Best ADT players from 2025 quick to seize opportunities this year
The top 10 players from the Asian Development Tour Order of Merit at the end of the year earn Asian Tour cards for the ensuing season and at this week’s season-commencing Philippine Golf Championship presented by Philippine Sports Commission all 10 are present and accounted for. Nearly all of the 35 graduates from the Asian Tour Qualifying School are also playing, so like them, this week represents a great opportunity to start the year early and lay down a marker to launch a successful season. Here we take a look at those top 10 players. Story by Olle Nordberg – Asian Tour contributor.
Tawit Polthai (Thailand)
Last year Tawit Polthai from Thailand opened the Asian Development Tour (ADT) season with a victory in the PKNS Selangor Masters and never looked back. He also posted two runner-up finishes and three other top-10s on his way to winning the ADT Order of Merit for the first time. He also recorded a win on the PGA Tour of Taiwan in 2025, in an event held in Thailand. He has played on the ADT since 2016, with this year marking his first season on the Asian Tour.
Tawit Polthai [left], with the Order of Merit trophy, and James Leow, holding the Aramco Invitational trophy. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
Carl Jano Corpus of the Philippines had a very solid 2025 on the ADT with a win at the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech – Al Maaden Golf Resorts in June; four top fives; and two other top 10s to rank second on the Merit table. Amazingly, his cousin Aidric Chan, also one of the ADT graduates, won the week before his victory, also in Morocco. Corpus played his college golf at San Jose State University and turned professional at the start of 2025.
Matt Killen (England)
Englishman Matt Killen will be playing his second full season on the Asian Tour this year, following a breakthrough 2025 on the ADT. He finished third on the Merit list thanks to a win at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, and four other top 10s, including a runner-up result in Egypt. He’d been playing on the ADT since 2014. He also played on the main tour in 2024 after claiming the 13th card at Qualifying School. He bases himself out of Springfield Royal Country Club in Hua Hin, Thailand. He is one of three players from England to finish in the top-10.
James Leow (Singapore)
James Leow from Singapore will be another playing his first full Asian Tour season after winning the ADT’s season-ending Aramco Invitational. The victory made Leow the fourth Singaporean to win on the ADT, following Mardan Mamat, Quincy Quek, and Johnson Poh. Leow turned professional in 2022 after an accomplished amateur career. His standout achievement was winning the individual gold medal at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, where he claimed Singapore’s first individual golf gold in three decades. In 2022, he beat highly ranked opponents to win the Thunderbird Collegiate and the Pacific Coast Amateur titles in the United States, while playing for Arizona State University. He was also on the Team International side who defeated the United States at the prestigious Palmer Cup.
Karandeep Kochhar (India)
India’s Karandeep Kochhar is back to the Asian Tour after a season on the ADT where he won the Egypt Golf Series – Red Sea Open and had a runner-up finish in Morocco. His most successful Asian Tour season was in 2023 when he came in second at the BNI Indonesian Masters and ranked 19th on the final Order of Merit. From Chandigarh, where so many of India’s finest golfers hail from, he turned professional in 2017 and has claimed four titles on the Professional Golf Tour of India.
Carl Jano Corpus [left] with his cousin Aidric Chan. Picture by Steve Bardens/Asian Tour.
Filipino Aidric Chan will be joining his cousin Carl Jano Corpus in playing his maiden full season on the Asian Tour, after a successful year on the ADT when he posted two wins: in the Lexus Challenge and Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech – Samanah Golf Club. He played his college golf at the University of Arizona and prior to that won the Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines North in San Diego in 2019. He turned professional at the start of 2024 and immediately made an impact by topping the Philippine Golf Tour Q-School.
Niklas Regner (Austria)
Niklas Regner from Austria won the Egyptian Open late in the ADT season and this win along with three other top-10s was enough for him to earn his first Asian Tour card. Last year marked the first time he had played in Asia, prior to that he had mainly been playing on the Challenge Tour in Europe. His initial sport of choice was skiing, and he was the Austrian junior champion at Alpine skiing twice before quitting in 2017 to focus on golf.
Sam Broadhurst (England)
England’s Sam Broadhurst, the son of former Ryder Cupper Paul Broadhurst, is another Asian Tour rookie after securing his Asian Tour card via the ADT last year. He did not win an event during the 2025 season but was runner-up in the ADT Players Championship after a play-off loss, had a T2 at the Lexus Challenge and a T4 at the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech – Samanah Golf Club. He began his golfing career by caddying for his Dad – also a six-time European Tour winner and seven-time champion on the US Champions Tour, including two Majors. In 2015 Sam left the UK and moved to America to complete his degree in Sports Management at Lincoln University. He turned pro in 2020 and played on the EuroPro Tour where he won an event the following year.
Paul Broadhurst celebrates with his son and caddie Sam after holing his final putt on 18 to win The Senior Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Club in 2016. Picture by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images.
Finlay Mason (England)
The third Englishman to finish in the top-10, Finlay Mason was also winless last season but impressively posted four top-10s – the most important one a T4 at the season-ending Aramco Invitational to lock up his first Asian Tour card. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University in 2019 where he was a student athlete. He represented the men’s golf team and was named an All-American in his freshman year. Like Sam, last year was his first time playing in Asia.
Nopparat Panichphol (Thailand)
Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol won the Indonesia Pro-Am last September, and that victory along with two other top-10s during the season was just enough to clinch the 10th and final spot that qualifies for an Asian Tour card for 2026. He has been an ADT player since 2022. His past record also includes wins at the ADT Players Championship, on the ADT, and Singha Chiang Mai Open, on the All Thailand Golf Tour, both in 2024.
A big sigh of relief was heard on Sunday, December 21, at Lakeview Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand – when the final round of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School was concluded.
Thirty-five players secured their Tour cards for the 2026 season, with the deep sense of relief quickly followed by excitement about what lies ahead.
A total of 621 players, representing 51 nationalities, competed in the School – inclusive of the six First Stage Qualifiers.
Earning a card was, as ever, an extraordinary feat, with the scramble for cards on that final day producing some of the most gripping golf of the year.
Shergo Al Kurdi made a crucial 10-foot putt for par on the last to finish in a tie for 19th. He missed the ensuing play-off by one to become the first player from Saudi Arabia to make it through Final Stage.
Japan’s Tomohiro Ishizaka started the day in second but tumbled down the leaderboard spectacularly after shooting an 81 and found himself in the play-off. Eight cards were on the line in extra time between 12 players and he was one of the lucky ones to survive.
As always, an exciting crop of new faces made it through, and we have selected the ones to look out for this year. Virtually all of the graduates are playing in this week’s season-opening Philippine Golf Championship presented by Philippine Sports Commission. Story by the Asian Tour’s Simon Wilson.
Lin Yuxin (China)
Lin [main picture], a lefthander, impressively finished top of the class at the school and was one of four Chinese players to make it through, along with Zihao Jin, Bowen Xiao, and Andi Xu. Hong Kong’s Jason Hak also graduated – to help fly the flag for the mainland.
Lin arrived with impressive credentials having won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2017 and 2019 before playing college golf at the University of Florida.
After turning professional in 2023 the Florida-based golfer did not live up to his potential playing the PGA Tour Americas and some Korn Ferry Tour events. After winning Qualifying School he explained the issue was mainly putting – the result of a “mental block”. There were no such issues at the School, as he shot rounds of 68, 67, 70, 67 and 67, to win by one from India’s Shaurya Bhattacharya.
Lin, playing in the penultimate group, was tied with Bhattacharya playing the difficult par-four 18th. The Chinese golfer made par while Bhattacharya, in the last group, finished with a bogey.
Aged just 25 and brimming with the confidence after winning the School, he will attempt to become the first Chinese winner on the Asian Tour since Xiao claimed the Asian Golf Championship in 2017.
Lin Yuxin.
Shaurya Bhattacharya (India)
Shaurya nearly won the Qualifying School and was disappointed not to. He was the leader by one at the start of the day and let Lin in by dropping a shot on the 72nd hole. He was also undone by bogeys on 12 and 13.
At the time he said: “I play a tournament to win, that’s my goal. Even if it’s Q-School, I want to win.”
Like Lin he looks like a class act in terms of personality and performance, clearly with the right attitude. He was 23 when he made it through School, which followed a fine year on the Professional Golf Tour of India that saw him win twice and finish third on the Merit list. He only turned professional the year before.
A former Indian amateur number one he represented his country at the 2023 Eisenhower Trophy and the Nomura Cup the year before.
He was one of four Indian players to earn cards. The others were Rashid Khan, Ajeetesh Sandhu, and Shubham Jaglan.
Shaurya Bhattacharya.
Will Florimo (Australia)
Will came mighty close to earning his Asian Tour card at the 2025 Qualifying School, also played at Lake View, finishing one shot behind the player who ended 35th, Filipino Sean Ramos.
The 27-year-old from Brisbane redeemed himself 12 months later by clinching the fifth card. He led after the first round and played steady golf throughout to seal the deal.
He’d arrived at the School playing some of the best golf of his career, in fourth place on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit.
He lost in a play-off at the New South Wales Open a month before the School and enjoyed three other top three finishes.
Another lefthander, he started the season Down Under finishing T2 at the PNG Open, and is clearly trending as he approaches his first season on the Asian Tour.
His fine form in Australia earned him an exemption into Final Stage. He eventually finished the season sixth on their Merit list.
Will Florimo.
Minchan Kim (Korea)
One of the surprise packages of the week Korean Minchan ‘Eddy’ Kim claimed card number 14 – aged just 16 and still an amateur.
Remarkably, the week after the School he won the Final Stage of the All Thailand Golf Tour Qualifying School by five shots.
With so many playing opportunities now available Kim recently made the decision to turn professional and will make his debut on the Asian Tour this week in the Philippines.
He lived in Canada until the age of seven before moving to Korea and was a member of the Korea Golf Association amateur squad. He did not represent Korea or win any of their amateur events but has clearly saved his best for Qualifying Schools and, hopefully, the pro game.
He is fluent in English and likes to play aggressive golf so all eyes will be on him this week.
Minchan Kim.
Khavish Varadan (Malaysia)
Khavish first caught the eye when he shared the lead at the halfway mark of the Malaysian Open in 2024. In what was his first event as a professional he tied for 13th, and at the Qualifying School last year his talent was once again on display.
The 25-year-old secured the 22nd card, following a season that saw him claim two top fives on the Asian Development Tour, in Pakistan and at the season-ending Aramco Invitational.
Prior to his debut appearance in the Malaysian Open he’d recently returned to Malaysia having lived in the United States for nearly nine years. He opted not to complete the final year of his degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham to try and make a name for himself in Asia – something that looks like is going according to plan.
He also bears a resemblance to Indian Arjun Atwal, an eight-time winner on the Asian Tour. Khavish will no doubt like to mirror that career.
Khavish Varadan.
Carson Herron (United States)
Carson is the son of Tim Herron, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour, and last year followed in his Dad’s footsteps, by finishing a college golf career at the University of New Mexico. In 2024 he claimed the Minnesota State Open.
Herron junior claimed the 29th card at the School having turned professional mid-way through last year.
He made two starts on the PGA Tour soon after joining the play for pay game and debuted on the PGA TOUR Americas at the CRMC Championship presented by Northern Pacific Center, impressively tying for 11th.
Another youngster he was just 23 at Qualifying School.
Carson Herron.
Zihao Jin (China)
Zihao turned professional in 2022 and two years later took the China Tour by storm winning five times on his way to claiming their Order of Merit.
The following year, after trying his hand on Europe’s Challenge Tour, he turned his attention to the Asian Tour and made the cut in the three tournaments he entered before securing the 32nd card at Qualifying School, at the age of 26.
Zihao is from Lanzhou in China but moved to the United States in 2011 and later played college golf at San Diego State University.
Zihao Jin.
Shubham Jaglan (India)
Shubham had only been a professional golfer for less than half a year before entering Qualifying School but despite his lack of experience he led after the second-round.
An unexpected 76 on the final day made the week an even steeper learning curve than expected as he fell back into the play-off. The 21-year-old was one of the last two players to fight it out for the final card. It went to five extra holes with Shubham the last to get in at the expense of Kelvin Si from Macau.
Shubham had turned professional in July after graduating from the University of South Florida. He made his professional debut that month surviving the cut at the Bromont Open on the PGA TOUR Americas in Canada. He continued to build on that and finished second at the Trident Open, after losing in a play-off, on the Professional Golf Tour of India, the month before Qualifying School.
He has enjoyed a remarkable rise from humble origins.
Shubham would practice in his backyard which his father, a milkman by profession, converted into a mini three-hole golf course. A self-taught golfer, thanks to YouTube, he was later spotted and won a scholarship with The Golf Foundation while he was also made a member of the distinguished Delhi Golf Club. In 2015 he won the Junior World Championships.
Shubham Jaglan (right).
Pictures by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
The International Series will open its 2026 season by returning to the outstanding Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba for International Series Japan. The tournament will be played from April 2 to 5, launching The International Series Rankings race for coveted places in the LIV Golf League in 2027.
Following a successful debut in 2025, the US$2 million event returns with increased momentum, reinforcing the Series’ commitment to markets where golf has a long and proud history. Set among rolling hills and natural woodland within reach of Tokyo, Caledonian offers a demanding yet refined stage for the season opener, with its layout and conditions placing a premium on precision, course management and patience.
Lucas Herbert [main picture], a member of the Ripper GC team on the LIV Golf League, triumphed last year with his maiden International Series title. The Australian produced a commanding five-shot victory at Caledonian, where strong decision making and disciplined execution were rewarded across the week.
International Series Japan blends the country’s rich golfing heritage with an elite field drawn from LIV Golf, the Asian Tour and leading Japanese players, who will relish the opportunity to compete against top talent on home soil.
Japan has emerged as one of the standout nations on the Asian Tour, highlighted by Kazuki Higa becoming the first Japanese player to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2025. The country’s players have also made a strong impact on The International Series, with Yosuke Asaji finishing runner-up in the 2025 Rankings to earn a LIV Golf League card. Higa and rising talent Yuta Sugiura also impressed, finishing 10th and 16th respectively.
International Series Japan venue Caledonian Golf Club. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said launching the season in Japan reflects both the event’s momentum and the broader ambitions of the Series. “Opening the season in Japan reflects the continued growth of The International Series and the role these events play within the global game,” Singh said. “The Series is designed to provide a clear and competitive pathway, delivered through tournaments that are meaningful to host nations while offering players the opportunity to test themselves against world-class fields.
“International Series Japan sets an important early marker for the season, creating genuine opportunity for players pursuing progression to the highest level of the game, while reinforcing the Series’ focus on world-class venues, strong partnerships and high-quality competition.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, emphasised the tournament’s role in the continued growth of both the Tour and the Series.
“We are very much looking forward to returning to Caledonian Golf Club, which our players rated as one of the best venues across our entire season. The start of The International Series in Japan sets a strong and exciting tone for the Asian Tour’s 2026 schedule,” he said.
“The International Series continues to be an integral platform that gives opportunities for our members to compete against an elevated field. International Series Japan is a perfect start to a pathway that gives Asian players a chance to work their way up to global events such as the Majors and the LIV Golf League.”
The 2026 International Series will feature an exciting schedule across nine countries, identifying new world-class talent for the Asian Tour and the LIV Golf League.
Tickets for the International Series Japan will be on sale from early February on asoview.com
Kazuki Higa [main picture] has been bestowed with one of the highest honours after winning The Kyi Hla Han Award for the Player of the Year on the Asian Tour.
The Japanese star won two tournaments on his way to claiming the Asian Tour Order of Merit title last year, and his achievements have been recognised by his peers as the Award is voted for by the Asian Tour membership.
It is a ceremonial nod to an outstanding season, when he became the first player from his country to win the Merit list.
Voting was concluded this week with the other winners being, the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, which was recognised as the Tournament of the Year, and the Link Hong Kong Open – which earned The International Series Tournament of the Year..
Royal Golf Dar Es Salam (Red Course), venue for the International Series Morocco, was picked as the Players’ Choice Course of the Year – something that Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent would agree with as he won the event.
Josele Ballester after winning the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers last year. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour: “The 2025 season was another year of growth and development and with it came some exceptional performances by our players – helped in such a big way by world class tournaments and venues.
“We congratulate Kazuki Higa on his success. Kyi Hla Han, our former Executive Chairman and Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, would have been delighted to see a Japanese player finish the year ranked number one – it is such a significant achievement for the region.
“And we applaud the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the Link Hong Kong Open and Royal Golf Dar Es Salam for their important contributions and worthy acknowledgment by our players.”
Last year Higa became the first player to win both the Asian Tour’s Merit list and the Japan Tour Money List, which he claimed in 2022.
He recorded back-to-back wins in September at the Shinhan Donghae Open, in Korea, and the Yeangder TPC, in Chinese-Taipei, before adding a joint second place at the International Series Philippines in late October. That result in the Philippines saw him regain top spot on the Merit list from Vincent, and from there on in he could not be caught.
For the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers it marks the third time in four years it has been named Tournament of the Year, following success in 2022 and 2023.
Tom McKibbin pictured with the Link Hong Kong Open trophy last season. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Rising Spanish star Josele Ballester was victorious at the event last year, when it was played at Riyadh Golf Club for the second successive year. The two preceding years before that it was staged at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, in Jeddah.
This year’s voting also means more accolades for the Link Hong Kong Open and its venerable venue the Hong Kong Golf Club (HKGC).
In 2023 it was named The International Series Tournament of the Year, while HKGC was the Players’ Choice Course of the Year, along with Al Mouj Golf. The following season the event was again hailed as The International Series Tournament of the Year.
Andy Kwok, Captain, HKGC, said: “For the Link Hong Kong Open to be voted The International Series Tournament of the Year for the third successive time is an incredibly special honour and something everyone at the Club is very proud of. Our tremendous thanks to the players of the Asian Tour for this wonderful recognition and to all tournament officials and sponsors for making this historic event what it has become today.”
The Asian Tour’s 2026 season will commence in just over two weeks at the Philippine President’s Trophy – being played at Wack Wack Golf & Country Club.
Scott Vincent won the International Series Morocco at Golf Course of the Year Royal Golf Dar Es Salam (Red Course). Picture by Steve Bardens/Asian Tour.
Da Nang an 80-kilometre stretch of coastline on Vietnam’s eastern shores is home to seven wonderful golf courses – with two of them, Laguna Golf Lăng Cô and Legend Da Nang Golf Resort, Asian Tour Destination venues. Jonathan Ponniah reports on the dunes, paddy fields and beaches of this prime strip of golfing neverland.
1: Vast Variety
Variety, they say, is the spice of life. The same is true for a golf getaway – and Da Nang, in central Vietnam, serves up a delectable mix of golf that whets the appetite and satisfies all cravings.
There are currently no less than seven golf courses in greater Da Nang, along an 80-kilometre coastal stretch from Lăng Cô in the north to Hoi An in the south, with more set to open over the next few years.
From rugged links style courses to parkland layouts and even a highland course, there’s something to suit all preferences in the area known collectively as the Vietnam Golf Coast.
Lady golfer teeing off at the Legend Da Nang Golf Resort’s Norman Course
2: World-Class Designers
Headlining the Da Nang golf portfolio are two Asian Tour Destinations venues, offering layouts designed by three of the biggest names in golf – Laguna Golf Lăng Cô’s Sir Nick Faldo Signature Course, and the Greg Norman and Jack Nicklaus 18s of the Legend Da Nang Golf Resort.
The beachside par-four 9th hole of Laguna Golf Lăng Cô
Laguna Golf Lăng Cô’s par-71 layout challenges golfers with sprawling waste areas, massive boulder outcrops and huge, undulating greens, while paddy fields and a beach-fronting stretch midway through add stunning visual aesthetics.
The Legend Da Nang’s links-style Norman Course is reminiscent of traditional Scottish links golf and the sand-belt courses of Norman’s native Australia, featuring wide, rolling fairways, sculptured bunkers, heavily contoured greens and sandy dunes.
The water-laden 18th hole of the Nicklaus Course at Legend Da Nang Golf Resort
The fully floodlit Nicklaus Course plays to a total par of 73, with five par-fives on the scorecard, and has a distinctly Floridian look with lush, tree-lined fairways and scenic water hazards bordered by wooden bulkheads.
Close to The Legend Da Nang is Montgomerie Links Golf Club and its linksy 18 holes designed by Scottish legend Colin Montgomerie, while about half an hour’s drive inland is Luke Donald’s Ba Na Hills Golf Club set in scenic highlands. Da Nang’s current golf inventory is rounded off by two relatively new courses to the south of Hoi An Ancient City – Robert Trent Jones Jr II’s Hoiana Shores and Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An.
3: Amazing Hospitality
The central Vietnamese are naturally friendly folk, and they take whatever they do for a living very seriously.
Whichever course you play, the golf experience is enhanced by this trademark efficiency and hospitality. From the reception staff to the well-trained caddies, there is a genuine warmth and an infectious enthusiasm for even the most mundane of services.
Service with a smile at Laguna Golf Lăng Cô
Laguna Golf Lăng Cô’s Director of Golf, Stephen Banks, noted: “What makes Laguna Golf Lăng Cô really special is the people, the gentle nature and hospitality of the associates who work here. You go into the locker room, you go to the bag drop area, it’s just very warm, welcoming and accommodating,” noted Banks.
4: Fabulous Facilities
Complementing the world-class golf are excellent facilities, with each club offering the full range of services and amenities. For those who wish to hit a few balls and hone the short game before teeing off, the practice areas and driving ranges are also of the highest standards.
The Legend Da Nang’s 4,000 square metre clubhouse is one of the best in the region, with a well-thought flow and full sports, leisure and conferencing facilities.
Legend Da Nang Golf Resort’s massive pro-shop
Laguna Golf Lăng Cô has a compact and charming clubhouse, enhanced by full resort facilities and bespoke accommodation as it forms part of Laguna Lăng Cô Resort.
If you’re in Da Nang without your golf set, fret not as branded rental clubs are readily available. The well-stocked pro-shops offer the latest equipment and accessories, along with club logo merchandise items which make great souvenirs or gifts.
5: Culinary Delights
Nothing works up an appetite quite like a round of golf and, to satisfy the palettes and fill the tummies of hungry golfers, the cuisine served at every clubhouse in Da Nang is absolutely lip-smacking.
Enjoy a hearty bowl of Phở Bò (beef soup noodles) after a round!
From traditional Vietnamese favourites such as Phở Bò (beef soup noodles) and Cơm Gà (chicken rice) to Western staples, you can expect and enjoy a sumptuous and ample meal to fuel up for the next round.
For coffeeholics, each meal can be perfectly rounded off with the robust local drip brew. Those who prefer something a little more intoxicating can down a few of the local lagers such as Larue and 333!
6: Off Course
If you’re thinking of bringing non-golfing family or friends to Da Nang, rest assured that there’s much more to see and experience than golf. Straddling the mouth of the Han River as it empties into the sea, the vibrant city offers something for everyone with its sumptuous cuisine, bustling markets and street coffee culture.
Rustic Hoi An makes for a great day outing
Excursions are also easily arranged to popular tourist spots such as the Son Tra Peninsula, Ba Na Hill Station and Hoi An. If you only have time for one, opt for Hoi An Ancient City which is less than half an hour away. Beautifully conceived and crafted, the former port city has a colourful history reflected in its rustic mix of old Chinese shophouses, stately French colonial building, colourfully lit canals and ornate bridges.
For golfers though, golf is and always will be the main course!
Main picture: Postcard par-three – Laguna Golf Lăng Cô’s 8th hole
Ryder Cup legend Ian ‘The Postman’ Poulter is set to return to his homeland for International Series England, and is one of a number of marquee names to be confirmed in the field at Foxhills Club & Resort from 8-11 August, 2024.
It is the second time that Poulter will play the Asian Tour’s enhanced event on British soil – he finished runner-up in last year’s edition.
The co-captain of Majesticks GC will be joined by a host of other LIV Golf League stablemates at the event which will be played in the heart of Surrey golf country.
Graeme McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion representing Smash GC, has also been confirmed along with Harold Varner III of 4Aces GC, Anirban Lahiri from Crushers GC, and Branden Grace from South African Stinger GC. Richard Bland of Cleeks GC and English compatriot Sam Horsfield of Majesticks GC will also feature.
Poulter has an impressive international pedigree with three tournament victories on the PGA Tour and 12 on the DP World Tour, including two wins in co-sanctioned Asian Tour events – the Barclays Singapore Open in 2009 and UBS Hong Kong Open in 2010.
Graeme McDowell in action at last year’s International Series England. Picture By Ian Walton.
He was also a phenomenal Ryder Cup Team Europe player. His total of 16 points helped Team Europe win five of the seven Ryder Cups he appeared in. It was his emotionally charged clutch putts that stayed long in the memory, earning him the nickname ‘The Postman’ because he always delivered on the greens.
At International Series England in 2023, the Lee Westwood Colt Course at Close House was Poulter’s playground. He shot 14 birdies and one eagle to finish runner-up, as 2023 International Series Rankings winner and now HyFlyers GC team member Andy Ogletree from the United States took the title.
On his return to International Series England for 2024, he said: “Playing in England has and always will be very special for me. Having home crowds and family and friends supporting is always awesome.
“I’m very much looking forward to playing the International Series event at Foxhills. For me to be back home is going to be a truly special summer.
“Foxhills is a course that is only one hour 20 from my front door, but it is a course I have not played yet. I am looking forward to getting there and playing a few practice rounds and getting a look at the venue, and then really giving it a good go.”
Anirban Lahiri pictured at the International Series Oman. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
A host of stars from the Asian Tour have also been confirmed as they seek invaluable points in the season-long race for The International Series Rankings title, with the champion securing a place on the LIV Golf League and over 30 places available for the season-ending LIV Golf Promotions event.
John Catlin will be one of the favourites. The in-form American recently completed back-to-back tournament wins, clinching the Saudi Open presented by PIF following his thrilling play-off win over David Puig from Spain at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
Two-time Hong Kong Open champion Australian Wade Ormsby, 11-time Asian Tour champion Gaganjeet Bhullar of India, and talented Thai newcomer Denwit Boriboonsub, who won three consecutive tournaments at the tail end of the 2023 season, are also among the Asian Tour talent confirmed to tee it up at Foxhills.
Poulter expects more LIV Golf League stars and Asian Tour heavyweights to sign up. He said: “With the scheduling that the Asian Tour has done, it enables a few of the LIV Golf players to compete on The International Series, which is fantastic. I think you will see a lot of guys play events like this to get that extra competition and also gain valuable world ranking points.
“It is fantastic for everyone, it boosts the competition and gives the Asian Tour those stronger fields and higher purses, and that provides a great stepping stone for those players striving to get onto the LIV Golf League, which is potentially life changing.
“It gives them a fantastic opportunity and with that you are seeing better competition, stronger international fields and great golf generally.”
Harold Varner III competing in this year’s International Series Macau presented by Wynn. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
International Series England is the ninth stop on the Asian Tour and the fourth tournament on the calendar of 10 elevated events. Next up is International Series Morocco from 4-7 July at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, with six events still to take place after International Series England.
Tickets for International Series England are now on sale, with an Early Bird offer giving a generous 15% discount on standard pricing until 28 May.
Standard pricing day passes start at £15 for Thursday, £20 for Friday and £30 for Saturday or Sunday, with a four-day pass at £75. Hospitality packages start at £185 for Thursday or Friday, and £250 for Saturday or Sunday, with a four-day pass also available for £620.
Tickets can be purchased here.
April, 2024: There’s something about KFC
Asian Tour star Denwit Boriboonsub was well and truly on the road in April, competing in Saudi and Korea before heading to Japan. In his April diary he talks about how the defence of his title in Saudi went, and the experience of playing in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open for the first time, where he also watched his first baseball game. Denwit was speaking to Asian Tour contributor and former Tour player Olle Nordberg
Since the last edition of my diary, the first event I played in was the Saudi Open presented by PIF in Riyadh where I was defending champion – and it was a great experience.
Being the defending champion on the Asian Tour for the first time felt special, there were a lot of media and attention.
Unfortunately, I didn’t play that well, particularly in round three. But overall, it was pretty good, I finished tied 17th in the end, on seven under par for the week.
I wasn’t nervous teeing it up as the defending champion, not really, but I guess I was struggling with my game a bit before the first round. My driver wasn’t sharp, my irons were pretty poor, and my wedge game was really bad, my putting too. The game just wasn’t good enough in the first three days. I didn’t make any birdies, as I didn’t get close with my wedges, and I didn’t really get the ball up and down around the greens much either.
Denwit (back right) went to watch a baseball game in Korea with a group of friends during the week of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
The third round was really a struggle, I shot 76. When you can’t make birdies with your wedges, and when your driving isn’t good, it’s difficult. Plus, in that round the wind was pretty strong compared to the other rounds.
But I just managed to figure it out in the last round. When I won last year I ate KFC every night, and so I had KFC for dinner on Friday night, and on Saturday I went out and crushed it, carding a 63, which is eight-under. Yeah, it was quite amazing. I just tried to be patient out there, I had an early tee time too so there wasn’t much wind out there, and I stayed patient. And the putting just took care of it all.
I didn’t do anything much after coming back from Saudi. I just came back on Sunday and rested the whole week and didn’t play much golf. Like the whole week I didn’t do anything much because the weather in Thailand is just super-hot this time of year, so I didn’t want to go outside to play.
We then headed to Korea for the GS Caltex Maekyung Open, and it was really nice to get to some cooler weather. I started off the week on Tuesday by going to see Richard T. Lee’s coach Jack Kim at 88 Country Club outside of Seoul. The lesson was great, we just changed a little bit on my address position and a bit on the wrists in the backswing, and yeah, I think it’s going to be better than before. For now maybe it was just a one-time visit, but we’ll see later how it works.
A 63 on the final day in the Saudi Open presented by PIF saw him tie for 17th.
We also had a bit of fun on Tuesday night when we went to a baseball game at the Seoul Olympic Stadium to watch the DooSan Bears against the Samsung Lions – two of the Korean professional baseball league teams. It was fun, the stadium was quite crowded with about 20,000-25,000 fans there, and it was a great experience. It was my first time watching baseball and I didn’t really understand much about the game and rules, but the atmosphere was very nice.
Playing the legendary tournament course Namseoul Country Club for the first time, the course is really tough. Honestly it doesn’t suit me much, because I’m not used to playing on tight courses and the fairways are pretty tricky. You can get an uneven lie anywhere and the greens have a lot of undulations and are very fast too.
I think the most difficult thing about Namseoul is the narrow fairways and the fairways are like a first cut of rough and easy to get fliers. The greens are also tricky, but you can still hole putts because they are almost perfect.
I felt a bit rusty earlier in the week after my practice round, but I’m ok with the result in the end finishing tied 37th because it’s my first time playing in this tournament. This course is quite difficult, but I think I could do better.
I was a bit disappointed with the final round shooting four over, but the conditions were very difficult with rain all day. The greens there are tricky, but with the rain on them, they were even trickier than before. It was just so difficult to play.
After Maekyung I stayed in Seoul for a few days with my manager Tom Su and other people from my management company. We did some sightseeing and did some stuff in Gangnam. After that we headed to Japan for two weeks, in Osaka, to prepare for and play in the US Open qualifier at Hino Golf Club on May 20th.
I’m really looking forward to playing in the US Open qualifier. Last year there were around 30 guys playing for only three spots, so it will not be easy to get through. But it’s a great opportunity for me. I’m already qualified for The Open after finishing tied third in the Malaysian Open, so it would be awesome to play in two Majors this year. I’ll let you know how that went next time!
Current Korean PGA Tour number one Guntaek Koh and Chanming Jung, the defending champion at this week’s GS Caltex Maekyung Open, both say they are determined to convert their fine form on home soil to success overseas on the Asian Tour.
Koh won three times in Korea last year to top the local rankings – including the Asian Tour sanctioned Shinhan Donghae Open following a play-off against Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai – and has also been victorious once this year, while Jung tasted victory twice, most noticeably in last year’s GS Caltex Maekyung Open, which is also part of the Asian Tour schedule.
Both players have started to travel more and more in order to advance their careers, with Koh showing more promise having made the cut in all three events he has travelled to in 2024, in Malaysia, Macau and Saudi.
“First of all, it’s fun to take on a global tour,” said Koh, who won the KPGA Founders Cup with Hanmac CC last month.
Guntaek Koh winning last year’s Shinhan Donghae Open. Picture supplied by the Korean PGA Tour.
“Playing at various golf courses and competing with many players seems to be a great help to my golf growth. When I have the opportunity to go overseas I take it as I want to continue to challenge myself and move forward.”
Koh has been paired in today’s first round, and tomorrow’s second round, with Jung and American John Catlin – the hottest player on the Asian Tour at the moment having won the past two events.
Explains Koh: “The level of the Korean, Japanese, and Asian Tours seem to be somewhat similar. There seems to be a difference in the appearance of the courses, but I think the fairways are a little narrower in Korea as we have a lot of out of bounds.
“However, this is advantageous, as you need to hit it accurately in events, whether domestically or overseas. Rather than finding a place that suits me, I am trying to improve my golf skills so that I can play well on any tour or golf course.”
Koh, who like Jung is 25 years old, has been a professional since 2018 and has held off doing his national service in order to capitalise on his recent exceptional form.
Mission accomplished for Chanming Jung at last year’s GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
“By postponing my military service I have the opportunity to challenge myself and play more overseas to increase my golf skills and experience. Winning again recently definitely effected this decision.”
The Korean says his success is the result of making a concerted effort to work harder and prepare more.
“Like last year I really worked on my physical conditioning during the winter. I’m constantly working on my game and fitness and thankfully the results have come,” he said.
Jung has played much more than Koh overseas, particularly last year after winning the GS Caltex Maekyung Open. Unlike Koh, making it through to the weekend has been a struggle but he is determined to find a solution.
“I think I’m trying to adjust quickly to the Asian Tour,” said Jung.
“It’s a different environment than Korea, such as weather, courses, and food, so I think I spend a lot of time adapting to it. The next Asian Tour events for me will probably be in Morocco in July and England in August.”
Chanmin Jung at last year’s Saudi Open presented by the Public Investment Fund. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
His success has been built on power from the tee. Currently ranked seventh in driving distance on the Korean PGA Tour with an average drive of 305.7 yards he’ll be looking to end the year top of the list, as he did in 2022 with an average of 317.1 yards.
“I think last year’s season was a little busy. Playing in England and Scotland was a great experience but very different. There is a lot for me to learn but I am determined to do so.
“Winnin here last year was my turning point. I was glad that I was able to let Korean golf fans know about me.”
As both Koh and Jung looked to make their mark on the international stage, they need look no further than their playing partner Catlin for guidance.
The American, who leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit, is attempting to become the first player to win three tournaments on the trot on the Asian Tour and has won six times on the Asian Tour.
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