Published on November 10, 2022

An impressive seven-under-par 63 saw Pawin Ingkhapradit take the clubhouse lead on the opening day of the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt today at Madinaty Golf Club.

Seven birdies – three on the front and four on the back – and no dropped shots put him on top of the leaderboard mid-way through Thursday’s round.

South African Jaco Ahlers is in second place after a 64, while Korean Jeunghun Wang, James Piot from the United States, South Africa’s Mathiam Keyser, and Australians Brett Rumford, Sam Brazel and Travis Smyth all carded 65s.

“I played well from the tee today which is important on this course, and of course I holed a lot of putts,” said Pawin.

“I have been playing well this year, missing the cut for the first-time last week in Morocco, so today is just my form continuing.”

The Thai golfer has been playing on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour for the past decade and is still chasing his first victory.

Ahlers, who started on 10, built his round on a fine four-under-par 30 back nine with five birdies and one bogey. He made another three birdies and one dropped shot on the second half.

He said: “I started off by holing a few 100 feet of putts, really got the ball rolling well. It’s a great course, I love Nicklaus courses, this isn’t one but it’s very similar.”

The South African is a 10-time winner on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, remarkably five of those coming in play offs including at his most recent success in April at the Stella Artois Players Championship.

“I have been playing well, just not finishing off tournaments. Need to change that this week,” he said.

Wang, like Pawin, was also bogey free and says he feels his game is gradually getting better having recently returned form 18 months of national service.

“I didn’t play or practice for 18 months. The thing that really suffered because of this was my short game, my chipping and putting. But it’s coming back.”

American Jarin Todd fired a 66, while Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Jakraphan Premsirigorn, South African Ian Snyman, and Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma came in with 67s.

Published on November 9, 2022

Bernd Wiesberger makes his debut on the Asian Tour’s International Series this week when he tees-off in the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club tomorrow and says the Tour is “planting a seed this week, and it’s nice to be part of it.”

The Austrian is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour – he won the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea in 2012, and the following year the Indonesian Masters – and is making his first appearance on the Tour since 2019.

He has been playing the LIV Golf Series this year but is thrilled to be able to return to one of his old hunting grounds.

He said: “It is great to be back on the Asian Tour and with the new International Series. It’s been a while since I won here. I am building in a couple of Asian Tour events to my schedule, and I am really looking forward to starting.”

Surprisingly, it is not his first time playing in Egypt as he competed in a European Challenge Tour event here in 2010.

“I remember we had a great time back then and I think it’s now very beneficial for the Asian Tour to go more international,” said the 37 year old.

“In the past they had an alignment with the European Tour and there were tournaments outside Asia but now with the latest developments in the world of golf there is an opportunity to upgrade certain events to the International Series and find new destinations to take the tour to.

“I think it is great to explore these options outside Asia and in Africa. It makes total sense to come here. Judging by the number of courses here there is definitely a demand for professional tournaments. It is a great start to help build a healthy future in the world of golf. It is very good to see the Asian Tour breaking new ground here and progressing.”

This week marks the first time the Asian Tour has staged an event in Egypt, a country that boasts close to 80 golf courses.

Said Wiesberger: “I didn’t know there are nearly 80 golf courses in Egypt and it has probably been overlooked for too long and it’s nice to be adding new destinations not only to my calendar but in general for professional golf. The Tour is planting the seed this week, it’s nice to be part of it.”

He only arrived on Tuesday evening, so today’s Pro Am was his first opportunity to play the course

“The course is in brilliant condition. Even though the fairways are quite wide you want to make sure you get into position as the greens are quite firm, so it’s tough to stop the ball,” he said.

“There are options off the tees to be more aggressive at some point. Some you have to be more tactical. It’s a good mix. Lots of par threes, six out there, which is quite uncommon, but you have a good variety of design. Definitely a fun design for everyone this week.”

He has been paired in the opening two rounds with Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Canadian Richard T. Lee.

Published on November 8, 2022

There is no hiding Richard T. Lee’s look of disappointment at the moment after he let victory narrowly slip from his grasp last Sunday but a trip to the Pyramids on Tuesday morning ahead of this week’s International Series Egypt, at Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo, has certainly helped to put a smile on his face.

“Egypt has been on my wish list since high school, I just wanted to come here and check out the Pyramids. It was amazing just to see it, right there in front of my eyes,” said the Canadian, who visited the iconic and world-famous Giza Pyramids in Cairo with American Sihwan Kim, Korean Jeunghun Wang, and local player Isaa Abuo El Ela.

Lee was on the brink of winning the International Series Morocco two days ago but made a costly bogey on the driveable par-four 17^th and lost by a shot to Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – who finished sensationally with an eagle and a birdie.

Added Lee: “To be honest I got a bit unlucky on 17 as my second shot was blocked. I pulled my tee shot slightly and it ended right behind a tree so I could only advance it forward a little bit.”

He was attempting to claim his third title on the Asian Tour, to add to his wins in the Solaire Open in 2014 and the 2017 Shinhan Donghae Open.

Nevertheless, it’s has been a big season for the 32 year old so far as he also finished joint second in the International Series Singapore in August.

“I just want to take the good things from there [Morocco] and have a good week this week and play my best,” he said.

Richard T. Lee. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I am just going to play my game; I feel my game is pretty solid right now; I am playing smart golf. Hopefully I can get that win.”

Last year he was dogged by injuries to his shoulder and knee, which he feels might have been the result of COVID-19 treatment.

He said: “I am not completely sure what caused the injuries, I think it could have been something to do with the vaccines. I didn’t have any injuries playing golf, it’s just that all of a sudden they came.

“I have been eating well and doing a lot of work outs. It’s getting better, my body is getting back into shape.”

Rising Spanish star David Puig competes this week having also come close to winning in Morocco – which was his first event on the Asian Tour and second as a professional.

He led by two at the start of the final round before finishing in solo possession of third, two back from Jazz.

“Obviously, leading going into the final round my main goal was to win, but at the end of the day it’s golf,” said the 20 year old, who opted to not complete his final year on the Arizona State University golf team in order to play for pay.

He added: “I think I was pretty steady the whole day, I played pretty good. I just didn’t hit the ball as close as I would like, but I hit it very good and didn’t putt my best as well. But I hung in there and I had a chance until the last hole so as I said overall I’m pretty happy with my result.

“As I said last week I don’t like tight courses, but my driving accuracy as well as my driving distance was pretty good during the whole week. So not seeing trees and instead seeing big fairways, it’s gonna be good because you’re more relaxed sometimes. But at the same time, at the end of the day, it’s just golf. You just gotta try to make birdies.”

David Puig. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

His fine performance allowed him to secure his Asian Tour card for next season.

This week’s tournament marks the first time the Asian Tour has visited Egypt. The US$1.5 million event is the third from last event of the season with just the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open and Indonesian Masters, which is part of the International Series, remaining.

Published on November 7, 2022

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond won for the first time in nearly three years today when he triumphed in the US$1.5 million International Series Morocco after a brilliant eagle, birdie finish at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.

The 2019 Asian Tour number one closed with a fine six-under-par 67 to finish on 12 under and beat Canadian Richard T. Lee by one stroke.

Lee, who missed a 16-foot birdie putt on the last to force a play-off, shot a 70 while Spaniard David Puig fired a 73 to finish third, a stroke further back.

Jazz, playing in the third from last group having started the day four shots behind overnight leader Puig, burst through to victory thanks to a stunning five-under-par back nine.

He made birdie on 11 and 15 but it was the short and driveable par-four 17^th that proved to be pivotal. Lee, playing in the final group, had appeared to be in control and on course to win for much of the back nine but that all changed when Jazz found the green with his tee shot on 17 and holed a 20-foot eagle putt.  The Thai golfer then drew level with Lee after holing a five-footer for birdie on the par-five 18^th. To the surprise of everyone Lee then dropped a shot on 17, the easiest hole on the course, after finding trees off the tee before failing to draw level with Jazz on the last.

“It feels amazing. It’s been a long journey and I’m just so happy to end the year on a high note,” said Jazz, whose girlfriend and fellow professional golfer Sarina Schmidt caddied for him this week.

“I had three holes left and I wasn’t even nearly at the top. I just had a really good finish – everything was really quick. When that last putt dropped I just felt so relieved, the waiting game begun, and now I’m here!”

He last won in December of 2019 at the Thailand Masters, which was one of his four wins that year.

“It’s been a long time since my last trophy – since before COVID. Now everything’s changed, I’ve found my way through and we’re here,” said the Thai, who has now tasted victory on seven occasions on the Asian Tour.

“This was my first time in Morocco and the city of Rabat has been amazing – the culture, the food the people, everything. I heard a lot about this golf course already from people I play with and I knew it was going to be hard, but it’s exceeded all my expectations. I’ve been out nine weeks in a row and I’m tired now and my back’s hurting, but I came in with an open mind to exploring Morocco and Rabat, and I think that helped me win, because I didn’t come in with high expectations.”

Lee had been attempting to claim his third title on Tour and his first since 2017 but had to settle for his second runner-up finish of the season as he was also second in the International Series Singapore in August.

“I looked at the leaderboard on 17 and then saw that Jazz was at 12 under and finished his round. So, I mean, I just wanted to make birdie on the last hole to try to tie and make the playoff,” said Lee, who led at the halfway mark thanks to a second day 65.

“I bogeyed the first hole with a three putt, just started off bad and then came back with four birdies in a row from six to nine and felt the rhythm going pretty well. Then just an unforced error on 17 on the tee shot, got unlucky and got behind the tree and had no shot to the green. So, I mean, it caused me to make a bogey and just… stuff happens, you know?”

Zimbabwean Scott Vincent finished in fourth, three behind the winner, after carding a 71, while his brother Kieran (74), Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma (66), Korean Taehoon OK (67) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat from Thailand (70) were equal fifth, one shot further back.

The Asian Tour visits Egypt next week for the first time for the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club, from November 10 to 13.

 

Published on November 6, 2022

The next generation of eager young Moroccan golfers had a day to remember when American golfer Erik Compton dropped into the driving range at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to host a special junior clinic, on the sidelines of the International Series Morocco.

The clinic, which focused on triumphing over adversity as well as skills and technique, was attended by over 50 youngsters aged from eight to 17, as part of the Asian Tour’s commitment to growing the game and supporting the community in the destinations that host International Series events.

Compton hosted the clinic minutes after carding a two-under 71 to sit tied sixth in the International Series Morocco. A former PGA Tour player, the American is no stranger to Morocco having won the Hassan II Golf Trophy of Morocco in 2005.

He said: “I first got invited here in 2005, I love to travel the world. Right now, I’m excited to see all these kids enjoying golf.

“To them it is an ‘aha’ moment – they get to say they have seen a pro and it leaves an impression in their memory and hopefully resonates with a few kids who can go on to do something spectacular.”

Compton, a former number one junior golfer in the US who is known around the world for battling back from two heart transplants, added: “It is great to be here. I do not see myself as different to any other golfers – we all love to get involved. My story is a little unique in that I can talk to the kids about their dreams, and that if I can make it, anyone can make it, and I have been blessed really.”

The children were thrilled with the session on the driving range at the stunning Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. Ali Toufik, aged 11, said: “It was great to meet a pro tour like Erik, he was so nice, he explained a lot of things to us. Watching the pros play inspired me a lot. It was very nice of Dar Es Salam to let us discover the course and invite us to meet the pros, it was really a great honour.”

Lotfi Mohamed Mamoun, 15, added: “The day was great, we learned a lot, and the course was beautiful. We saw the high standard of golf on the Asian Tour, we also saw how regular the professionals are, with their swings and their setup. From Erik, we learned that even with problems we can always achieve what we want, and if we have a dream we must follow it.”

Adam Hmass, aged 12, added: “I play golf at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam school, and can say that this day was very enriching. We learned how to make the right swings, and we learned about overcoming difficulty. Seeing the players and their professional approach was very rewarding.”

The International Series Morocco draws to a close on Sunday afternoon.

Published on

David Puig’s decision to cut short his college career in the United States to turn professional is quickly starting to look justified after the Spanish rookie took the third-round lead in the inaugural US$1.5 million International Series Morocco today.

He carded a four-under-par 69 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to lead on 10 under by two shots from overnight leader Richard T. Lee from Canada, who carded a 74.

The Vincent brothers, Kieran and Scott, are tied for third one stroke further back following a spectacular 64 and 71 respectively, along with Australian Scott Hend, who came in with a 72.

Puig, who played for Arizona State University, turned professional in September to compete in the LIV Golf Invitational Chicago, and this week’s Asian Tour event is only his second tournament as a professional.

He was bogey free today, making a birdie on five and three in a row from 11.

“You know, I played pretty good overall,” said the 20 year old.

“Obviously I hit it pretty good to not make any bogeys, but the whole day I played pretty steady. I’m hitting fairways and greens, and I made all the short putts that I needed to make. I’m excited and looking forward for tomorrow.

“I usually like long and wider courses, and this one is pretty long but it’s obviously very tight. But you know, I’ve been hitting my driver, three wood and five wood pretty good the last month and a half, so once I step up on the tee boxes I feel pretty confident. So that’s the key probably.”

Lee shot 65 yesterday for a two-shot lead but was unable to maintain that form today with a particularly bad run of three straight bogeys from 13. A birdie on the par-five 18^th partially helped to salvage the day.

“Just didn’t drive well today and missed quite a few putts, I just couldn’t read the greens,” he said.

“But I am still in it and confident I can make a run at it tomorrow. It’s been a good year so far. I have worked hard to get back after a shoulder injury last year.”

Kieran Vincent’s round of the tournament so far is even more impressive when put into the context of his week as a whole.

Not only did his clubs not arrive with him when he landed on Tuesday from New York, but he only received them on Thursday morning just hours before he teed off after he went to pick them up at Casablanca airport, which is well over a one-hour drive from the golf club.

“I didn’t even know my clubs were there [at the airport on Thursday]. I was lucky enough that they were coming on that flight from JFK, so I picked them up and got here just in time for my tee off time,” said the Zimbabwean.

“I had arrived here on Tuesday morning and was club-less. So just came up to the course and thought at least we’ll see the course and do a little bit of practice. I think I was using someone else’s wedge, and a putter from who knows when.

“One of the guys from here I was lucky enough for him to lend me a set for Wednesday too, if I was able to just go out there and play a couple of holes. So, I was lucky enough to do that. But the main reason was we had some clubs to play and practice with.”

He made an eagle, and seven birdies and will play in the final pairing on Sunday with Puig and Lee, with his older brother Scott in the penultimate group.

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and American Erik Compton are tied for sixth, four behind Puig.

Jazz fired a 71 and Compton, who won the Hassan II Golf Trophy on this course in 2005, shot a 71.

 

Published on November 5, 2022

The Asian Tour has underlined its ongoing commitment to the communities that host its International Series events by making a US$25,000 donation to the Ain Hallouf Rural School of Golf, a golf school for children held under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid and the Moroccan Golf Federation.

The centre provides lessons in golf and important societal values to children in the Douar Ain Hallouf area near Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, the venue for the International Series Morocco, the fifth event of the Asian Tour’s flagship series.

Rahul Singh, Head of the International Series, presented the cheque to Abdelkader El Hali, General Manager of the Ain Hallouf Rural School of Golf, on the sidelines of the US$1.5million tournament, which runs through Sunday – and to which entry is free.

Singh said: “The Asian Tour is committed to supporting the communities at our International Series host venues through philanthropic efforts, and we are delighted to make this charitable contribution which underscores our commitment to developing the game at the grassroots level. By supporting the school we can support the growth of the game in Morocco, a golf market of real potential.”

El Hali, General Manager of the Ain Hallouf Rural School of Golf, said: “This generous contribution will benefit many youngsters in the area, by empowering them through sport and educating them in the positive values of golf, building strength of character, confidence and resilience.”

The Douar Ain Hallouf area has a strong connection with the game of golf. Many locals have found employment at the Royal Dar Es Salam course in the 50 years since it was first developed in 1971, and the locals have even built a course for their community, in the middle of the forest.

The Ain Hallouf Rural School of Golf has helped many players to develop their game and many Moroccan professionals are native to the area, such as Ahmed Marjan, who is playing in the International Series Morocco.

The Asian Tour’s philanthropic efforts are felt at each of the International Series destinations, with significant donations being made to support local communities in Thailand, England, Singapore and South Korea already this season.

 

Published on November 3, 2022

Not much is known about American Cole Madey on the Asian Tour – this week’s inaugural US$1.5 million International Series Morocco is only his third event on Tour – but based on today’s opening round of six-under-par 67, which gave him a share of the clubhouse lead with Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, it looks like he could be a player to look out for in the future.

An eagle and four birdies put Madey in control at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam with Nitithorn, ahead of Englishman Steve Lewton who carded a 68 – helped by a brilliant eagle on the par-four 13^th where he holed a 127-yard wedge shot from a fairway bunker.

Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, American Trevor Simsby and Danny Masrin from Indonesia, shot 69s while Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, and Spanish rookie David Puig were in a group of nine players in with 70s.

Eleven players will complete their first-round tomorrow morning as fading evening light stopped play for the day.

Madey is 25 years old and after graduating from UCLA he turned professional in 2019 with high hopes of travelling the globe and playing golf but the COVID-19 pandemic immediately scuppered those plans.

Nitithorn Thippong. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

However, he was able to get back on track last year and play the PGA Tour Latin America before also getting a couple of starts on the Asian Tour in March this year in Thailand.

“With things shut down for a couple of years I didn’t really get my feet wet in professional golf,” said the American.

“But now I am starting to travel and play pro golf, learning how to manage my time and so on. I have been learning a lot and the events I played on the Asian Tour in Thailand were great and now I am here, I love to travel, and the Asian Tour is an incredible organization.”

A six under round with no dropped shots is an impressive performance on the testing Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam. Madey felt he was helped by the fact that the course reminds him of a favourite layout in the US.

He said: “I love the course, it reminds me of a course I played in the States, called Saticoy Golf Club, where the greens are extremely undulating, and unforgiving on some approach shots meaning the ball can spin off the green. I really like it, I am from the North-West where there are also a lot of trees, it suits my eye.”

He made his first birdie on seven, eagled the par-five eighth, and birdied 13 before closing with birdies on 17 and 18.

“I putted pretty solid,” he said.

“My driver was a little shaky in the beginning. I made all my four footers which was important. There are some huge slopes so it’s important not to try and leave yourself too much work with 30 or 40 footers.”

Steve Lewton.  Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Nitithorn has been victorious twice this season – in The DGC Open presented by Mastercard and the International Series Singapore – and joined Madey on top of the leaderboard late in the day with an eagle on the driveable par-four 17^th and a birdie on the par-five 18^th.

“I feel good. I didn’t know my score until I made eagle on 17, when I then realised I was five under,” said the Thai golfer, who made six birdies in total and two bogeys.

“I was really in the zone today so wasn’t keeping track. I drove the ball so well and that’s key for me around this course. I played good golf today.”

On the penultimate hole he hit a miraculous tee shot to two feet to set up the eagle.

Lewton last played Royal Golf Dar Es Salam 13 years ago, when he says it was a very different layout.

“It’s changed a lot. I don’t remember the greens being this slopy. They have made some changes, which have been brilliant,” he said.

“It is a tricky golf course this week, rough is kind of up, it is playing kind of long and the greens are tricky. You have got to control your golf ball. I didn’t have a great lie in the bunker on 13, I was trying to hit it as good as I could, and it came out well and I thought it would be close but with a bit of luck it went in.”

Puig’s good start caught the attention of many as this is only his second event as a professional having joined the play for pay game in September.

“I didn’t play a tournament since September, which was the LIV Golf event in Chicago, so it’s been a month and a half of complete grind on the driving range,” said the 20 year old former amateur star at Arizona State University.

“I played pretty good. I think I am swinging the club better. I worked pretty hard, you know I usually struggle a little off the tee, but I hit it pretty good off the tee which helped, so I am pretty happy with the round overall.”

Puig played the back nine first and struggled with his game making the turn in one over but was a different player on his second nine carding birdies on one, three, five and eight shooting a four-under-par 32.

David Puig. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

He has spent his time off in the States working with golf coach Dave Philips and Sean Drake, an athlete chiropractor.

He added: “I think we did a really good job the last month and a half. I am excited to keep going this week and next week. They (Philips and Drake) are both very good, they know each other, they are connected, so what I needed to improve on the course I practiced it with the chiropractor, with helped with technique and everything.”