Anirban Lahiri feels LIV Golf events in Asia will be transformational
By Joy Chakravarty, at the LIV Golf Invitational Boston.
Anirban Lahiri, a seven-time Asian Tour champion, and one of six new players to join the LIV Golf Series, feels the Series has the potential to be a game-changer for golf in Asia.
The 35-year-old Indian became the first Asian player to sign a full-time contract with LIV Golf and will be making his debut in LIV Golf Invitational Boston when the US$25-million tournament is played at the verdant The International course from September 2-4.
After the inaugural event in London, the next four LIV Golf events were scheduled in the US. South African Branden Grace triumphed in Portland, while the 2016 Open champion Henrik Stenson roared back in form at Bedminster in his LIV debut. Following this week in Boston, the Series moves to Chicago after a week’s break, and then heads to Asia for back-to-back events – in Bangkok and Jeddah.
Lahiri would love India to be included in LIV’s future schedules but said any event in Asia would be good for the game.
“I never grew up watching so many major winners play in my neighbourhood, which is going to happen with LIV. That’s something that people here in the US don’t understand because they see it every week. They can drive a few hours and see it down the road from the town they live in,” said Lahiri.
“I could not when I was growing up. And that’s going to be a possibility going in the future and that’s where you inspire the next generation. I have already had a few people from India messaging that they want to come down to Bangkok and watch the tournament. It’s definitely going to be impactful.”
There are 12 major champions with a combined 22 majors, and four former world number one players in the field in Boston. The global field has 13 Olympians representing 14 different countries and features 20 players with 10 or more professional wins.
Anirban Lahiri of India plays his shot from the second tee during the final round of Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio Oaks Course on April 04, 2021 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Lahiri said the feedback he has received from back home in India has been very positive.
“It’s a fantastic thing for golf in India. I think everybody is excited so far, the golfing community, the media. It’s exciting for me as well to kind of go back, play in the region, play on the Asian Tour. I started there and that’s where my roots are,” said the 2015 Order of Merit champion.
“There’s so much good that’s going to come out of this. It’s definitely going to boost the growth in that region one way or the other. Also, me getting to spend more time at home, it’s fantastic.
“And the TV coverage. People are going to watch me hitting a lot more golf shots than in the past. That’s a fact and that’s what people want to see and are getting excited about. They want to see players from their countries competing.”
World number two Cameron Smith, who was also revealed as one of LIV Golf players on Tuesday, said he had fond memories of the time he played on the Asian Tour and would return and play a few tournaments in the region as and when his schedule permits.
Smith finished fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in the 2014 season, claiming seven top-10s, but hasn’t been able to win a title there as yet.
“I think back to the days of the Asian Tour and I had such a great time. I was only 18 or 19, traveling around Asia, playing the sport that we love. There were so many good times, so many good people, and it’s something that I’ve missed… travelling and playing golf,” said the reigning Open champion.
“As you know, on the PGA Tour, we don’t get to spend much time outside of the United States. For me, that’s another exciting thing; playing the best courses around the world, and bringing golf to new places is something that I’m really going to love.
“I think during our season now, if it works in the schedule, playing in Asia is something that I would think about for sure.”
By Joy Chakravarty, reporting from Boston.
The supremely-talented and extraordinarily-humble Thai star Sadom Kaewkanjana may not say it in so many words, but he is hoping to spring a massive surprise on the world-class field that has gathered at The International for the US$25 million LIV Golf Invitational Boston.
The world caught a glimpse of Sadom’s mastery when he produced a magical final-round seven-under-par 65 to finish joint 11th in the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews in July. That put him in the record books as the best-ever finish by a Thai player in the oldest Major championship in golf.
Now ranked 91st in the world, which is also his best-ever Official World Golf Ranking position following back-to-back top-12 finishes in the International Series events in Singapore and Korea, Sadom’s belief springs from two factors – he has immediately fallen in love with The International course, and his confidence is at an all-time high with the way he is hitting his driver.
“I really like the golf course. It is so beautiful, and I love the layout. It is shorter than the first three LIV courses, although, there are a few long holes as well. I think it suits my eyes,” said the Sadom, who has qualified to play in the LIV events by virtue of finishing second on the Asian Tour’s 2020-21-22 Order of Merit.
“The greens are going to be a big challenge this week because they are so small and have so many undulations. And the fairways are a lot narrower than the courses used for the first three tournaments, and I am hitting my driver very well. It’s going to be a big advantage this week if you are driving well.”
Sadom Kaewkanjana pictured on Thursday August 11, 2022 during the US$ 1.5 million International Series Singapore at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course). Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Sadom said it was important for him to put together a good opening round.
“In all the three LIV events that I have played, I have shot my chances very early by not playing well in the first round,” said the 24-year-old, who began with a six-over 76 in London, a 10-over 82 in Portland and a five-over 76 in Bedminster.
“Once I had fallen behind and had such a terrible start, it is almost impossible to catch up, especially when you are playing against such good players.
“So, I really want to have a good opening round here. That is the only thing I am thinking about right now. If I have a sub-par round, I will take it from there.”
Sadom is part of the all-Asian Ironheads team, which is led by Korea-born American Kevin Na. They were in contention before finishing fifth in Portland, but were 10th and 12th in the other two events.
“I am so proud to be part of the Ironheads and captain Na has been fantastic. We are a very good team and we get together nicely. I am sure it is just a question of clicking together,” said Sadom, who won the SMBC Singapore Open in January, which was the final event of the Asian Tour’s 2020-22 season.
Action begins in Boston from Friday, September 2.
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Bio Kim from Korea, and his compatriot Taehoon Ok, who won last week’s International Series Korea, are just two of the big-name players who have confirmed their participation in The 38th Shinhan Donghae Open, which is the next stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong and Sihwan Kim from the United States, the only two players who have won twice this season will also compete in the tournament, which will be played at Koma Country Club in Japan, from September 8-11.
It’s the first time the prestigious tournament – which is returning to the Tour following a three-year break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic – will have been played in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Tri-sanctioned by the Asian, Korean and Japan Tours it boasts prizemoney of KRW 1,400,000,000 (approximately US$1,050,500).
Bio Kim of Korea. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Bio, whose aim it is to top both the Asian and Korean rankings this year, moved in to first place on the Merit list for the first time this year last weekend by finishing second in the International Series Korea; he took over from Sihwan Kim, who is now second, with Nitithorn third. Nitithorn triumphed in the International Series Singapore the week before Taehoon Ok’s win.
And, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who won the Mandiri Indonesian Open at the beginning of August, has also entered the tournament.
South African Jbe Kruger (main picture) won the Shinhan Donghae Open when it was last played on the Asian Tour in 2019 and will bid for honours again this year along with while five other former champions: Korea’ s Sanghyun Park (2018), Canada’s Richard T. Lee (2017) and Korean legend Jongduck Kim (2005).
Rising Korean stars Yoseop Seo, who has featured on the leaderboard at the past two Asian Tour events, and Hanbyeol Kim, winners in 2022 and 2021 respectively, when it was played solely as a Korean PGA Tour event because of travel restrictions caused by the pandemic, will also tee off at Koma.
Last year’s champion Yoseop Seo.
In addition to the crème de la crème of the Asian Tour competing, the tournament will also see Korean stars Siwoo Kim – a three-time winner on the PGA Tour – and “KT” Kim playing, as well as the leading players from the Japan Tour, including Japan’s Kazuki Higa, who is currently ranked first in Japan following two wins this year, his illustrious compatriot Ryo Ishikawa – the winner of 17 titles in Japan – and American Chan Kim, who finished second behind Kruger three years ago.
Asian Tour CEO and commissioner Cho Minn Thant has underlined the importance of the new LIV Golf-partnered International Series, explaining the many benefits of the ‘player-centric’ flagship series of elevated marquee events.
The International Series events are played in strategically selected venues around the world, with stops on the 2022 Asian Tour so far in Thailand, England, Singapore and Korea, with two new North African destinations, in Morocco and Egypt, announced on Sunday.
Speaking on the sidelines of last week’s US $1.5m International Series Korea, where victory went to Taehoon Ok at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club Jeju, he said: “The International Series is beneficial to the Asian Tour for a number of reasons. First, we get eight new tournaments this season and moving forward it will be at least 10 next year.
“These events are very player centric, and all about the player experience. We take care of the player accommodation, F&B, activities and even services such as a barber shop and players recreation area in the locker room. We go the extra mile to take care of the players and from that perspective I hope they are happy with it.
Taehoon Ok of Korea celebrates on the 18th green on Sunday August 21, 2022, during round four of the International Series Korea at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club, Jeju, Korea. The Asian Tour US$ 1.5 million event is staged August 18-21, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“From the LIV Golf perspective, our association means we are a platform that LIV Golf can use for players to progress to the LIV Golf Invitationals this year and the LIV Golf League in future, so it acts as a feeder into their series.
“Also, the LIV Golf Invitationals is eight events this year and the LIV Golf League will be 14 next year. Outside of these, professional golfers need to play to fill out their schedule and hopefully the International Series is an option for them to come and play outside the LIV Golf events, to keep sharp and come and play competitively.”
A number of LIV regulars such as Patrick Reed, Chase Keopka, Peter Uihlein, Andy Ogletree, and Turk Pettit have already chosen to take part in International Series events. Asian Tour members Wade Ormsby, Sihwan Kim, Sadom Kaekwanjana, Scott Vincent, Travis Smyth, Viraj Madappa, Kevin Yuan, Justin Harding and Phachara Khongwatmai have likewise experienced LIV’s new 54-hole format through good performances in the series.
Cho played down any concerns that his members might have about potential ineligibility for PGA Tour events through their participation in the series, because of its association with LIV Golf.
“There are some players who are concerned about playing International Series events and becoming ineligible for PGA Tour. That’s not the case – we have clarified this with the PGA Tour that the restriction is not in play.
“The International Series is fully sanctioned by the Asian Tour. It forms part of the Asian Tour Order of Merit and there are several players who have played on the International Series who are playing on the PGA Tour, Korean Joohyung Kim (Recent winner of the Wyndham Championship on PGA Tour) being a prime example.”
The high-profile International Series tournaments are underwritten and promoted by LIV Golf, with commercial sponsorship a major focus moving forward for the team at the Asian Tour. Cho explained: “We are extremely grateful to LIV Golf for their support. Ultimately, the goal is for corporate sponsors to sustain the tournaments themselves and for LIV to revert to being a promoter at these events.
“Each International Series event will have the ‘presenting partner’ position available, and the focus next year will include sponsor activations and engaging more spectators to attend events.”
Cho also explained how the Asian Tour has already supported LIV Golf in their bid to secure world ranking points.
He said: “LIV Golf are applying for world ranking points independently, but the process requires a nomination by one of the full-member Tours.
“As a good partner, it was our responsibility to help LIV Golf submit their bid for world ranking points and that is underway now – the Asian Tour has nominated them, and they are providing technical information that will support their application with the intention of getting world ranking points next year.”
While the landmark partnership is incredibly important to the Asian Tour, pragmatic Cho views it as one of many options for Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour members.
He explained: “Our mandate is to provide a pathway for our members to further their careers. We now provide our members with the opportunity to play LIV Golf events but we also support members like Joohyung Kim who choose the PGA Tour path. We have many members who are dual members of other Tours and play in Japan, Europe or Australia, we don’t have a problem at all.”
“For the longest time the Asian Tour has been a path to Europe, but we are hoping with new tournaments and more sponsors and with bigger prizemoney, our top players will stay and play in Asia rather than having to go to Europe.”
The International Series Korea was the fourth International Series event of the season so far on the Asian Tour.
The Asian Tour’s ground-breaking International Series gathers further momentum with two more tournaments added to the schedule, in two of the most exciting and exotic destinations it has ever visited, Morocco and Egypt.
The Tour will first travel to the International Series Morocco, to be played at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, in Rabat, from November 3-6, before going on to the International Series Egypt the following week, at Madinaty Golf Club, in Cairo, from November 10-13.
Both events will boast prize money of US$1.5 million and play a key role in determining the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, as well as the International Series money list winner.
The Asian Tour season is due to be completed in the month of December with several additional events to be announced in due course.
“This has been an unprecedented season and we are delighted to be able to announce exciting news about the Asian Tour’s first visit to North Africa,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour.
“The International Series Morocco and International Series Egypt are two spectacular additions to our schedule that will provide our members with a unique opportunity to compete somewhere new while allowing the Tour to broaden its reach.”
The two destinations have highly contrasting golfing history. Morocco, with its rich golfing pedigree, has been a regular fixture on the global golfing calendar hosting numerous international golfing events over the past two decades. On the other hand, Egypt is a relatively new market for professional golf with the International Series set to be the largest golf event ever staged in the country.
Taehoon Ok of Korea pictured with the winner’s trophy on Sunday at the International Series Korea. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“We are excited to be heading to Morocco, which has illustrious golfing heritage, as well as breaking new ground in Egypt. Outside of golf, these two destinations are undeniably high up on anyone’s travel bucket list with their storied past and spectacular historical sites,” added Cho.
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’s investment in the Asian Tour through the International Series is already delivering new opportunities for golfers from all over the world. These events are enhancing the player experience, creating pathways for career development and reinforcing golf’s growth on a global scale,” said Greg Norman, LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner. “This series of events has received tremendous feedback and it continues to build exciting momentum for our sport’s future.”
This Sunday the Tour saw Taehoon Ok from Korea win the International Series Korea, at Lotte Skyhill Country Club Jeju; which comes a week after Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong was triumphant in the International Series Singapore at Tanah Merah Country Club.
The International Series Thailand kicked off the series in March and was won by American Sihwan Kim at Black Mountain Golf Club. Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent claimed the International Series England in June at Slaley Hall – an event that marked the Tour’s first-ever tournament in the UK.
The additions of two more International Series events means this year’s Asian Tour schedule is on target to offer at least 20 events this season.
Korean Taehoon Ok’s bid to win for the first time in the professional game gathered momentum today when he carded a third-round two-under-par 69 to take the lead in the US$1.5 million International Series Korea.
At 12 under for the Asian Tour event, he leads countrymen Wooyoung Cho, one of the country’s top amateurs, Yoseop Seo and Bio Kim by one shot.
Cho carded a stunning 61, Seo 67 and Kim 70 to set up an enthralling final day at Lotte Skyhill Country Club on Jeju Island.
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Pavit Tangkamolprasert are a stroke further back, after rounds of 63 and 67 respectively.
Bio Kim. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour
Ok and Kim had started the third day sharing the lead, but it was the former who had the edge for much of the day reaching 14 with two to play and the prospect of a healthy lead.
However, he made bogey on 17 and 18 to give hope to the chasing pack.
“It was a disappointing finish, but I was satisfied with the round,” said Ok.
“Tomorrow’s conditions should be the same so I will take that into account over those two holes. The win is up to the golfing gods tomorrow, but I will do my best.”
Rising star Cho, aged 20, lit up the tournament with the best round of the week made up of four birdies on the front and six on the back, including five birdies in the last six holes.
It’s also the lowest 18-hole score of the season on the Asian Tour, but as preferred lies are being played it could not count officially.
“I didn’t play well the first two days so it’s great to play well today,” said Cho.
Wooyoung Cho. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“My driver is always my best club and today I also managed to get the putter going as well. It’s my best round in a tournament but not my best-ever round, I shot 12 under once in a tournament in Thailand.”
He won the Korean Amateur Championship in 2020, was third in last year’s Asian Pacific Amateur Championship and was ranked the country’s top amateur ahead of the Asian Games, before it was postponed this year in China because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He added: “Playing a pro event, is just a different level and I know that I will really have to concentrate tomorrow. Today was good but tomorrow I have to win.”
Bio’s attempt to win for the third time this year in Korea, one of those being in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on the Asian Tour, remained on course despite not breaking 70 for the first time this week.
He said: “Nothing seemed to go my way today, but I tried to stay patient and capitalise on the chances I had. I did that pretty well but unfortunately on 17 I had a half-plugged lie and got up and down for bogey; I think I managed myself pretty good there.
“I am a couple of shots back, but you never know, it’s golf, keep going to the end. We will see how it goes. Hopefully I can do a little better at everything tomorrow.”
Phachara once again putting himself in contention at the weekend – he was joint second in last week’s International Series Singapore and solo second at the International Series Thailand in March – with a phenomenal eight birdie bogey-free round.
“This year I think my game plan is great, better than last year, and I’ve tried to make my body stronger. Right now I know what I want to do, so my golf is more confident,” said Phachara.
Phachara Khongwatmai. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I think the key is from when I was in Japan with Prom Meesawat, we were together one month in Japan and on the courses in Japan you must have a gameplan. He taught me which shots to play, when to be aggressive and when to play safer. I learned a lot from him, he gave me a lot and made me better.”
American Trevor Simsby, winner of the Malaysian Open in 2020 just before the pandemic shut down the Asian Tour for close two years, returned a 68 and is three off the lead.
Canadian golfer Richard T. Lee swapped the greens for the deep blue of the ocean as he enjoyed a rare Jeju Island experience: a dive with the Haenyeo, the famous sea women of Jeju, ahead of his tilt for glory in the International Series Korea.
The ladies, some older than 70, free dive to depths of up to 10 metres for minutes at a time to collect seaweed, shellfish and other seafood, in a tradition that has been part of island life since the 17th century.
Lee, who finished runner-up last week to Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong at the International Series Singapore, joined them, diving deep into the ocean depths and even coming up with his own catch of abalone, a form of marine snail and one of the island’s famed sea urchin delicacies.
He said: “That was amazing. I have tried snorkelling in Thailand a few times but that was a completely unique experience out there with the aunties, the Haenyeo.
“The ladies, some of them 70-years-old, can hold their breath for up to three minutes underwater and it is unbelievable that they can catch those sea urchins and octopus down there. The current is pretty strong. It was a real pleasure to be here with them, a lot of fun.”
Richard T. Lee of Canada pictured diving with local divers at sea on Tuesday August 16, 2022, ahead of the International Series Korea at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club, Jeju, Korea. The Asian Tour US$ 1.5 million event is staged August 18-21, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The International Series Korea at the Lotte Skyhill Country Club is the fourth International Series event of the year, following tournaments in Thailand, England and Singapore.
Reflecting on his experience in the Asian Tour’s marquee International Series events so far, Lee added: “It feels like the players are playing better in these events. The purses have gone up, the courses are in mint conditions and the tournaments are run very well – the players seem comfortable in this atmosphere, they are great tournaments to play in.
“To have the opportunity to play with the best in the world, and to play for the bigger money is a great experience for everyone on the Asian Tour.”
Koreans Bio Kim and Taehoon Ok shot blistering second-round scores of eight-under-par 63 and 64 respectively to take the lead at the US$1.5million International Series Korea today.
They moved to 10 under for the Asian Tour event, which is being played at Lotte Skyhill Country Club – on Jeju Island, Korea’s popular holiday destination.
Hanbyeol Kim from Korea fired a 66 and is two shots back, while his compatriot Yoseop Seo returned the same score and is one stroke further adrift.
Bio made nine birdies and dropped just one shot to put himself in the perfect position to win his second Asian Tour event at the weekend, having been triumphant in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open, also in Korea, in May.
Taehoon Ok. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Said the 31 year old: “It is really great having my family here, we are having fun here. It’s a family trip which allows me to get away from golf a bit. I think I was thinking too much the past month, it shows I should do that a little more often.”
Starting on the back nine he quickly found his range with birdies on 11, 13, 15 and 16 before making a bogey on 18: that little hiccup only prompted him to pick up the pace and he made birdies on one, two, four, six and seven.
“My tee shot was a lot better and also my iron game, and obviously I made putts and at the end of the day I made nine birdies. I made a mistake on 18, my ninth today, but I played solid,” he added.
Ok is looking to win for the first time as a professional and made eight birdies and a solitary bogey.
“I struggled a bit on the second half but hung in there,” said Ok.
“I really want to win on the Asian Tour and take my game forward and help my dream of getting onto the PGA Tour. I’m not good enough yet. Plan is to make a success in Korea first and really challenge myself.”
He came close to winning the Kolon Korea Open this year and was tied for the lead after the third round but carded a disappointing 75 on the final day and finished joint sixth place.
Hanbyeol Kim. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ok also a tied fifth in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open to suggest a win this year is not far away.
He added: “It was heart breaking what happened at the Korea Open but I gained a lot of experience.”
Korean Taeho Kim (66), India’s Veer Ahlawat (66) American Trevor Simsby (69), South Africans Justin Harding (70) and Ian Snyman (70), and first-round leader Pavit Tangkamolprasert from Thailand (73) are six under for the tournament; while India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who won the Mandiri Indonesia Open for a record third time this month, returned a 65 and is five behind the leader, along with five other players.
Pavit stole the show on day one with a 63 and although he was 10 shots worse today he was still happy with his round.
“I actually played quite good today,” said the two-time Asian Tour winner.
“It was a little bit windy, and my putt was not that good, I mean I putted good, but they didn’t drop. I did not think about my score yesterday because I did not want to put pressure on myself.”
He was looking good for much of the round, and having started on 10 he made the turn in one under but surprisingly dropped shots on six, seven and eight.
He said: “I just missed the greens and my chipping and putting didn’t save me, couldn’t get up and down.”
Simsby, who has the distinction of being the last player to win on the Asian Tour, at the Malaysian Open, before the COVID-19 pandemic stopped play for nearly two years, has only made it through to the weekend twice this season in seven starts but is well on his way to make amends for that this week.
“It’s been very solid from tee to green. I’ve had a lot of birdie chances so it definitely could have been a little bit lower. I feel like I’m in a good spot, I’m starting to trust my swing and yardages, distance control has been really good. And staying out of the rough,” he said.
Pavit Tangakamolprasert. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It’s definitely a plotting golf course with a few kind of tougher tee shots. I feel like I’ve been strategizing well, and if I can just get a few more putts to drop I think we’ll be close on the weekend.”
Bhullar, whose win in Indonesia took his tally of Asian Tour titles to 10, finished off his round with a stunning eagle on the par-four nine, having started on the back nine.
“It was a nice round, four birdies and a lovely eagle on the last,” said Bhullar.
“I started off really well actually, yesterday I shot plus one, but I hit the ball really well. I knew that I’ve been hitting the ball well, it’s just a matter of time when the putts started falling.
“Today I started with a birdie and also made birdie on 13 and 18. And the way I finished the last hole, I hit a driver and had about 179 yards with slight downwind and I hit an eight iron and it went in the hole. We saw it but I was not too sure whether it was in the hole or on the other side of the slope. But yeah, that was definitely one of the best swings.”
Brazilian Adilson Da Silva produced a crack shot of his own, making an ace on the 209-yard par three eighth using a five iron. He carded a 70 and is one over.
Gaganjeet Bhullar. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
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