Tour pays tribute to legendary Kyi Hla Han
It is with a heavy heart that the Asian Tour announces the loss of Kyi Hla Han – our former Tour number one and Executive Chairman, and one of the most iconic figures in Asian golf.
Kyi Hla passed away on Saturday afternoon in Singapore due to complications with cancer treatment. He was 61 years old.
“There are few words to express the loss that everyone at the Asian Tour is feeling at the moment,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour.
“First and foremost, our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time. We are all only just processing the news as we recently saw him at the SMBC Singapore Open in January. Asian golf has lost one of its greatest players, its greatest personalities, and its greatest leaders. We will forever remember Kyi Hla.”
Kyi Hla turned professional in 1980 and enjoyed a 25-year playing career that saw him win on 12 occasions, most notably in the 1994 Singapore Open and the Volvo China Open in 1999, the year he claimed the Merit list. He also represented Myanmar in five World Cups.
He would become equally as well known for his executive role in shaping the Tour after retiring from competitive golf in 2004 and assuming the role as Executive Chairman in 2006. He was the first Asian to hold this position and by drawing on two and a half decades of experience he successfully led the Tour for over 10 years.
Added Cho: “On a personal note, Kyi Hla was a mentor to many of us within the management of the Asian Tour and was a massive influence in many of our lives and careers. He always put the Asian Tour and its members first and was ultra-passionate about seeing Asian golf rise up on to the world stage. We will strive to continue his legacy and make him proud of the Asian Tour that he devoted his life to.”
A true flag-bearer for Asian golf, but outside of golf he was laidback, funny and very popular. Charismatic beyond words, he always had time for anyone who needed advice, and everyone was welcome in his home. He loved his family, music and the great outdoors.
“Early reaction to the news from around the world has been overwhelming,” said Asian Tour Board member Dominique Boulet and close friend.
“It is a true indication of the tremendous impression he left on everyone he met. Small in stature but with a big game and a bigger heart, he was the best, most loyal, supportive and generous friend a man could ever ask for! His eternal optimism and laughter is a loss to us all.”
Speaking to the Asian Tour last year on the eve of his 60th birthday, Kyi Hla said: “I had wanted to be a pro golfer since I was 10 years old. I’ve been very fortunate to pursue a sport that I loved. Traveling all over the world, meeting new people, making so many friends, and playing a lot of great tournaments and golf courses.”
The Tour will be creating a Kyi Hla Han Future Champion Award in his honor to aid the development of juniors and the sport of golf in Asia.
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim from Korea, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – the 2019 Tour number one – four-time Asian Tour winner John Catlin from the United States and defending champion Shiv Kapur from India lead a stellar line-up of players for next week’s Royal’s Cup.
The US$400,000 event, hosted by Grand Prix International Public Company Limited, will be played at Grand Prix Golf Club in Kanchanaburi from February 24-27, and is the second event of the season on the Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanchana, who hit headlines when he claimed the SMBC Singapore Open in January, his countryman Phachara Khongwatmai, who won his first Asian Tour title at the end of last year at the Laguna Phuket Championship, and Australian Scott Hend, a 10-time winner of the Asian Tour, will also compete in the inaugural event.
Kim, Catlin and Sadom are the highest ranked players in the field on the Official World Golf Ranking at 82, 150 and 153 respectively. With such an impressive entry list the tournament boasts one of the strongest fields of the year in Thailand.
Due to COVID-19 protocols the Royal’s Cup tournament will be held behind closed doors, but it is being broadcast live on True Vision Channel, reaching over 20 million households.
PHUKET-THAILAND- John Catlin of the USA pictured on Thursday, November 25, 2021, during round one of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Dr. Prachin Eamlumnow, Chairman of Grand Prix International Group, said: “This tournament aims to promote Thailand as a world-class golfing destination and provide great opportunities for Thai professional golfers to participate on the international stage alongside well-known golf pros from around the world. This tournament is also focused on enhancing the development of the golf industry in Thailand and making golf an even more popular sport in Thailand as well as helping to generate income and stimulate the national economy and tourism. Furthermore, the event is also held in honour of His Majesty the King and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Grand Prix International in 2020.”
Mr. Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Tour, said: “This will be a great year for us and we’re happy to be bringing a world-class field to Thailand. We are confident that this will be an exciting competition and well worth the wait caused by the pandemic. The collaboration between Grand Prix International Public Company Limited and the Asian Tour will help leverage the standard of this tournament, attract top players and golf fans alike from all corners of the world. We are proud that this tournament will be standout event in 2022.”
Apart from a total purse of US$400,000, the winner of this prestigious golf tournament will have the honour of receiving the Royal’s Cup, bestowed by King Rama X for the first time in Thailand.
In addition, there will be a prize for the first player to achieve a Hole-In-One on one of the par three (holes 3, 5, 12, and 16), as well as a prize for the first Albatross on holes 2, 14, and 18. The winners will drive home in one of the event sponsors latest model vehicles, which are: Toyota (Camry 2.5 HEV Premium), Mitsubishi (OUTLANDER PHEV GT-Premium), Mazda (MazdaCX-3), MG (ALL NEW MG5 X), Isuzu (Isuzu D-MAX X-Series Hi-Lander 4-Door 1.9 Ddi Z A/T), and Volkswagen (Caravelle Touring MNC)
More than 50 Asian Tour winners and six Order of Merit champions will form part of an elite 144-man field who will tee up at Black Mountain Golf Club for the highly anticipated International Series Thailand from March 3 to 6.
Reigning Asian Tour number one Joohyung Kim of Korea, four-time Asian Tour champion John Catlin of the United States, as well as Thai aces Jazz Janewattananond, Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai are among the notable names slated to play.
Tour veterans Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, Australia’s Scott Hend, India’s Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh and Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, boasting a collective total of 57 titles on Tour, will also add to the collection of star-power in the US$1.5million event.
Hend, hailed as the most successful international player on Tour with 10 victories, including three that were secured in Thailand, is the last player on Tour to triumph at the award-winning Black Mountain Golf Club when he won the Thailand Classic in 2016.
England’s Steve Lewton, who leads the 2022/23 Order of Merit following a solid tied-fourth place finish at the season-opening Saudi International last week, will also compete as well as American Berry Henson, a proud brand ambassador and resident of Black Mountain Golf Club.
Thai amateur Ratchanon Chantananuwat, who has been hogging the limelight since the Asian Tour’s resumption in Phuket last November, will make another appearance having received a sponsors’ invitation.
The 14-year-old prodigy has not missed a single cut in his last five starts on the Asian Tour. The teen sensation even came close to winning in Singapore last month before settling for third at The Singapore International.
Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant lauded the impressive line-up, saying: “This is the first of our International Series events and it is no surprise to see the cream of the Tour has entered. This will be a ground-breaking tournament.
“It’s been six years since we last played at Black Mountain Golf Club. They have been a wonderful host in the past and I am sure they will be once again. We are looking forward to a special week there.”
Other leading players in the impressive field include Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei, India’s Shiv Kapur, Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita and Hideto Tanihara, Wade Ormsby of Australia and Bio Kim of Korea.
The tournament is the first of 10 International Series events that will take place this year along with the Asian Tour’s traditional strong backbone of established events.
Teenage prodigy Ratchanon Chantananuwat has had some stiff Asian Tour examinations these past three months. He’s passed them all with flying colours.
On the back of an accomplished string of performances, the 14-year-old Thai schoolboy’s stock has soared, writes Contributing Editor Spencer Robinson.
Once more defying the doubters, Ratchanon played all four rounds in last week’s PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers – the fifth Asian Tour event in succession in which he’s made the half-way cut.
Thanks to his latest effort at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in the Asian Tour’s 2022 season-opener, Ratchanon has broken new ground – advancing into the top-50 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) for the first time.
Up 10 spots to 44th, he also has the distinction of now being the number one rated Thai player in the standings.
The teenager’s meteoric rise can also be measured by the fact that he now features in the top-500 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), the system that rates all professional golfers.
In 465th place, the Bangkok-based Shrewsbury International School student has only six of his compatriots ahead of him.
Although he says maths is his least favourite subject at school, Ratchanon will have added up the numbers and realised that if he’d been a professional golfer he’d have collected more than US$120,000 in winnings from his appearances in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship (tied 15th); Laguna Phuket Championshiop (tied 30th); The Singapore International (third); SMBC Singapore Open (tied 34th) and PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers (71st).
PHUKET-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14 year old amateur of Thailand pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Despite the obvious temptation to relinquish his amateur status and cash in on his talent, Ratchanon accepts that neither is he ready to take the leap to turn pro, nor is he planning to do so in the foreseeable future.
“My plan is I’m going to stay in school and then do a couple years of college,” he said, confirming that joining a member of the Ivy League would be his preference.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure yet because I’m not even sure what subject I’m going to choose. I’m still too young. They can’t even contact me,” he said.
He’s not too young, though, to set his sights high. Asked specifically which colleges he’d be interested in, he said: “Stanford would be one. I would love to go to Stanford … or maybe something like Oklahoma, which has proven to be a decent school academically and really good for golfers or athletes in general. I’m going to try to go for top schools that will help me in my golf as well.”
Inevitably, his recent displays have attracted attention from America’s foremost college golf coaches, always seeking to stay ahead of the game – and their rivals – by recruiting the world’s finest sporting talent.
Meanwhile, those charged with undertaking character assessments will no doubt be thrilled to have listened to Ratchanon’s post-tournament comments in Saudi where there was not the slightest hint that he’ll be resting on his laurels.
“This is definitely new for me,” he said, referring to the strength of the field which included four of the top-10 in the OWGR and a dozen Major champions.
Having played alongside Cameron Smith and Lee Westwood in Saudi, Ratchanon acknowledged that his game is still some way short of the top tier.
“They’re so much better. I have a lot of work to do,” said Ratchanon, aware how lucky he is to have been presented with so many opportunities to participate in Asian Tour events, enabling him to gauge the state of his game compared to the pros.
“I’m very fortunate. I’m probably one of the few people, if not the only kid, to get to play these tournaments often. I’m picking up quite a lot of things. I guess to other 14-year-olds or kids younger than me, I think just come watch. You won’t get to play yourself, but you’ll definitely get to see different things.”
Following his own advice, Ratchanon Chantananuwat wasted no time after finishing his final round at Royal Greens to return to the course, specifically to watch Dustin Johnson in action.
Neither is he backward about coming forward and asking questions.
“He’s not afraid to ask questions. He asked me about a shot I played on 17 with a three-wood,” said European Ryder Cup veteran Westwood.
“First and foremost, he’s a lovely young man, credit to his parents. Secondly, he’s good, a lot of game. If I didn’t know and I just took him on face value, he doesn’t look like he’s got too many weaknesses. Knowing that he’s 14, the weaknesses he does have are going to get ironed out through still growing.
“He’s got a great opportunity if he doesn’t fall into one of the pitfalls you can run into. If he just carried on now and just lets himself develop, he’ll turn into a very good player,” predicted Westwood.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananwat of Thailand, amatuer, pictured on Friday, November 26, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
While the next few weeks will see him playing catch-up at school, it won’t be long before Ratchanon is back in the international golfing spotlight when he lines up in The Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club (March 17-19).
Recognised by Golfweek as the number one junior event in golf, the Junior Invitational welcomes the best golfers from around the world to the South Carolina venue, with the promise of significant WAGR points at stake.
“Everyone’s telling me it’s a great tournament and a great course – heaven for golfers. I’m going to be off a week from school. I’m going to enjoy that as much as possible and then catch up again,” said Ratchanon Chantananuwat, learning new lessons every step of the way.
Harold Varner III saw his sensational victory in the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers propel him into the top-50 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time and opened the door to a world of playing opportunities at the highest level.
The American moved into 45th place on the Ranking, from 99th – a position that will see him be able to play in the Majors and many of the game’s other leading events.
Crucially, he will be able to make his debut in the Masters in April if he remains in the top-50 over the next few months.
Varner III drained an incredible eagle putt, from about 100 feet, on the par-five 18th at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club to beat countryman Bubba Watson by a shot in the season-opening event on the Asian Tour.
Varner III, who was the third-round leader and playing in the final group, reached the front edge of the green in two and looked a safe bet to make a birdie and force a sudden-death play-off with Watson, who, playing three groups ahead, had also made eagle.
However, in a dramatic grandstand finish, Varner III holed out for a three to claim the biggest title of his career and also the biggest cheque, as first place was worth US$1 million.
“I was wanting that,” said the 31 year old, when told he would be in the top 50.
“That is awesome. I was wondering that. Yeah, that’s the goal, man. That gets you in the things that I haven’t played in. I’ve played in some big events here and there, but yeah, that’s why we play.
“I was on the cusp of it after Hilton Head and didn’t execute, played a lot of golf. Frickin’ A. That’s all I wanted to know when I was sitting out there. What does — this has got to get me close. So yeah, that’s awesome.”
Varnerhas played on the PGA Tour since 2016, with a best finish of second place.
His most significant win prior to last week was the 2016 Australian PGA Championship.
He added: “I just never doubted myself. I never questioned that, hey, we can’t win this. I think that’s what the greats do. I would think a couple years ago I would have had a hard time taking that in and being like I have to do this. No, just play golf, do your job. That’s what I’m supposed to do.
“I’ve never questioned my ability. The only people that question it are the people that sit right in here, and they’re like, man, he needs to be winning. But I don’t march to anyone’s beat in here. I do what I’m supposed to do, and things come.”
Asian golf fans can look forward to seeing more of Gavin Green in the region in the months ahead.
By his own admission, the Malaysian has endured a difficult 18-month period, during which he suffered homesickness and a loss of form, writes Contributing Editor Spencer Robinson.
But after an encouraging outing in Saudi Arabia last week, the Asian Tour’s 2017 Order of Merit champion is regaining his appetite for the game, driven by a desire to spend more time closer to home, in the company of family and friends.
Despite a frustrating closing 72 in 2022’s season-opening PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, Green finished in a share of 38th place.
More importantly, the former champion saw signs of progress that point to promising year ahead.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Gavin Green of Malaysia pictured on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during round three of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It was actually a very positive week,” said Green, reflecting on his overall performance at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
“This week was much, much, better than Singapore,” added Green, who struggled to find his range in the previous two events in the Lion City last month.
“I’ve been putting a lot of work into my game and (in Saudi) my irons were better as was my driver … which was in this planet. I am not saying fairway, I’m saying planet,” added the 28-year-old, one of the game’s longer hitters.
Following a joint third-place finish alongside Phil Mickelson and behind only Graeme McDowell and Dustin Johnson in the Saudi International in 2020, Green rose to 146th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Since then, however, he’s been on a slippery slope, outside the top-200 by the start of last year and down to 522nd after missing the half-way cut in the SMBC Singapore Open three weeks ago.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Gavin Green of Malaysia pictured on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during round three of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
It’s a trend he’s hoping to reverse in 2022 with the likelihood that he’ll be focusing more of his attention on playing in Asia.
He said: “Last year I was just miserable. It was Covid, it was quarantine, being away from home seven months.
“I think I learned you can’t stay away from home too long. Two or three months max if you’re really pushing it. Mentally you can’t deal with it, being in the hotel, being in the bubble, it’s not that easy. I like being home, being with my friends, just being home.
“But you’ve got to deal with it … and moving forward I am going to plan more time at home. I think that’s more important to me than play, play and play. If your frame of mind is not there, then there is no point.
“If it fits the schedule, I would love to play more close to home this year.”
That may well mean a start in the Asian Tour’s next event, the Royal’s Cup at Grand Prix Golf Club in Thailand (March 3-6).
“There’s a lot of planning. It’s tough with protocols, I will know more next week,” said Green.
World number five Dustin Johnson will bid for a hat-trick of victories in the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers this week facing what he feels is “probably the best field they’ve had”.
The American, who is competing in just his second event of the year, is the defending champion, having been victorious last year, while he also won in 2019 and was runner-up in 2020.
The US$5 million event is the opening event of the season on the Asian Tour and tees-off tomorrow at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
“Well, I mean, this year is no different than any other year,” said the 37 year old.
“Absolutely I’m going to try to do everything I can to put myself in a position to have a chance to win come Sunday. Yeah, obviously the field keeps getting better and better every year, so it gets a little harder and harder to win the trophy.
“They’ve done a great job with this event and keep bringing a lot of world-class players in. I think this year is probably the best field they’ve had. It’s a lot of talent, a lot of really good golfers. It’s going to be a challenge.”
He’s been drawn with newly crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim, Korea’s 19-year-old star, in the first two rounds and compatriot Jason Kokrak.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Dustin Johnson of the USA, defending champion, pictured on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 during the Pro-am event ahead of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Over 50 Asian Tour members are competing including six Asian Tour number ones.
Johnson is joined by a powerful contingent of Americans including Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, the winner here in 2020, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, and Englishmen Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, and Ian Poulter, are also competing.
The stellar line-up means the tournament features the strongest field in the history of the Asian Tour and it is also one of the most lucrative in the Tour’s history.
Two-time Major winner Johnson made his first start of the year at the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour finished in joint 25th place.
He said: “Last week was a good week, I felt like I played really solid. Difficult golf course, difficult conditions. Yeah, I felt like for my first week in a long time, the game held up quite nicely. Going into the last round on Sunday, I was kind of right in the middle of it. Played actually really well on Sunday, just scored really bad. Played better probably Sunday than I did any of the other days, but obviously shot a worse score. But that’s golf.”
When he won here in 2019 he finished 19 under, while last year he led the way 15 under.
“Obviously since the first year I came, I’ve liked the golf course,” he said.
“I’ve obviously done pretty well here the last three years, so I look forward to coming over here. It’s a tournament I enjoy playing. It’s a golf course I enjoy to play, and yeah, it’s a place that, I have a lot of good memories.”
The Asian Tour is aiming to stage 25 events this season, which will include the 10 new International Series tournaments announced yesterday.
LIV Golf Investments and the Asian Tour today unveiled The International Series and the 2022-23 destinations and prize purses for the ground-breaking series of 10 marquee international events announced in November 2021.
In what is the most significant development in the history of Asian golf and a boom for the global game, what is now to be known as The International Series will be integrated into the full 2022-23 Asian Tour schedule. The series will kick off in Thailand in March followed by visits to England, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong and will feature prize purses ranging from US$1.5 to US$2 million per event.
Today’s announcement also saw the unveiling of the new brand, name, and logo as well as an increase in the lucrative and unprecedented investment into the Asian Tour from US$200 million to US$300 million further solidifying LIV Golf Investments dedication to the global game. As one of the biggest investments in the history of professional golf, The International Series will support playing opportunities and prize funds for the 10 events to be played every season over the next decade. It has been designed to drive greater engagement amongst fans, attract new commercial interest and to help stabilize professional golf following a sustained period of worldwide disruption and uncertainty.
“We are on the threshold of a new era for Asian golf,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour. “The International Series is a new upper-tier of elite events, the likes of which the region has not seen before, that will mark the start of a phenomenal period of growth for the Asian Tour. It also signifies the beginning of our relationship with our new strategic partner LIV Golf Investments and its CEO Greg Norman.”
“Importantly, The International Series will add to the Asian Tour’s backbone of established events to comprise a 25-event season, expected to represent a record-breaking combined prize-fund. Each of the 10 events will be broadcast live across the globe, with plans to attract an international field of headline talent.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – LIV Golf Investments announce the 10 event The International Series, from left right, Greg Norman, CEO LIV Golf and Asian Tour No 1 golfer, Joohyung Kim of Korea shake hands at a press conference ahead of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
In October last year, Greg Norman, was announced as CEO of LIV Golf Investments – a newly formed company whose purpose is to holistically improve the health of professional golf on a truly global scale to help unlock the sports’ untapped worldwide potential. PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds with a diverse international investment portfolio, is the majority shareholder in LIV Golf Investments.
“We are setting the Asian Tour up as a powerful new force on the world golf stage,” said Norman. “In my 40 years as a professional golfer, I’ve seen many parts of the world that have benefitted tremendously from golf and its growth and development. We now have the opportunity to do that in the Asia Pacific region and the Middle East with this incredible investment platform. Everyone benefits – professional players, amateurs, grassroots golf, fans, economies, communities, stakeholders. I’ve never been so optimistic about the future of the sport.”
The widely acclaimed Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, will host The International Series Thailand March 3-6, boasting a prize purse of US$1.5 million, before London stages the next event at Centurion Club from June 9-12, offering a US$2 million purse. The second half of the year will see stops in Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia before heading to the Middle East and then culminating in China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The announcement comes on the eve of the Asian Tour’s new season with the US$5million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers starting on Thursday at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. With six out of the top-20 players in the world competing – including Americans Dustin Johnson, the 2019 and 2021 champion, and Bryson Dechambeau – as well as over 50 of the Asian Tour’s most prominent players, the star-studded event is the strongest field in the history of the Asian Tour. The tournament, which is not part of The International Series, also offers one of the Asian Tour’s most lucrative purses.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Asian Tour and LIV Golf Investments announce The International Series. From left to right -Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, Greg Norman, CEO LIV Golf and Asian Tour No 1 golfer, Joohyung Kim of Korea. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Asian Tour’s 2020-21 season was recently completed and saw Joohyung Kim, Korea’s 19-year-old rising star, claim the coveted Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Speaking at today’s press conference, he said: “I have been fortunate to enjoy an amazing start to my professional career but for this to happen at the same time as the Asian Tour is going through such incredibly positive changes is a huge bonus for me, as well as for all the Asian Tour players.”
More details of The International Series events, and other Asian Tour tournaments this year, will be made available in due course.
By Spencer Robinson, Contributing Editor
Should Bio Kim bump into Shane Lowry at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club this week he could be forgiven for affording himself a wry smile … and a fleeting moment of nostalgia.
Korean Kim and Irishman Lowry are in the starting line-up at the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the opening leg of the Asian Tour’s 2022 season.
Although they barely know each other on a personal level, this will not be the first time that their paths have crossed.
Not that Kim expects the 2019 Open Championship winner to have vivid recollections of their encounters in a Ryder Cup-style contest between the finest male amateurs of Asia-Pacific and Europe almost 14 years ago.
The sixth edition of the Bonallack Trophy took place at Valderrama in Spain in the final week of April, 2008 with the host continent’s star-studded team spearheaded by Lowry and the English duo of Chris Wood and Danny Willett, then the world’s number one amateur and a Masters champion in the making.
For their part, Asia-Pacific hopes of an ‘away’ win were reliant on New Zealand standout Danny Lee and 17-year-old Korean Bio Kim.
While Lee had a week to forget, losing four of his five matches, Kim’s reputation soared on the back of a sterling performance that saw him claim 3½ points from a possible five.
Alongside unrelated compatriot Kim Yeong-su, Bio recovered from a one-down loss in their opening match to remain undefeated.
In two epic foursomes contests, the Kims followed up a first-day half against Willett and Wood by beating the Englishmen 2 & 1. Earlier on day two, they’d swept aside Lowry and Welshman Nigel Edwards 3 & 1 in the fourballs.
Not content with those efforts, Bio Kim went on to score a comprehensive 4 & 2 win over Lowry in the final-day singles.
Although Bio’s heroics proved in vain with Europe running out comfortable winners, the Korean, confidence boosted, returned to Asia where he pulled off a notable double, winning both the Korean Amateur and Japan Amateur titles.
The following year, Kim and Lowry both relinquished their amateur status. They’ve gone on to carve successful careers with multiple wins, Kim in Asia and Lowry in Europe.
While Kim recalls his sole Bonallack Trophy appearance with fondness, he’s typically modest and under-stated when discussing those clashes with Lowry.
Of his singles success, Kim said: “Europe had already won the trophy so I think Shane was going easy on me!”
Rather than reflect on past glories, Kim, now aged 31 and a father-of-two, is firmly focused on what lies ahead, starting with the Saudi International.
Following an impressive run of form that saw him conclude the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 campaign with four successive top-10s – Blue Canyon Phuket Championship (tied fourth); Laguna Phuket Championship (tied second); The Singapore International (seventh) and SMBC Singapore Open (tied ninth) – Kim is anxious to continue trending upwards.
“I’m looking forward to Saudi Arabia. I’ve never been to the Middle East so it’s a first for me and a special event for the Asian Tour,” said Kim, who placed seventh on the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 Order of Merit and has climbed to 216th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
“The Saudi International is a great opportunity for Asian Tour members to play with PGA Tour players. For me, I need to concentrate on my own game and play how I can – not try and play like Dustin (Johnson) or Bryson (DeChambeau),” added Kim, for whom collecting world ranking points is a priority as he plots a path back to the PGA Tour.
“At some point, I want to get inside the top-100 in the world ranking, qualify for the Majors and get back to the big-time on the PGA Tour,” said Kim, who admits he was unprepared for his first flirt with the PGA Tour after gaining a spot via qualifying school at the end of 2010.
In 2011, at the age of 20, he was the youngest member of the PGA Tour. Although he posted five top-25 finishes from 25 starts he finished 162nd on the Money List and lost his card.
“Looking back, I wasn’t ready mentally for the big stage. I was a little homesick and I couldn’t compete. Now I’m more settled and mature and would like to have another shot,” said Kim, who will consider attempting to regain his playing rights through the Korn Ferry Tour.
After his varied experiences as a teenage prodigy, Kim is better placed than most to comment on the remarkable exploits of his 19-year-old compatriot Joohyung Kim, the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 Order of Merit champion, and 14-year-old Thai Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat, whose recent performances have catapulted them into the headlines.
Bio Kim said: “Joohyung is capable of getting to the very top. He’s got a fabulous tempo and rhythm to his swing and he doesn’t seem to get shaky or nervous. Nothing bothers him.
“For TK, I was surprised that he didn’t back off when playing with Paul Casey at the SMBC Singapore Open. It was impressive.
“They’re both more mature than I was when I was the same age as them. I was too hurried, wanting to get on Tour as soon as possible instead of spending enough time learning.”
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