Embrace life-changing opportunities, urges Kapur
By Spencer Robinson, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour
Shiv Kapur has urged Asian Tour members to embrace the unique opportunities that are being presented to them – and cash in on the life-changing sums of money that’s up for grabs.
Having turned 40 in February, the Indian now qualifies as one of the Asian Tour’s senior citizens. More than that, he’s an individual who is admired and widely respected among his peers.
Now into his 18th year as a professional golfer, Kapur’s reasoned and thought-provoking views resonate among the young guns he now finds himself trying to outwit on the course.
Son of a New Delhi stockbroker who was born and grew up in India, educated at Purdue University in the United States, and has played golf around the globe, it’s not surprising that Kapur boasts a genuinely international outlook.
Which goes a long way to explaining why he’s so bullish about the launch of the International Series – and the enticing riches that are being offered.
Given the nomadic golfing lifestyle he’s led for the best part of two decades, Kapur is well placed to assess the positives that today’s up-and-coming golfers can glean from performing around the world.
Shiv Kapur of India pictured at the International Series Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
On the eve of the unfolding of a new chapter in the history of the Asian Tour at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in the International Series England, Kapur’s anticipation is palpable.
He said: “I think it’s really cool that the Asian Tour is spreading its wings now and we’re going into new territories. Playing in different conditions and playing in different countries … that’s only going to help the players become better.
“I played in Europe for many years and European players came over and played in Asia for many years.
“But we (Asian Tour members) didn’t really get the opportunities (to play in Europe), other than maybe in the Dunhill Links or going to Crans Montana (Omega European Masters).”
Kapur speaks from experience when he says being exposed to playing new courses in alien conditions can only help golfers to grow.
“To go and play a course like Slaley Hall, in usually tough conditions, cold and windy, will help the young Asian players – and the established players – to become more all-around players.
“We played in Korea three weeks ago (GS Caltex Maekyung Open) and we played in Thailand before that (Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge). You couldn’t have more of a variation.
“I know a lot of the players look to try and qualify for the Open Championship and this (International Series England) would be the perfect sort of warm up for that,” said Kapur, himself a three-time Open Championship participant.
Although this will mark his maiden appearance at Slaley Hall, Kapur will be mentally attuned for anything the elements throw at the players.
He said: “Newcastle is as north as it gets in England, so you can expect some pretty cold and wet weather. You’ve got to be prepared for the worst.
“That’s really great (in the sense) that it will make the Asian players more well-rounded. It will make them ready for when they go play Major championships against the best players in the world.”
Kapur also competed in the Saudi International in February.
These days, too, professional golfers are also having to adapt to the fact that lines of questioning aren’t restricted to birdies and bogeys. Increasingly frequently they’re being engaged in debates related to politics and morals in golf.
Kapur is forthright in his views. He said: “What’s happening right now with LIV Golf and Golf Saudi has really changed the landscape, I think.
“There’s been a lot of criticism all around. But I think if you just look at it, golf in general has benefited from it. Every Tour in the world has pushed their prize monies up as a result of it.”
There are no apologies from Kapur. “You know, the PGA Tour for years and years just sat back. Now, as a reaction to this, the Players Championship is suddenly US$20 million, the FedEx Cup is more.
“The DP World Tour pushed their prize money up. So, I think the trickle-down effect of this has been great. The Asian Development Tour is playing for more money, and the Challenge Tour is playing for more money.
“So I think, having done what they’ve done, I think the players are the biggest winners in all of this, in spite of what’s been said in the media.”
Next week’s event at Slaley Hall – the second of 10 International Series events to feature on the Asian Tour this season – is a case in point, carrying a prize purse of US$2 million. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The winner of the International Series England will receive direct entry into the following week’s LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Club outside London. That tournament alone has a total prize fund of US$25 million with the champion set to bank a cheque for US$4 million.
From the perspective of most Asian Tour members – more used to playing for rupiah, baht, yen and won – that must sound like Monopoly money.
Listen to Kapur, who has amassed almost US$3 million in career Asian Tour earnings from 223 tournaments dating back to 2005.
He said: “Personally, for myself, and for Asian Tour players, it could be potentially a life-changing week, or weeks.
“You look at Joohyung Kim, Sadom Kaewkanjana and Sihwan Kim, or whoever is already qualified [for the LIV Golf Invitational]. They’ve got a chance to play for a US$4 million first prize! I mean, who wouldn’t want to play for that?
“All the politics aside, these are life-changing amounts of money. Players are finally getting their due.”
By Spencer Robinson, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour
The Asian Tour continues to play a crucial role in the development of the region’s next generation of golfing heroes.
For decades, leading amateurs from around the Asia-Pacific have tasted top-level tournament golf on the Asian Tour before joining the ranks of those who play for pay.
According to Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the opportunity for amateurs to test their mettle against the pros before taking the plunge is an important rite of passage.
The representative body for 46 male and female national golf associations, the APGC also acts as the hosting partner for major amateur events in the region. Furthermore, the APGC works to ensure adherence to the Rules of Golf as approved by The R&A, and partners with The Masters Tournament and the International Golf Federation in the promotion of golf.
In partnership with the the Japan Golf Association (JGA), Kansai TV and Mitsubishi Corporation, the APGC hosts the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup.
Last weekend’s latest edition of the event, that is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) and the Asian Tour, once more underscored the incredible depth of young golfing talent across the region with two amateurs challenging for the title.
Ratchanon ‘TK” Chantananuwat, winner of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup, finished joint fourth in the SEA Games in Vietnam. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
With a spell-binding closing 63, Japan’s Kosuke Suzuki claimed a share of second place, just one shot shy of forcing a play-off with his triumphant compatriot Shugo Imahira.
New Zealand amateur Kazuma Kobori also excelled, ending two strokes behind the champion in joint sixth spot.
Another amateur in the spotlight throughout the week at Oarai Golf Club was Keita Nakajima, the reigning Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) winner and number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, who is closely following in the footsteps trodden by Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time AAC champion and winner of the 2021 Masters Tournament.
Joint 11th after three days at the Diamond Cup, Nakajima’s hopes of victory may have faded with a final-round 74, but many are predicting a second JGTO title will follow in the coming months before the 21-year-old turns pro.
In the wake of the strong showing of amateurs at the Diamond Cup, Amin said: “Thanks to the Japan Golf Tour Organisation and the Asian Tour for the support they continue to lend to leading amateurs of APGC member countries.
“The Diamond Cup plays an important role in promoting golf in the Asia-Pacific region, providing elite amateur golfers from APGC member countries with a special opportunity to test their skills at the highest level. I also thank the Japan Golf Association for their generosity in allocating 10 spots for our APGC amateurs.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our players were denied the chance to compete for the past two years. However, with the easing of travel restrictions, we were delighted that this year’s Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup once more featured a selection of the finest amateur golfers from around the region.”
Further proof of the current strength in depth of amateur golf in Asia came at the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam, also played last weekend.
Less than a month after creating history by upstaging the professionals to win the Asian Tour’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup and become the youngest male winner of a professional tournament on a major Tour at the age of just 15 years and 37 days, Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat was an overwhelming favourite to claim the individual golfing gold medal.
Remarkably, however, the Thai teenager did not even make the podium, his 54-hole total of five-under-par 211 (71-71-69) only good enough for joint fourth place at Heron Lake Golf Course & Resort.
The gold medal went to Malaysian Ervin Chang who defeated Indonesian Amadeus Susanto Christian on the third hole of a sudden-death play-off. The duo had matching three-round totals of seven-under 209. The bronze medal went to Thai Weerawish Narkprachar on six-under 210.
By Olle Nordberg, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour
The PGA Championship – which tees-off tomorrow at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma – will see six current Asian Tour members compete for the famous Wanamaker Trophy: Koreans Joohyung Kim and Bio Kim, Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand, Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino and Ryosuke Kinoshita, and South African Justin Harding.
They are playing by virtue of their Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) – in what is the year’s second Major.
The tournament is steeped in history and will be the 104th edition of the event which was inaugurated in 1916 and played as a Match Play event until 1957.
Southern Hills also has a famous past: established in 1935, it has hosted seven Major Championships: three U.S. Opens and four PGA Championships – the last one coming in 2007 when American Tiger Woods successfully defended his title to win his fourth and last PGA Championship.
All six members are coming in with their games in good shape but let’s have a closer look at them, ahead of one of the biggest weeks’ of their careers.
Joohyung Kim
2021 Asian Tour Order of Merit Champion Joohyung Kim should have every reason to feel confident after a string of impressive performances lately, finishing second, tied sixth and tied fifth in his last three Asian Tour events.
He is known as one of the preeminent ball strikers on the Asian Tour, and perhaps also in the world. Some have compared his ball striking ability to that of 2020 PGA Championship winner and reigning Open Championship champion Collin Morikawa from the US. High praise indeed for the 19-year-old Korean, but proven by the fact he finishing tied 17th at the AT&T Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour last week and ranked fifth in Strokes Gained Approach with 5.67.
This will be Kim’s Major as he played in the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
Bio Kim is playing in only his second Major this week.
Bio Kim
A first-time Asian Tour winner at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open two weeks ago, Korea’s Bio Kim has been one of the hottest players on the Asian Tour after play resumed following the COVID-19 hiatus late last year. Since November of 2021 Kim had shown remarkable consistency, racking up seven top-10’s in nine events before finally securing the trophy at Nam Seoul Country Club, just outside of Seoul.
The 31-year-old Korean played on the PGA Tour back in 2011 and will be relishing a chance to play in the U.S. again. This will be Kim’s first PGA Championship and second career Major, having finished tied 45th at the U.S. Open Championship in 2013 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Sadom Kaewkanjana
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana will be making his Major debut in Tulsa this week, and the Thai player has been in good form since last year when he won three times on the All Thailand Golf Tour. In early 2022 he posted his second career Asian Tour victory at the SMBC Singapore Open and he has also posted two other top fives: a tied second finish at the Royals Cup and a fifth place finish at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge.
Sadom Kaewkanjana is making his debut in a Major. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Rikuya Hoshino
Japanese star Rikuya Hoshino is a five-time winner on his home tour, the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, and is currently in second place on that Order of Merit. Coming off a tied sixth-place finish in the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup where he was the defending champion last week, the 26-year-old is in good form with five straight top-10s in Japan that included two solo-seconds and one solo third.
Hoshino will be playing in his third career Major after playing in the U.S. Open in both 2018 and 2021; his best finish coming in 2021 when he finished tied 45th at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Ryosuke Kinoshita
Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita has had an impressive start to his 2022 Asian Tour season, with a tied eight in the star-packed Saudi International and a tied fifth in the International Series Thailand. He’s also had two recent top-five finishes on the Japan Tour since then in The Crowns and the Kansai Open Golf Championship.
The 30-year-old had a breakthrough season on the Japan Tour in 2021 winning two consecutive events on the Japan Golf Tour and finishing third on that Order of Merit.
He made his Major debut in the Open Championship in 2021 where he finished tied 59th at Royal St. George’s in Kent, England.
Justin Harding
South Africa’s Justin Harding has the most Major experience among all the Asian Tour members playing this week with nine appearances. His best result coming in the 2019 Masters where he finished tied 12th, and in two previous attempts in the PGA Championship a tied 54th has been his best result.
The two-time Asian Tour winner has had two top-five finishes on the DP World Tour so far in 2022, with a tied fourth in the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic as his best result. His lone start on the Asian Tour this year was at the Saudi International where he finished tied 24th.
American Sihwan Kim, currently ranked first on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Korean Joohyung Kim, last season’s number one, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland and Thailand’s 15-year-old wonderkid Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat will lead an exceptional line up of players at next month’s International Series England.
All of the players currently ranked in the top-10 on the Asian Tour Merit list will compete in the highly anticipated US$2 million tournament – which will take place at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, near Newcastle, from June 2-5.
The ground-breaking event will mark the first time the Asian Tour has sanctioned a tournament in the UK and the exciting opportunity will mean a full turnout of the Tour’s membership – for what will be the ninth event of the 2022-23 season and the second International Series event.
Sihwan Kim is leading the way on the Tour at the moment thanks to two victories – including at the first-ever International Series event, played in Thailand in March – and has earned close to half a million dollars, but Slaley Hall will also see a wealth of other in-form players competing.
Korean Bio Kim, who is second on the Merit list, and third-ranked Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand will compete having both recently recorded their first wins on the Asian Tour, following its restart in November last year after a two-year COVID-19 enforced break.
Sihwan Kim celebrates winning the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
And Joohyung Kim, who at 19 years of age became the second youngest winner of the Merit title in January, has picked up where he left off from last season with top-10 finishes in his last three events to sit in fourth place on the rankings. Kim will make his way over to the UK after competing in this week’s US PGA Championship in Oklahoma. Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and South Africa’s Justin Harding, also in action at the season’s second Major Championship, will also be making the trip across the Atlantic.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the 2019 Merit champion and six-time winner on Tour, Malaysian Gavin Green, the 2017 number one, and Australian Scott Hend – the most successful international player on the Tour with 10 victories and the 2016 Merit list winner will also be looking for strong performances in the North of England.
As will Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, a two-time winner on the Tour since last year’s restart, and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, also a winner this season.
“The International Series England is a landmark event for the Asian Tour which provides our members with a great opportunity to compete internationally in an exciting, new location,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
“An incredibly strong field will assemble for the tournament, which is a reflection of the appetite our members have for the International Series and will also allow us to showcase the Asian Tour’s depth in world-class talent to European fans. We have also received enormous interest from international players wanting to be part of the Asian Tour having seen our steady growth over the past few months.”
A host of Asian Tour legends will be in attendance, in particular Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant – the winner of a record 18 Asian Tour titles – and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, who like Thaworn, has claimed two Merit list titles.
In addition, a number of high-profile players have been extended invites including McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, New Zealand’s Michael Campbell, who claimed the US Open in 2005, England’s Lee Slattery, Wu Ashun from China, Jovan Rebula from South Africa, Americans Peter Uihlein and Andy Ogletree, both former winners of the US Amateur Championship, and rising Australian stars Blake Windred and Louis Dobbelaar.
Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat claimed the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Some of the games’ leading amateurs have been invited, most noticeably Ratchanon, who has taken the Tour by storm with some brilliant performances, including winning the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup in Thailand in April to become the youngest male player to win on one of the game’s major Tours.
Exciting young amateurs England’s John Gough, the reigning English Amateur Champion, and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho will also play.
The event also features twelve dedicated spots for professionals from the United Kingdom, which include various rising stars such as Sam Broadhurst, son of six-time European Tour winner and Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst, as well as seasoned professionals such as Welshman Stuart Manley.
The International Series England is promoted by LIV Golf and will be followed by eight more International Series events this season.
Shugo Imahira drew on his wealth of experience at winning to claim the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup at Oarai Golf Club today to secure his first Asian Tour title and sixth success on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
In a photo finish to the tournament, which was jointly sanctioned with the Asian Tour, Imahira prevailed by one shot on eight under for the tournament thanks to a rock-solid finish of pars down the closing stretch, while his rivals were dropping shots.
He closed with a two-under-par 68 with his compatriots Kosuke Suzuki, an amateur, Hiroshi Iwata, Kaito Onishi, and Yuto Katsuragawa all in second place.
Suzuki came charging out of the pack with a 63 – thanks to a brilliant back nine of five-under-par 30 – Iwata shot 68, while Onishi, who chipped in for birdie on 18, and Katsuragawa both carded 70s.
Imahira’s win also earned him a place in the elite field for The Open at St. Andrews in July – an event he has played in twice before.
The 29 year old started the day one behind overnight leaders Onishi, Katsuragawa, Japan’s Ryuko Tokimatsu and New Zealander Ben Campbell but finished first helped by a brave back nine made up of eight pars and a birdie, on the par-five 15th.
Amateur Kosuke Suzuki closed with a sensational 63. Picture by JGTO.
It was a different story for Iwata, Onishi and Katsuragawa on the homeward nine as they dropped shots at critical moments. Onishi and Katsuragawa, in particular, both made double bogeys, on 13 and 15 respectively, while the later made a costly bogey on 17 which opened the door for Imahira.
Suzuki, just 21 years old, was the only player who got to grips with the back nine – he made three birdies in a row from the 11th and an eagle on 15 – but having started the day seven off the lead the gap proved too big to close.
“I am really happy with this victory. I haven’t really performed well this year, so I’m glad I am able to win early,” said Imahira, who won the JGTO money list title in 2018 and 2019 and whose last victory was the 2021 Fujisankei Classic.
“The Open was my goal at the start of this season. My 172 world ranking isn’t good enough to get me into overseas events, so getting into The Open by winning this week is amazing. The goal was to be a major player rather than a prize winner.”
He received a cheque for US$178,205.
Campbell closed with a 72 to finish three behind the winner in a tie for eighth and also suffered from a disappointing finish that saw him double bogey 17.
He said: “Very frustrated with the finish. Lost the ball on 17th. I thought it was on the fairway, but it actually went left. It was a week that could have been unfortunately. But overall, still a positive week. I thought I was feeling rusty coming into this week and that sort of showed a little bit today. Had a good chance after making birdie on 13 but three putted 14 and that really killed me. I only had about 10 feet there for birdie. To three putt that really hurts.”
Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat produced one of his best rounds on Tour, a 66, to finish joint 11th.
“I almost couldn’t make it to this event,” said Itthipat, a three-time winner on the Asian Development Tour.
Ben Campbell was joint leader at the start of the final round. Picture by JGTO.
“I had issues with my visa applications because it was quite last minute. I was on the reserve list and only got into the tournament five days before I fly. I am really happy with my result. This is my first Diamond Cup and the first Asian Tour event I’ve played in Japan. I have played in Japan on the Challenge Tour before but never on the Asian Tour.”
The next event on the Asian Tour is the US$2 million International Series England at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, from June 2 to 5. The tournament is the second of 10 International Series events this season.
Japan’s Kaito Onishi stayed on top of the leaderboard in the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup today after the third round although he was joined there by countrymen Yuto Katsuragawa and Ryuko Tokimatsu and New Zealander Ben Campbell.
Onishi, the leader after the first two rounds, carded a one-over-par 71 to finish the day on seven under at Oarai Golf Club, while Tokimatsu, who had a hole in one, and Campbell both returned 66s; Katsuragawa came in with a 67.
Japan’s Shugo Imahira (69) and Yuki Inamori (70) are one stroke further back, in the Asian Tour Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) jointly-sanctioned event.
Onishi has only been a professional for a year and yet he is on the threshold of his first JGTO victory. And despite a difficult day on the course, which saw him make two birdies and three bogeys, he remained in a confident mood.
“I’m not bad at golf so I think I have a good chance tomorrow,” joked the 23 year old, who graduated from the University of Southern California last year.
Ben Campbell is on the cusp of the biggest win of his career. Picture by JGTO.
“My golf is in good shape, so I think I can win if the shots and putts mesh well. I think I have a chance if I can play my best golf.”
Campbell’s joint lowest round of the day, made up of six birdies and two bogeys, has put him is position to claim a second pro win, to go alongside his 2018 New Zealand PGA Championship success.
“I played solid,” said Campbell.
“My front nine was really good. I just putted solid the whole day. It’s a great golf course. It’s tough. You just have to stay patient out there. I actually had five weeks off before this week. I was feeling a bit rusty. Today, I hit some good shots and some bad ones as well. I’m going to the range now to hit some balls. I know what I need to do. I just need to keep doing it all the time. If I can play like how I did today tomorrow, I think I can give myself a good chance.”
One player who everyone will keep a watchful eye on tomorrow is Katsuragawa, who currently leads the JGTO Money List with first and second place finishes to his name this season.
“I’m glad I was able to improve my score by three today,” said Katsuragawa, who first hit the headlines at the SMBC Singapore Open in January when he tied for second to secure a berth in this year’s Open.
“This is my first time playing this course. I like this tough course better. I’m good at shot making, so I can attack. I think I gained a little confidence when I won for the first time this year. Once I won, I didn’t have any negative thoughts from there. Now I can play with the image of winning. I want to do the same tomorrow as today.”
Tokimatsu is the most experienced of the front runners, winning three times on the JGTO from 2016 to 2018, and his attempt to add a fourth was helped considerably by an ace on the par-three fourth, where he hit an eight irons from 160 yards.
“It’s my first [hole in one] in a pro tournament,” said Tokimatsu.
“I have had a lot in private rounds, but it’s exceptional in professional tournament.”
Ryuko Tokimatsu recorded his first ace in a pro tournament. Picture by JGTO.
He then raced into the lead after making birdie on six, seven, nine and 11 but as he was about to finish the day with the outright lead he made a double on 17.
“This Oarai course is like that, so it can’t be helped,” he added.
Japan’s Mikumu Horikawa also made a hole in one on the eighth, with a seven iron from 218 yards. He fired a 67 and is six off the lead.
New kid on the block Kaito Onishi from Japan added a three-under-par 67 to his opening day 65 to take the lead in the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup.
Onishi, joint overnight leader with countryman Hiroshi Iwata, began on hole 10 and impressively toured the back nine in four under with birdies on 10, 11, 15 and 18, and then reached 10 under for the tournament with a birdie on the third, before dropping shots on five and nine.
He has a two-shot lead, on eight under, over compatriots Yuki Inamori (64) and Rikuya Hoshino (67), and Australian Todd Sinnott (68) – on a rainy and windy day at Oarai Golf Club, near Tokyo.
Japan’s Shugo Imahira, the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) Money List winner in 2018 and 2019, is a stroke further behind following a 69. He’s a shot ahead of Japan’s Yuta Katsuragawa, the current leader of the JGTO money list, who also came in with a 69.
Iwata slipped back with a 74 and is one under for the tournament, which is jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and JGTO. It’s the first time the Asian Tour has visited Japan since 2019 because of the pandemic.
Kaito Onishi’s distinctive swing is proving highly effective. Picture by JGTO.
Onishi only turned professional last year after graduating from the University of Southern California, but he has been quick to adjust to life in the play for pay game. Most noticeably he was fourth in the ISPS HANDA Championship last month before impressing this week.
“I’m happy to be in the lead and I hope I have the momentum over the next two days,” said 23-year-old Onishi, who is from Nagoya.
“I need to focus on each shot and not think about my position. The goal is to win, and I am confident I can do that.”
Sinnott has been playing in Japan since winning the 2017 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, an Asian Tour JGTO co-sanctioned event, and is putting together one of his finest performances in Japan.
The Australian claimed the TPS Victoria in February for his first success on the PGA Tour of Australasia and his fine form has clearly remained.
“Today’s a tough day obviously with the rain and wind,” said Sinnott.
Todd Sinnott has already won in Australia this year. Picture by JGTO.
“Honestly, I was just trying to stay really patient and just hang tough out there. I can’t even remember the round, very tired. I hit it solid in patches, but I think it’s my short game that stood out. I was able to get up and down whenever I miss the green. By doing that, I was able to keep the round going and keep the momentum going. Thankfully, I was able to play in Japan last year and this year, managed to travel to a couple more events this year. Life’s getting back to normal so it’s nice.”
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (68) and Prom Meesawat (69) are in tie for seventh on three under along with Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa (67), Australia’s Ben Campbell (70) and American Berry Henson (71).
Said Sadom: “Tough conditions today but I was able to give myself a lot of birdie opportunities. Everything was good for me. Conditions were really different compared to yesterday. I tell myself to forget every shot that I hit, just focus on the next one out there. I did that better today, compared to yesterday. Happy to be in a good position right now. I need to play my best tomorrow and enjoy the game.”
Veteran Japanese golfer Hiroshi Iwata and his rookie compatriot Kaito Onishi carded five-under-par 65s to take the first-round lead in the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup at Oarai Golf Club today.
American Berry Henson, Todd Sinnott from Australia and Japan’s Shugo Imahira returned 66s – in what is the first Asian Tour event to be played in Japan since September of 2019, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Twelve players fired 67s including Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa, currently first on Japan’s money list, and Keita Nakajima – the Japanese golfer who is the world’s number one ranked amateur.
Both Iwata, a three-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), and Onishi, a professional since last year looking for his first victory, traded seven birdies against two bogeys.
This week’s tournament, which is jointly sanctioned with the JGTO, gives the winner an exemption into The Open at St. Andrews in July which is a major attraction for Iwata.
“This is the first time I have wanted to play in the UK so much as it’s the 150th staging of The Open!” said Iwata.
“This is a great opportunity. I played well today, felt the course is a bit shorter compared with when we played it a few years ago. Tee shots are key and today I put them all in the fairway.”
The 42 year old has been enjoying a return to form of late having won The Crowns tournament a year ago, which was his first JGTO victory in six years, and he finished third in that same event at the start of the month.
Japan’s Kaito Onishi turned pro last year. Picture by JGTO.
Onishi is just 23 years old and played on the Abema Tour last year, which is Japan’s feeder tour, and has already made an impression on the JGTO this season after securing fourth in the ISPS HANDA Championship in Japan last month.
“Putting has been great for the past two weeks and it was today. Just need to straighten out my tee shots,” said Onishi, who is playing Oarai for the first time.
Henson made seven birdies and three bogeys and felt playing aggressive paid dividends.
“Japan has its own style of golf. Every time I come here, I have to adapt, I have to change, and I have to learn how to play this style,” said Henson.
“I’ve played here now for 10 years. This year I came thinking I need to play more aggressively as that’s what I see the top players do. Even if it’s a difficult shot, they play so aggressively. I did that today and it worked out.”
The Open is also something that is on the 42 year old’s radar.
Berry Henson has his eye on The Open prize. Picture by JGTO.
He added: “My goal is to win this week. I came here with an aim to grab The Open spot. My life goal is to play the British open at St. Andrews. I was aiming for that since the start of the year. Another life goal is to play the US Open at Pebble Beach. I want to just enjoy myself here in Japan. I love sushi and I enjoy Japanese food. My goal is to win and to enjoy myself this week in Japan.”
Henson is looking to secure his second win on the Asian Tour as is Sinnott.
“It was a good round. I really enjoyed playing with Ben (Campbell). Had some good chat out there. I really enjoyed the round and I like the golf course. My putting was pretty solid. I hit it decent the first 14 holes. Didn’t hit it great on the last few. I struggled a bit there but was still able to hole some nice par putts,” said Sinnott, who claimed the TPS Victoria in February for his first success on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
“It’s my first time playing this course. It’s hard. We were lucky because there wasn’t much wind this morning. When the wind or rain gets up, it can play very tough out there.”
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, buoyed this week by receiving an invite to next week’s PGA Championship, came in with a 69.
He said: “I am feeling good this week. Received good news at the start of the week [about the PGA Championship] and that got me really excited. I’m playing in my first Major next week at the PGA Championship. It’s my first time playing in the United States. I have never played there before. I was preparing to play my first Major at The Open in July. Getting into the PGA Championship was really a surprise to me. My caddy found out about it on Monday and told me. I heard the courses for PGA Championship are very difficult, but we are still very excited.”
Suradit Yongcharoenchai earned a cheque for acing hole four. Picture by JGTO.
Two players made aces on par threes today: Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai holed his nine iron on the fourth while Japan’s Naoyuki Kataoka found the cup with his eight iron on 14. They both won JPY300,000 (approx. US$2,330).
Following his popular and long-awaited victory in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open at the weekend, Bio Kim says he has learned one lesson, in particular, and that is to work harder!
“It [the final round] was long and hard; it was hard mentally and physically,” said the Korean.
“It’s taught me to train harder and more diligently in the future to be able to handle this so I can get better results.”
He beat compatriot Mingyu Cho by two shots at the challenging and mountainous Namseoul Country Club, in what was the 41st edition of the event.
Surprisingly, despite a long and often much published 13-year professional career this was his first success on the Asian Tour; he only became a member in 2020 after successfully negotiating Qualifying School, having focused on playing in Korea.
He also claimed the Maekyung event 10 years ago, although it was not on the Asian Tour schedule at that point in time.
“This is a flagship event that represents Korean golf. I’m glad I could put my name up for the second time,” added Kim.
He has been on point in many of the tournaments since the Asian Tour restarted last November: he finished tied fourth, joint second, seventh and equal ninth in the final four events of last season, which finished at the Singapore Open in January; and this term he has been equally impressive with tied for fourth, fifth and third finishes. And, he has not missed the cut in the 11 events he has played.
The turning point for Kim’s recent resurgence appears to have been his victory in the LG Signature Players Championship on home soil last November before he headed to the Asian Tour Phuket Series in Phuket – where two events signaled the re-commencement of the Asian Tour after a two-year break caused by the pandemic.
On Sunday, the Korean star also hinted at a second attempt to play in the US.
In 2010, aged 20, he won his PGA Tour card at Qualifying School and played the 2011 season. He was unable to keep his playing rights for the following year and competed on the Web.com Tour (now called the Korn Ferry Tour) before returning home to play regularly on the Korean PGA Tour.
“My top priority is the Korean PGA, and then the Asian Tour schedule. There are also plans for the Korn Ferry Tour; I couldn’t give up my dream about America.”
Roared on by a huge gallery, Bio Kim from Korea finally added another important trophy to his impressive collection of titles when he claimed the 41st GS Caltex Maekyung Open at Namseoul Country Club today for the first of what could be many Asian Tour victories.
The hot favourite coming into the week thanks to a purple patch that stretches back to the end of last year, he carded a battling final round one-over-par 72 to win on nine under by two from Korean Mingyu Cho, who shot a 70 – on a day when organisers estimated 8,000 fans attended.
Korean Kyongjun Moon, winner of this event in 2015, finished third after shooting a 67.
Last season’s Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Joohyung Kim from Korea, closed with a 70 to end in joint fifth place.
It is the second time Bio Kim has won the tournament – which is one of the jewels in the crown of tournament golf in Korea, along with the Korea Open – although when he triumphed in 2012, it was not part of the Asian Tour.
The Korean star, who led the event since round two, started the day with a four-shot lead and had to overcome an early challenge on the front nine by playing-partner Cho.
Bio Kim has now claimed seven titles in Korea. Picture by KGA.
Cho joined Bio Kim tied for the lead on nine under after seven holes after he birdied four, six and seven, while Bio made bogey on six. But Cho bogeyed hole eight to slip one back before Bio reached the par-five ninth with two fine shots and birdied the hole to move two ahead of Cho.
Cho’s chances were then shot to pieces when Korean Golf Officials gave him a two-stroke penalty on the ninth for standing on the hole’s second green when playing his third. He was informed he should have taken a drop.
It meant Bio was able to cruise home unchallenged on the back nine and enjoy one of the finest most of his career; although there was a minor scare on the last when he sliced his tee shot into the trees before he got his ball back in play and made bogey.
Cho partly made up for the disappointment of his rules infringement by holing a 25-footer for birdies on 18 to finish solo second; his two shot penalty the only difference between him and Bio Kim.
“Today was very tough, I lost my concentration a few times, but I am happy to make it through,” said 31-year-old Bio Kim.
“It took all of me to win today. Namsoeul Country Club is very difficult, and a lot of good players were chasing me. As I have been doing all week, and all year, I tried to stay in the present, clear my mind and not think about things too much, like my four-shot lead on the back nine.”
He earned a cheque for US$255,536 and moved into second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with winnings of US$402, 986. American Sihwan Kim remains in top spot, despite missing the cut.
Added Bio Kim: “It is Parents’ Day which means the win has special meaning. I have a lot to thank my parents for. If my parents didn’t raise me well, I wouldn’t be here. I’m trying to be a great son and a head of the family.”
Bio Kim’s victory once again reflected his affinity for Namseoul – which began when he tied for fourth in the event in 2007 before claiming equal third the following year, remarkably on both occasions he was still an amateur. He has also posted five other top-five finishes in addition to his success a decade ago and becomes the sixth dual winner of the event; no player has won it three times.
A professional since 2009 he only became a member of the Asian Tour after graduating from the Qualifying School in 2020, where he tied fifth, just before the pandemic hit.
Mingyu Cho finished two back. Picture by KGA.
And his performances since the Asian Tour’s restart at the end of last year have been the talk of the Tour. Since last November he has posted seven top-10s in nine events, including five top-five results. Tied second place at the Laguna Phuket Championship in 2021 had been his best finish before today’s breakthrough.
He played on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour early on his career before concentrating on competing in Korea – where he has been victorious on seven occasions, including this week.
His success today is a defining moment for a golfer who has made headlines throughout his career – including at the beginning when, remarkably, he claimed the Korea and Japan open amateur titles in 2008 and made it through the PGA Tour Qualifying School in 2010 aged just 20.
Said Joohyung Kim: “I had a lot of unlucky breaks. I really wanted to win, it’s one of the big events in Korea and it was my first event back here since last year. But I still finished inside the top five, it was a great week, and I gave it my all, but it just wasn’t enough.”
The Asian Tour heads to Japan next week for the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup at Oarai Golf Club, from May 12-15.
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