Debutant Lahiri denied in thrilling playoff
By Joy Chakravarty reporting from Boston
Anirban Lahiri was a proverbial whisker away from winning his debut LIV Golf tournament, before agonisingly missing out and losing to former world number one Dustin Johnson in a playoff that decided the US$25-million LIV Golf Invitational Boston.
On Sunday, the 35-year-old Indian started three shots behind the leader. However, a six-under par 64, which included a birdie-birdie finish, elevated him to 15-under par, where he was joined by American Johnson (65) and Joaquín Niemann (66) of Chile.
Lahiri had a chance to win the tournament outright on the 18th hole, but his eagle putt from less than six feet just lipped out at the last moment.
In the playoff hole, again the par-five 18th hole, Lahiri chipped from the right side rough to almost tap-in distance for birdie. Niemann was out of contention after a par, but Johnson rolled in a difficult eagle putt from nearly 60 feet to seal the deal.
In the team competition, captain Johnson’s heroics led the all-American 4Aces to the podium for the third straight event, but they were given a tough fight by Ironheads, the all-Asian Tour team of American captain Kevin Na, Sadom Kaewkanjana, Phachara Khongwatmai and Sihwan Kim.
Sadom was ticking along brilliantly to catch up with the leaders at 13-under par mid-way through his round, but his third shot hit a sprinkler head on the par-five 12th hole and went into the thick trees for a double bogey. At that stage, with Phachara and Na also playing well the Ironheads had taken a commanding five-shot lead. However, they leaked shots coming in and were eventually fourth.
Lahiri’s team Crushers, captained by Bryson DeChambeau, took the second place at 30-under par, two shots behind 4Aces.
The seven-time Asian Tour champion, and 2015 Asian Tour number one, started the round with a bogey on the difficult opening hole of The International course, and slipped further behind when he was still even par after seven holes with another bogey and two birdies. However, cheered on by a sizable group of Indian fans, Lahiri made an eagle after hitting his second to five feet on the par-five eighth, and that kickstarted his comeback.
Lahiri then picked up further shots on the 10th and 13th, before the birdie-birdie finish.
“We have a very popular saying back in India that every grain of food has the name of the person who will eventually eat it. DJ’s name was written on this particular grain. I did the best I could, and it wasn’t enough. I am happy and have no regrets as far as my effort, commitment and focus is concerned,” said Lahiri, who became the first Asian player to sign a full contract with LIV Golf earlier this week.
“That eagle putt on the 18th was pretty much perfect. It was exactly on line, and then just dived right in the last few inches and did not drop. And then you had DJ making that eagle putt in the playoff hole. I was completely prepared for a second playoff hole, because the chances of making that putt was almost miniscule. He did, and I must say that I am very happy for him and the tournament and the thousands of people who turned up to support us in Boston.
“Dustin is a popular winner, and I cannot complain about a second-place start to my LIV career. I would have taken it if you had offered this at the start of the week. I am now hoping that I can take my form to Chicago in a couple of weeks and finish the job there.”
The win was worth US$$1.8125 million for Lahiri, and there was an additional cheque of $375,000 for finishing second in the team championship. It was also the best finish by an Asian player in the short history of LIV Golf, bettering the sixth place by Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma in the second leg in Portland.
Johnson, who finished eighth in London, fourth in Portland and third in Bedminster, was pleased with his win.
“It means a lot. Obviously, with the calibre of players that are playing now on LIV, we’ve got great fields every week. We’re going to continue to have great fields. It’s probably going to even get better starting next year. But even right now our fields are unbelievable,” said the 2020 Masters champion.
“For me, it’s something new. It’s something exciting. I’m really enjoying being out here, and we’re playing at great venues and they do a wonderful job putting on the tournaments.
“You talk to any of the fans, or the players, everyone seems to be taken care of very well. They are making it a great experience for everyone, and I am just really happy to be a part of it.”
Sadom, who had reached six-under par after his first 10 holes, also made a double bogey on the most difficult hole on the golf course, the 524-yard par-four first, before finishing with a 69 and to tie for 13th place at eight-under par.
Phachara (66) had reached seven-under par at one stage, but he was another one to endure an unfortunate finish with three straight bogeys. One of them was when his ball hit another on the green and ricocheted off the green leaving him with an awkward chip. He finally finished tied 31st at three-under par total.
Among the other Asian Tour players in the field, Zimbabwean Scott Vincent was in tied 21st place following a 69, while Aussie Wade Ormsby (70) and American Kim (76) were 43rd and 48th respectively.
By Joy Chakravarty reporting from Boston
Anirban Lahiri is poised to record the best finish by an Asian player in the LIV Golf Series, going into the final round of the US$25-million LIV Golf Invitational Boston in fourth place, just three shots behind the leader.
The 35-year-old Indian, who became the first Asian player to be contracted by the Series, added a five-under par 65 to his first-round 66 at the par-70 The International course and was nine-under par 131.
The best finish by an Asian player in the three LIV Golf Series events so far is a sixth place by Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma at the tournament in Portland.
American Taylor Gooch (65), remained on top of the leaderboard at 12-under par 128, one better than the world Chilean Joaquin Niemann, who shot a 65 as well. Former world number one Dustin Johnson moved to third place at 10-under par 130 after the joint best round of the day – a 63.
BOLTON, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 03: Sadom Kaewkanjana of Iron Heads GC plays his shot from the second tee during Day Two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Boston at The Oaks golf course at The International on September 03, 2022 in Bolton, Massachusetts. (Photo by Patrick Smith/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
Another Asian Tour star who is inside the top-10 is Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, who hit 17 greens in regulation for the second straight day in a round of 66. That tied him for eighth place at seven-under par total.
With Gooch and Johnson in fine form, the all-American team of 4 Aces looks set for a three-peat of the team competition. They at at 22-under, three ahead of captain Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers.
The turnaround of the day came from Sihwan Kim, who is second in both Asian Tour Order of Merit, as well as the International Series Order of Merit. The American struggled with accuracy off the tee in the first round and shot an 87. He improved it by a massive 24 shots on Saturday, matching Johnson’s best round of the day – a 63.
It helped his Asian Tour team of Ironheads – comprising Sadom and Phachara Khongwatmai, and American Kevin Na, the captain – to third place at 18-under par.
Lahiri started his round from the third tee, and was immediately required to knuckle down after hitting his second shot with a wedge way over the green.
“It just woke me up. I had to tell myself to pull my socks. I made a difficult up and down for par, but after that I played really well. I am very happy with my focus, and I was very happy with my rhythm,” said Lahiri, who is one of six new players making their LIV Golf debut in Boston.
“I hit the driver well again, and on this golf course, if you can find the fairways, it opens a lot of opportunities. Again, I could have putted better, so I do believe I have a much lower one in me.
“I think the way this golf course is, you can go low if you are playing well. I will need a 62 or a 63 if I have to win the tournament, and I think it is very possible the way I am playing.”
Lahiri and Sadom were the only two players in the field without a bogey in the tournament for a long time, before the tough ninth hole got to both. That ended a bogey-free stretch of 24 holes for Lahiri, while Sadom avoided it for 27 holes, having started the day on the 18th hole.
The 24-year-old Thai star was hoping to finish with a flourish, much the same way as he did at the 150th Open Championship in St Andrews, where a seven-under par 65 propelled him to tied 11th place, which was the best finish by a player from his country in the event.
“I started very well with a birdie on my first hole, and then added another on my third (second of the golf course). My driver and irons were working very well. If there is one disappointment, it is that I three-putted two successive holes – the par-five eighth for a par, and then on the par-four ninth for a bogey. I could easily have done much better if not for those two holes,” said Sadom.
“I don’t want to change anything in my gameplan or the way I am playing, but if I can make a few more putts tomorrow, it could set up an interesting finish.”
Gooch, who played conservatively off the tee, opting for his three-wood instead of hitting the driver on many holes, made just one bogey in his round of 67.
“The game has been in good form. I was able to throw out one low round (64) in the last tournament, but it’s nice to throw out a couple more this tournament and see if we can both throw out one more tomorrow and get the team win,” said Gooch.
Among the other Asian Tour players in the field, Zimbabwean Scott Vincent moved up to tied 19th place at four-under par with a 66. Phachara also had a sub-par round – a 69 – and moved up to tied 34th place.
By Joy Chakravarty reporting from Boston
Anirban Lahiri made a superb debut in his first LIV Golf event as a full-contracted player, producing a bogey-free four-under par 66 that left him three adrift of the leaders after the opening round in the $25-million LIV Invitational Boston.
Lahiri was in a group of five players tied for fifth place.
American Matthew Wolff brought his final-round form from Bedminster to Boston. A 64 on Sunday in New Jersey had uplifted him to second place behind champion Henrik Stenson, and not only did the 23-year-old make a hole-in-one on Friday, he also snatched the early lead.
Wolff shot a seven-under par 63, including the ace on the par-three second hole which took the wolf calls up by several decibels. He was tied at the top alongside fellow American Taylor Gooch, who started with five birdies in his first seven holes before finishing on seven-under.
World No2 and the reigning Open champion Cameron Smith of Australia and Chile’s No19 Joaquin Niemann, the two new signings of the Series, made immediate impact and tied for the third place two shots behind the leaders at 65. Smith’s round included a double bogey on the 14th hole.
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana lived up to his promise to himself and finally started a LIV tournament with a sub-par round. He was also bogey-free in shooting three-under par 67.
Earlier, Bedminster champion Stenson had to pull out at the last minute with a bout of vertigo. His place in the field was taken by Jordan’s Shergo Kurdi, who started with a creditable one-over par 71 while playing in the company of Smith and former world No1 Dustin Johnson.
“I played pretty solid. I’ve been playing good coming into this week. I got a couple of weeks to get some work done on my game. I think it was a good week for me to ease into. I played quite a few holes before I started today, almost more than I usually do. So, I was very comfortable on the golf course,” said Lahiri, the seven-time champion on the Asian Tour.
“I’ve been driving it decent, and hit my irons pretty good. My short game wasn’t that great, because I could have definitely made a couple more putts. That was disappointing because there was no wind today and these are probably the best conditions you’re going to get.
“There are three-four holes on this golf course which are dangerous, and if you can manage them, then you have an opportunity to really go deep if you’re playing well. I did manage those holes well, but missed several birdie chances from the 10-15 feet putt range. These greens are so good and true, you should be making at least 50 per cent of those putts, but I did not make many.”
Sadom, who finished tied 11th at The Open Championship, found every fairway with his driver and hit 17 greens in regulation in a solid display of golf.
Anirban Lahiri of India . (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“I am really happy with the way I played. I gave myself a lot of chances with my iron play, and three-under par is a good start. I said before the tournament that I really wanted a sub-par start in a LIV event, and I have finally got a good one. It’s not time to build on this over the next two days,” said the 23-year-old.
Wolff’s hole-in-one was also the first ever in LIV Invitational Golf history.
“Being the first one to do anything is always special, but I know for a fact I’m not going to be the last,” said Wolff. “The ace was great. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled and all, but I’d rather be holding that trophy at the end of the week.
“It really helped to put a good round together and keep that momentum going, but I just tried to do my part for myself and my team to post a good number.”
Smith, the highest ranked player in the field, once again put a magnificent short-game performance, but his driver seemed off and put him under pressure on several holes.
“That round kind of had a bit of everything, very up-and-down. It probably wasn’t one of my best driving performances there. I was a bit disappointed with how I drove the ball, so that’s something to work on tomorrow,” said Smith, who spent an entire season on the Asian Tour before earning his card on the PGA Tour and moving to America.
Among the other Asian Tour players in the field, Zimbabwean Scott Vincent was tied 31st at even-par 70, while Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand was tied 42nd at +2. Wade Ormsby started with a +3, but American SIhwan Kim struggled with his driver and finished on +17.
By Joy Chakravarty, at the LIV Golf Invitational Boston.
Anirban Lahiri, a seven-time Asian Tour champion, and one of six new players to join the LIV Golf Series, feels the Series has the potential to be a game-changer for golf in Asia.
The 35-year-old Indian became the first Asian player to sign a full-time contract with LIV Golf and will be making his debut in LIV Golf Invitational Boston when the US$25-million tournament is played at the verdant The International course from September 2-4.
After the inaugural event in London, the next four LIV Golf events were scheduled in the US. South African Branden Grace triumphed in Portland, while the 2016 Open champion Henrik Stenson roared back in form at Bedminster in his LIV debut. Following this week in Boston, the Series moves to Chicago after a week’s break, and then heads to Asia for back-to-back events – in Bangkok and Jeddah.
Lahiri would love India to be included in LIV’s future schedules but said any event in Asia would be good for the game.
“I never grew up watching so many major winners play in my neighbourhood, which is going to happen with LIV. That’s something that people here in the US don’t understand because they see it every week. They can drive a few hours and see it down the road from the town they live in,” said Lahiri.
“I could not when I was growing up. And that’s going to be a possibility going in the future and that’s where you inspire the next generation. I have already had a few people from India messaging that they want to come down to Bangkok and watch the tournament. It’s definitely going to be impactful.”
There are 12 major champions with a combined 22 majors, and four former world number one players in the field in Boston. The global field has 13 Olympians representing 14 different countries and features 20 players with 10 or more professional wins.
Anirban Lahiri of India plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course on April 04, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Lahiri said the feedback he has received from back home in India has been very positive.
“It’s a fantastic thing for golf in India. I think everybody is excited so far, the golfing community, the media. It’s exciting for me as well to kind of go back, play in the region, play on the Asian Tour. I started there and that’s where my roots are,” said the 2015 Order of Merit champion.
“There’s so much good that’s going to come out of this. It’s definitely going to boost the growth in that region one way or the other. Also, me getting to spend more time at home, it’s fantastic.
“And the TV coverage. People are going to watch me hitting a lot more golf shots than in the past. That’s a fact and that’s what people want to see and are getting excited about. They want to see players from their countries competing.”
World number two Cameron Smith, who was also revealed as one of LIV Golf players on Tuesday, said he had fond memories of the time he played on the Asian Tour and would return and play a few tournaments in the region as and when his schedule permits.
Smith finished fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in the 2014 season, claiming seven top-10s, but hasn’t been able to win a title there as yet.
“I think back to the days of the Asian Tour and I had such a great time. I was only 18 or 19, traveling around Asia, playing the sport that we love. There were so many good times, so many good people, and it’s something that I’ve missed… travelling and playing golf,” said the reigning Open champion.
“As you know, on the PGA Tour, we don’t get to spend much time outside of the United States. For me, that’s another exciting thing; playing the best courses around the world, and bringing golf to new places is something that I’m really going to love.
“I think during our season now, if it works in the schedule, playing in Asia is something that I would think about for sure.”
By Joy Chakravarty, reporting from Boston.
The supremely-talented and extraordinarily-humble Thai star Sadom Kaewkanjana may not say it in so many words, but he is hoping to spring a massive surprise on the world-class field that has gathered at The International for the US$25 million LIV Golf Invitational Boston.
The world caught a glimpse of Sadom’s mastery when he produced a magical final-round seven-under-par 65 to finish joint 11th in the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July. That put him in the record books as the best-ever finish by a Thai player in the oldest Major championship in golf.
Now ranked 91st in the world, which is also his best-ever Official World Golf Ranking position following back-to-back top-12 finishes in the International Series events in Singapore and Korea, Sadom’s belief springs from two factors – he has immediately fallen in love with The International course, and his confidence is at an all-time high with the way he is hitting his driver.
“I really like the golf course. It is so beautiful, and I love the layout. It is shorter than the first three LIV courses, although, there are a few long holes as well. I think it suits my eyes,” said the Sadom, who has qualified to play in the LIV events by virtue of finishing second on the Asian Tour’s 2020-21-22 Order of Merit.
“The greens are going to be a big challenge this week because they are so small and have so many undulations. And the fairways are a lot narrower than the courses used for the first three tournaments, and I am hitting my driver very well. It’s going to be a big advantage this week if you are driving well.”
Sadom Kaewkanjana pictured on Thursday August 11, 2022 during the US$ 1.5 million International Series Singapore at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course). Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Sadom said it was important for him to put together a good opening round.
“In all the three LIV events that I have played, I have shot my chances very early by not playing well in the first round,” said the 24-year-old, who began with a six-over 76 in London, a 10-over 82 in Portland and a five-over 76 in Bedminster.
“Once I had fallen behind and had such a terrible start, it is almost impossible to catch up, especially when you are playing against such good players.
“So, I really want to have a good opening round here. That is the only thing I am thinking about right now. If I have a sub-par round, I will take it from there.”
Sadom is part of the all-Asian Ironheads team, which is led by Korea-born American Kevin Na. They were in contention before finishing fifth in Portland, but were 10th and 12th in the other two events.
“I am so proud to be part of the Ironheads and captain Na has been fantastic. We are a very good team and we get together nicely. I am sure it is just a question of clicking together,” said Sadom, who won the SMBC Singapore Open in January, which was the final event of the Asian Tour’s 2020-22 season.
Action begins in Boston from Friday, September 2.
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Bio Kim from Korea, and his compatriot Taehoon Ok, who won last week’s International Series Korea, are just two of the big-name players who have confirmed their participation in The 38th Shinhan Donghae Open, which is the next stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong and Sihwan Kim from the United States, the only two players who have won twice this season will also compete in the tournament, which will be played at Koma Country Club in Japan, from September 8-11.
It’s the first time the prestigious tournament – which is returning to the Tour following a three-year break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – will have been played in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Tri-sanctioned by the Asian, Korean and Japan Tours it boasts prizemoney of KRW 1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,050,500).
Bio Kim of Korea. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Bio, whose aim it is to top both the Asian and Korean rankings this year, moved in to first place on the Merit list for the first time this year last weekend by finishing second in the International Series Korea; he took over from Sihwan Kim, who is now second, with Nitithorn third. Nitithorn triumphed in the International Series Singapore the week before Taehoon Ok’s win.
And, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who won the Mandiri Indonesian Open at the beginning of August, has also entered the tournament.
South African Jbe Kruger (main picture) won the Shinhan Donghae Open when it was last played on the Asian Tour in 2019 and will bid for honours again this year along with while five other former champions: Korea’ s Sanghyun Park (2018), Canada’s Richard T. Lee (2017) and Korean legend Jongduck Kim (2005).
Rising Korean stars Yoseop Seo, who has featured on the leaderboard at the past two Asian Tour events, and Hanbyeol Kim, winners in 2022 and 2021 respectively, when it was played solely as a Korean PGA Tour event because of travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, will also tee off at Koma.
Last year’s champion Yoseop Seo.
In addition to the crème de la crème of the Asian Tour competing, the tournament will also see Korean stars Siwoo Kim – a three-time winner on the PGA Tour – and “KT” Kim playing, as well as the leading players from the Japan Tour, including Japan’s Kazuki Higa, who is currently ranked first in Japan following two wins this year, his illustrious compatriot Ryo Ishikawa – the winner of 17 titles in Japan – and American Chan Kim, who finished second behind Kruger three years ago.
Asian Tour CEO and commissioner Cho Minn Thant has underlined the importance of the new LIV Golf-partnered International Series, explaining the many benefits of the ‘player-centric’ flagship series of elevated marquee events.
The International Series events are played in strategically selected venues around the world, with stops on the 2022 Asian Tour so far in Thailand, England, Singapore and Korea, with two new North African destinations, in Morocco and Egypt, announced on Sunday.
Speaking on the sidelines of last week’s US $1.5m International Series Korea, where victory went to Taehoon Ok at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club Jeju, he said: “The International Series is beneficial to the Asian Tour for a number of reasons. First, we get eight new tournaments this season and moving forward it will be at least 10 next year.
“These events are very player centric, and all about the player experience. We take care of the player accommodation, F&B, activities and even services such as a barber shop and players recreation area in the locker room. We go the extra mile to take care of the players and from that perspective I hope they are happy with it.
Taehoon Ok of Korea celebrates on the 18th green on Sunday August 21, 2022, during round four of the International Series Korea at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club, Jeju, Korea. The Asian Tour US$ 1.5 million event is staged August 18-21, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“From the LIV Golf perspective, our association means we are a platform that LIV Golf can use for players to progress to the LIV Golf Invitationals this year and the LIV Golf League in future, so it acts as a feeder into their series.
“Also, the LIV Golf Invitationals is eight events this year and the LIV Golf League will be 14 next year. Outside of these, professional golfers need to play to fill out their schedule and hopefully the International Series is an option for them to come and play outside the LIV Golf events, to keep sharp and come and play competitively.”
A number of LIV regulars such as Patrick Reed, Chase Keopka, Peter Uihlein, Andy Ogletree, and Turk Pettit have already chosen to take part in International Series events. Asian Tour members Wade Ormsby, Sihwan Kim, Sadom Kaekwanjana, Scott Vincent, Travis Smyth, Viraj Madappa, Kevin Yuan, Justin Harding and Phachara Khongwatmai have likewise experienced LIV’s new 54-hole format through good performances in the series.
Cho played down any concerns that his members might have about potential ineligibility for PGA Tour events through their participation in the series, because of its association with LIV Golf.
“There are some players who are concerned about playing International Series events and becoming ineligible for PGA Tour. That’s not the case – we have clarified this with the PGA Tour that the restriction is not in play.
“The International Series is fully sanctioned by the Asian Tour. It forms part of the Asian Tour Order of Merit and there are several players who have played on the International Series who are playing on the PGA Tour, Korean Joohyung Kim (Recent winner of the Wyndham Championship on PGA Tour) being a prime example.”
The high-profile International Series tournaments are underwritten and promoted by LIV Golf, with commercial sponsorship a major focus moving forward for the team at the Asian Tour. Cho explained: “We are extremely grateful to LIV Golf for their support. Ultimately, the goal is for corporate sponsors to sustain the tournaments themselves and for LIV to revert to being a promoter at these events.
“Each International Series event will have the ‘presenting partner’ position available, and the focus next year will include sponsor activations and engaging more spectators to attend events.”
Cho also explained how the Asian Tour has already supported LIV Golf in their bid to secure world ranking points.
He said: “LIV Golf are applying for world ranking points independently, but the process requires a nomination by one of the full-member Tours.
“As a good partner, it was our responsibility to help LIV Golf submit their bid for world ranking points and that is underway now – the Asian Tour has nominated them, and they are providing technical information that will support their application with the intention of getting world ranking points next year.”
While the landmark partnership is incredibly important to the Asian Tour, pragmatic Cho views it as one of many options for Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour members.
He explained: “Our mandate is to provide a pathway for our members to further their careers. We now provide our members with the opportunity to play LIV Golf events but we also support members like Joohyung Kim who choose the PGA Tour path. We have many members who are dual members of other Tours and play in Japan, Europe or Australia, we don’t have a problem at all.”
“For the longest time the Asian Tour has been a path to Europe, but we are hoping with new tournaments and more sponsors and with bigger prizemoney, our top players will stay and play in Asia rather than having to go to Europe.”
The International Series Korea was the fourth International Series event of the season so far on the Asian Tour.
The Asian Tour’s ground-breaking International Series gathers further momentum with two more tournaments added to the schedule, in two of the most exciting and exotic destinations it has ever visited, Morocco and Egypt.
The Tour will first travel to the International Series Morocco, to be played at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, in Rabat, from November 3-6, before going on to the International Series Egypt the following week, at Madinaty Golf Club, in Cairo, from November 10-13.
Both events will boast prize money of US$1.5 million and play a key role in determining the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, as well as the International Series money list winner.
The Asian Tour season is due to be completed in the month of December with several additional events to be announced in due course.
“This has been an unprecedented season and we are delighted to be able to announce exciting news about the Asian Tour’s first visit to North Africa,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour.
“The International Series Morocco and International Series Egypt are two spectacular additions to our schedule that will provide our members with a unique opportunity to compete somewhere new while allowing the Tour to broaden its reach.”
The two destinations have highly contrasting golfing history. Morocco, with its rich golfing pedigree, has been a regular fixture on the global golfing calendar hosting numerous international golfing events over the past two decades. On the other hand, Egypt is a relatively new market for professional golf with the International Series set to be the largest golf event ever staged in the country.
Taehoon Ok of Korea pictured with the winner’s trophy on Sunday at the International Series Korea. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“We are excited to be heading to Morocco, which has illustrious golfing heritage, as well as breaking new ground in Egypt. Outside of golf, these two destinations are undeniably high up on anyone’s travel bucket list with their storied past and spectacular historical sites,” added Cho.
The International Series was launched earlier this year thanks to a new landmark partnership between the Asian Tour and LIV Golf to invigorate the game in Asia and the Middle East.
“LIV Golf’s investment in the Asian Tour through the International Series is already delivering new opportunities for golfers from all over the world. These events are enhancing the player experience, creating pathways for career development and reinforcing golf’s growth on a global scale,” said Greg Norman, LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner. “This series of events has received tremendous feedback and it continues to build exciting momentum for our sport’s future.”
This Sunday the Tour saw Taehoon Ok from Korea win the International Series Korea, at Lotte Skyhill Country Club Jeju; which comes a week after Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong was triumphant in the International Series Singapore at Tanah Merah Country Club.
The International Series Thailand kicked off the series in March and was won by American Sihwan Kim at Black Mountain Golf Club. Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent claimed the International Series England in June at Slaley Hall – an event that marked the Tour’s first-ever tournament in the UK.
The additions of two more International Series events means this year’s Asian Tour schedule is on target to offer at least 20 events this season.
Emerging Korean star Taehoon Ok holed a clutch five-foot birdie putt on the last to beat his famous compatriot Bio Kim by one today and land the International Series Korea at Lotte Skyhill Country Club – on Jeju Island.
After a fierce battle down the stretch, Ok prevailed after carding a three-under-par 68, for a tournament total of 15 under par. Bio also came in with a 68.
American Trevor Simsby fired a 67 for sole possession of third, one stroke further back.
It’s the first time that Ok has triumphed in his five-year professional career, and he was made to work right to the very end to secure it.
He started the day with a one-shot advantage and after making three birdies in a row from the 11th he had a two-shot lead and appeared on course for a comfortable victory.
Taehoon Ok. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
However, moments after he missed 15-foot par putt on the par-three 17th, Bio, playing in the group ahead, holed a six-foot birdie putt on 18 to tie the lead on 14 under.
With a sudden-death play-off looking a strong possibility, Ok bravely responded by hitting a masterful third shot close in before confidently holing out for a lifechanging victory, which also earned him a cheque for US$270,000.
“I asked my caddie on 17 if he really thought I can birdie 18 and he said, ‘go for it’,” said the 23 year old.
“I have learned a lot by playing in the final pairings recently so that really helped.”
He came close to winning the Kolon Korea Open this year and was tied for the lead after the third round but carded a disappointing 75 on the final day and finished joint sixth place; and, he also tied for fifth in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open, all pointing to the fact a win this year is not far away.
“This win is for my father,” added a tearful Ok, whose dad passed away when he was 10 years old. When asked what his plans will be moving forward and how he will spend his winnings he said his mother would handle that.
Pre-tournament favourite Bio said he took a lot of positives from the result despite the narrow loss.
Bio Kim. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Said Bio: “Actually, I wasn’t playing well coming in here, so I am pleased to have played so well and re-discovered my game as we head into a busy second half of the year.”
He had been looking to win his third title of the year in Korea: in May, he claimed the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea for his maiden victory on the Asian Tour and the following month he won the SK Telecom Open on the Korean PGA Tour here on Jeju Island for his eighth win on that circuit.
Simsby’s result is his best performance since claiming the Malaysian Open in March of 2022.
“I put in a lot of work in the middle part of this year,” said the American.
“Obviously, I had kind of a rough beginning, but plenty of golf to be played. And it’s just nice to see the work paying off, because I’m excited obviously for next year and moving forward as well. We’re gonna have some great events.”
Korean Yunseok Gang came in with a 66, to finish fourth, while India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, carded a 67, to take fifth.
“It was quite tough today actually, because the last few days, the golf course has been really soft. It didn’t rain the last three – four days, so today the back nine greens started getting a little firm,” said Bhullar, who was victorious at the Mandiri Indonesian Open for a record third time this month.
“It was very difficult to adapt, we have been coming from last few days when the conditions were totally soft, and then suddenly on Sunday afternoon back nine, you know, everything turns out to be a little firm. So, there was a bit of adjustment in that, but I think overall I played pretty well the last three rounds.”
Trevor Simsby. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Wooyoung Cho, the country’s top amateur who fired a stunning 61 on day three, signed off with a 72 to tie for seventh.
The Asian Tour travels to Japan next for The 38th Shinhan Donghae Open, being played at Koma Country Club from September 8-11. It will mark the first time the prestigious Korean event has been played in Japan.
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