At an important signing ceremony today at the Shinhan Donghae Open officials proudly announced that the prestigious tournament, one of Korea’s flagship tournaments, will be sanctioned with the Asian Tour, Japan Golf Tour Organisation and Korean PGA Tour for an additional three years, from 2023 to 2025.

Japan’s Kazuki Higa won the event after a thrilling final round, which was played in Japan for the first time in its history, at Koma Country Club, and is the only tournament tri-sanctioned by the three Tours.

The popular Shinhan Donghae Open first became part of the Asian Tour in 2016, when Indian star Gaganjeet Bhullar was triumphant, and since then it has become an integral part of its schedule.

“The Shinhan Donghae Open is one of the solid, standout pillars of our schedule,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, of the Asian Tour.

“We are truly honoured that the Shinhan Financial Group have chosen to collaborate with us for many more years, which allows us to continue to grow the tournament into a regional property, attract even bigger audiences and further help facilitate the growth of the game in Asia.”

Held annually in Korea since 1981, the Shinhan Donghae Open was jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korean PGA Tour in 2016 before becoming the first event to be tri-sanctioned by the Asian, Korean and Japan circuits in 2019.

“This week we heard former champion Gaganjeet Bhullar explain that just by being here and seeing the Shinhan Donghae branding on the course inspired him and made him realise just how much the tournament is close to his heart. This speaks volumes about the significance of the tournament, and its partners and organisers.”

It was hosted in Japan this week as Koma was overseen by Shinhan Financial Group’s founder Heuikeon Lee in the 1980s and the impressive venue is a special place for the Group.

Chairman and CEO of Shinhan Financial Group, Yongbyoung Cho said he hopes the tri-sanction agreement will continue the tradition of allowing each Tour player the chance to compete beyond the barriers of their country; in line with the Shinhan Donghae Open’s slogan: “To Continue The Tradition and Open The Future”.

Travel restrictions caused by the global pandemic meant it could only be played as a domestic event in 2020 and 2021, but the tournament, which this week saw some remarkable golf and low scoring, has returned to the international arena with a vengeance.

Tirawat Kaewsiribandit carded his second successive seven-under-par 64, helped by two eagles, to take the clubhouse lead in The 38th Shinhan Donghae Open today at Koma Country Club in Nara, Japan, upstaging an exceptional line-up of players from the Asian, Japan and Korean Tours.

The Thai golfer has won once before on the Asian Tour – in the 2018 UMA CNS Open Golf Championship in Pakistan – but is now in uncharted territory in one of the region’s biggest and most prestigious events, moving to 14 under par at the halfway mark.

A 90-minute weather delay at the start of the day meant 32 players were unable to complete round two. Play will resume at 6.50am local time tomorrow.

Japan’s Kazuki Higa, currently ranked number one in Japan, came in with a 63 and is one back, while PGA Tour star Siwoo Kim from Korea, shot a 65 to sit a further stroke behind.

Japan’s Riki Kawamoto also fired a 65 and is 11 under.

First-round leader Richard T. Lee from Canada, who carded a course record 62 yesterday, is 11 under with five holes left.

Siwoo Kim. Picture courtesy Korean PGA.

“I am very excited to maybe play leading group at the weekend,” said Tirawat, also a winner on the Asian Development Tour.

“It is my first time playing this course, it’s great because I like the big greens, which helps me get more confidence. I am enjoying this new experience in the big time.”

He began on tee 10 and quickly raised the bar with eagles on 13 and 17, both par fives. He made four birdies and one bogey in total.

Higa has triumphed twice on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation this year and his fine form was once again on display when he put together a flawless round of eight birdies.

He said: “I am bogey free for two days now, that’s great. The greens are so soft which helps but you must stay out of the rough. I am pleased I finished before it got dark.”

In April he won the Kansai Open Golf Championship, and in June the BMW Japan Golf Tour Championship Mori Building Cup.

The event’s star attraction Siwoo Kim, a three-time PGA Tour winner, is lurking ominously going into the weekend.

“I just want to concentrate on myself without thinking about the others. I’d like to play the final two days like today and yesterday.”

Defending champion Yoseop Seo from Korea returned a 68 and is five under for the tournament, while his countryman Bio Kim, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, shot 67 and is four under.

Gaganjeet Bhullar, one of the most prolific winners on the Asian Tour, will bid to claim his 11^th title this week at The 38th Shinhan Donghae Open – a tournament where he has enjoyed success before, in 2016, and which has special meaning to him.

“It was six years ago but it still seems like it was last week,” said the Indian.

“Going back to all my last 10 victories I think the Shinhan Donghae Open was definitely very close to my heart: the reason was I was coming back from a bad patch of two years, including injuries and a lot of adjustments in my golf swing back in the day, so that basically gave me another kick in my career.

“So, looking at all the Shinhan Donghae Open branding this week it brings back all the good memories.”

The Shinhan Donghae Open, is one of Korea’s most prestigious events, and when Bhullar claimed the title, it was played at Bear’s Best Cheongna – the tournament’s home for the past seven years.

However, this week the tournament is being held in Japan for the first time in its history, with Koma Country Club near Osaka playing host.

JAKARTA-INDONESIA – Gaganjeet Bhullar of India pictured after round four with the winner’s trophy on Sunday August 7, 2022 of the Mandiri Indonesia Open 2022 at the Pondok Indah Golf Course, Jakarta, Indonesia. The US$500,000 Asian Tour event is staged from August 4-7, 2022. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.

Added Gaganjeet: “I played a practise round yesterday and I would say the conditions are very favourable for my game; rough is still up, greens are still very pure. I have been playing the past few years in Korea and Japan and the goal is to stick to my routine.”

The 34-year-old from Amritser, in the Punjab, was triumphant in the Mandiri Indonesia Open for a record third time in August, for his first victory on the Asian Tour since his win at the 2018 Fiji International. Having struggled with his form over recent seasons while focusing on Europe and battling with a bad dose of Covid at that start of the year, it was a much welcomed return to the winners’ circle.

“I have been working very hard on my swing, my pre-shot routine, and some mental stuff I have been doing on and off the golf course, and that is the result of my input,” he added.

“Winning in Indonesia also gave me a boost. Every time you go out and play well that boosts your career for the next few years and I feel I am riding high on confidence, focusing one shot at a time. I will give 100 per cent this week.”

He is currently in 11^th place on the Order of Merit with earnings of US$248,910 having played 10 events. And with a wealth of big money events to come finishing in top spot is a realistic possibility.

Since first playing on the Asian Tour in 2007 his best Merit list finish was fourth in 2018, while he was fifth in both 2012 and 2013.

He has been paired in the first two rounds with Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita and Korean Junggon Hwang.

Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Bio Kim from Korea, and his compatriot Taehoon Ok, who won the International Series Korea two weeks ago, are just two of the big-name players competing this week.

Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong and Sihwan Kim from the United States, the only two players who have won twice this season are also competing, as well as PGA Tour star Siwoo Kim from Korea.

Defending champion Yoseop Seo from Korea is playing, he won last year when the tournament was played solely as a Korean PGA event due to travel restriction caused by COVID-19.

Ganganjeet Bhullar (picture by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images).

It is the first time the prestigious tournament has been played on the Asian Tour in three years because of the pandemic.

Tri-sanctioned by the Asian, Korean and Japan Tours it boasts prizemoney of KRW 1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,050,500).

The Asian Tour has announced details for its 2023 Qualifying School, which will be held in the United States for the first time in its history, as well as in its regular home in Thailand starting this November.

The Qualifying School, which comprises two stages, the First Qualifying Stage and the Final Qualifying Stage, will be played over two months from November 2022 to January 2023.

Players have the option of entering the First Qualifying Stage through one of the five sections, on a first come first served basis via an online application. The top-placed players from the First Qualifying Stage will progress to the Final Qualifying Stage.

The Final Qualifying Stage will take place from January 18 to 22 and will be played over five rounds. The top 70 players (and ties) after 72 holes will play in the pivotal final round, which will be held on January 22. At the conclusion of 90 holes, the top 35 (and ties) will be ranked accordingly for the 2023 season.

The last version of the Asian Tour Qualifying School, held in Thailand in 2020, saw Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-Smith top the class following a gruelling 90-hole battle in the Final Stage.

Korea’s Bio Kim and Taehoon Ok, both winners on Tour this season, as well as South African standout Ian Snyman, also came through the qualifying school in 2020.

Over the years, the Asian Tour Qualifying School has witnessed the emergence of many top players in the region. Successful graduates include Thai stars Thongchai Jaidee (1999), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (2009) and Sadom Kaewkanjana (2019), Australian Scott Hend (2007), Korea’s Yikeun Chang (2016), as well as the American duo Kurt Kitayama (2018) and John Catlin (2018).

Click HERE to apply.

For Qualifying School enquiries, please contact [email protected].

Prize money at this month’s Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) has been increased by 40 per cent.

Ahead of the Asian Tour’s eagerly-awaited return to Chinese Taipei, organisers confirmed that the purse will rise to US$700,000 when the popular event gets underway at its regular host venue at Linkou International Golf and Country Club from September 22-25.

When the tournament was last staged as part of the Asian Tour in 2019, prize money totalled US$500,000.

Although the Yeangder TPC has gone ahead on the domestic Chinese Taipei circuit in the past two years, it was three years ago that the prestigious tournament was last part of the Asian Tour, prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2019, Yikeun Chang became the first Korean to lift the Yeangder TPC title when it celebrated its 10th consecutive edition on the Asian Tour.

CHINESE-TAIPEI – Yikuen Chang of Korea pictured with the winner’s trophy during round four on Sunday September 8, 2019, at the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club, Chinese Taipei, a USD$ 500.000 Asian Tour event. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour, said: “We are very thankful to the sponsors and organisers of the Yeangder TPC, which has been a permanent fixture on our schedule for more than a decade.

“Given the excellent long-standing relationship we have had with this tournament, we are especially appreciative of the gesture to increase the prize fund by US$200,000 to US$700,000 this year.”

The inaugural Yeangder TPC was won by legendary Thai Thaworn Wiratchant in 2010. He triumphed again in 2013 and remains the only player to date to have his name etched on the trophy twice.

The victories of Thai Prom Meesawat (2014) and Spaniard Carlos Pigem (2016) were notable for the fact that they were achieved after play-offs, while Lu Wei-chih (2011) is the only Chinese Taipei players to have savoured success in the event.

Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar’s four-stroke success in 2012 remains the largest winning margin in the event’s history.

Also on the Yeangder TPC roll of honour are South African Shaun Norris (2015), Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu (2017) and American John Catlin in 2018.

The Yeangder TPC will be the 15th event on this year’s Asian Tour schedule, and the first in Chinese Taipei.

A two-week Chinese Taipei swing will conclude the following week (September 29-October 2) with the Mercuries Taiwan Masters at Taiwan Golf and Country Club.

Cho said: “With the return of these outstanding events to the Asian Tour and the addition of the new International Series, this season will boast the strongest schedule in Asian Tour history.”

More updates for the 2022 season to follow.

Ends.

The promise of rich rewards awaits the leading players on this year’s Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit (OOM).

In a timely motivational boost to ADT participants, officials have confirmed that the top-10 from this year’s final Merit list standings will earn their cards for the Asian Tour next year.

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour, said: “Providing playing opportunities for our members, along with a viable career pathway, has always been high on the list of our priorities.”

Previously, the leading seven players, not otherwise exempted, on the final ADT Order of Merit were awarded Asian Tour playing rights for the following season.

Cho added: “In recent years, the ADT has been a springboard to the Asian Tour for dozens of players, including reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim of Korea and American John Catlin, a four-time winner on the Asian Tour.

“With 10 spots now on offer to the 2023 Asian Tour directly via the ADT, there will be added incentive for all our ADT players to work even harder at their games in the coming months.”

This change in number of cards was initiated by the Tournament Players Committee who felt that the Asian Tour must fairly reward more players competing across a full season on the ADT.

The ADT staged its 10^th event of the season at the weekend, the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Indonesia. Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai took the title in a nail-biting finish, that saw his compatriot Chonlatit Chuenboonngam tie for second and keep the lead on the ADT’s Order of Merit standings.

The ADT visits Vietnam this week for the first time in its 12-year history, for the BRG Open Golf Championship at BRG Da Nang Golf Resort, from August 31 – September 2.

The Tour will then head to two more events in Indonesia: the OB Golf Invitational presented by Jababeka (September 13-16), and then the Combiphar Players Championship (September 20-23), before the inaugural Saudi Open (December 8-10).

Announcements regarding the remainder of the tournaments that will help bring the season to a close will be made in due course.

By Joy Chakravarty reporting from Boston

Anirban Lahiri made a superb debut in his first LIV Golf event as a full-contracted player, producing a bogey-free four-under par 66 that left him three adrift of the leaders after the opening round in the $25-million LIV Invitational Boston.

Lahiri was in a group of five players tied for fifth place.

American Matthew Wolff brought his final-round form from Bedminster to Boston. A 64 on Sunday in New Jersey  had uplifted him to second place behind champion Henrik Stenson, and not only did the 23-year-old make a hole-in-one on Friday, he also snatched the early lead.

Wolff shot a seven-under par 63, including the ace on the par-three second hole which took the wolf calls up by several decibels. He was tied at the top alongside fellow American Taylor Gooch, who started with five birdies in his first seven holes before finishing on seven-under.

 World No2 and the reigning Open champion Cameron Smith of Australia and Chile’s No19 Joaquin Niemann, the two new signings of the Series, made immediate impact and tied for the third place two shots behind the leaders at 65. Smith’s round included a double bogey on the 14^th hole.

Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana lived up to his promise to himself and finally started a LIV tournament with a sub-par round. He was also bogey-free in shooting three-under par 67.

Earlier, Bedminster champion Stenson had to pull out at the last minute with a bout of vertigo. His place in the field was taken by Jordan’s Shergo Kurdi, who started with a creditable one-over par 71 while playing in the company of Smith and former world No1 Dustin Johnson.

“I played pretty solid. I’ve been playing good coming into this week. I got a couple of weeks to get some work done on my game. I think it was a good week for me to ease into. I played quite a few holes before I started today, almost more than I usually do. So, I was very comfortable on the golf course,” said Lahiri, the seven-time champion on the Asian Tour.

“I’ve been driving it decent, and hit my irons pretty good. My short game wasn’t that great, because I could have definitely made a couple more putts. That was disappointing because there was no wind today and these are probably the best conditions you’re going to get.

 “There are three-four holes on this golf course which are dangerous, and if you can manage them, then you have an opportunity to really go deep if you’re playing well. I did manage those holes well, but missed several birdie chances from the 10-15 feet putt range. These greens are so good and true, you should be making at least 50 per cent of those putts, but I did not make many.”

Sadom, who finished tied 11^th at The Open Championship, found every fairway with his driver and hit 17 greens in regulation in a solid display of golf.

Anirban Lahiri of India . (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

“I am really happy with the way I played. I gave myself a lot of chances with my iron play, and three-under par is a good start. I said before the tournament that I really wanted a sub-par start in a LIV event, and I have finally got a good one. It’s not time to build on this over the next two days,” said the 23-year-old.

Wolff’s hole-in-one was also the first ever in LIV Invitational Golf history.

“Being the first one to do anything is always special, but I know for a fact I’m not going to be the last,” said Wolff. “The ace was great. Don’t get me wrong, I’m thrilled and all, but I’d rather be holding that trophy at the end of the week.

“It really helped to put a good round together and keep that momentum going, but I just tried to do my part for myself and my team to post a good number.”

Smith, the highest ranked player in the field, once again put a magnificent short-game performance, but his driver seemed off and put him under pressure on several holes.

“That round kind of had a bit of everything, very up-and-down. It probably wasn’t one of my best driving performances there. I was a bit disappointed with how I drove the ball, so that’s something to work on tomorrow,” said Smith, who spent an entire season on the Asian Tour before earning his card on the PGA Tour and moving to America.

Among the other Asian Tour players in the field, Zimbabwean Scott Vincent was tied 31^st at even-par 70, while Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand was tied 42^nd at +2.  Wade Ormsby started with a +3, but American SIhwan Kim struggled with his driver and finished on +17.

It’s safe to say Scott Vincent is in a very happy place. The smile never fades from his face and there is a genuine expression of contentment with life.

Probably, that is the reason why the Zimbabwean is playing some of the best golf of his life right now. And if he is contending this week at the LIV Golf Invitational Boston against a world-class field, it should not come across as a surprise.

The 30-year-old is ranked No81 in the world – the best ranking of his career – and he continues to improve. Back-to-back wins in the International Series England on the Asian Tour and the Gateway to the Open Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour have been the major highlights of this year. Vincent is No5 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit and No1 in the International Series OoM, which is how he secured his spots at the lucrative LIV Invitational events, writes contributing editor Joy Chakravarty from Boston.

Just last week in Japan, he was in contention again as tried to defend his Sansan KBC Augusta title. However, he slipped to tied 12th place after a disappointing four-over par final round. You expected black clouds lingering on top of his head and fumes coming out of his ears, but that’s definitely not how the new Scott Vincent reacts.

“I am just trying to be joyful,” said Vincent, explaining his newfound mantra of life.

“This game is so easy to get caught up with the results and just the numbers. It doesn’t really give you the true reflection of how the person is playing and developing.

“I think last week worked out perfectly for me … exactly how it was supposed to. It was amazing. It was the first time I was defending a tournament as a professional, which was all very new for me. I needed to learn from that experience, and hopefully, be in that position a lot more. So, you know, regardless of the result, just the whole week was a great learning opportunity and a great success.”

Vincent said he could not put a finger on what exactly has led to the upsurge in his form.

“It’s hard to really say exactly what’s taking place. Obviously, I’m always trying to get better, I’m always trying to find little pieces that I can add to the puzzle that we’re trying to build here. As you get older, you train to take some of those experiences that you’ve had as a younger player and use them to develop. So, I think it’s a combination of so many things.

“But I think one of the biggest things is my mental coach Jim Murphy. He’s made a tremendous impact. We’re constantly talking about different scenarios and situations and trying to prepare visually for big performances and being in contention on Sunday and handling pressure better. There is always this urge to learn and grow.”

Scott Vincent may look as calm as a saint on the course, but he admits to getting angry and frustrated at times.

“I try not show it to people, but sometimes, releasing a bit of emotion is a good thing. I think what’s more detrimental to yourself and your performance is getting very negative. I think showing a bit of emotion is okay,” Scott said.

“I have my moments. I get angry. But yeah, I am trying to do a better job of not getting caught up in the different circumstances and, as I said before, just being more joyful.”

There’s something else apart from good form that Vincent is excited about this week at The International course outside Boston.

“It’s a beautiful golf course, perfectly manicured,” added Vincent. “It’s such a treat coming and playing on bent grass, especially coming from Asia where we don’t see it very much just because of how hot it is there. So, coming up north is always a very nice change turfwise.

“I went to school at Virginia Tech and our courses were very similar, just with the grass and layout. All this seems very familiar to me. It’s different to what we’ve been playing in Asia, so there’s a bit of an adjustment to be made.

“Having said that, there are some shots here that are challenging to me. But that’s another thing that we’re working on – getting comfortable being uncomfortable. But that is okay. It’s just about dealing with that and handling it. So, I’m excited for the challenge this week.”

Scott Vincent is thankful for the playing opportunity he is getting with the LIV Invitational Golf.

“This is just another week for me to learn and grow. There are more amazing players that are joining this Tour. It’s an opportunity for someone like me, who has dreamt about playing with some of these guys and aspire to be who they are. I’ll take whatever I learned from this week and carry it forward,” said Vincent.

“And yeah…I want to compete against them. I’m not here to just learn, I’m here to compete and, and give it my best. And hopefully, I’ll have an exciting finish on Sunday.”

The Boston field showcases seven No1-ranked players within their respective countries, 12 major champions with a combined 22 majors, and four former world No1 players. The global field has 13 Olympians representing 14 different countries and features 20 players with 10 or more professional wins. It also includes current and future stars of the game who have earned NCAA National Championships and US Amateur Championships among other accomplishments.

Players will compete in golf’s most exciting new format for $25 million and the chance to become LIV Golf’s fourth individual and team champions and earn points towards LIV Golf’s season-long individual competition. The 48-man field will play across 12 teams of four players each.

Among the other Asian Tour players in the field are Sihwan Kim of the US, Phachara Khongwatmai and Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand, Wade Ormsby of Australia, and India’s Anirban Lahiri, who is making his debut as a full-time contracted player of the Series.