greens, and around the greens. There are no easy two putts, especially above the hole, so it takes a lot of strategy and I enjoy going through that.”
Kiradech, the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion 10 years ago and a three-time winner on Tour, got off to a surprisingly slow start, touring his first nine in event par but ripped through the second half in five under.
“I am very happy with my first two rounds, especially the way I started today quite slow,” said the Thai star.
“My putter was a little cold, couldn’t sink any birdies on the front nine. One single birdie, one three putt. I woke up on the back, birdied five of first six holes, they helped me get back into it.
“I don’t think I am far off from my A game, but to be honest I know I shot good scores over first two rounds, but it’s not my A game out there, I left a couple of strokes out there. I think I know what I have in my pocket, I am playing quite smart, in middle of the green sometimes, which is not normally my game. But I am concentrating on everything and focusing.”
Jazz, the Tour’s number one in 2019, is enjoying performing well on what is his home course and where he says he rarely performs well in tournaments.
“Yeah, pretty happy. I mean, before the tournament I didn’t have much of an expectation, because it’s my home course and I’ve never really performed well, but just changed a lot of my mentality this year. Just take it easy, do whatever, if it comes it comes,” said Jazz, who won last year’s International Series Morocco.
Jazz is enjoying playing well on his home course. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I feel like every year so far when I play my home course, I take it so seriously. I’m not even like stressed out about the tournament this time, but more like practicing, grinding it out and stuff.
“Just because when I’m at home I feel like I have to practice, and if I don’t practice, I feel like I’m missing out. So, this year, I just take it very easy, didn’t even do much practice and just come out here and chill. And the score kind of perform a lot better than the past year, so maybe going forward I’ll do this.”
Three-time Asian Tour winner Prom Meesawat is more than at home at this week’s International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, here in Hua Hin.
The player nicknamed ‘the Big Dolphin’ is a Hua Hin native, and grew up here under the watchful eye of his famous father Suthep – who in 1991 famously became the first Thai to win the Thailand Open.
“It’s always nice to have a tournament in Thailand and this week especially at my home, I can stay in my own bed, and see family,” said Prom, who carded a first round three-under-par 69 yesterday.
“I live in Bangkok with my wife and kids, but my auntie and my dad are here. It’s the best to be able to play a tournament and then just relax at your own place.”
Prom will have to rely on making the cut today for his wife and children to join him in Hua Hin but expects plenty of support otherwise: “My kids have school so my wife will bring them at the weekend. There are lots of local fans and foreigners too though and I think everyone will be interested.”
Prom, who is one of 44 Thai players teeing up in the 156-man International Series field, is fully aware just what an important role his father played in promoting golf in Thailand with that win a mere 32 years ago.
Prom Meesawat pictured during round one. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“At that moment, everyone realised golf was a sport that could be your job and you can make money from it,” he said.
The 38 year old, whose largest paycheck of the past five years came from a top 10 finish in 2022’s International Series Egypt, said of the International Series: “It’s a big opportunity for me as well as younger players.
“It’s not all about the prize money, although of course we are here to win tournaments but it’s also a great chance to play with top international golfers, like LIV players. You can learn a lot from them and it has been a good change for the Asian Tour and we’re very grateful to Golf Saudi for supporting the Asian Tour and bringing us The International Series.”
Among fellow Thai stars in this week’s field are former Asian Tour number one Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who became the first Thai player to play on the PGA Tour in 2018. Prom describes him as ‘a younger brother,’ and is pleased to see him back on the Asian Tour.
“For Thai people, seeing the Thai flag on the PGA Tour when he represented the country there, was big for us. We are a small country and to have a player on the PGA Tour was special.
“It’s nice to see him come back and start on the Asian Tour… that’s his home. It’s also important for the Tour to have a player like him playing.”
At the other end of the spectrum of talent on display this week at the International Series Thailand is the prodigious amateur talent of Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat, who won the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup on the Asian Tour in 2022.
A prolific amateur in his own right, also winning a professional tournament before turning to the pro ranks – something he would be convinced to do by three-time Major winner Vijay Singh, a friend of his father – Prom, with a glint in his eye, suggested now is the time for TK to seek advice from his professional peers.
Prom pictured on the beach in Hua Hin at a photo shoot on Tuesday. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Right now, I’m happy giving him advice because he’s not my competition!” he said, before adding on a more serious note: “I can see that he’s working hard and his family supports him very well. He’s the next Thai generation for sure and we put a lot of hopes on him to inspire the generation after him.”
The International Series has once again chosen the Bright Dawn Foundation to be the benefactor of its CSR initiative in Thailand as competition gets under way at Black Mountain Golf Club today.
The Thai children’s charity has now received US$50,000 from The International Series, which launched in Thailand in 2022, with this year’s cheque handed over by the Asian Tour’s Commissioner & CEO, Cho Minn Thant.
Bright Dawn’s mission is to improve the lives of low-income Thai children around rural Hua Hin through the provision of healthcare and educational support to the primary schools they attend.
Donny Nimmo, CEO, Bright Dawn Foundation, said: “Our gratitude towards everyone involved in selecting us as beneficiaries cannot be overstated – this is a significant sum that will vastly improve the lives of the children in our care. Getting this money from the Asian Tour is honestly a godsend.”
Set up 13 years ago, the charity now supports 700 children across five schools. This week’s donation of US$25,000 will support ongoing healthcare and education programs, including annual medicals and provision of eye tests and glasses to those who need them.
The educational program is specifically focused around practical skills for use in later life, and includes speaking and reading in English and Thai, plus the provision of computers for IT skills including coding.
The general view of Nong Hieng School during the visit of Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour to give the US$25,000 cheque to representatives of the Bright Dawn Foundation on Thursday March 9, 2023. Picture by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour.
Nimmo added: “We are looking more at agriculture, cradle to grave, with market gardens and a fishpond. They grow fruit and vegetables, which the kids see the lifespan of from planting through to being served in the school canteens. Anything we think can be used as a practical vocational skill.”
The foundation is also now involved in what it calls ‘special projects’, building libraries, reading rooms, first aid rooms, outdoor gyms and classrooms, where necessary, at each of the schools.
The International Series comprises of 10 enhanced Asian Tour events at world class venues, featuring elevated prize funds, and welcoming golfing talent from every continent and tour.
Committed to the communities of the places it visits, The International Series’ CSR initiative offers US$25,000 to a broad range of initiatives targeting education, environmental sustainability, golf development programs, and the well-being of communities in the short and long term.
The ground-breaking series will visit a further seven countries following Thailand, with its aim to donate to local causes to help further the development of each region.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, said: “It’s hugely important for us at the Asian Tour and The International Series to be able to contribute to the communities that support us.
“The Asian Tour has been coming to Black Mountain for the last decade. In fact the first tournament here was in 2009. We visit Hua Hin on a regular basis. We have several tournaments per year here, we host qualifying school here and to give back to the community that supports us so much over the years is fantastic.
“It’s really good for us to visit the school and see what they do with our own two eyes. To see the kids in the school in the playground, learning how to use computers, seeing the facilities that have been provided through the Bright Dawn Foundation is remarkable. It’s a great initiative and it’s great for us to be here.”
Filipino Miguel Tabuena and Dodge Kemmer from the United States enjoyed a brilliant start to the International Series Thailand today carding eight-under-par 64s to take the lead on day one.
The duo lead from Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond who fired 65s at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin.
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, American Turk Pettit, Andrew Dodt from Australia, Korean Bio Kim and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, Danthai Boonma, Ekpharit Wu, and Settee Prakongvech, all came in with 66s.
The US$2 million event is the fifth event of the season on the Asian Tour, and third International Series tournament.
Last year Tabuena endured an uncharacteristically poor season and only just retained his Tour card. The top 70 on the Asian Tour Order of Merit kept their cards and Tabuena finished 70th, exactly US$71.89 ahead of none other than Kemmer, in 71st position.
Dodge Kemmer came back in six-under-par 30. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
But he has returned with a vengeance this year and finished in the top 15 in his last two events on Tour, the International Series tournaments in Oman and Qatar.
“It is a bit of a long story, I didn’t play too well last year,” said the 28 year old.
“I had some time off, but I was lucky enough to keep my card by about 50 dollars, I was the last person to get in, and I told myself that is never going to happen again.
“I worked really hard during the off season, and I guess it is showing a bit. I finished 13th in Oman and top 10 in Qatar. The game has been there, even back home. I am just glad it’s coming together.”
He made four birdies on each nine including one on the final hole.
He added: “The course is pretty gettable in the morning. I was lucky enough to get off to a hot start. I was four under after six. I actually left a couple of putts out there, mis-read two of them. I was lucky enough to finish with a birdie on the last. Can’t complain shooting 64.”
The Filipino’s fine round could not have come at a better time as he was watched all the way by his family.
“My whole family is here, finally, it has been a few years. It’s just been my wife for the past couple of tournaments, but I am very, very grateful to have my dad here, my mum, brother and sister,” said Tabuena, who last victory came in 2018 at the Queen’s Cup, also here in Thailand.
Kemmer made up for not keeping his card via the Merit list by earning it through a top 10 finish on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit.
“Kind of a slow start, got a lot of chances and took a while to figure out the greens,” said Kemmer, who played the back nine in six-under-par 30 which included a three putt on 18 for a par.
“I turned in two under and then started hitting my wedges pretty close, a bunch of them within four or five feet, that took some of the guess work out of the greens.
“I will try and do better tomorrow, keep swinging aggressively and maybe learn a little bit more about the greens and make even more putts.”
The American’s good season on the ADT was highlighted by victory in the Gurugram Classic in India in April.
He added: “I had great season on ADT, won once with a bunch of top fives, never quite got it going on the Asian Tour. So I knew it was in there, been hitting it nicely this year. Great to get off to a good start.”
Kiradech Aphibarnrat missed a 20 foot eagle putt on the last. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
As expected Kiradech, looking for his first win in five years, has made a strong start.
“Opening round, one stroke behind, seven under, always great to start that way,” said Kiradech, who missed a 20-foot eagle putt on the par-five 18th having hit a brilliant second shot using his three wood 300 yards.
“I am striking the ball much better. I am working with my new trainer, my swing coach Mike Walker, I think we are working it the right way. I just need one good week to get everything together. And hopefully my body is strong enough to play these next four days. I have played with an injury a lot over the past three years, hurt my right knee, my left hip, it just popped up.”
ENDS
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