Phachara says LIV Golf “have treated the players like kings”
As Phachara Khongwatmai walked towards the green, he quickly caught a glimpse of the severity of shot his playing partner faced. ‘Impossible’, was his first thought, writes Joy Chakravarty, who is in Jeddah covering this week’s LIV Golf Invitational event.
That ball belonged to the former Masters champion Patrick Reed. He was lying short of a green that was sloping away from him. There was a gaping bunker in front of him, and the pin was right behind the bunker.
“I took one look at it and thought Patrick would be happy to get away with a bogey on that hole. He had absolutely no room to hit any shot close to the flag, which was less than two yards from the bunker,” reminisces Phachara of that second round at LIV Invitational in Bedminster, in July.
“And that’s when he showed why he is such a world-class player. He hit the most incredible flop shot, launched it high in the air, landed it soft and was left with a tap-in par putt. My jaw just fell open at the beauty of that golf shot.
“People say I have a good short game, but I don’t think I could have pulled off that shot even if you gave me 10 balls from there. And it was a big lesson for me. It’s not a shot that you’d normally practice, but I have done it many times now after seeing Patrick’s shot.”
PATHUM THANI, THAILAND – OCTOBER 07: Phachara Khongwatmai of Iron Heads GC putts on the fourth green during Day One of the LIV Golf Invitational – Bangkok at Stonehill Golf Course on October 07, 2022 in Pathum Thani, Thailand. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
What happened with Reed was just one of the several moments that the young Thailand star cherishes in his association with LIV Golf this year. Forget the money he has made, what’s been priceless is playing and interacting with some of the biggest stars in the game and learning for them.
“I have loved every minute of being part of LIV Golf. Above everything else, they have treated the players like kings. They have taken such good care of us, our caddies, our managers and our families. It’s unbelievable how helpful everyone in the staff has been,” said Phachara, who is currently eighth in the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
“The thing I have loved the most is playing my rounds with these legends. Obviously, I don’t want to ask them questions during the round, and my English is not very good, but I try to ask myself why did he hit a shot like that from there? Why did he hit a draw instead, when I decided to hit it straight to the pin on a par-three? These questions and observations have made me a better player.”
Phachara has also loved the team aspect of LIV Golf. He is part of the Kevin Na-led Ironheads, who have come very close to a podium finish at least twice. In Boston, they were leading the rampant 4Aces by five shots going into the last nine holes, before things fell apart. In Bangkok, they missed third place by one shot, and both times, Phachara had to deal with extremely unlucky shots.
In Boston, his second shot on the fifth hole was a beauty, but hit his playing partner Chase Koepka’s ball on the green and ricocheted off into the rough for a bogey when it looked destined for a birdie. In Bangkok, he hit a stunning second to his closing 10th hole, and the ball took one bounce, smashed into the flagstick and rolled away almost 15 yards for him to make a par.
BEDMINSTER, NEW JERSEY – JULY 26: Phachara Khongwatmai is seen during a practice round prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Bedminster at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster on July 26, 2022 in Bedminster, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/LIV Golf/via Getty Images)
“The one in Bangkok hurt more. It was on the last hole and there were so many of my friends, family and fans around. It should have been a tap-in birdie if the ball did not hit the flag. We have never finished in the top-three, and for a team with two Thai players to do it in Thailand would have been amazing,” he said.
“I won’t say it has put any extra pressure on us, but I am so excited before every round, and if I don’t have a good first round, I am so pumped up for the next two rounds. I am like ‘Let’s go…I want to make my score count for the team’. It really is a different feeling from the usual individual events that we play on other Tours.”
He was part of the field at the Asian Tour-sanctioned Saudi International at the Royal Greens course earlier this year. He had a decent outing to finish tied 28th, but was left disappointed with a closing round two-over 72 that prevented a possible top-10 finish.
“I started very well, but did not have the best finish. However, I thought I played well that whole week and I like the golf course,” said the 23 year old, who won his maiden title on the Asian Tour at the Laguna Phuket Championship in December last year.
“Having said that, this golf course is playing a lot different in October. Because of the heat, they have to water it more, and that has made it soft. And there is also slightly different wind at this time of the year. So, it does feel like a different course.”
Phachara started the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah yesterday with a round of two-under par 68, to be tied for 16th place. Having never finished outside the 31st place in his six starts, he’d love to better the tied 13th place in Bedminster, which is his best performance for the LIV Golf season so far.
Anirban Lahiri, a seven-time winner on the Asian Tour, put together a heroic effort in the opening round of the LIV Invitational Jeddah, as he hobbled home in exhaustion after a three-under par round that tied him for ninth place and five shots behind the resurgent Brooks Koepka.
At the Royal Greens course in King Abdullah Economic City, the American four-time major champion took full advantage of the soft conditions, made slightly tricky by the afternoon wind, and put together a bogey-free round of eight-under par 62, which included four pars in his last four holes, writes Joy Chakravarty in Jeddah.
South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel, winner of the inaugural LIV Golf event in London, was two behind Koepka after making four birdies in his last five holes.
Hideto Tanihara of Japan, and the American duo of Patrick Reed and Peter Uihlein were tied for third place at five-under par 65.
In the team championship, Smash surged ahead by five shots at -15, thanks to the low rounds of Koepka and Uihlein. Fireballs were at -10 with Carlos Ortiz contributing four-under par 66, and a couple of 67s from captain Sergio Garcia and Abraham Ancer.
Among the Asian Tour members in the field, Lahiri was the best-placed, followed by American Sihwan Kim and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai at two-under par. Zimbabwean Scott Vincent was on -1.
There were signs of Koepka returning to form in Bangkok last week, when he opened with a five-under par 67, before finishing tied eighth.
Brooks Koepka, who put together a bogey-free round of eight-under par 62, including four pars in his last four holes. Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images.
“I think last week was kind of a turning point for me. I’ve worked pretty hard with Claude (Harmon III), with Pete (Cowen) and Jeff (Pierce) over these last few months. This is the first time I’ve played back-to-back weeks since February, which was tough to build a rhythm. But I could see it coming and I’m very pleased with it,” said Koepka.
One of the reasons for the uptick in the form of the 32-year-old is the fact that he is feeling a lot healthier now.
“I had hip issues all year. I didn’t know if we were going to go under the knife or not. So, just been dealing with that. Everything’s starting to come together. Body is coming together,” said the two-time US Open champion.
“This is the best I’ve felt in three years. And then, the golf swing is starting to come around. I’m excited. Kind of sucks we only have this event and Miami left, but it will be fine. Just keep doing what I’m doing. If I’m healthy, I can make a golf swing where I can compete again.”
Being healthy was something Lahiri would have appreciated. He picked up a bug on his final day in Thailand, and has spent the majority of time since Sunday sleeping. On Friday morning, he was still undecided about teeing up.
He showed up eventually, but an ugly double bogey early in his round on the short par-4 17th hole made the decision look like a bad one.
“I somehow made it through. So very happy that I didn’t collapse out there,” said Lahiri, who followed up the double bogey with four birdies over the next five holes.
“I putted like a king today. I holed so many putts and I really needed to because I didn’t have the strength to muscle the ball around.
“I hit it close on 18 and to about 5 feet on the first. Made a nice 20-25 footer on the second and a 15-footer on four. I also made many 10-12 footers for par. That was good to keep the round going.
“It helps that I am fond of playing on Paspalum, which is definitely one of my favourite grasses to putt and chip on. So, felt very much at home on the greens.”
Dustin Johnson of 4 Aces GC is congratulated by Anirban Lahiri of Crushers GC after winning the LIV Golf Invitational – Boston on the first playoff hole at The Oaks golf course at The International. Photo by Joe Scarnici/LIV Golf via Getty Images.
Lahiri, who lost to Dustin Johnson in a play-off in his debut LIV Invitational event in Boston, said the key to his second round would be how he gets his energy back.
“I’ve got no energy. I think I probably slept 20 hours leading into today. That’s what helped me get through the day. So, the challenge will be how much sleep I get over the next 15-16 hours. So, sleep and hydration, food and then sleep some more.
“I will try and just recover and do the same thing tomorrow try and minimise the mistakes.”
Kim began in the same vein as he left in Bangkok – making three birdies in his first five holes. He needs a decent finish this week to retain his card for LIV Golf’s 2023 season, and did well to be tied 16th. Khongwatmai birdied his first and last hole and had three bogeys nullify his three birdies in the remaining 16 holes.
It has happened before in golf. Form can inexplicably switch from the sublime to the ridiculous in a matter of one swing. Many of the sport’s greatest have experienced this mind-numbingly fickle nature of the sport. Add Sihwan Kim’s name to that list of befuddled stars. Story by Joy Chakravarty, at the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah.
Earlier this year, the 33-year-old American could have done no wrong, even if he wanted to. He won the International Series Thailand and then backed it up with his second title at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge, also in Thailand.
And when he finished sixth at International Series England, he was not only number one on the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM), but also leading the International Series OOM, which earned him a spot in the lucrative LIV Golf Invitational events.
And then, golf happened.
Kim completely lost control of his driver. His trusted club started behaving more like Mr Hyde than Dr Jekyll. He’d aim for the centre of the fairway, and then pray silently for the shot to have a desired result. For more than two months, Kim had no idea what the golf ball was going to do.
In 11 starts in Official World Golf Ranking-listed events, Kim missed the cut in seven. In four LIV Golf events in that period his best finish was a tied 11th in Portland, and he was outside the 40th place in other three.
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 )
For casual golf fans, Kim’s performance last week in the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok – where his total of 15 under was joint third best – may seem like a surprising turnaround, but the player now ranked second on the Asian Tour OOM had to spend bucketloads of blood, sweat and tears to engineer that.
“I kind of found something in Korea the week before. I mean, I just kind of got a feeling and tried to play with that and was lucky with the golf course in Thailand and how wide it was off the tee. So, I was just a little more comfortable off the tee than other weeks, and my irons and my putting was pretty good,” said the always amiable Kim, who is competing in this week’s LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah.
“I mean that’s golf, isn’t it? I had one of my first wins with the best ball-striking of my life and then it just kind of felt downhill from there. I can’t possibly tell you what happened, and why it happened. Obviously, a golf swing is like a condition of your body…it always keeps on changing. That’s why it’s so difficult to be consistent in this game. Just glad that I was able to produce a good finish last week.
“When you’re missing it both ways, it’s hard to even hit a safety shot… especially with the degree of how much I was missing it by. If it’s 20 yards right or left, you can still think of putting a safety shot in your game, but I was missing 40-50 yards on both sides. You just can’t work on a safety shot when you are hitting it that wild. No matter how soft you swing, it’s gonna come out weird.”
However, the good thing was that he knew he had not completely lost the plot. In the LIV Golf Invitational Bedminster, he shot rounds of 78 and 77, but there was a 69 in between. The most dramatic was his 24-shot swing when a 63 followed an 87 in Boston.
The 87 was not just a result of bad swing. Kim had contracted COVID-19 the week before and was feeling the after-effects in Boston. Typical of his nature, he never complained and carried on with his hard work.
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 )
“I did not pay much attention to all those comments. I had my own battles,” Kim added.
The finish in Bangkok helped Kim climb to 24th place in the LIV Golf Individual Points List. If he can maintain that position, he will earn one of the 24 year-long LIV Golf contracts for 2023.
“It was a very important finish for me. Like, aside from the money, the fact that I was able to get some kind of confidence back with my long game was a huge thing for me,” Kim explained.
“The points I was able to get last week, I can pretty much keep my card with a decent finish here. So that’s very important. But the most important thing, really, was to be able to just find some way to play this game.”
Trending in the right direction with his form, Harold Varner III returns to the scene of his greatest triumph this week, writes Joy Chakravarty in Jeddah.
The American will be playing the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City near Jeddah with incredible memories of his visit to the course in February this year.
At the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the season-opening event on the Asian Tour’s 2022 schedule, Varner holed a stunning 92-feet putt for eagle on the 18th hole on Sunday to beat his close friend and two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson by one shot.
It was the biggest win of his career and catapulted Varner from 99th place in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) to 45, paving the way for a first-ever appearance at the Masters.
The 32-year-old Varner joined LIV Golf in Boston, where he finished tied 31st. He then improved to tied 21st place two weeks later in Chicago, before his best result of tied 6th place at the LIV Invitational Bangkok, last week.
And even though the Royal Greens course will be significantly different from what it was in February – the October heat making the paspalum dynasty grass used throughout the golf course a lot softer – Varner is confident he’d be able to replicate his winning performance.
(L-R) Graeme McDowell of Cleeks GC, Team Captain Dustin Johnson of 4 Aces GC and Harold Varner III of Niblicks GC are interviewed by the media during a press conference prior to the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on October 12, 2022 in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images.
“I think it’s pretty simple… we like to win. The golf course is great but at the end of the day, you play to win tournaments. And I haven’t won as much as these guys (referring to Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell – two past champions of the Saudi International), but the way I’ve won is pretty awesome. So that’s what I’m saying,” said Varner.
“That win meant a lot to me. I got into the Masters and I got into every other Major. Obviously, things went a little crazy when I got back to the States. May be, I’ve seen adversity in my life, so to have that after you win is weird and funny.”
When asked if he has already tried to have another go at the 92-feet putt on the 18th green, Varner replied: “I have not, no. But I saw the video yesterday. I hope to do it again and get on the podium. That would be pretty awesome.”
The LIV Invitational Bangkok was besieged by heavy rain, thunderstorms, and extremely hot and humid conditions. There certainly won’t be any rain this week in Saudi Arabia, but change in conditions is not going to change anything in the way Varner plays his golf.
“Going to lose a lot more weight for sure. It’s hot,” said Varner, who went on to emphasise the team aspect of LIV Golf and his desire to be on the podium with his Niblicks GC team.
“I think I’m going to attack it the same way. Our team played well in Bangkok. I’m just really invested in the team. I’d really like it when we are on the podium.
“We are stupid underdogs, trying to take out the 4Aces (the Johnson-led team which has won all four team championship titles in the US). It’s just competitive. I think all 48 of us, we just want to compete, and the team aspect just makes it more fun.
“Is it different? You still have to play well for your team to do well. It’s a lot of fun. Last week was good for me. We finished fourth, and it’s that part of me being an underdog that makes it so much fun.”
Harold Varner III celebrates after holing an eagle putt on the 18th at Royal Greens to win the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, back in February. Picture by Paul Lakatos, Asian Tour.
Varner is now ranked No46 in the world. He could soon fall out of the top-50 in absence of OWGR points for LIV Golf, but he exuded confidence that the Tour will get it soon.
“I think we knew what we were getting into. I think it’s easy to sit here and say what could happen, what should happen. But obviously for me, I knew what was going to happen. It wasn’t going to be easy,” said Varner.
“I think the people at LIV have done an unbelievable job…but I knew what could happen in my career and I accept that.
“Obviously, they have been talking to us the whole time and giving us updates. Do we deserve it? Yeah. It feels unbelievable and it’s sad sometimes. I like playing golf. These guys are a lot of fun. I think it’s really cool that we hang out and do things that we don’t do as much on the PGA Tour.
“Whenever you leave a family, you become hated. But in a real family, no matter what your son or daughter does, they are family and you take care of them.”
The US$20 million tournament, the penultimate event of the 2022 season, starts Friday.
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim has hit global headlines once again after becoming the first player since American Tiger Woods to win two PGA Tour titles before turning 21 after claiming the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas.
The Korean star, aged 20, who triumphed in the Wyndham Championship in August, won again at the weekend by three shots from Patrick Cantlay, helped by the American making a triple-bogey on the final hole.
“I’m a five year old at Disneyland,” said Kim, who won The Singapore International in January to help win the Merit title and start an incredible year of golf.
“It’s really amazing. A few months ago I didn’t have any status in the US and now being a two-time winner on Tour, having that place with Tiger, it’s an unbelievable feeling for me.”
Woods earned his first two Tour wins in 1996 – with the first of those also in Las Vegas.
Added Kim: “It’s an honour and definitely a dream come true. I’ve worked really hard. My team has worked really hard to this point and I’m just really grateful. I’m having fun playing on the PGA Tour.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Tom Kim of South Korea celebrates with his caddie after winning the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin on October 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
He started the final round sharing the lead with Cantlay, and they were still even heading to the 72nd hole.
The American hit an errant drive next to a bush from where he could only move his ball a couple of feet into more trouble. He was forced to take a penalty drop and then hit his fourth into a pond by the green.
Kim made a par for the victory, completing a bogey-free week, with a final-round five-under-par 66 to end on 24 under.
It is now two wins in four events for the Korean, who does not turn 21 until next June. He is six months younger than 15-time major champion Woods was when he claimed his second title.
“I got very lucky on the 18th, I’m not going to lie,” added Kim.
“Patrick played awesome and it was an honour to battle with him and to come out on top, I feel very fortunate.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 09: Tom Kim of South Korea plays his shot from the 13th fairway during the final round of the Shriners Children’s Open at TPC Summerlin on October 09, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)
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.”
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