Published on February 15, 2023

Two-time Asian Tour winner Justin Harding is relishing the return to Doha Golf Club this week, venue for the inaugural International Series Qatar, as it is a venue where he has enjoyed success before.

The 37-year-old South African, with the magical putting stroke, is also looking for a boost of confidence having just returned from a long-injury break – which saw him miss the second half of 2022.

Harding was victorious in the Qatar event here on the DP World Tour three years ago, and was fifth in the tournament last year, so don’t be surprised to see him make a run despite the lack of playing time.

“I’ve got a good track record around here, even Alan my caddy has had a lot of good finishes with George Coetzee here as well, so it’s a venue which is close to our hearts,” said Harding.

“I played pretty good here last year, as well, I think I had a bad start to the week but ended up top five. I’m looking forward to it, I am.”

His injury, a hip-stress fracture, meant he was out of action from the middle of September until late January.

He said: “It feels like the swing is coming along, I obviously had a long time out through injury. I think I was out for about four-and-a-half months or whatever it was, not swinging a club, back end of last year. My scores have been evident of the fact that I’m just rusty and just hitting some poor shots, and more so than I would otherwise be used to.

“But at the end of the day, that’s golf. You just kind of got to go through the rites and work it out and keep grinding. The doctors shut me down after the Wentworth BMW PGA Championship. But yeah, on crutches for nine weeks, or whatever it was, so it wasn’t the best of experiences.”

His injury concern was tempered by the fact that he and his partner Leah Totton welcomed the birth of their first child last year.

“I had a little baby girl in November, so it was an interesting time I must be honest,” said the South African.

“Obviously not being able to play golf was difficult, but having Lila and just being a dad for the first time was awesome. And being able to spend time at home was an added bonus, I got to help out for two months and now I’ve obviously been away from them for a month-and-a-half which is different as well. I’m navigating being a new dad and dealing with all of those sorts of things.”

Doha Golf Club is known as a challenging layout but with a fine record here it is a course that seems to fit Harding’s game nicely.

“I mean it’s a good golf course. It’s a good test. I think when the wind blows, it certainly makes it challenging to get it around. The scores are never really super low, it’s just a good challenge,” he says.

“They’ve put a few tees in, I played the back nine yesterday, and they have put a couple tees in which have made a few of the holes a little different, considerably longer.”

Harding famously won the Bank BRI Indonesia Open on the Asian Tour in 2018 while playing on a sponsors invite, and followed it up two weeks later with another win in Thailand at the Royal Cup for back-to-back victories.

It was a fantastic year for Harding as he finished third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, also helped by a runner up finish in the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup and three other top 10s.

He is also a seven-time winner in South Africa.

“I played good [that year], didn’t really ever feel like I played badly. I try to minimize the mistakes, try to keep the bogeys off the card and ultimately, just tally up the birdies if that makes any sense. I know that it’s easier said than done, but it felt like I managed my game well. I kind of knew where the ball was going and managed my misses. Putted great, I mean I’m not denying it, I putted unbelievably well.”

This season Harding will be dividing his time between the Asian Tour and the DP World Tour in order to try to keep his playing status on both Tours, and is also excited to be competing in the International Series events.

He adds: “Yeah, ultimately I want to enjoy the International Series and what that’s brought to the Asian Tour. I’ll try playing as many of those as I can and then throw in a couple other events. Maybe go back to Indonesia end of the year, where I have won.”

He has been paired with Korea’s Bio Kim and Ryosuke Kinoshita from Japan in the first two rounds.

Published on February 12, 2023

Japan’s Takumi Kanaya secured a convincing victory in the US$2 million International Series Oman today to record his first professional victory outside of Japan and suggest that the gifted young golfer is coming of age.

The 24-year-old from Hiroshima shot a final round one-under-par 71 to finish on 10 under and beat American Berry Henson (70) and Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (72) by four strokes.

England’s Steve Lewton (71) finished fourth one shot further back while Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann from Chile, both in with 74s, tied for fifth another two strokes behind.

The stunning scenic coastline of Al Mouj Golf provided the perfect background for some brilliant front running golf by Kanaya, already a three-time winner on home soil who has been striving to make his mark on the international stage.

He finally achieved that today with an eye-catching performance in what is the second event of the season on the Asian Tour and first of the year’s International Series tournaments.

“It is an honour to win the event, an International Series tournament,” said Kanaya, after what is also his first win since April of 2021 when he won the Token Homemate Cup, on the Japan Tour.

“It has been a difficult two years but I am so happy to finally win again.”

After taking the lead on day two he was never caught and began today’s round with a one-shot advantage from compatriot Ryo Hisatsune. At the turn, thanks to a fine outward nine bogey free three-under-par 33, he had opened up a five-shot gap from Hisatsune and appeared to be coasting before he missed short putts on 12 and 13 to see his lead cut to three from playing-partner Sadom.

Despite the wind starting to strength and threatening to play havoc with his push for victory Kanaya then moved four ahead again when he birdied the 15^th but dropped a stroke on the next to return to three in front.

The contest was soon virtually settled when he made a birdie on the 16^th before Sadom dropped a shot on 17 to give his Japanese opponent a five-shot lead playing 18.

Kanaya could afford the luxury of missing a 10-foot par putt on the last.

Said Kanaya: “Sadom got close, but I played within myself and was able to see it through.”

It is arguably the most important win of his career, which has already seen some significant highs. He turned professional in 2020 after a glittering amateur career that saw him win the 2015 Japan Amateur, the Asia Pacific Amateur in 2018, and the team gold medal at the Asian Games that year. He also won the Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters in 2019 as an amateur and was ranked the world’s number amateur for 55 weeks. In 2020 he was victorious in the Dunlop Phoenix tournament.

This was only the third start by Kanaya as a professional in an Asian Tour event, it is his maiden appearance in an International Series tournament, and it also marks the first time that an International Series event has been won by a player from Japan.

In addition, he becomes the first Japanese golfer to win an Asian Tour event outside of Japan since Tetsuji Hiratsuka claimed the Black Mountain Masters in 2010.

For Sadom it was yet another fine tournament which extended a phenomenal run of him having finished in the top 10 on 12 occasions in his last 20 events on the Asian Tour.

If not for costly double bogeys on five and nine it could well have been a different story.

“I started pretty good with three birdies in a row on holes two, three and four, and then the wind came up,” said Sadom, who finished fourth in last week’s Saudi International.

“It was a different wind, different conditions, so I’m very happy today to score even par today. Takumi is good player, he deserves it.

“I am very happy to finish tied second, so next week maybe will be better than this week.”

Henson was delighted with one of his finest performances on the Asian Tour.

“I love these conditions; I was hoping for this,” said the American.

“Unfortunately, my putting just wasn’t up to standard this week, but I managed my game really well and my ball striking in these conditions was pretty good considering it was just so hard. But I think I had like seven or eight three putts for the week and it looks like that’s gonna cost me.”

The Asian Tour stays in the Middle East next week and will stage the inaugural US$2.5 million International Series Qatar at Doha Golf Club, from February 16-19.

Published on February 11, 2023

Takumi Kanaya continued to put together one of his most impressive performances outside of Japan today when he took the third-round lead in the US$2 million International Series Oman at Al Mouj Golf.

The Japanese star led at the start of the day by one shot from compatriot Ryo Hisatsune and that is how it finished today after they both returned five-under-par 67s.

Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, such an ever-present name on the leaderboard for the past year on the Asian Tour, also shot 67 to sit in third place, three back from the leader.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann from Chile moved ominously into fourth, four off top spot, after rounds of 68 and 69 respectively.

Kanaya showed why so much is expected of him today with an exceptional round that showed he is comfortable leading from the front.

Enjoying calmer conditions compared with the strong winds of Friday, the 24 year old moved to nine under for the tournament, helped by a brilliant run of four birdies in five holes from the eighth. He made six birdies in total and just one bogey.

Surprisingly he missed a four-foot putt for birdie on 17 and another makeable birdie putt on the last.

“I feel good, it is because this course really suits me,” said Kanaya.

“I am able to play my shots, find the fairways, and find the greens. Will just take it shot by shot tomorrow.”

The Japanese star, with the distinctive golf swing and quick follow through, has won three times on the Japan Tour – the 2019 Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters, as an amateur, the 2020 Dunlop Phoenix and the Token Homemate Cup in 2020 – but is looking for his maiden professional title overseas.

He was one of his country’s most successful amateurs having claimed the 2015 Japan Amateur, the Asia Pacific Amateur in 2018, and the team gold medal at the Asian Games that year. He was also ranked first on the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 55 weeks.

Hisatsune, who is looking for his first big Tour win, is four years younger than Kanaya and looking forward to playing with his decorated compatriot tomorrow.

He said: “Yeah, I so respect my older friend, we’re both Japanese and I’m so happy to play with him.  Yeah, so happy to get both of us playing together and making a lot of birdies.

“Today was great, I feel like I was smart in my game management.”

Sadom was fourth in last week’s season-opening PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers and will no doubt be a threat tomorrow.

“Today was pretty good for me, I hit more fairways than the last two rounds,” said the Thai star, whose last win on the Asian Tour was the Singapore Open at the beginning of last year.

“I missed only one fairway today and I had many chances to make birdie. I played solid and my putting was also good today.

“Today I think it was easier, because yesterday the wind was strong and it was hard to hit the greens. And today I think my putting was much better than yesterday and that was the key.”

Garcia bounced back well today after yesterday’s 76 – which considering the windy conditions was more like par for the course.

“Obviously, today it was windy, but it wasn’t as windy as yesterday,” said Garcia.

“And yesterday a couple of holes kind of killed my round really. Other than that, I felt good. I played nicely today, gave myself a lot of chances. Made some really good putts, some went in, and some lipped out but really happy. It was important to put a good score out there today to have a chance tomorrow.”

A six-time winner on the Asian Tour he is trying to win for the first time on the circuit since the 2018 Singapore Open.

He added: “I don’t know, we will see. It is going to depend a bit on the weather and whether the wind picks up. We will see what the leaders finish tonight, it is looking like I could be two or three shots behind, so it is definitely going to take another good round. Hopefully I can shoot another good one and we will see what happens.”

Two-time Australian Open champion Matt Jones fired a 67 to finish on three under to give himself an outside chance on Sunday.  The Australian is an expert playing in the wind and will hope for it to blow tomorrow.

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Two of Asia’s longest-running and most popular championships will return to the Asian Tour schedule in 2023.

The 42nd edition of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open Golf Championship will be staged at Namseoul Country Club from May 4-7.

The Asian Tour’s finest players will then return to Korea from June 22-25 for the Kolon The 65th Korea Open Golf Championship at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & Chief Executive Officer at the Asian Tour, said: “We’re delighted to be able to confirm that these two fabulous championships will form part of what’s shaping up to be a record-breaking season for the Asian Tour.

“Our thanks go to the sponsors, the Korea Golf Association for their continued support, and Namseoul and Woo Jeong Hills, which are familiar venues to top-level tournament golf.”

Minkyu Kim with the 2022 Korea Open trophy.

In particular, Bio Kim and Minkyu Kim will be looking forward to returning to the scenes of memorable triumphs in 2022.

Roared on by a large final-day gallery, Bio Kim carded a closing one-over-par 72 to claim his overdue maiden Asian Tour title with a nine-under total. He had also won the Maekyung Open at Namseoul in 2012, although it was not then part of the Asian Tour.

Of the Namseoul venue, Kim said: “It’s a place where I grew up and where I practice a lot. That’s a reason why I’ve had success here. I like the golf course … and my house is about 20 minutes away. That helps!”

Minkyu Kim, meanwhile, secured his first Asian Tour title and first victory as a professional on Korean soil at his country’s national Open at Woo Jeong Hills in 2022 following a tense three-hole play-off with compatriot Mingyu Cho.

In so doing he added his name to the illustrious list of Korea Open winners, which includes Major champions Y.E. Yang, Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia and John Daly.

 

Published on February 9, 2023

In conjunction with the start of the 2023 International Series season in Oman, the elevated series has announced its intent on developing golf in the Sultanate with a US$25,000 donation.

As part of the Asian Tour’s commitment through the series, it has pledged to support the Oman Golf Association development programs with its donation. Taking place at award wining Al Mouj Golf, local children and women were invited to help promote the initiatives that aim to contribute and drive participation in the region, whilst also focusing further on Oman’s 2040 Vision.

Having been introduced to Oman in the 1970’s, golf is still a very young sport to Omanis, and through events such as The International Series it’s already having a significant impact on tourism, investment, and youth development in the country.

Chairman of the Oman Golf Association (OGA), Mundhir Al Barwani said: “The Oman Golf Association has set out to grow participation and already has a series of events in place throughout the year for junior golfers, as well as an introductory programme for Omani women disabled children.

“This wonderful contribution from The International Series will allow us to reach a greater audience and offer the opportunity for more people to experience golf, who may not have the chance otherwise.”

Having already become a signatory of the Women in Golf Charter in 2018 the OGA is able to lead a greater provision of activities for women and girls to experience one of the fastest growing sports in the country.

The International Series will aim to inspire future generation of golfers within Oman, particularly those juniors who participate in the GOjuniors Tour development events that run throughout the year.

One graduate of the tour and now national player is Ayman Al Basaidi, who has recently completed a charity initiative of playing 54 holes in one day, raising over $10,000 for the Association of Early Intervention for Children with Disability.

Head of the International Series, Rahul Singh summarised this week’s donation, saying: “Supporting the wider development of women, youth and disabled golf through different programs is key to the expansion of the game. We aim to contribute in an effective way wherever the series visits and the donation made this week will aid the growth of the sport, in a country where it’s still relatively new.”

The International Series will continue to donate to valuable causes at each event throughout 2023. As part of a continued effort that will enable beneficiaries to impact the communities around them, the support given will aid their charitable efforts beyond the tournaments that take place.

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Yonggu Shin took advantage of benign early morning conditions to shoot a six-under-par 66 to take the first round in the inaugural International Series Oman at Al Mouj Golf today.

The Canadian, who first shot to prominence last year when he finished joint second in the Shinhan Donghae Open, carded six birdies and impressively was bogey free – in the second event of the season on the Asian Tour, and first International Series tournament.

Spanish star Sergio Garcia looked set to join him in first place but made bogey on his last hole to finish with a 67, along with Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand.

American Andy Ogletree returned a 68, despite battling illness.

Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, Korean Kyongjun Moon, and Americans Berry Henson and Trevor Simsby shot 69s, while Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe, last year’s International Series Order of Merit winner, was one of 12 players who returned 70.

Shin breezed through the opening nine holes with birdies on four, five, six and eight, before further gains on 10 and 17.

“I really can’t complain, especially with the conditions out here,” said Shin, better known as Justin Shin.

“I got lucky being out first as the conditions were pretty good on the front nine and I managed to come away four under for those nine holes but then the wind picked up in the afternoon and made it tricky, so really happy to come away without any dropped shots.

“I walked off at 18 and that was the first time I realised I was leading so I definitely can’t be unhappy with that. I think as the wind continues to pick up that score will be difficult to get near so yeah very happy with the start, now I just want to relax into the rest of the week.”

Shin, whose family emigrated to Canada when he was three years old, also won on the Korean PGA Tour last year at The 4th Woosung Construction Open.

He added: “It is my first time in Oman, and also my first time in the Middle East so I am really excited. It is pretty cool, I’ve spent most of my time in the US, Korea and Canada so I’m so excited to be here. The course is in really great shape, it is tough out there, but I am really enjoying it and luckily I am playing pretty well.”

Garcia began his round on the 10^th and was mid-leaderboard before a stunning run of five birdies in six holes starting on the second.

Said the Spaniard: “Obviously delighted. Mainly because my swing didn’t feel great, especially on the front nine, but then I got it going a bit on the back nine. Yeah, very happy with the score, especially with the wind picking up and how firm the greens are so very happy.”

The 43 year old, who recently returned to playing following a three-month break because of a torn meniscus, is attempting to win for the seventh time on the Asian Tour.

“I hit some really good iron shots out there,” added the 2017 Masters champion.

“Like I said I didn’t feel like I was striking the ball too well, but I was managing to make a few saves on the front nine and then on the back nine I got going a bit and made five birdies in six holes or something like that which was a great feeling.”

Sadom’s presence on the leaderboard is no surprise, especially after a strong performance in last week’s PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Advisers, where he finished fourth, five behind the winner, Abraham Ancer from Mexico.

The in-form golfer, who remarkably has enjoyed eight top-10 finishes in his last 14 Asian Tour starts, switched putters recently and said he can do no wrong on the short grass.

“Over the break I started using an old putter of mine, it’s eight years old, and I’m holing so many putts,” said the 24 year old, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, including last year’s Singapore Open.

“I feel confident, playing on LIV last year with so many great players has helped my game so much.”

He made an eagle, four birdies and a bogey.

Ogletree’s performance was a brave one considering his physical condition.

Said the American: “Yeah, pretty good. Being honest, I didn’t even know if I was going to play this week. I have been pretty ill over the last couple of days and haven’t been able to eat anything, only just now drunk water for the first time so pretty happy with four under to start the week.”

Since his win in last year’s International Series Egypt the 24 year old has been something of a golfer reborn and has big plans moving forward.

“For me, the ultimate goal is to get back on LIV,” he said.

“I have only played one tournament, but I really want to get back there and experience it again. It is a great place to be, I know my game is coming into form at the right time so hopefully I get some more opportunities. These International Series events are great, the course is set up great and it’s a great place to be but yeah, my aim is definitely to take advantage of that pathway and get an opportunity there again.”

Published on February 8, 2023

Sergio Garcia’s bid to win his first tournament in two years, here at this week’s inaugural International Series Oman, has two important factors that work in his favour.

Firstly, the 2017 Masters champion is coming back refreshed after a three-month break, which he says, “was the first time ever in my life I had three months off”, and secondly because the US$2 million tournament is part of the Asian Tour – a circuit where he has enjoyed considerable success, winning six times, the most recent of those being the 2018 Singapore Open.

Last October, the Spanish star tore his meniscus playing in the LIV Golf Miami event and took an extended break to fix the issue.

At today’s pre-event press conference American Brooks Koepka quipped to Garcia: “You sat on the couch, didn’t you, after surgery?”

Garcia was quick to respond: “Second day after surgery I was already doing rehab!”, and shortly after added, “I played golf 16 days after surgery.”

Despite being injured the Spaniard was grateful for the time out, also afforded to him by playing the less exhaustive LIV Golf schedule.

“It was the first time ever in my life I had three months off, even amateur days and stuff like that. I probably played more golf when I was an amateur,” said the 43 year old.

“But yeah, it was really nice to, obviously, like I said, to be able to take care of my knee and fix it and then rehab. It gives you, I think Brooks has mentioned this before, it gives us a bit more time to work on our bodies, kind of try to stay a little bit fitter, be a bit healthier, and then you can work on – you can take a little bit of time off from the game and then start practicing again.

“It’s something that we never really had before. But at the same time, after a couple months, you start kind of jumping up the walls and just want to get going a little bit, too. It’s a funny feeling and situation. But very happy to be at home, work on your body, practice a little bit and spend time with family, wife and kids. That’s obviously something that since COVID days we weren’t able to spend that much time together, so it was great.”

In last week’s season-opening PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Advisers he finished in tie for 28^th after being among the front runners early on.

It was a promising start to the season and there is no doubt this week he would dearly love to secure his first win since the 2020 Sanderson Farms Championship on the PGA Tour.

“Yeah, it would be great. Obviously, yeah, we’re coming off three months off, which is nice. I obviously had meniscus surgery on my left knee, but it feels good,” said Garcia, who has not been completely winless in two years having been part of the triumphant Fireballs team at the LIV Golf Bangkok event last October.

“I’m excited about it. I feel like I played pretty well last week. Didn’t hole out as well as I would like to. But hopefully this week I’ll play solid again and hole out a little bit better and give ourselves a chance at being up there with a good solid chance at winning. Obviously, it would be great, and kind of keep building up into Mexico in a couple of weeks.”

Garcia is part of an outstanding field that has assembled for this week’s event – which is the second stop of the season on the Asian Tour, and the first International Series event of the year.

American Sihwan Kim, last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) winner and 19 out of the top 20 from last year’s Merit list are competing, including Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, who claimed the International Series OOM.

They are joined by a stunning line up of international stars, including Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, South Africans Louis Oosthuizen, Branden Grace, and Charl Schartzel, and Americans Peter Uihlein, Hudson Swafford and Jason Kokrak.

Last year’s Japan Tour number one Kazuki Higa, Matt Jones from Australia, Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra, Englishman Laurie Canter, Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz and Chileans Mito Pereira and Joaquin Niemann are also competing.

Garcia has been drawn with Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Niemann in the first two rounds.

Published on February 7, 2023

Chan Shih-chang has placed winning an International Series tournament at the top of his list of priorities, speaking ahead of this week’s inaugural International Series Oman at Al Mouj Golf.

The Chinese-Taipei golfer is a five-time champion on the Asian Tour – two of those coming last year and one at the end of 2021 – but so far he has not been able to win one of the new upper tier events that made such an important and memorable debut on the Asian Tour last year.

“It is my goal to win one of the International Series events,” said the 36 year old.

“I really hope I can do it one day. I have already won five times on Tour so I would really love to add one International Series title to my records.”

He came close to winning the International Series Singapore last year but made a costly double-bogey on the 18^th at Tanah Merah Country Club to finish two behind the winner Nitithorn Thippong from Thailand.

He said: “I had a good chance in Singapore last year but unfortunately, I let slip the opportunity on the last hole. I hope to redeem myself by winning one International Series title this season.”

Chan claimed The Royal’s Cup in Thailand last year and the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, for his first Asian Tour win on home soil, to become one of only three golfers to win twice during the season.

“Looking back at my career so far, I think it hasn’t been easy getting to where I am today,” said Chan.

“I started playing on the Asian Development Tour more than 10 years ago. Won a few times, got my status on the Asian Tour and then won on the Asian Tour. It has been a lot of hard work really, considering how late I picked up the game. I started learning only at the age of 15 so it’s tougher than others. But it was good to see my hard work pay off over the years.”

He took part in a photo call today at the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque in downtown Muscat with Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand, Oman’s Azzan Al Rumhy and Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell and is embracing the chance to travel more and play in new destinations which The International Series has provided.

“It’s great that we get to play the International Series on the Asian Tour. We get to travel to many new places, from Morocco to Egypt last year to Oman and Qatar these two weeks. If not for these events, we probably wouldn’t get to travel to these countries,” said Chan.

“I hope to follow what my seniors have done and set a good example for the next generation of players at home – that if you want to be a professional golfer, you need to get out of your comfort zone and compete in international events. Don’t limit yourself to just playing in your country because there is so much to see out there and you get to play alongside better players as well. It will definitely help in your game.”

This week’s US$2 million event is the second event of the season on the Asian Tour and boasts a stellar field that includes Major winners American Brooks Koepka, Spain’s Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen from South Africa.

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Following his fine performance on Sunday in the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers Ervin Chang has once again said how grateful he is for becoming the first recipient of The Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Award.

The Malaysian shot a final-round three-under-par 67 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club to finish in a tie for 58^th, and earn the biggest cheque of his fledgling professional career, US$16,000 – an outstanding result considering the strength of the field.

Last year’s SEA Games individual gold medalist received the Award – an annual mission-driven initiative set up last year in memory of the late and great former Asian Tour number one and Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han – on the eve of this year’s Qualifying School.

“Alongside the financial support from Asian Tour and the Han family, it has given me the relief to go out there and just play, because a lot of times it really comes down to the chicken or the egg, which one comes first,” said Chang.

“A lot of players don’t get the support and can’t take that financial pressure off their shoulders to go there and really play. But at the same time, the award is more than the financial part, and it’s more than the starts you get from Asian Tour, it’s the meaning behind the award.”

The Future Champions programme will see players selected each year, by the Han family and the Asian Tour, to receive funding to help with the costs of their debut season on the Asian Tour.

Added 24-year-old Chang: “It’s how Mr. Han helped build golf in Asia, how he started off with the Asian Tour and how he brought the Asian Tour to today’s level before passing on. The impact he left on the golf community, and the golf scene in Asia as well, hopefully one day I can give back to the golf community with what they are doing with the Asian Tour programme, with the Han family programme”.

“I mean that’s pretty far in the future, but that’s something I’m hoping I can do one day, help golf in Asia and really give back to the community like how Asian Tour is giving me the opportunity, and how the Han family has helped me out. That’s one way of giving back to the community and supporting the younger generation coming out as well.”

After being presented with the Award in Hua Hin two weeks ago, Chang went home to celebrate the Lunar New Year expecting to take a little time off from practice, but the break would be cut short.

Explains Chang: “Yeah, last Thursday I got a text from Asian Tour, it was from Mr. Cho Minn Thant, and he asked, ‘would you like to play the Saudi International? I know it’s very short notice, you don’t have much practice time after Q-School’.  I was actually celebrating Chinese New Year halfway through, I got the text and oh wow, I gotta go practice right now!

“I had taken three days off before I got the text, and I was about to go back practice on Monday actually. Right after I got the text I got my air ticket, got my hotel booked, applied for the visa and went straight to practice until dark. Did the same thing the next day to just try to give myself the best opportunity, and the best shot at making the cut and see what I can do out here.”

After a round of one-under-par 69 on Thursday, Chang found himself playing the par-five 18^th hole on Friday one shot off the cut line, knowing he had to make birdie to make it to the weekend.

“Yes, I had been looking at the score board and I saw the cut score was par, and I was like, oh wow. With the wind conditions I thought the cut line was going to be one or two over,” said the Malaysian.

“I saved par on 16 and 17 to give myself one chance on 18 to make a birdie. I knew I had to make a birdie, so I had to go for it. I hit a really good drive, hit a little funky second shot but got it to a good position and chipped it to three feet. And I’m not gonna lie, my hand was a little bit shaky on that putt. I was like, just a left to right simple three-foot putt, just make this putt and you’re onto the weekend. The ball slipped into the hole, and I was like, finally.”