Sihwan Kim completes dream week at LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok
Sihwan Kim enjoyed an unforgettable first LIV Golf Invitational event in Asia today when the American, currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with two wins this season, tied for third.
He shot a four-under-par 68 at Stonehill, just outside Bangkok, to end four strokes behind the winner, Spanish rookie sensation Eugenio López-Chacarra.
López-Chacarra fired a 69, for a tournament total of 19 under, while American Patrick Reed finished three shots back in second following a 67.
Englishmen Paul Casey (65) and Richard Bland (68) shared third place with Kim, in what was the richest sporting event ever to be played in Thailand.
Kim’s fine performance was rewarded with the biggest pay day of his career as he earned a cheque for US$1.175 million.
In another epic battle in the team competition, Kim’s Iron Heads GC team – made up of fellow Asian Tour stars Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand, and their captain Kevin Na from America – agonisingly missed out on finishing in the top three and ended fourth. Only the top three teams earn prizemoney.
Fireballs GC, consisting of captain Sergio Garcia from Spain, the unstoppable López-Chacarra, and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz won the team title.
PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – OCTOBER 09: Sihwan Kim of Iron Heads GC plays his shot from the fourth tee during Day Three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 09, 2022 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images )
Kim’s two wins this season have both come in Thailand – the International Series Thailand and the Royal’s Cup – and the Land of Smiles brought out the best in him once again this week.
Remarkably he only dropped one shot over the three days, on the seventh today.
“Overall, it was a great week,” said Kim.
“I think points wise I will be pretty close to keeping my card for next year’s LIV events, I am more happy because of that.
“The money is definitely at the back of your mind but at the same time you have to try and compete and score the best. Money comes second, I was more focused on the points.
“It was a lot of pressure, I dealt with it very well. Really happy I only made one bogey all week. I hope this continues into Jeddah next week.”
His game has been out of sorts over the past few months and although the wide fairways helped deal with errant driver issues, he played flawless golf suggesting he will once again be a threat to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.
He said: “It was just a different feeling this week. I don’t know really. I have been trying to work things out with my swing the last two weeks. My irons have been spot on this week, because of nerves I hit some divers right and left. And my putting has been great. I’m just very happy about things.”
An hour and a half delay caused by heavy rain and lightning stopped play with most players having four holes remaining, but it had little effect on the runway winner, who only turned professional in June.
The Oklahoma State University graduate started the day with a five-shot lead and was never really threatened.
PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – OCTOBER 09: Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra of Fireballs GC celebrates with the trophy alongside Greg Norman, CEO and commissioner of LIV Golf, after winning the individual award during Day Three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 09, 2022 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. (Photo by Pakawich Damrongkiattisak/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
Said the 22 year old: “Feels great. I mean, I don’t think there’s a lot of secret. Just trusting yourself and working hard every day. That’s what they teach me when I was young and what these guys tell me you need to do, and trusting your team, having a good team, and just work and work I would say.”
The rising star earned a cheque for US$4 million as well as one for US$750,000 for being on the winning team.
“I knew it was going to be hard today,” he added.
“It was going to be a long day. There’s such good players coming from behind and they want to win as much as I do. I just stayed patient, and I feel like when the rain and the cold out on 15 helped me a lot. I needed some time off.
“I was kind of pretty nervous, and being with my family, my coach and my best friend Gonzalo kind of helped me relax and just see how life is and how nice is my life right now and just kind of going out there and trust all the work I’ve put in.”
Asian Tour star Sihwan Kim showed he has what it takes to play at the very highest level today when he impressively put himself in position to challenge for the title tomorrow at the US$25 million LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok.
He carded a second-round six-under-par 66, which like yesterday’s first round was bogey free, at Stonehill to end the day on 11 under, in a tie for second with Americans Patrick Reed (65) and Harold Varner III (66) and England’s Richard Bland (68).
They are five behind runaway leader Eugenio López-Chacarra from Spain, who fired a stunning 63 – in the first LIV Golf Invitational event to be played in Asia.
Showing the kind of form that has helped him to win two Asian Tour titles here in Thailand this year – the International Series Thailand and the Royal’s Cup – Kim played magnificently to give himself a chance of winning tomorrow’s US$4 million first place cheque.
After the shotgun start at 10.15am he made birdie on his first hole, on the par-five second, and another on sixth, which proved to be a taste of what was to come as he birdied 11, 12, 14 and 17.
PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – OCTOBER 08: Sihwan Kim of Iron Heads GC plays his shot from the seventh tee during Day Two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 08, 2022 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images )
“I just putted beautifully all day, and again these wide fairways are an advantage to me as I have not been driving well,” said Kim, who was paired in a high-profile group consisting of England’s Ian Poulter and Marc Leishman from Australia.
Kim is currently ranked second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, despite struggling with his form over the past few months.
In the LIV Golf Invitational Boston, he made headlines for the wrong reasons when after opening with a 17-over-par 87 he shot a 63, before closing with a 76.
His best finish in the LIV Golf Invitational events is tied 15th in Portland, but that stat is most likely to change tomorrow.
“It feels great to be in this position, it’s been a while, but I feel comfortable and excited about the final round,” added the 33 year old.
Kim’s round also meant his Iron Heads GC team also have a shot at winning the team competition tomorrow. Their captain Kevin Na from the United Status carded a 68, Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana a 69, and his countryman Phachara Khongwatmai 70, to move into fourth place with a score of 24 under, 10 behind Fireballs GC, led by captain Sergio Garcia from Spain.
Said Kim: “We know Kevin is always going to play well, so it’s just case a of myself, Sadom and Phachara being able to support with some good numbers.”
Twenty-two-year-old rookie López-Chacarra is the youngest player in the field but played with class and maturity beyond his years today, making an eagle and seven birdies.
“The conditions are great, and the course is unbelievable,” he said.
“I feel like it’s a long course that it helps me a little, and then the type of grass and the Bermuda greens, I think they’re the best greens I’ve putted in a long time, so it’s kind of like everything around here is great.
“But I think the key was I went back to see what I was doing in college because I was working so good and I didn’t do as good the first four weeks as a pro, and it was just try to have fun and then play to not make bogeys. Kind of play smart on the course, and that’s what I’ve started doing this week. I feel my game – I’m actually hitting it pretty good, but I’m playing smart and I’m having fun, so that’s the key for these couple rounds.”
PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – OCTOBER 08: Eugenio Lopez-Chacarra of Fireballs GC plays his shot from the first tee during Day Two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 08, 2022 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
Branden Grace, joint overnight leader, had to pull out on the fourth hole with an injury and has a race to recover in time for next week’s LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah.
The South African is second on the LIV Golf rankings, having won the LIV Golf Invitational Portland.
Play will start tomorrow with a shotgun start at 9am, one hour and 15 minutes earlier than today.
Thailand welcomes the very first LIV Golf Invitational event to be played in Asia this week at Stonehill, but among its all-star line up of golfing elite are a wealth of players who are certainly not first timers to Thailand or the region, who boast a treasure trove of Asian Tour trophies.
They have also been visitors to this part of the world for decades, and none more so than Englishman Lee Westwood – the proud winner of nine Asian Tour titles, which includes two Thailand Golf Championships, two Malaysian Opens, and three Indonesian Masters.
Indeed, from-the-get-go, a mere 28-years ago, Asia has been on his travel schedule.
He says: “Right from the beginning of my career, 1994, I think my second or third event ever was the Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket, Blue Canyon, and fell in love with Asia then, and have always enjoyed coming back here.”
It took him just two years to win in the region after that first visit, at the 1996 Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters on the Japan Tour (where he was also victorious the ensuing two years) before he claimed his first Asian Tour title at the Malaysian Open in 1997.
“It’s nice to be back,” said Westwood, who turns 50 next April.
“It’s a part of the world I look forward to come and play in and I’ve been successful, which makes it even better. It’s nice to be here with LIV and taking golf around the globe again. Obviously wasn’t possible through COVID over the past couple of years, three years, and I’ve missed it.”
Ian Poulter (picture by Joe Maher/LIV Golf/Getty Images).
Close friend and compatriot Ian Poulter, the winner of the nationals Open of Singapore and Hong Kong, also started his Asian campaign not long after turning professional in 1995.
“[I have played here] right from the year 2000, once I got my European Tour card, traveling around Asia, playing, and having a level of success,” said Poulter, who like Westwood has also won in Japan and Australia.
“[I’ve] so enjoyed the aspect of playing internationally and obviously just not in one place. I’ve loved my success in all the years that I’ve been traveling for the last 24 years.
“We really didn’t have that option through COVID, but obviously now the new schedule and how it’s going to lay itself out with LIV, it’s a fantastic opportunity because we’ve got so many fans that we’ve picked up through all the years of winning great tournaments in this part of the world, and it will be great to see them all again.”
Australian Cameron Smith, the current world number three who won the LIV Golf Invitational Chicago last month in just his second start on the LIV Golf Series, is another player who is no stranger to the Asian Tour, even though it was just one season.
In 2014, the year after making the transition to the play for pay game, Smith competed on the Asian Tour and impressively finished in the top-10 seven times before ending in fifth position on the Order of Merit.
Said the reigning Open champion: “My time when I was a young professional over in Asia are some of the best times of my life. Traveling with good friends and playing really good tournaments was something I will never forget, and I’m really looking forward and really excited for what this Tour [LIV Golf] is going to bring to the golf world.”
Kevin Na (picture by Charlie Crowhurst/LIV Golf/Getty Images).
And American Kevin Na, before embarking on a successful career on the PGA Tour where he has triumphed on five occasions, also cut his professional teeth in this part of the world, most notably winning the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2002.
When asked if he plans to play more in Asia having spent the best part of his life playing in North America he responded: “You just said best part of my life I played on the PGA TOUR. I don’t know, I think the best part of my life is coming. I played Asian Tour in 2002 and 2003. I really enjoyed it.
“I had a lot of great memories playing the Asian Tour, and I was able to see guys [this week], former players that work for the Tour or in TV, it’s nice to catch up with them and see that they’re still in the golf world.
“Yes, I plan to play a little bit more in Asia here and there. It’s nice that we’re in Thailand. The last time I played in Thailand was probably 2013, and I really enjoyed playing there, playing in Thailand then, and I’m already enjoying it now.”
The list of players with success in Asia goes on, and on – Spaniard Sergio Garcia has six Asian Tour trophies and South African Louis Oosthuizen three – and there is no doubt they will all dearly love to add the first LIV Golf Invitational event in Asia title to their ongoing Asian narrative.
Local golf fans will be out in force at this week’s LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok to cheer on Iron Heads GC, featuring Thai players Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai alongside captain Kevin Na and Sihwan Kim, both from the US, after LIV Golf confirmed the 12 teams ready to compete in the US$25 million inaugural event, which starts on Friday, as LIV Golf’s season-long team competition hits the home stretch.
Securing four consecutive wins in five tournaments this season, the 4 Aces GC team of Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Talor Gooch and Pat Perez leads the pack as the series touches down on the all-new Stonehill course located on the outskirts of Bangkok.
The Smash GC team of Brooks Koepka, younger brother Chase, Peter Uihlein and Jason Kokrak will be looking to dethrone the 4 Aces after losing in Chicago by one stroke following Johnson’s final hole birdie to secure the team win.
Meanwhile, Phil Mickelson’s Hy Flyers GC, featuring Matthew Wolff, Bernd Wiesberger and Cameron Tringale are coming into form ahead of this week’s event. The Hy Flyers finished in third place in points at Chicago’s Rich Harvest Farms, edging out via tiebreaker the all-Australian Punch GC team of individual winner Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman, Wade Ormsby and Matt Jones. Both teams finished at 17 under and split third-place money.
Japan’s Hideto Tanihara, a 17-time winner on global tours, joins Chilean star and team captain Joaquin Niemann, Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Australia’s Jediah Morgan on an international Torque GC team in search of its first podium.
“We are eager to present LIV Golf’s innovative format and elite competition to one of the most exciting and rapidly developing golf landscapes in the world,” said LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman. “The field is comprised of players with local ties and international acclaim, all committed to performing their best and supporting their teammates in pursuit of a title. It’s sure to be a weekend of excitement for LIV Golf’s Asian debut at Stonehill.”
PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – OCTOBER 05: Sadom Kaewkanjana during a practice round prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 05, 2022 in Pathum Thani, . (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf/Getty Images)
Alongside the team format, golf fans will also get the chance to watch 48 of the world’s best golfers compete in the individual format, with 2022 Open champion Smith and two-time major winner Johnson leading a star-studded field that includes 12 Major champions and four former World No. 1s.
The three-day event will offer a multitude of off-course excitement for visitors to Stonehill. A variety of opportunities to test one’s golfing skills will include a high-tech golf simulator, chipping green and mini-golf, as well as music and immersive entertainment. Younger fans will also be able to enjoy arts and crafts, educational workshops, face painting, and virtual reality entertainment.
Tickets for the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok remain available, with a single-day grounds pass starting at 800THB, with three-day passes on sale for 1600THB at LIVGolf.com or thaiticketmajor.com. Single day and three-day hospitality packages for the popular Club 54 and Gallery Club experiences are also available.
Complete, live coverage of LIV Golf tournaments is globally available direct to consumers on LIVGolf.com and YouTube. LIV Golf event broadcasts are also aired live on a global roster of leading premium and free-to-air broadcasters providing coverage in over 180 territories around the world. The list of global networks covering the LIV Golf Invitational Series is available on LIVGolf.com.
The eyes of the golfing world turn to Thailand this week as ‘the land of smiles’ gears up to host the biggest tournament ever-to-be-held on Asian soil: the US$25million LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok.
Forty-eight of the best golfers on the planet are in the Thai capital to battle it out for individual and team glory as LIV Golf breaks new ground with Asia’s debut LIV Golf Invitational, taking place at Stonehill, October 7-9.
A stellar field including defending Open champion Cameron Smith, big-hitting Bryson DeChambeau and multiple-major winners Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks Koepka are competing.
They will be joined by hometown heroes Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai – two of 12 Asian Tour members playing – plus a host of Ryder Cup and major-winning stars including Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen and Patrick Reed.
The sixth event of eight in LIV’s inaugural year, the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok will hold the distinction of becoming the first international tournament to be staged at the all-new Stonehill in the northern suburbs of Bangkok, situated in the Pathum Thani province.
LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman said: “Everyone at LIV Golf is enormously excited to bring our innovative format and elite competition to Thailand and the people of Asia, one of the most exciting and rapidly developing golf landscapes in the world. At LIV Golf, we’re committed to creating opportunities that grow the game and reach new audiences around the globe. Thailand is our first Asian stop as we continue our launch, and the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok promises to be a truly incredible week for players and fans alike.”
“I’ve been looking forward to saying this for a long time: Asia, here we come!”
Phachara Khongwatmai (picture by Mike Stobe/LIV Golf/via Getty Images).
The revolutionary tournament format of LIV Golf aims to supercharge the sport of golf. Each event sees a world-class 48-man field compete in 12 teams of four, with a shotgun start, on-course music and entertainment that creates an electric atmosphere.
After three rounds of golf, both an individual and team champion is crowned and a prize of US$25million shared.
An incredibly strong field for Bangkok features no less than 12 Major champions and four former World No.1s set to be on the hunt for individual and team glory.
Thai star Phachara has featured in all five of this year’s LIV Golf Invitationals, earning his spot through some top performances in the Asian Tour’s new marquee International Series events, which are supported by LIV Golf.
He said: “To be playing in an event of this scale at home in Thailand is something I could only have dreamed of growing up. The quality of the field is unlike any golf event that will ever have competed here, which makes this a huge moment for not only golf, but sport in Thailand and in Asia.
“These LIV events bring together the best golfers in the world, in a new format which works for both players and spectators. The atmosphere has been incredible in all the events I have played so far, and to be able to experience the same on home turf is something I’m really going to relish. It’ll be something very special for Thai golf and golf fans.”
Sadom, a two-time Asian Tour winner who has also teed it up in all LIV Golf events so far this season, said: “Playing in Thailand confirms that LIV Golf is a global league, bringing the best in the world to our country and growing the game across the region. LIV Golf is something different, something very exciting, and this week is further evidence that the series is connecting with new audiences all around the world.”
Indian star Anirban Lahiri, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour, is delighted to be bringing the series to Asia. Lahiri, who signed on with LIV Golf in late August, finished runner-up on his Boston debut in a thrilling three-way playoff defeat to Johnson, which also featured Chilean star Joaquin Niemann.
He said: “From my experience so far, LIV Golf is something very special – I could hardly have got off to a better start. The LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok brings something special to Thailand and also the wider region. There are so many golf fans in the Asian region and they will all be able to enjoy some world-class golf featuring some of the best in the game. The players love the atmosphere at the tournaments, as well as the format, and the fans in Asia are in for a real treat.”
Chan Shih-chang claimed the US$1million Mercuries Taiwan Masters today, to finally win an Asian Tour event on home soil for the first time, but only after a titanic battle with India’s Rashid Khan.
The Chinese-Taipei star beat Khan on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off at Taiwan Golf and Country Club, incredibly, after coming from three shots behind with five to play before making birdie three times on the par-four 18th.
A brilliant nine-foot birdie putt saw him secure the title, after Khan had missed his birdie attempt from 20 feet, while Chan holed a 21-foot putt for birdie on the first extra hole, before Khan made his from two feet. Chan sensationally forced the play-off when he holed a nine-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole as Khan agonisingly missed his birdie chance from six feet.
Both players carded four-under-par 68s to finish on 15 under and beat the previous best tournament total – set by Chinese-Taipei’s Tsai Chi-huang’s in 2002 – by one shot.
Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman and Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand tied for third, six shots back after both carding 71s.
“Really happy to win my first Asian Tour title at home. I have always wanted to do this. To be honest, it’s really pressurising. My friends, sponsors and family were out there supporting me today,” said the 36-year-old Chan, who won US$200,000 and moved into 10th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Rashid Khan.
The Chinese-Taipei star started his come from behind win with a birdie on the 15th, before his Indian opponent dropped a shot on the penultimate hole to set up the thrilling showdown on the last.
“This is my first time playing in the final group in my many years of playing in this tournament. I just keep telling myself to stay calm and stick to my game plan and stay positive out there,” he added.
This is Chan’s fifth victory on the Asian Tour and third in 10 months: he won the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship at the end of November last year, which was the Asian Tour’s first event back after a two-month break caused by the pandemic; and he won in Thailand again this year at the Royal’s Cup in February. He was also victorious in the King’s Cup in Thailand in 2016 and two months later the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan.
He also tied third here last year and equal second the year before, when on both occasions the event wasn’t on the Asian Tour schedule because of travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The win also maintained his one hundred percent record in play-offs, as he has won two on the Asian Development Tour and one on the Taiwan PGA circuit.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Khan was in search of his first Asian Tour title in eight years, with both of his previous successes coming in 2014, at the SAIL-SBI Open in India, and the Chiangmai Golf Classic, in Thailand.
Siddikur Rahman (Picture by Khalid Redza/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images).
He had a one-shot lead at the turn and after a birdie on 10 and 13 he looked a safe bet for the title.
“It was going really well, just that I knew the last four holes are crucial,” said Khan, who also three-putted the par-five 15th having reached the green in two.
“I hit a good shot on the 15th hole, but I ended up missing it on the side of the green where I haven’t practiced. And I had no idea about the read at all. So, I three putted and that’s where you know … because last two holes are not so easy to play.
“On the 17th hole I got a little hurried, hit a good shot and I thought it’s gonna be fine on the left side of the green, but it ended up being just over the bunker in the rough. And you know, I thought the green is slow from the front, but it wasn’t, and I missed it like 15 feet past the pin.”
Rahman, who last won on the Asian Tour at the Hero Indian Open in 2013, was thrilled with his best finish for some time.
He said: “Oh, it was a wonderful day, I just couldn’t putt well today, rest of the game was excellent. Just because of putting I couldn’t make a better score, but, overall, I’m happy about my round.”
The result will also allow him to keep his playing privileges for next season.
“That’s a big relief for me because I was really struggling from the beginning of this year. I mean, and now I just finished tied third, so I think I have secured my card for next year. Definitely, I will be able to play without tension,” he added.
The Asian Tour heads to the International Series Morocco next from Royal Golf Dar Es Salam from November 3-6.
Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang moved a step closer to winning an Asian Tour event on home soil for the first time when he took a share of the lead along with India’s Rashid Khan after the third round of the US$1 million Mercuries Taiwan Masters today.
Four-time Asian Tour winner Chan carded a three-under-par 69 to reach 11 under for the tournament and catch overnight leader Khan, who fired a 73.
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut and Siddikur Rahman from Bangladesh are tied for third, three shots back after scoring 68 and 69 respectively, at Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Two of Chan’s victories have come in the last 10 months, and the kind of form that saw him win those titles was on display again today. He nailed five birdies and made two bogeys; the last of those dropped shots came on 14, which prompted the best possible reaction as he made his final two birdies on the next two holes.
“I played good overall today,” said Chan.
“My target was to shoot 68 actually, but still happy with a 69. I made a few good birdies out there, like the four footer on 15. I can’t wait to go out tomorrow. I will show them what I got!
“I know I need to hit my irons well and putt well to score on this golf course so I will aim to do that tomorrow. My iron play was not sharp today. If I can improve on my iron accuracy tomorrow, I should have a good chance to win.”
Chan won the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship at the end of November last year, which was the Asian Tour’s first event back after a two-month break caused by the pandemic; and he won in Thailand again this year at the Royal’s Cup in February.
Rashid Khan.
Three of his Asian Tour successes have come in The Kingdom, while another in Japan and having finished joint third in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last year and equal second the year before a first Asian Tour victory in Chinese-Taipei is of the highest priority to the 36 year old.
Khan had started the day with a four-shot lead having returned a 65 on day two and while he will have been disappointed to card a 73, that would have been tempered by the fact that he is still in the lead and in with a chance of his first win on the Asian Tour in eight years.
He struggled on the outward nine unable to make birdies and dropped a shot on seven to make the turn in one over, and when he made bogey on 10 it appeared the chasing pack would overwhelm him.
Both Chan and Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert led on the back nine, but Khan rallied with a birdies on 13 and 15 to stay in the fight.
He said: “I told myself, this is not the golf course which we played for the first two days, so just hang in there. And you know, if you make two or three birdies on last eight holes, you’re still fine.
“I mean I’m still playing in the last group, and I have a chance, so I’m just gonna focus on that.”
Khan won both of his Asian Tour titles in 2014 – the SAIL-SBI Open in India, and the Chiangmai Golf Classic, in Thailand – and the signs have been there this season, particularly after a joint runner-up placing in the Mandiri Indonesian Open in August, that the long wait for a third win could before over soon.
Sarit is looking for his first win on the Asian Tour and put himself in an excellent position to do that with the second lowest round of the day.
“I think I just woke up on the right side of the bed today,” said the Thai golfer.
“I mean yesterday was just a tough day, everything just seemed unlucky. Today everything just, it’s not like lucky, but I hit it good. Wedges, irons, drives and putted good. I think that’s it, everything was just good.”
Siddikur’s name on the leader board will be a pleasing sight for many. The two-time winner on the Asian Tour has not been in contention for a while.
Said the 37 year old, who last won at the 2013 Hero Indian Open: “It was a wonderful day, and I was hitting it very good. And I was really calm, not like other tournaments, so I think that helped a lot. My short game was also very good today. So overall, it was a wonderful day.
Sarit Suwannarut.
“I have always played good here, so I have a very good memories and very good confidence to play this golf course.”
Pavit impressed for much of the day but surprisingly made three bogeys on the trot from the 15th and closed with a 71, to sit four behind the leaders, along with countryman Nitithorn Thippong, who signed for a 73.
Nitithorn is trying to win for the third time this season.
India’s Rashid Khan opened up a healthy four-shot lead after round two of the US$1 million Mercuries Taiwan Masters today after firing a masterful seven-under-par 65.
He leads on 12 under from Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang (68) and Wang Wei-hsiang (70), the defending champion and first-round leader, and Nitithorn Thippong from Thailand (69), who are all in second position.
A trio of Thai golfers, Danthai Boonma (66), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (69) and Donlaphatchai Niyomchon (71) are two shots further back, at Taiwan Golf and Country Club – in what is Chinese-Taipei’s richest golf tournament.
Khan, whose two victories on the Asian Tour came back in 2014, has been a regular contender this year and looks hungry to transfer form into silverware this week after a bogey free round with four birdies on the front, and three on the back.
“It was pretty good, it was stress free,” said the 31 year old, who began his round on 10.
“I really enjoyed it. I was hitting the ball well and even rolling the putts really well. So just keeping myself on the green, give yourself a lot of chances and that’s what I did. I only missed like two greens, I’ll say, the 10th where I started, and the last hole, but a really good par on the last.”
Nitithorn Thippong.
On that final hole, the ninth, he just missed out of bounds with his tee shot, chipped out leaving himself an approach from 140 yards from where he hit his third to 25 feet and courageously holed the putt to complete a brilliant round.
He added: “I played well here last time also, I finished fifth [in 2019]. I know that a lot of things are required at this golf course, especially if you miss the green, the ups and downs are not easy. So, I’m just gonna hit the greens and you know, give myself chances.”
His round was two shots short of the course record set by Chinese-Taipei’s Lin Wen-hong in 2008.
Nitithorn, the highest ranked player in the field sitting in third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, put himself in perfect position to attempt to win for the third time this year.
He said: “I had a really great round today. I think I missed only three greens today, same as yesterday. Just like keep playing and a lot of positive things today.”
The rising star, who won The DGC Open presented by Mastercard in March and the International Series Singapore in August, eagled the par-five ninth after drilling his second into nine feet and holing the putt. He moved further up the leaderboard with birdies on 13 and 14 before dropping his only shot of the day on 15.
“I have been playing really good on the first day, but the last three days, like before this tournament, I don’t know just some of the days my mentality was not so good. It’s not the pressure, but I play too comfortable and like too confident. So, this week, I just tried to really focus on my game and my process,” he added.
Wang Wei-hsiang. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Wang shot a 66 yesterday to make the ideal start to his title defence but endured a rocky front nine mixing three birdies with three bogeys before he steadied the ship with a two under par back nine thanks to birdies on 15 and 16.
“The pin positions were tricky today,” said Wang, whose brother Wang Wei-hsuan claimed the title in 2020.
“Overall, it’s still ok. Still in a good position for the weekend. Will keep to the same strategy and see how it goes. Not thinking too much about it. Just go out and play. The conditions out there are pretty much the same as yesterday. Wind direction was hard to gauge. Just had one bad hole on the sixth where I lost my ball. But overall, it’s alright.”
Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai, the winner here in 2019 when the event was last played on the Asian Tour, carded a 71 and is further shot back with Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman (69) and Filipino Miguel Tabuena (70)
Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat, Thailand’s 15-year-old amateur star, returned a 73 to end the day one under and sit in a tie for 27th.
Defending champion Wang Wei-hsiang picked up today where he left off in last year’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters by shooting a six-under-par 66 to take the first-round lead.
A bogey-free scorecard at Taiwan Golf and Country Club, with four birdies on the front and two on the back, saw him top the leader board again in the US$1 million event and comfortably handle the fact that this year the event is back on the Asian Tour, unlike last season when, because of the global pandemic, it had to be played as a local event.
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, Donlaphatchai Niyomchon and Nitithorn Thippong, India’s Rashid Khan, and Hung Chien-yao from Chinese-Taipei shot 67s
Suradit Yongcharoenchai from Thailand, the winner here in 2019, and Chinese-Taipei star Chan Shih-chang fired 68s, along with four other players.
Remarkably, when Wang Wei-hsiang triumphed in 2021 it came a year after his brother Wang Wei-hsuan had been victorious – again when, due to COVID-19, the event was not on the Asian Tour schedule.
“Not thinking too much about my title defence,” said Wang Wei-hsiang, 26 and three years older than his brother, who carded a 74 today.
Sarit Suwannarut. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Not much pressure to be honest. I told myself to stay relax and not give myself too much pressure. The conditions this week are not quite similar to last year. The course has improved and the greens are faster. It felt like summer wind out there, different from past years. Felt like we were playing in Southeast Asia. I was actually aiming to shoot even par today.”
He has engaged the services of local professional Chen Yu-zhen to caddie for him this week, which based on today’s round, could well mean he is the man to beat this week.
“It’s his home course here so he knows the course very well. He helped me a lot with the greens this week. He gave me a lot of good advice,” he added.
Sarit chose laundry over practice yesterday, but that rest day paid dividends today when after dropping a shot on the first he birdied the second and third before more birdies followed on seven, 11, 15 and 16.
“I skipped a day of practice yesterday because I ran out of golf shirts after last week,” said the Thai golfer.
“I stayed in to do laundry and just did a workout in the hotel. Everyone was telling me the greens are tough and it’s not easy out there, so I didn’t expect much.
Chan Shih-chang (picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)
“Started with a three-putt bogey today but was nice to bounce back strong. I hit my wedges really well today. It’s really hot out there. Quite easy without much wind. It’s good to start with an under-par round, sets me well for tomorrow. I took advantage of the par fives today. Hit it good off the tee, gave myself easy iron shots and then easy chips to make birdies.”
Donlaphatchai was the last Asian Tour player to win in Chinese-Taipei before the global pandemic stopped play as he claimed the Taifong Open on the Asian Development Tour at the end of 2019.
He said: “Feels good to be back in Chinese-Taipei, especially after I won the ADT Taifong Open here in 2019. Hopefully I can continue to play the same tomorrow.
“This is my first time here so I’m very happy to shoot a 67 today. I hit my approach shots very well, giving myself a lot of birdie chances which I managed to convert. Not so much wind today so it’s slightly easy.”
As expected Chan, a four-time Asian Tour winner including two in the last 10 months, is in the hunt, making five birdies and dropping one shot.
“I made a great birdie on 10 from seven yards; on this course, long putts are easier than short ones, I think. The short ones are hard to read the lines and speed. That’s the challenging part of the Tamsui course,” sad Chan, who is eager to win an Asian Tour event for the first time on home soil.
“So, I think I putted well overall today. Was hoping to make it three birdies in a row on the eighth but the ball stopped right outside the hole. The wind direction was pretty messy today. It’s hard to gauge. The greens are better now. Last time, it was hard to stop the ball. That’s why you see some low scoring this week.”
Thailand’s teenage amateur star Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat came in with a 70 to put himself in a good position to make the halfway cut, something which he didn’t do in last week’s Yeangder TPC, which was his first Asian Tour event since June.
Suradit Yongcharoenchai (Photo by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images).
“I am happy with that, I am going to be honest, I have not been playing great, I didn’t play well last week,” said the 15 year old, who won the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup on the Asian Tour in April.
“I started off bogeying the first very easy holes today, like the way I played last week, which was not great so just happy I pulled myself back and shot four under for the rest of the round so I am definitely happy, but I think I need to get back into that proper mindset, the real TK mindset. I made four bogeys today, the real TK would be disgusted, so I need to get my confidence back.
“I am enjoying playing the course, it’s tough and reminds me when we played Tanah Merah at the start of the year when only three of us, including me, finished under par.”
The Indonesian Masters is set to become the nation’s most lucrative sporting event when it makes its highly anticipated return this year boasting an overall purse of US$1.5 million and is played at its traditional home Royale Jakarta Golf Club from December 1-4.
In addition, the popular tournament – which has not been held for two years because of the global pandemic – will become part of the Asian Tour’s ground-breaking new International Series.
It will also celebrate its 10th staging and as one of the year-end events it will help bring the curtain down on the 2022 season.
Said Jimmy Masrin, Founder of the Indonesian Masters and Chairman of the Asian Tour: “To be in position now to announce and confirm details for the 10th staging of the Indonesian Masters is an incredibly rewarding feeling, particularly as we are back this year with so many exciting developments.
“Becoming part of the International Series will see the Indonesian Masters join a million-dollar plus series of elite-level events with superior playing fields, the likes of which have not been seen before in Asia, and we are absolutely thrilled that the Indonesian Masters will be the country’s representative event in this exciting initiative.”
Jimmy Masrin, Chairman, Asian Tour/Founder Indonesian Masters.
First played in 2011, when England’s Lee Westwood won the first of his three Indonesian Masters titles, the event was last played in 2019 – the year that Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand lifted the trophy to help him secure the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.
“The Indonesian Masters has long been one of our premier events which has contributed to so many great moments in our history,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour.
“The Asian Tour is delighted it will return to our schedule this year and be part of the International Series – a visionary project playing an integral part of the Asian Tour as a whole.”
The International Series was launched earlier this year thanks to a new landmark partnership between the Asian Tour and LIV Golf to invigorate the game in Asia and the Middle East.
“LIV Golf remains committed to strengthening the golf ecosystem and growing the game globally,” said LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman.
“The Indonesian Masters is another showcase addition to the International Series which is creating player pathways for tremendous talent all around the world. LIV Golf is proud to support another marquee tournament for our great sport.”
The Series has so far visited Thailand, England, Singapore and Korea, and is due to make the trip to Morocco and Egypt in November.
As well as Westwood’s three wins (2011, 2012, 2015) and Jazz, the other distinguished winners are Bernd Wiesberger (2013), Anirban Lahiri (2014), Poom Saksansin (2016, 2018), Justin Rose (2017).
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