Katsuragawa springs St Andrews surprise
He may have begun the week as a rank outsider, little-known beyond the borders of his home country. But as the second round of the 150th Open Championship was drawing to a close, the name of Yuto Katsuragawa was featuring prominently on the leaderboard at the home of golf.
Wielding a hot putter, the 23-year-old followed up an opening 71 with a four-under-par 68 over the fabled Old Course at St Andrews.
With more than half the field having completed 36 holes, Major championship debutant Katsuragawa found himself in a share of 15th position at five-under 139 – four strokes off the clubhouse lead being set by American Dustin Johnson.
“I’m surprised to be doing so well. I didn’t expect this,” admitted the Asian Tour member, who earned his starting spot here by finishing second in January’s SMBC Singapore Open.
“This is my first time in Scotland and my first time in Europe. I really came here just for the experience. I’m loving the atmosphere,” added Katsuragawa, currently second on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation’s Money List after a brilliant run of form in the past few months.
Yuto Katsuragawa of Japan
As well as winning the ISPS Handa Championship, he finished runner-up at the Token Homemate Cup and tied for second at the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup, co-sanctioned with the Asian Tour.
Holding court with the Japanese media after his second round, Katsuragawa made it clear that he’s keeping his expectations in check, at least publicly.
“I’m just glad to be here and to be part of the Japan team. For the weekend, I won’t be thinking about winning. I’ll just be focusing on each shot and trying my best,” he said.
With the cut projected to be made at even-par 144, several of the Asian Tour contingent were facing upto an early exit.
Among them were South African Shaun Norris (147), Japan’s Shugo Imahira (152) and Australian Jediah Morgan (155).
However, as early evening descended, Brad Kennedy, Joohyung Kim, Scott Vincent and Sadom Kaewkanjana were all well positioned to book their places for the final two rounds.
Veteran Australian Brad Kennedy surprised even himself with a brilliant first-round birdie spree in the 150th Open Championship.
On a day when many of the world’s best players struggled to come to terms with the firm and fast conditions at St Andrews, 48-year-old Kennedy quickly found his range, snaring eight birdies en route to a four-under-par 68.
“I didn’t expect that today,” admitted Kennedy, a long-standing Asian Tour member who won the 2020 New Zealand Open.
Outscoring his playing partners – South African Ernie Els (70) and Spain’s Adri Arnaus (74) – Kennedy raced to four-under through six holes. He would add four more birdies to offset four bogeys and ended the day in a share of sixth spot.
He said: “We had a really nice breeze early on this morning and I managed to hit some great iron shots into some tough pins.
“I’ve been playing nicely in Japan. I had a few good weeks of prep back home and I really wanted to come out and see how far I could push myself in terms of what shots I wanted to hit and how to hit them. I’m really happy with the progress so far.”
Brad Kennedy of Australia
Runner-up in the Malaysian Open in 2003 and 2004 and third in the Singapore Open in 2006, Kennedy has made the cut in both his Asian Tour appearances this season, finishing joint 14th in the PIF Saudi International and sharing 43rd place at the APGC Diamond Cup in Japan.
Having been one of the early starters on day one, Kennedy was looking forward to a lie-in on Friday when he’ll tee-off at 2.26 pm local time (9.26 pm Singapore time).
Kennedy was one of five players from the 16-strong Asian Tour contingent to better par in the opening road at the final Major of 2022.
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim and Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, winner of the International Series England at the start of last month, both returned three-under 69s.
Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana and Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa both signed for 71s to put themselves in a strong position to make the cut that will be made following Friday’s second round.
Joohyung Kim cut a disconsolate figure as he trudged off the 18th green at St Andrews. Despite signing for a three-under-par 69, the 20-year-old Korean was left to rue an untidy finish to his round, prompted by being handed a ‘bad time’.
For much of the opening morning at the 150th Open Championship, a broad smile had adorned the face of the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion. But his mood darkened after receiving a warning on the par-three 11th for taking too long over a shot.
“It was unfortunate. I needed to regroup and refocus but after that I felt I was rushing everything in order to stay on time,” said Kim.
Joohyung Kim of Korea
Nonetheless, he seemed to remain in control of his emotions when adding a fifth birdie of the day at the 15th. From there, though, his fortunes faltered as the threat of another bad timing loomed.
A dropped shot at the 16th – his first of the day – was followed by another bogey at 17, where he missed the green with his approach and failed to get up-and-down.
There was further frustration at the 18th, playing downwind and one of the easiest holes on the course where birdies were common currency.
Short of the green with his tee shot, Kim pitched onto the putting surface but could not convert the birdie opportunity.
Muttering to himself, there was no mistaking his disappointment and anger as he strode to the scorers’ hut.
Nonetheless, when he reflects on his first round in an Open Championship, Kim will have much to be pleased with.
“I hit a lot of good shots. Until the 18th hole I felt I played great,” said Kim, who was among the early pace-setters after picking up shots at the third, fifth, seventh and ninth to turn in four-under 32.
On the back of a third-place finish in last week’s Genesis Scottish Open, Kim has soared to 39th in the Official World Golf Ranking and is feeling increasingly comfortable among the game’s elite.
Having ended as the leading Korean in 23rd spot at last month’s US Open, the next test for Kim is to see if he’s able to bounce back from today’s late adversity with another sub-70 return in round two at St Andrews.
Joohyung Kim of Korea
“I believe I can be up there – and that’s what I’ll be aiming for,” he said.
With almost half of the field having completed their first rounds, Kim was in joint seventh place, five strokes behind runaway leader Cameron Young of the United States, but just two adrift of second-placed Australian Cameron Smith.
Among those at four-under 68 was American Kurt Kitayama, who followed up his runner-up finish at last week’s Scottish Open with a bogey-free performance.
Kitayama is a one-time winner on the Asian Tour. He triumphed at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in 2018. Prior to his breakthrough in Mauritius, Kitayama won the PGM Darulaman Championship on the Asian Development Tour.
With a birdie-birdie finish, Sadom Kaewkanjana ensured his first Open Championship round ended in red figures.
“I’m very happy to birdie the last two holes,” said the 24-year-old Thai after signing for a one-under-par 71 over the Old Course at St Andrews.
“To be playing in the 150th Open Championship is a thrill for me. I was quite nervous at the start,” said Sadom, who appeared to be staring at an early exit after double-bogeys at the sixth and 11th saw him go to three-over.
But the winner of this year’s SMBC Singapore Open battled back gamely with birdies at 12 and 14 before staging a grandstand finish, holing a 15-footer at the Road Hole 17th and two-putting for a fifth birdie of the day after driving the green on the home hole.
Teeing-off at 6.46 am (local time) in the second flight of the day, Sadom set himself a 3.30 am wake up call.
Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand
Wiping the sleep from his eyes, he settled his early nerves with five straight pars before coming unstuck at the par-four sixth where he misjudged his pitching wedge approach and four-putted.
“I found it a little difficult with the wind, but I’m happy to shoot under par and feel more confident of making the cut now,” he said.
New Zealand’s Ben Campbell, playing in the same group as Sadom, will have his work cut out to progress to the weekend after carding a 74 that included a double-bogey six at 17.
One stroke better off is Korean Minkyu Kim, fifth in the current Asian Tour Order of Merit standings.
The 21-year-old, who booked his ticket to Scotland by winning last month’s Kolon Korean Open, was unable to take advantage of a solid start.
From a position of strength at one-under through 12, bogeys at 13 and 16 took the wind out of his sails.
In total, 16 Asian Tour members qualified to line-up in the 150th Open Championship.
Ends.
Four of the top-five players from the current Asian Tour Order of Merit standings will be aiming to make the most of a magical opportunity when they tee-off at the ancestral home of golf in the 150th Open Championship today.
American Sihwan Kim, Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and Koreans Joohyung Kim and Minkyu Kim are all determined to stamp their mark at the fabled St Andrews links after qualifying for the final Major of 2022.
Sihwan Kim of United States
“It feels so good to be playing my first Major,” said Sihwan Kim, who secured his starting spot thanks to a fourth-place finish in January’s SMBC Singapore Open, part of the Open Qualifying Series.
Inspired by the knowledge that a visit to St Andrews lay ahead of him, he scored his maiden Asian Tour victory at the International Series Thailand in March. Riding the crest of a wave, Sihwan Kim then won the following month’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge.
On the back of those triumphs, he leads the Order of Merit with earnings of more than US$500,000. For now, though, the 33-year-old’s focus of attention is firmly on the Old Course.
“I’ve played St Andrews a couple of times before. It’s pretty special to be back for The 150th Open,” said Kim, who tees-off at 9.47 am local time (4.37 pm Singapore time), alongside fellow-American Jason Kokrak and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard.
Equally excited about making their Major championship debuts are Vincent and Minkyu Kim, fourth and fifth respectively on the latest Merit list.
Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe
“At the start of the year, one of my goals was to qualify for a Major and I have managed to do that,” said 30-year-old Vincent, who won the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open in May, beating Anthony Quayle in a play-off. The win also gained him an exemption into the 2022 Open Championship.
A week later, Vincent won the International Series England at Slaley Hall in Northumberland. He carded a final-round 66 to win by one shot over Travis Smyth and claim his first Asian Tour victory.
“I’m really excited about playing my first Major, especially at St Andrews, the Home of Golf. It will be so special,” said Vincent, who sets out at 9.36 am in the company of Canadian Mackenzie Hughes and Frenchman Victor Perez.
For his part, Minkyu Kim booked his Scotland ticket courtesy of winning last month’s Kolon Korean Open.
The 21-year-old, who spent two years on the Challenge Tour in Europe after turning pro in 2017, said: “As a kid I grew up watching The Open. I just can’t express how happy I am to be competing in The 150th Open.
“Everyone talks about St Andrews. It’s such a historic golf course and I’m happy to be here for this historic occasion.”
Minkyu Kim of Korea
Minkyu Kim has a 7.19 am start, where he’ll be partnered by England’s Ashley Chesters and South African Garrick Higgo.
Two groups behind them will be Joohyung Kim. The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion who is third in this year’s standings will be with Americans Tom Hoge and Patrick Reed, the former Masters Tournament winner.
Of the dozen-strong Asian Tour contingent, first out on the course will be Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana and New Zealander Ben Campbell who are drawn with English amateur Barclar Brown for the 6.46 am slot, the second group of the tournament.
Winner of the SMBC Singapore Open, Sadom said: “This is a dream come true. It’s my first Major. I am so happy and excited to be playing my first Open championship at the Home of Golf, St Andrews. It is very special to me.”
Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand
Buoyed by a third-place finish at the Genesis Scottish Open last week, Korean prodigy Joohyung Kim is aiming to upstage his more illustrious compatriots for the second Major championship in succession.
The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion made waves last month when he marked his maiden appearance in the US Open by finishing as the leading Korean player in 23rd place.
Having propelled to a career-high 39th place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) following his strong performance at The Renaissance Club on Sunday, Kim is setting his sights on emulating that performance at The 150th Open this week.
Lining up at St Andrews against the best players in the world is especially poignant for the 20-year-old who was denied the opportunity of making his Open debut last year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kim said: “I had the opportunity to play in The Open last year but could not because of Covid. So, it means so much to have a second chance.
“My first Open is going to be a special one. For sure, I’m not going to miss this one!”
At the start of 2020, Kim finished fourth in the SMBC Singapore Open, part of The Open Qualifying Series, securing his place in The Open that year.
However, with the worldwide spread of Covid, The Open was cancelled in 2020. Although Kim’s exemption was extended to the 2021 event, travel restrictions meant he was unable to take up the chance that he yearned.
The disappointment of missing out in such unfortunate and unprecedented circumstances only served to strengthen Kim’s resolve to qualify for the 2022 edition.
With a typically gutsy performance at Sentosa Golf Club in January this year, Kim ended joint runner-up at the SMBC Singapore Open – a result that not only guaranteed him a ticket to St Andrews but also ensured him of the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown.
His solid form has continued in the first half of 2022 with four top-five finishes on the Asian Tour, lifting him into third place in the current Order of Merit standings.
Having broken into top-50 on the OWGR which will earn him an invite to Augusta National for the 2023 Masters Tournament if he stays inside the mark at the end of the year, Kim’s attention is just focused on tackling the Old Course at St Andrews now.
Kim said: “It’s The Open. It’s a Major championship and for me to qualify for it again, that was a goal. I’m so happy to be here.”
Ends.
Branden Grace continued the South African domination in LIV Invitational Series, winning the Portland tournament by two shots following the low round of the tournament – a seven-under par 65.
Birdies on 15th, 16th and 17th holes gave him a three-shot cushion coming up the difficult par-4 18th hole of Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. However, a solid par ensured his win at 13-under par and the winning cheque of $4 million as he finished two shots of LIV debutant Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, who sank a 45-footer birdie putt on the final hole to reduce the margin of victory.
The inaugural LIV event in London was won by Grace’s compatriot Charl Schwartzel.
Grace’s team, the all-South African quartet Stinger, could not replicate the win at Centurion Club and finished second. The team championship was bagged by the Dustin Johnson-led 4 Aces GC, which benefited from a sparkling round of five-under par 67 by Patrick Reed.
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 02: Team Captain Dustin Johnson (2nd R), Pat Perez (L), Talor Gooch (2nd L) and Patrick Reed (R) of 4 Aces GC celebrate with the team championship trophy during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 02, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jamie Squire/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
Reed’s round included a late eagle on the 17th hole and a birdie on the 18th. A lip-out denied him a birdie on his closing hole, the first of the course, which could have edged him a shot ahead of Johnson in solo third place. Both the Americans, past Masters champions, were tied third at 9-under par.
Another South African, Justin Harding, was the best-placed member of the Asian Tour, tied for the eighth place at two-under par after being inside the top-5 for most part of the final round. A double bogey on the 15th followed by a bogey on the 16th saw him slip late in the round.
“I played a really good round of golf and hit just two bad shots. And that penalised me with a double and a bogey. It’s what it is. I am happy with the way I am playing, but this could have been so much better,” said Harding, who finished second in the 2018 Order of Merit.
Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim did not have the best final round, but despite a three-over 75, he finished on tied 11th place with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes.
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 02: (L-R) Team Captain Brooks Koepka of Smash GC and Justin Harding of Crushers GC look on from the fourth tee during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 02, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
“I did not hit the ball as well as I did yesterday and I also thought that luck was not on my side. Every time it was a close call, I always ended up on the wrong side,” said Kim, who was tied 43rd in London.
Starting the round two shots behind his playing partners Ortiz and Johnson in the leading group, the 34-year-old Branden Grace turned it around with a fantastic birdie on the toughest hole of the golf course – the long, par-4 13th. A perfect fade with the driver was followed by a superb four-iron to 15 feet, and he made the putt.
“I thought I played pretty flawless. And that birdie on the 13th was the key,” said Branden Grace, who had also closed with a 65 in London to finish third in the inaugural LIV event.
“When I needed to do something special, I managed managed to pull it out. It was just a great day, and the crowd was fantastic. I have never felt like this before with everyone shouting ‘Grace, Grace’. I guess this is how Tiger (Woods) feels when he plays. Everybody here is having a blast.”
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 02: Sihwan Kim of Iron Heads GC watches his shot on the fourth tee during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 02, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Chris Trotman/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
With three birdies in his first four holes, Mexico’s 31-year-old Ortiz had opened a four-shot lead at the stage, but he cooled down after that and could only add another birdie on the 18th hole.
Branden Grace was hitting the ball well from the beginning of his round, but every aspect of his game was spot on in the second nine. And when he got into trouble, like on the 16th hole with his second shot, he managed to chip in for another birdie from an improbable position with hardly any green to use.
World No17 Johnson, the highest-ranked player in the field, struggled early in his round and finished with a one-under par 71 round.
The LIV Invitational Golf moves next to the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, for the third event from July 29-31. England’s Paul Casey was announced as LIV’s latest signing and he is expected to become a part of captain Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers team there.
Dustin Johnson, the highest-ranked player in the field, put on a masterclass for the first 12 holes and held on to a share of the lead despite a slight wobble coming in on the second day of the LIV Golf Invitational series in Portland.
The world No17 American was six-under for the day through the first 12 holes with the help of seven birdies, but two three-putt bogeys coming in gave Carlos Ortiz an opportunity to catch him. The 2020 Masters champion shot a four-under par 68 and moved to eight-under par with one round to go.
Mexico’s 31-year-old Ortiz, playing his first LIV Golf tournament, birdied the last for a three-under par 69 round to match Johnson as a large crowd turned up to enjoy their battle against a demanding Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.
South Africa’s Branden Grace was two shots behind the leaders after a second straight round of three-under par 69, while his compatriot and multiple time Asian Tour winner Justin Harding overcame the frustrations of a late triple bogey on the opening day to shoot the best round of the day – a five-under par 67 – and claim sole possession of fourth place at five-under par total.
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 01: A general view is seen as Carlos Ortiz of Fireballs GC plays his shot from the 18th tee during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 01, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via Getty Images )
Another Asian Tour star who enjoyed a very fruitful day was the current Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim. The American closed with two straight birdies for a 68 that elevated him to tied fifth place at four-under par total and four shots behind the leaders.
With two best scores of the four counting towards the team championship for the first two days (and three best scores counting in the final round), the Johnson-led Four Aces were comfortably ahead by four shots over the all-South African team of Stingers. With Patrick Reed also shooting a 68, Four Aces reached 15-under par through the first two rounds, while Stingers, who won the inaugural LIV Invitational in London, were at 11-under par.
“I did not have the best start to the tournament and had to miss the ProAm because I had to head over to Canada to sort some visa issues. Then, to play so well yesterday before making some silly mistakes for a triple bogey late in the round was very frustrating,” said Harding, winner of the Royal Cup and Bank BRI Indonesian Open in 2018.
“Very happy with how I played. I played solidly in the beginning and then I went on a walkabout for a while, but managed not to throw too many away and then I had a good enough finish. So made up for what was a frustrating finish yesterday.
“Made an eagle on the first hole (his third of the day), where I chipped in from the greenside rough with a three-wood. That was a bit of a bonus.”
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 01: Sihwan Kim of Iron Heads GC plays his shot from the seventh tee during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 01, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/LIV Golf via Getty Images)
Kim, winner of two Asian Tour titles this year, said it was one of his best ball-striking rounds in several weeks as he made six birdies and two bogeys playing alongside Harding.
“It was a good round and we fed off each other.
“To make the two birdies after a bogey on the 13th, which is such a long haul and very tight around the greens, was a very nice way to finish,” said Kim.
“I was much better off the tee today compared to yesterday, and my irons were really good. I almost holed out from about 30 yards or so on the first for eagle.
“With DJ and Carlos four shots away, I think we have a chance. On this golf course, you do get chances if you are hitting the ball well.”
Johnson felt the first 12 holes at Pumpkin Ridge on Friday was probably the best golf he played in a stretch this year.
“I felt like I am playing really well right now. Obviously, I put it together for the first 12 holes. And then I hit some nice shots on the 13th and 14th, but ended up three-putting both. But yeah…I played really solid today,” said the former world No1.
Ortiz said he was just trying to keep up with Johnson.
“I was trying to do the same thing he was doing. He was playing great. I don’t know why, but if someone is playing good in your group, it becomes easier for others to catch up. So, we were rooting for DJ. Just keep going so that we can also keep going,” said the world No119.
Carlos Ortiz likes fast starts. And he seems intent on doing the same at the LIV Golf Invitational series.
The 31-year-old Mexican, who earned battleground promotion into the PGA Tour after winning three events in his first season on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2014, showed he meant business at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club as he stormed to an early lead in his debut LIV Golf appearance.
Ortiz started with two birdies in his first two holes, and then proceeded to make five birdies and a couple of bogeys in a round of five-under par 67 in tough conditions. He led by one shot over American Dustin Johnson. The former world No1 hit his opening tee shot into water and began with a bogey, before cleaning up his act and making five birdies.
South Africa’s Branden Grace and Japan’s Hideto Tanihara could have joined Johnson at 4-under par, but late bogeys dropped them to tied third place alongside another LIV Golf debutant, Pat Perez.
Thanks to Johnson and Perez, the Four Aces led the Team Championship by two shots at seven-under par. The champion team in London, the all-South African squad of Stinger, were second at -5.
Aussie Wade Ormsby was the best placed Asian Tour member, tied sixth at two-under par alongside four-time major champion Brooks Koepka and South African Hennie du Plessis.
“I hit a few of them close on my first nine, but that is the difficult half of the golf course. I just played steady and made a few birdies coming in,” said Ormsby, captain of the all-Australian Punches team this week and winner of three titles on the Asian Tour, including two Hong Kong Opens.
“It is a really difficult golf course with small greens and playing over 7,600 yards. So, I’d say that was a decent start. And I love the team aspect. It is good to have three Aussies by my side.”
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JUNE 29: Team Captain Wade Ormsby of Punch GC talks with his caddie on the tenth green during the pro-am prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on June 29, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf/via Getty Images )
The current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim scripted a fantastic comeback after being three-over par for his first nine holes. An eagle, which he called “lucky” lifted his round and a closing birdie ensured he finished at tied 14th place.
“I was pretty pleased with that round,” said Kim, who said he was fighting a two-way miss the last few weeks. “I did not start that well and was struggling with my hitting again. It wasn’t as much a two-way miss, but I did not like how left I was hitting it.
“But I finally got it back together a bit, thanks to a lucky shot on the 17th. I actually chunked a 2-iron, which dropped 30 yards short and rolled to the green and I made the putt. And then, on the last hole, I hit a sand wedge to about four feet from 109 yards and made the putt. That birdie on the last was a nice way to finish.”
Leader Ortiz said even though he started with two birdies, he was feeling nervous about his LIV debut.
“We were actually talking on the putting green this morning that we have played so many tournaments, but this was the most nervous I was feeling,” said the world No119.
“I was brought in by Sergio to be part of his team here and I felt that I had a responsibility to perform for the team. That team aspect makes a huge difference. I love it. It makes me try harder.”
The $25 million tournament finishes on Saturday.
Even towards the end of 2021, when he was winning titles by the dozen on the Big Easy Tour in almost Tiger Woods-like fashion, Ian Snyman’s wildest dreams did not include him rubbing shoulders with his South African heroes Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel and playing for US$25 million purses.
So, the first feeling he has as he gets ready for his second LIV Golf Invitational Series event this week, is of gratitude.
“No, I did not expect all this to happen to me so quickly, to be honest. My game was ready for the Asian Tour. But after getting that third place in the first International Series event in Thailand, I was like, ‘Okay, we can do this. We can compete’. It’s just been good, solid, consistent golf,” said the 25-year-old from Bellville, now ranked 386th in the world.
“And I was telling my parents that everybody talks about luck in golf. And, the fact that I played well, in both the International Series, it’s just luck. It’s a blessing. I don’t know what else to call that my things aligned so well that I did well in the right events to get into these events. I’m just grateful.”
Snyman’s choice of words like ‘lucky’ and ‘grateful’ seem appropriate. He secured his card for the 2020 Asian Tour season through the Qualifying School, and before he could tee up for any event, the COVID pandemic hit the globe, shutting down the Asian Tour for nearly 20 months.
Ian Snyman (fourth from left) was one of the six qualifiers for the LIV Golf Invitational London from the International Series England. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“With travel not possible, the Big Easy tour was the only place I could go play in South Africa. I didn’t have any other options. There was no Tour. I didn’t get in much on the Sunshine Tour either. I got an invite to the Sunshine Tour after my third win and I finished in ninth place, which was like a nice boost. It gave me the confidence that I can do this. And then the Asian Tour was nice to give me an invite to two tournaments that kickstarted their schedule late last year,” said Snyman.
“And now I am playing in events like this. Honestly, the first event, I was kind of shocked at how relaxed I was and it’s the same thing here in Portland. I feel like with music playing and the relaxed atmosphere, I’m just excited to be here and I just want to go out and play golf. There is no pressure.
“With all that has happened, going to the Asian Tour was the best decision I could have made. I am still pinching myself. At the last event, I wrote in my Instagram post that whenever I get worked up if I hit a bad shot or something, I’m like, ‘You are lucky to be here. Just be happy you’re here’. I think that attitude has helped.”
A product of the Ernie Els Foundation (no wonder The Big Easy is his childhood idol!), he was able to meet and interact with players like Oosthuizen and Schwartzel a couple of times in his growing years.
“The Els Foundation took me in when I was in Grade 9, and that was huge for me. I do not come from the most well-to-do family, so that little financial support really made all the difference to my golf,” Snyman added.
“If you look at Louis, Schwartzel, Branden (Grace)…all these guys playing this week, they all came through Ernie’s foundation. I am very thankful to him, and he is my ultimate hero.
“Then there are Justin Harding and Shaun Norris. They are two guys who got their success in Asia and that strengthened my resolve to go there when I played the Q-School. I have actually told and thanked them for showing me the way. And both of them are here in the LIV Golf Series.
“It’s pretty special getting to know these guys. I look up to them and I am part of the group now. We’re all having dinner together, talking in Afrikaans. It’s cool to have the South African caddies around. It’s just one big family.”
The three-day, 54-hole tournament features 13 Asian Tour members, including Japan’s world No73 Yuki Inamori and Zimbabwe’s world No94 Scott Vincent, who won the International Series England last month. Players will compete for a total purse of US$25 million, with the individual winner getting a cheque of US$4 million. In the team competition, the winning members bank $750,000 each.
The Portland field has nine of the last 21 major winners and four former world No1 players. Among the star attractions are Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and Phil Mickelson.
The 48-man field will play across 12 teams of four players each.
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