BNI and TNE to back Indonesian Masters
In an outstanding development, organisers of the Indonesian Masters announced today that BNI and TNE will sponsor this year’s Indonesian Masters – the nation’s richest sporting event that will be the season-ending tournament on the Asian Tour.
BNI have committed to becoming the main sponsor while energy logistic provider TNE will join as presenting sponsor.
The popular tournament will be played at the prestigious Royale Jakarta Golf Club from December 1-4 and will boast a lucrative purse of US$1.5 million – up from US$750,000 when it was last played in 2019.
In addition, it will also be part of the International Series – a ground-breaking new initiative this year taking the Tour to new heights with elevated prize purses and introducing new international destinations.
Lee Westwood of England poses with the trophy after winning the Indonesian Masters at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club on April 24, 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Picture by Khalid Redza / Asian Tour via Getty Images.
Said Jimmy Masrin, Founder of the Indonesian Masters and Chairman of the Asian Tour: “We are truly grateful to BNI and TNE for their support of this year’s Indonesian Masters. The collaboration between BNI, with their great reputation in the national golf community, and TNE, whom have actively been developing golf in Indonesia, is a unified effort to ensure that this year’s tournament will provide high-quality entertainment for domestic and international audiences.”
BNI President Director Royke Tumilaar said: “The Indonesian Masters has been in existence for over a decade and BNI felt it was important for us to continue our partnership with the tournament. This year the event has been elevated on many levels and promises to be the most exciting in its history, which means it will once again play an important role in the development of golf in Indonesia.
Previously, TNE presented an event on the Asian Development Tour and are now excited to be involved with the main Tour and one of its biggest events.
TNE Chairman Jubilant Harmidy said: “The Indonesian Masters has become a part of our country’s national golf history since its launch 11 years ago. Our involvement in this year’s Indonesian Masters aligns with TNE’s mission to contribute to developing golf in the national sector. The event is also the perfect medium for national golfers to compete with international golfers and it would be great to see Indonesian golfers make a name for themselves during the tournament.”
Anirban Lahiri. Picture by Chris Trotman/Getty Images.
An impressive line-up of players have been confirmed for the event, including former champions: Lee Westwood (2011, 2012, and 2015), Bernd Wiesberger (2013), Anirban Lahiri (2014), Poom Saksansin (2016 and 2018), and Jazz Janewattananond (2019).
Graeme McDowell and Chase Koepka will also compete.
Scott Hend’s revival continued today after he shot a sublime eight-under-par 62 to take the first-round lead in the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt.
The Australian, who has battled back from prostate cancer, looked like his old self today making nine birdies and one bogey at Madinaty Golf Club – in what is the Asian Tour’s first ever visit to Egypt.
Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit and Seungtaek Lee from Korea shot equally impressive 63s, while South African Jaco Ahlers and Canadian Richard T. Lee returned 64s.
Hend has fully recovered from cancer but says the biggest obstacle his faces now is a lack of confidence.
He said: “I am a 10-time winner on the Asian Tour, I am a 15-time winner around the world, I am an Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, I am second on the Asian Tour Career Money List, I have been playing golf since I was 14 years old, I know how to play, I have just got to keep telling myself that.”
Pawin Ingkhapradit of Thailand pictured during Round One on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 49 year old missed cut after cut in the early part of the year but has been playing better since then, most noticeably in last week’s International Series Morocco where he was tied for third going into the final round before shooting a 78 to finish equal 14th.
“It’s just a process, putting the foot in front of the other and trying to get back to where I was,” said Hend, whose last win on the Asian Tour came in the 2019 Maybank Championship.
“Mentally I have suffered a lot from what I have been through, so that’s where I have been really struggling confidence wise. I wasn’t 100%, I tried to play, and I rode on what confidence I did have but I wasn’t 100% so it was a Catch 22.”
He could easily have finished with a lower score today but missed three putts from inside four feet on the outward half and one from a similar length on the way back.
Pawin was bogey free, making three birdies on the front and four on the back.
“I played well from the tee today which is important on this course, and of course I holed a lot of putts,” said Pawin.
“I have been playing well this year, missing the cut for the first-time last week in Morocco, so today is just my form continuing.”
The Thai golfer has been playing on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour for the past decade and still chasing his first victory.
Ahlers, who started on 10, built his round on a fine four-under-par 30 back nine with five birdies and one bogey. He made another three birdies and one dropped shot on the second half.
Seungtaek Lee of Korea pictured during Round One on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He said: “I started off by holing a few 100 feet of putts, really got the ball rolling well. It’s a great course, I love Nicklaus courses, this isn’t one but it’s very similar.”
The South African is a 10-time winner on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, remarkably five of those coming in play offs including at his most recent victory there coming in April at the Stella Artois Players Championship.
American Sihwan Kim, currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, eagled two par fives on the front nine and was one of nine players who came in with 65s.
The International Series Egypt is compelling evidence of the country’s ability to host world-class sporting events, and firm proof of the evolution of the region’s best golfing talent, according to the organisers behind the Asian Tour’s flagship event.
The event marks the Tour’s first ever visit to Egypt, a week after its hugely successful debut visit to Morocco. Twenty Arabic players from nine different countries are in the field at this week’s event, a major proof point for the Asian Tour’s new international brief, and a clear indication of the support it provides to enable the growth of golf in the region.
Cho Minn Thant, CEO and Commissioner of the Asian Tour, said: “From our perspective, this week in Egypt and last week in Morocco are both a fitting example of how we are growing into a truly international tour.
“Many people may have considered the Asian Tour to be a tour for Asian players, but what we have demonstrated is the international perspective, both in terms of players in the field and the destinations themselves. We could not have had a better two weeks.
(Back row L-R) Othman Almulla of Saudi Arabia, Ayoub Lguirati of Morocco, Dean Naime of Egypt, Mohammed Nizar Bourehim of Morocco and Issa Abu El Ela of Egypt, (Front row L-R) Azzan Al Rumhy of Oman, Adam Bresnu of Morocco, El Mehdi Fakori of Morocco, Elyas Barhoumi of Tunisia., A grand total of 20 Arabic players are in the field for the International Series Egypt., On the eve of the tournament, a selection of the regional stars pictured during the Pro-Am Round on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 ahead of The International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
“We are growing into a destination tour, we have had two excellent weeks and what we are experiencing in Egypt is truly spectacular – from the airport to the new capital, seeing all the developments and the ancient history of the pyramids, and the facilities at the Madinaty Golf Club – it has been a wonderful experience for the players and the tour.
“Never in our wildest dreams would we have expected the Asian Tour to be playing golf at the foot of the pyramids, but it is a reality and a wonderful experience for all involved.”
The Egyptian Golf Federation and Arab Golf Federation have been instrumental in preparing for this week’s tournament along with stakeholders TMG, and a field of 20 regional players is compelling evidence of the hard work they are putting in behind the scenes, 365 days a year, to create an infrastructure and sustainable framework that supports top golfing talent.
Mohammad Attallah of the Egypt Golf Federation explained: “The International Series Egypt is tangible evidence of the development and evolution of golf in Egypt and the wider region – it shows the strength and depth of golf here. There is enormous potential here. It has been an incredible experience for the Arabic players, who are representing nine different countries.
“Participating in an Asian Tour event is an incredible opportunity – it gives the players some great exposure to world-class golf in terms of both the tournament itself and the strong international field, and it gives them experience of gaining world ranking points and tough competition, something which is a massive part of our mission at the EGF and also the AGF – we are extremely proud of our players.”
Josh North, General Manager of Madinaty Golf Club, was delighted with the feedback he had received from a world-class field of golfers used to playing the best courses in the world, in the build-up to the tournament. He said: “It is a huge honour for us here, obviously it is the largest golfing event of its kind to be held in Egypt. We have been preparing for the last two to three months to ensure the course and facilities are of the conditions these world-class players expect.
L-R – Josh North, General Manager Madinaty Golf Club, Cho Minn Thant – Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour,
Mohammed Attallah, board member of the Egyptian Golf Federation and Youssef Kardy Fouad Zaghloul – Group Sports and Clubs Commercial – TMG picturerd at a press conference on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, ahead of the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
We have created a good test of golf for them, and the feedback so far this week is great. We wanted to deliver a world-class golf tournament and the first impression has been fantastic. It is an honour to welcome these top-class players and different nationalities to show the vast potential that Egypt has in terms of course conditions, hospitality and so much more.”
An impressive seven-under-par 63 saw Pawin Ingkhapradit take the clubhouse lead on the opening day of the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt today at Madinaty Golf Club.
Seven birdies – three on the front and four on the back – and no dropped shots put him on top of the leaderboard mid-way through Thursday’s round.
South African Jaco Ahlers is in second place after a 64, while Korean Jeunghun Wang, James Piot from the United States, South Africa’s Mathiam Keyser, and Australians Brett Rumford, Sam Brazel and Travis Smyth all carded 65s.
“I played well from the tee today which is important on this course, and of course I holed a lot of putts,” said Pawin.
Jaco Ahlers of South Africa pictured during Round One on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I have been playing well this year, missing the cut for the first-time last week in Morocco, so today is just my form continuing.”
The Thai golfer has been playing on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour for the past decade and is still chasing his first victory.
Ahlers, who started on 10, built his round on a fine four-under-par 30 back nine with five birdies and one bogey. He made another three birdies and one dropped shot on the second half.
He said: “I started off by holing a few 100 feet of putts, really got the ball rolling well. It’s a great course, I love Nicklaus courses, this isn’t one but it’s very similar.”
The South African is a 10-time winner on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, remarkably five of those coming in play offs including at his most recent success in April at the Stella Artois Players Championship.
“I have been playing well, just not finishing off tournaments. Need to change that this week,” he said.
Wang, like Pawin, was also bogey free and says he feels his game is gradually getting better having recently returned form 18 months of national service.
“I didn’t play or practice for 18 months. The thing that really suffered because of this was my short game, my chipping and putting. But it’s coming back.”
Sam Brazel of Australia pictured during Round One on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
American Jarin Todd fired a 66, while Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Jakraphan Premsirigorn, South African Ian Snyman, and Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma came in with 67s.
Bernd Wiesberger makes his debut on the Asian Tour’s International Series this week when he tees-off in the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club tomorrow and says the Tour is “planting a seed this week, and it’s nice to be part of it.”
The Austrian is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour – he won the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea in 2012, and the following year the Indonesian Masters – and is making his first appearance on the Tour since 2019.
He has been playing the LIV Golf Series this year but is thrilled to be able to return to one of his old hunting grounds.
He said: “It is great to be back on the Asian Tour and with the new International Series. It’s been a while since I won here. I am building in a couple of Asian Tour events to my schedule, and I am really looking forward to starting.”
Surprisingly, it is not his first time playing in Egypt as he competed in a European Challenge Tour event here in 2010.
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria pictured during the Pro-Am event on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, ahead of the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I remember we had a great time back then and I think it’s now very beneficial for the Asian Tour to go more international,” said the 37 year old.
“In the past they had an alignment with the European Tour and there were tournaments outside Asia but now with the latest developments in the world of golf there is an opportunity to upgrade certain events to the International Series and find new destinations to take the tour to.
“I think it is great to explore these options outside Asia and in Africa. It makes total sense to come here. Judging by the number of courses here there is definitely a demand for professional tournaments. It is a great start to help build a healthy future in the world of golf. It is very good to see the Asian Tour breaking new ground here and progressing.”
This week marks the first time the Asian Tour has staged an event in Egypt, a country that boasts close to 80 golf courses.
Said Wiesberger: “I didn’t know there are nearly 80 golf courses in Egypt and it has probably been overlooked for too long and it’s nice to be adding new destinations not only to my calendar but in general for professional golf. The Tour is planting the seed this week, it’s nice to be part of it.”
He only arrived on Tuesday evening, so today’s Pro Am was his first opportunity to play the course
“The course is in brilliant condition. Even though the fairways are quite wide you want to make sure you get into position as the greens are quite firm, so it’s tough to stop the ball,” he said.
“There are options off the tees to be more aggressive at some point. Some you have to be more tactical. It’s a good mix. Lots of par threes, six out there, which is quite uncommon, but you have a good variety of design. Definitely a fun design for everyone this week.”
Bernd Wiesberger. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He has been paired in the opening two rounds with Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Canadian Richard T. Lee.
There is no hiding Richard T. Lee’s look of disappointment at the moment after he let victory narrowly slip from his grasp last Sunday but a trip to the Pyramids on Tuesday morning ahead of this week’s International Series Egypt, at Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo, has certainly helped to put a smile on his face.
“Egypt has been on my wish list since high school, I just wanted to come here and check out the Pyramids. It was amazing just to see it, right there in front of my eyes,” said the Canadian, who visited the iconic and world-famous Giza Pyramids in Cairo with American Sihwan Kim, Korean Jeunghun Wang, and local player Isaa Abuo El Ela.
Lee was on the brink of winning the International Series Morocco two days ago but made a costly bogey on the driveable par-four 17th and lost by a shot to Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – who finished sensationally with an eagle and a birdie.
Added Lee: “To be honest I got a bit unlucky on 17 as my second shot was blocked. I pulled my tee shot slightly and it ended right behind a tree so I could only advance it forward a little bit.”
He was attempting to claim his third title on the Asian Tour, to add to his wins in the Solaire Open in 2014 and the 2017 Shinhan Donghae Open.
Nevertheless, it’s has been a big season for the 32 year old so far as he also finished joint second in the International Series Singapore in August.
“I just want to take the good things from there [Morocco] and have a good week this week and play my best,” he said.
Richard T. Lee. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I am just going to play my game; I feel my game is pretty solid right now; I am playing smart golf. Hopefully I can get that win.”
Last year he was dogged by injuries to his shoulder and knee, which he feels might have been the result of COVID-19 treatment.
He said: “I am not completely sure what caused the injuries, I think it could have been something to do with the vaccines. I didn’t have any injuries playing golf, it’s just that all of a sudden they came.
“I have been eating well and doing a lot of work outs. It’s getting better, my body is getting back into shape.”
Rising Spanish star David Puig competes this week having also come close to winning in Morocco – which was his first event on the Asian Tour and second as a professional.
He led by two at the start of the final round before finishing in solo possession of third, two back from Jazz.
“Obviously, leading going into the final round my main goal was to win, but at the end of the day it’s golf,” said the 20 year old, who opted to not complete his final year on the Arizona State University golf team in order to play for pay.
He added: “I think I was pretty steady the whole day, I played pretty good. I just didn’t hit the ball as close as I would like, but I hit it very good and didn’t putt my best as well. But I hung in there and I had a chance until the last hole so as I said overall I’m pretty happy with my result.
“As I said last week I don’t like tight courses, but my driving accuracy as well as my driving distance was pretty good during the whole week. So not seeing trees and instead seeing big fairways, it’s gonna be good because you’re more relaxed sometimes. But at the same time, at the end of the day, it’s just golf. You just gotta try to make birdies.”
David Puig. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
His fine performance allowed him to secure his Asian Tour card for next season.
This week’s tournament marks the first time the Asian Tour has visited Egypt. The US$1.5 million event is the third from last event of the season with just the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open and Indonesian Masters, which is part of the International Series, remaining.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond won for the first time in nearly three years today when he triumphed in the US$1.5 million International Series Morocco after a brilliant eagle, birdie finish at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
The 2019 Asian Tour number one closed with a fine six-under-par 67 to finish on 12 under and beat Canadian Richard T. Lee by one stroke.
Lee, who missed a 16-foot birdie putt on the last to force a play-off, shot a 70 while Spaniard David Puig fired a 73 to finish third, a stroke further back.
Jazz, playing in the third from last group having started the day four shots behind overnight leader Puig, burst through to victory thanks to a stunning five-under-par back nine.
Jazz Janewattananond. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He made birdie on 11 and 15 but it was the short and driveable par-four 17th that proved to be pivotal. Lee, playing in the final group, had appeared to be in control and on course to win for much of the back nine but that all changed when Jazz found the green with his tee shot on 17 and holed a 20-foot eagle putt. The Thai golfer then drew level with Lee after holing a five-footer for birdie on the par-five 18th. To the surprise of everyone Lee then dropped a shot on 17, the easiest hole on the course, after finding trees off the tee before failing to draw level with Jazz on the last.
“It feels amazing. It’s been a long journey and I’m just so happy to end the year on a high note,” said Jazz, whose girlfriend and fellow professional golfer Sarina Schmidt caddied for him this week.
“I had three holes left and I wasn’t even nearly at the top. I just had a really good finish – everything was really quick. When that last putt dropped I just felt so relieved, the waiting game begun, and now I’m here!”
He last won in December of 2019 at the Thailand Masters, which was one of his four wins that year.
“It’s been a long time since my last trophy – since before COVID. Now everything’s changed, I’ve found my way through and we’re here,” said the Thai, who has now tasted victory on seven occasions on the Asian Tour.
Jazz had the benefit of his girlfriend and fellow professional golfer Sarina Schmidt caddying for him this week. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“This was my first time in Morocco and the city of Rabat has been amazing – the culture, the food the people, everything. I heard a lot about this golf course already from people I play with and I knew it was going to be hard, but it’s exceeded all my expectations. I’ve been out nine weeks in a row and I’m tired now and my back’s hurting, but I came in with an open mind to exploring Morocco and Rabat, and I think that helped me win, because I didn’t come in with high expectations.”
Lee had been attempting to claim his third title on Tour and his first since 2017 but had to settle for his second runner-up finish of the season as he was also second in the International Series Singapore in August.
“I looked at the leaderboard on 17 and then saw that Jazz was at 12 under and finished his round. So, I mean, I just wanted to make birdie on the last hole to try to tie and make the playoff,” said Lee, who led at the halfway mark thanks to a second day 65.
“I bogeyed the first hole with a three putt, just started off bad and then came back with four birdies in a row from six to nine and felt the rhythm going pretty well. Then just an unforced error on 17 on the tee shot, got unlucky and got behind the tree and had no shot to the green. So, I mean, it caused me to make a bogey and just… stuff happens, you know?”
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent finished in fourth, three behind the winner, after carding a 71, while his brother Kieran (74), Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma (66), Korean Taehoon OK (67) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat from Thailand (70) were equal fifth, one shot further back.
Richard T. Lee. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Asian Tour visits Egypt next week for the first time for the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club, from November 10 to 13.
The next generation of eager young Moroccan golfers had a day to remember when American golfer Erik Compton dropped into the driving range at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to host a special junior clinic, on the sidelines of the International Series Morocco.
The clinic, which focused on triumphing over adversity as well as skills and technique, was attended by over 50 youngsters aged from eight to 17, as part of the Asian Tour’s commitment to growing the game and supporting the community in the destinations that host International Series events.
Compton hosted the clinic minutes after carding a two-under 71 to sit tied sixth in the International Series Morocco. A former PGA Tour player, the American is no stranger to Morocco having won the Hassan II Golf Trophy of Morocco in 2005.
He said: “I first got invited here in 2005, I love to travel the world. Right now, I’m excited to see all these kids enjoying golf.
“To them it is an ‘aha’ moment – they get to say they have seen a pro and it leaves an impression in their memory and hopefully resonates with a few kids who can go on to do something spectacular.”
Golf clinic at the International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Compton, a former number one junior golfer in the US who is known around the world for battling back from two heart transplants, added: “It is great to be here. I do not see myself as different to any other golfers – we all love to get involved. My story is a little unique in that I can talk to the kids about their dreams, and that if I can make it, anyone can make it, and I have been blessed really.”
The children were thrilled with the session on the driving range at the stunning Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. Ali Toufik, aged 11, said: “It was great to meet a pro tour like Erik, he was so nice, he explained a lot of things to us. Watching the pros play inspired me a lot. It was very nice of Dar Es Salam to let us discover the course and invite us to meet the pros, it was really a great honour.”
Lotfi Mohamed Mamoun, 15, added: “The day was great, we learned a lot, and the course was beautiful. We saw the high standard of golf on the Asian Tour, we also saw how regular the professionals are, with their swings and their setup. From Erik, we learned that even with problems we can always achieve what we want, and if we have a dream we must follow it.”
Adam Hmass, aged 12, added: “I play golf at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam school, and can say that this day was very enriching. We learned how to make the right swings, and we learned about overcoming difficulty. Seeing the players and their professional approach was very rewarding.”
The International Series Morocco draws to a close on Sunday afternoon.
David Puig’s decision to cut short his college career in the United States to turn professional is quickly starting to look justified after the Spanish rookie took the third-round lead in the inaugural US$1.5 million International Series Morocco today.
He carded a four-under-par 69 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to lead on 10 under by two shots from overnight leader Richard T. Lee from Canada, who carded a 74.
The Vincent brothers, Kieran and Scott, are tied for third one stroke further back following a spectacular 64 and 71 respectively, along with Australian Scott Hend, who came in with a 72.
Puig, who played for Arizona State University, turned professional in September to compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Chicago, and this week’s Asian Tour event is only his second tournament as a professional.
Richard T. Lee of Canada pictured on Saturday, November 5, 2022 during Round Three of the International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 3-6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He was bogey free today, making a birdie on five and three in a row from 11.
“You know, I played pretty good overall,” said the 20 year old.
“Obviously I hit it pretty good to not make any bogeys, but the whole day I played pretty steady. I’m hitting fairways and greens, and I made all the short putts that I needed to make. I’m excited and looking forward for tomorrow.
“I usually like long and wider courses, and this one is pretty long but it’s obviously very tight. But you know, I’ve been hitting my driver, three wood and five wood pretty good the last month and a half, so once I step up on the tee boxes I feel pretty confident. So that’s the key probably.”
Lee shot 65 yesterday for a two-shot lead but was unable to maintain that form today with a particularly bad run of three straight bogeys from 13. A birdie on the par-five 18th partially helped to salvage the day.
“Just didn’t drive well today and missed quite a few putts, I just couldn’t read the greens,” he said.
“But I am still in it and confident I can make a run at it tomorrow. It’s been a good year so far. I have worked hard to get back after a shoulder injury last year.”
Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe pictured during Round Three on Saturday, November 5, 2022 ahead of The International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 3-6, 2022. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Kieran Vincent’s round of the tournament so far is even more impressive when put into the context of his week as a whole.
Not only did his clubs not arrive with him when he landed on Tuesday from New York, but he only received them on Thursday morning just hours before he teed off after he went to pick them up at Casablanca airport, which is well over a one-hour drive from the golf club.
“I didn’t even know my clubs were there [at the airport on Thursday]. I was lucky enough that they were coming on that flight from JFK, so I picked them up and got here just in time for my tee off time,” said the Zimbabwean.
“I had arrived here on Tuesday morning and was club-less. So just came up to the course and thought at least we’ll see the course and do a little bit of practice. I think I was using someone else’s wedge, and a putter from who knows when.
“One of the guys from here I was lucky enough for him to lend me a set for Wednesday too, if I was able to just go out there and play a couple of holes. So, I was lucky enough to do that. But the main reason was we had some clubs to play and practice with.”
Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe pictured on Saturday, November 5, 2022 during Round Three of the International Series Morocco at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 3-6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He made an eagle, and seven birdies and will play in the final pairing on Sunday with Puig and Lee, with his older brother Scott in the penultimate group.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and American Erik Compton are tied for sixth, four behind Puig.
Jazz fired a 71 and Compton, who won the Hassan II Golf Trophy on this course in 2005, shot a 71.
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