From Tokyo to Newcastle
Panuphol Pittayarat is finally back playing after a prolonged period out due to a shoulder injury. The Thai golfer returned to action at the Diamond Cup and is now set for the International Series England, at Slaley Hall in the very North of England. In his May diary entry he also tells us that he’s been doing a spot of sight seeing.
May
In last month’s diary I was just getting ready to play the Diamond Cup up in Japan after months away from tournament golf. Well, in Japan my golf was a disaster. I mean I had completely no idea where the ball was going, you know. It was the first week back on Tour and the practice round on Monday was one of the first 18 hole rounds I had played in the three months off.
So yeah, Japan was just a good fun week, but the ball was flying everywhere. But I went back home, and I knew what I needed to do, so I worked on my swing and on my body and it’s looking much better for the International Series England.
I’m injury free right now, it’s just my strength that’s not back 100%, and my flexibility is not 100%. But it’s getting there, it takes times you know.
In the two weeks between Japan and now I practiced more, I won’t say a lot, but more. More focusing on my recovery, because like I said, my flexibility and strength is not back. I’m probably hitting about 270 yards at the moment, but yeah, I’ll take it. I’m injury free, that’s just so much better than laying back at home. I got back into my cycling, back to the gym, but it takes time for my body to get back in the same condition as before.
I came to England last Thursday and spent three days in London with my brother, because he’s on the bag this week. He spent a year in Reading studying, so he took me on a tour. We went to the Tower of London, London Bridge, Buckingham Palace. We were lucky, they were doing the parade practice for the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth, so we were lucky that the day we went there they were rehearsing.
We also went into Oxford, we took the city tour and walked around, had some beers. It was good fun, can’t ask for anything better.
Panuphol Pittayarat finished runner up at the Laguna Phuket Championship in December. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Then we took the train up to Newcastle yesterday (Sunday) and enjoyed the view of all the farms and sheep on the way up. It’s so different than the city, London is a big place.
I feel very good about this week, I mean excited. I played nine holes Monday and the course is something different, it’s not your normal short course and the grass is different. Well, I’m just going to go out there this week and have fun playing golf.
Scott Vincent recorded a stunning come-from-behind victory to win the Mizuno Open on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) on Sunday, and also secure a place in The Open at St. Andrews in July.
The Zimbabwean started the final round at JFE Setonaikai Golf Club seven shots behind overnight leader Australian Anthony Quail but fired a brilliant seven-under-par 65 to force a sudden-death play-off with Quail, which he won on the second extra hole.
A par by Vincent on what was their third visit to the 18th was enough for him to claim his third JGTO title.
Last year he won twice in Japan: first at the Sansan KBC Augusta in August, then the ANA Open the following month.
Vincent and Quail, who closed with a 72, had finished tied on 12 under, while Australian Brad Kennedy, who like Vincent is also an Asian Tour member, finished in solo possession of third, two strokes back.
“I had no idea where I was standing [on the leaderboard] when I walked up to 18 and when I realised that I was sitting second, at that stage, that was pretty amazing,” said Vincent, who is competing in this week’s International Series England at Slaley Hall, near Newcastle.
“Each week, I don’t really try to worry too much about the expectations. I just focus on sticking to my routine and giving myself the best chance. And this is one of those weeks that has worked out well for me.”
The top-four at The Mizuno Open qualified for The Open. Picture by JGTO.
The Zimbabwean’s victory means he will be able to make his debut in a Major.
He added: “I’m really excited about playing my first Major, especially as it’s St Andrews, the Home of Golf. It’s been a goal of mine since the start of the year to try to get into one of the Majors. I missed out on qualifying for the US Open, but I was able to secure it today. So, this is special and I’m very happy.”
Scott Vincent took home a cheque for ¥16,000,000 (approx. US$125,721).
The top-four finishers all qualified for The Open meaning Quail, Kennedy and Filipino Justin De Los Santos also all made it through to St. Andrews.
It means Kennedy will be playing in his fourth Open.
“It’s another start in The Open, and the 150th Open will be my fourth Open, two years in a row. I have to make a few travel plans now,” said Kennedy.
“It’s going to be exciting, and the crowd will be unbelievable, and playing at the St. Andrews Old Course is one of those golfing moments you always dream about.”
Thailand’s Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat, the teenage amateur star who has taken the Asian Tour by storm this year, says he wants to win the International Series England next week for a reality check and make it ‘official’ that he really did just set a new world record.
TK Ratchanon became the youngest male golfer, at the age of 15, to win on one of the game’s main Tours when he sensationally claimed the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand, last month but he says the victory never really sunk in.
“I thought I would wake up one day and think ‘hang on, I just won’. It did kind of come eventually but it didn’t hit as hard,” said the teenager, who is still at school at Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok.
“It doesn’t feel real which is actually one reason that I want to win again because I want to know what it actually feels like, maybe this time it won’t feel as unreal. It did sink in eventually that I did set a world record – I just need to somehow make that more official.
“Now that I have won I am just going to try and win again. I don’t know what to expect playing in the UK, but I plan to enjoy it and play some great golf courses.”
TK Ratchanon flew to UK this week for the first time to compete in the International Series England at Slaley Hall, near Newcastle, followed the week after by the LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Club, close to London; and, a few days after that he will play in the Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes and St Anne’s Old Links.
PATTAYA-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 15 year old amateur of Thailand, pictured on Thursday April 7, 2022 during round one of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup at Siam Country Club, Waterside Course, Pattaya, Thailand. The US$ 750.000 event is co-sanctioned between the Ladies European Tour and the Asian Tour, April 7-10, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“This will be my first-time playing golf outside of Asia, other than the US, and my first time in Europe,” he added.
“I have been thinking about this trip for weeks. Every five minutes I am sitting in school I wish it was Thursday [the day he departed]. I just wanna go, I love travelling and flying. It’s just chill sitting on an airplane.”
To the surprise of many he finished fourth in the individual section of the SEA Games in Vietnam two weeks ago having been the hot favourite to win gold; he did help his country secure the silver.
“Obviously it was somewhat two tournaments: the individual and team events. The individual I was definitely disappointed, I finished joint third and was only two strokes away from the gold, and one stroke away from the bronze. Overall, it was not too bad, but it was probably the worst three days of golf in my life. I played terrible,” he said.
“I did play better eventually. The first day, everything was off, driver was off, irons were off, putting was off, chipping was bad too. Second day was a little better, but I probably had the worst and longest par five of my life on the par five 18th which I doubled. If I had bogeyed or parred that I would have been much closer to the lead. I am definitely playing better now than I was in Vietnam. The me in Pattaya, would have easily destroyed the me in Hanoi.”
Ratchanon has also made a swing correction since then having realised his wrists were floppy at the top of his backswing causing him to overswing and lose control of the club
He said: “I figured out what was wrong, and I am swinging it better. So, I feel pretty good.”
He is also aiming to play in the Asia Pacific Amateur and US Amateur later in the year.
“Those are on my bucket list, first to get to play in them, which I am hoping I can, and hopefully win one of the three amateur events to get in some Majors next year.”
By Spencer Robinson, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour
Shiv Kapur has urged Asian Tour members to embrace the unique opportunities that are being presented to them – and cash in on the life-changing sums of money that’s up for grabs.
Having turned 40 in February, the Indian now qualifies as one of the Asian Tour’s senior citizens. More than that, he’s an individual who is admired and widely respected among his peers.
Now into his 18th year as a professional golfer, Kapur’s reasoned and thought-provoking views resonate among the young guns he now finds himself trying to outwit on the course.
Son of a New Delhi stockbroker who was born and grew up in India, educated at Purdue University in the United States, and has played golf around the globe, it’s not surprising that Kapur boasts a genuinely international outlook.
Which goes a long way to explaining why he’s so bullish about the launch of the International Series – and the enticing riches that are being offered.
Given the nomadic golfing lifestyle he’s led for the best part of two decades, Kapur is well placed to assess the positives that today’s up-and-coming golfers can glean from performing around the world.
Shiv Kapur of India pictured at the International Series Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
On the eve of the unfolding of a new chapter in the history of the Asian Tour at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in the International Series England, Kapur’s anticipation is palpable.
He said: “I think it’s really cool that the Asian Tour is spreading its wings now and we’re going into new territories. Playing in different conditions and playing in different countries … that’s only going to help the players become better.
“I played in Europe for many years and European players came over and played in Asia for many years.
“But we (Asian Tour members) didn’t really get the opportunities (to play in Europe), other than maybe in the Dunhill Links or going to Crans Montana (Omega European Masters).”
Kapur speaks from experience when he says being exposed to playing new courses in alien conditions can only help golfers to grow.
“To go and play a course like Slaley Hall, in usually tough conditions, cold and windy, will help the young Asian players – and the established players – to become more all-around players.
“We played in Korea three weeks ago (GS Caltex Maekyung Open) and we played in Thailand before that (Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge). You couldn’t have more of a variation.
“I know a lot of the players look to try and qualify for the Open Championship and this (International Series England) would be the perfect sort of warm up for that,” said Kapur, himself a three-time Open Championship participant.
Although this will mark his maiden appearance at Slaley Hall, Kapur will be mentally attuned for anything the elements throw at the players.
He said: “Newcastle is as north as it gets in England, so you can expect some pretty cold and wet weather. You’ve got to be prepared for the worst.
“That’s really great (in the sense) that it will make the Asian players more well-rounded. It will make them ready for when they go play Major championships against the best players in the world.”
Kapur also competed in the Saudi International in February.
These days, too, professional golfers are also having to adapt to the fact that lines of questioning aren’t restricted to birdies and bogeys. Increasingly frequently they’re being engaged in debates related to politics and morals in golf.
Kapur is forthright in his views. He said: “What’s happening right now with LIV Golf and Golf Saudi has really changed the landscape, I think.
“There’s been a lot of criticism all around. But I think if you just look at it, golf in general has benefited from it. Every Tour in the world has pushed their prize monies up as a result of it.”
There are no apologies from Kapur. “You know, the PGA Tour for years and years just sat back. Now, as a reaction to this, the Players Championship is suddenly US$20 million, the FedEx Cup is more.
“The DP World Tour pushed their prize money up. So, I think the trickle-down effect of this has been great. The Asian Development Tour is playing for more money, and the Challenge Tour is playing for more money.
“So I think, having done what they’ve done, I think the players are the biggest winners in all of this, in spite of what’s been said in the media.”
Next week’s event at Slaley Hall – the second of 10 International Series events to feature on the Asian Tour this season – is a case in point, carrying a prize purse of US$2 million. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
The winner of the International Series England will receive direct entry into the following week’s LIV Golf Invitational at Centurion Club outside London. That tournament alone has a total prize fund of US$25 million with the champion set to bank a cheque for US$4 million.
From the perspective of most Asian Tour members – more used to playing for rupiah, baht, yen and won – that must sound like Monopoly money.
Listen to Kapur, who has amassed almost US$3 million in career Asian Tour earnings from 223 tournaments dating back to 2005.
He said: “Personally, for myself, and for Asian Tour players, it could be potentially a life-changing week, or weeks.
“You look at Joohyung Kim, Sadom Kaewkanjana and Sihwan Kim, or whoever is already qualified [for the LIV Golf Invitational]. They’ve got a chance to play for a US$4 million first prize! I mean, who wouldn’t want to play for that?
“All the politics aside, these are life-changing amounts of money. Players are finally getting their due.”
The Asian Tour is excited to announce its long-awaited comeback in Chinese Taipei for a two-week swing in September.
Following a three-year absence, the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (Yeangder TPC) are returning to the Asian Tour’s 2022/23 schedule.
Although they’ve gone ahead on the domestic Chinese Taipei circuit in the past two years, it was in 2019 that the prestigious tournaments were last part of the Asian Tour, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Linkou International Golf and Country Club will stage the US$500,000 Yeangder TPC from September 22-25.
The following week (September 29-October 2) the Mercuries Taiwan Masters will take centre stage at its regular host venue, the historic Taiwan Golf and Country Club. Boasting an all-time high of US$1 million in prize money, it will be the most lucrative professional men’s golf tournament in the country.
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.
Picture by Paul Lakatos /Asian Tour.
Meanwhile, Thai Suradit Yongcharoenchai won the 2019 Mercuries Taiwan Masters, his maiden Asian Tour victory. Chinese Taipei brothers Wang Wei-hsuan and Wang Wei-hsiang have won the last two editions on their domestic circuit in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour, said: “We are very thankful to the sponsors and organisers of these respective events for their unwavering support and strong commitment, despite the challenges we have faced from the pandemic over the last two years.
“With the return of these two outstanding longstanding events to the Asian Tour and the addition of several new events, the season looks like it will boast its strongest-ever schedule. Chinese Taipei has always been a regular stop on the Asian Tour and we look forward to working with the domestic Tour once again and see familiar faces like Mr. Wong (Mercuries) and Mr. Hsu (Yeangder) who have supported us over many years.”
More updates for the 2022/23 schedule to follow.
Course shot pictured during round three of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
By Spencer Robinson, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour
The Asian Tour continues to play a crucial role in the development of the region’s next generation of golfing heroes.
For decades, leading amateurs from around the Asia-Pacific have tasted top-level tournament golf on the Asian Tour before joining the ranks of those who play for pay.
According to Taimur Hassan Amin, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the opportunity for amateurs to test their mettle against the pros before taking the plunge is an important rite of passage.
The representative body for 46 male and female national golf associations, the APGC also acts as the hosting partner for major amateur events in the region. Furthermore, the APGC works to ensure adherence to the Rules of Golf as approved by The R&A, and partners with The Masters Tournament and the International Golf Federation in the promotion of golf.
In partnership with the the Japan Golf Association (JGA), Kansai TV and Mitsubishi Corporation, the APGC hosts the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup.
Last weekend’s latest edition of the event, that is co-sanctioned by the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) and the Asian Tour, once more underscored the incredible depth of young golfing talent across the region with two amateurs challenging for the title.
Ratchanon ‘TK” Chantananuwat, winner of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup, finished joint fourth in the SEA Games in Vietnam. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
With a spell-binding closing 63, Japan’s Kosuke Suzuki claimed a share of second place, just one shot shy of forcing a play-off with his triumphant compatriot Shugo Imahira.
New Zealand amateur Kazuma Kobori also excelled, ending two strokes behind the champion in joint sixth spot.
Another amateur in the spotlight throughout the week at Oarai Golf Club was Keita Nakajima, the reigning Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) winner and number one in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, who is closely following in the footsteps trodden by Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time AAC champion and winner of the 2021 Masters Tournament.
Joint 11th after three days at the Diamond Cup, Nakajima’s hopes of victory may have faded with a final-round 74, but many are predicting a second JGTO title will follow in the coming months before the 21-year-old turns pro.
In the wake of the strong showing of amateurs at the Diamond Cup, Amin said: “Thanks to the Japan Golf Tour Organisation and the Asian Tour for the support they continue to lend to leading amateurs of APGC member countries.
“The Diamond Cup plays an important role in promoting golf in the Asia-Pacific region, providing elite amateur golfers from APGC member countries with a special opportunity to test their skills at the highest level. I also thank the Japan Golf Association for their generosity in allocating 10 spots for our APGC amateurs.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our players were denied the chance to compete for the past two years. However, with the easing of travel restrictions, we were delighted that this year’s Asia-Pacific Open Diamond Cup once more featured a selection of the finest amateur golfers from around the region.”
Further proof of the current strength in depth of amateur golf in Asia came at the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam, also played last weekend.
Less than a month after creating history by upstaging the professionals to win the Asian Tour’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup and become the youngest male winner of a professional tournament on a major Tour at the age of just 15 years and 37 days, Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat was an overwhelming favourite to claim the individual golfing gold medal.
Remarkably, however, the Thai teenager did not even make the podium, his 54-hole total of five-under-par 211 (71-71-69) only good enough for joint fourth place at Heron Lake Golf Course & Resort.
The gold medal went to Malaysian Ervin Chang who defeated Indonesian Amadeus Susanto Christian on the third hole of a sudden-death play-off. The duo had matching three-round totals of seven-under 209. The bronze medal went to Thai Weerawish Narkprachar on six-under 210.
By Olle Nordberg, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour
The PGA Championship – which tees-off tomorrow at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma – will see six current Asian Tour members compete for the famous Wanamaker Trophy: Koreans Joohyung Kim and Bio Kim, Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand, Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino and Ryosuke Kinoshita, and South African Justin Harding.
They are playing by virtue of their Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) – in what is the year’s second Major.
The tournament is steeped in history and will be the 104th edition of the event which was inaugurated in 1916 and played as a Match Play event until 1957.
Southern Hills also has a famous past: established in 1935, it has hosted seven Major Championships: three U.S. Opens and four PGA Championships – the last one coming in 2007 when American Tiger Woods successfully defended his title to win his fourth and last PGA Championship.
All six members are coming in with their games in good shape but let’s have a closer look at them, ahead of one of the biggest weeks’ of their careers.
Joohyung Kim
2021 Asian Tour Order of Merit Champion Joohyung Kim should have every reason to feel confident after a string of impressive performances lately, finishing second, tied sixth and tied fifth in his last three Asian Tour events.
He is known as one of the preeminent ball strikers on the Asian Tour, and perhaps also in the world. Some have compared his ball striking ability to that of 2020 PGA Championship winner and reigning Open Championship champion Collin Morikawa from the US. High praise indeed for the 19-year-old Korean, but proven by the fact he finishing tied 17th at the AT&T Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour last week and ranked fifth in Strokes Gained Approach with 5.67.
This will be Kim’s Major as he played in the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco.
Bio Kim is playing in only his second Major this week.
Bio Kim
A first-time Asian Tour winner at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open two weeks ago, Korea’s Bio Kim has been one of the hottest players on the Asian Tour after play resumed following the COVID-19 hiatus late last year. Since November of 2021 Kim had shown remarkable consistency, racking up seven top-10’s in nine events before finally securing the trophy at Nam Seoul Country Club, just outside of Seoul.
The 31-year-old Korean played on the PGA Tour back in 2011 and will be relishing a chance to play in the U.S. again. This will be Kim’s first PGA Championship and second career Major, having finished tied 45th at the U.S. Open Championship in 2013 at Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Sadom Kaewkanjana
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana will be making his Major debut in Tulsa this week, and the Thai player has been in good form since last year when he won three times on the All Thailand Golf Tour. In early 2022 he posted his second career Asian Tour victory at the SMBC Singapore Open and he has also posted two other top fives: a tied second finish at the Royals Cup and a fifth place finish at the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford Challenge.
Sadom Kaewkanjana is making his debut in a Major. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Rikuya Hoshino
Japanese star Rikuya Hoshino is a five-time winner on his home tour, the Japan Golf Tour Organisation, and is currently in second place on that Order of Merit. Coming off a tied sixth-place finish in the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup where he was the defending champion last week, the 26-year-old is in good form with five straight top-10s in Japan that included two solo-seconds and one solo third.
Hoshino will be playing in his third career Major after playing in the U.S. Open in both 2018 and 2021; his best finish coming in 2021 when he finished tied 45th at Torrey Pines in San Diego.
Ryosuke Kinoshita
Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita has had an impressive start to his 2022 Asian Tour season, with a tied eight in the star-packed Saudi International and a tied fifth in the International Series Thailand. He’s also had two recent top-five finishes on the Japan Tour since then in The Crowns and the Kansai Open Golf Championship.
The 30-year-old had a breakthrough season on the Japan Tour in 2021 winning two consecutive events on the Japan Golf Tour and finishing third on that Order of Merit.
He made his Major debut in the Open Championship in 2021 where he finished tied 59th at Royal St. George’s in Kent, England.
Justin Harding
South Africa’s Justin Harding has the most Major experience among all the Asian Tour members playing this week with nine appearances. His best result coming in the 2019 Masters where he finished tied 12th, and in two previous attempts in the PGA Championship a tied 54th has been his best result.
The two-time Asian Tour winner has had two top-five finishes on the DP World Tour so far in 2022, with a tied fourth in the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic as his best result. His lone start on the Asian Tour this year was at the Saudi International where he finished tied 24th.
American Sihwan Kim, currently ranked first on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, Korean Joohyung Kim, last season’s number one, former US Open champion Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland and Thailand’s 15-year-old wonderkid Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat will lead an exceptional line up of players at next month’s International Series England.
All of the players currently ranked in the top-10 on the Asian Tour Merit list will compete in the highly anticipated US$2 million tournament – which will take place at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, near Newcastle, from June 2-5.
The ground-breaking event will mark the first time the Asian Tour has sanctioned a tournament in the UK and the exciting opportunity will mean a full turnout of the Tour’s membership – for what will be the ninth event of the 2022-23 season and the second International Series event.
Sihwan Kim is leading the way on the Tour at the moment thanks to two victories – including at the first-ever International Series event, played in Thailand in March – and has earned close to half a million dollars, but Slaley Hall will also see a wealth of other in-form players competing.
Korean Bio Kim, who is second on the Merit list, and third-ranked Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand will compete having both recently recorded their first wins on the Asian Tour, following its restart in November last year after a two-year COVID-19 enforced break.
Sihwan Kim celebrates winning the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Stableford. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
And Joohyung Kim, who at 19 years of age became the second youngest winner of the Merit title in January, has picked up where he left off from last season with top-10 finishes in his last three events to sit in fourth place on the rankings. Kim will make his way over to the UK after competing in this week’s US PGA Championship in Oklahoma. Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and South Africa’s Justin Harding, also in action at the season’s second Major Championship, will also be making the trip across the Atlantic.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the 2019 Merit champion and six-time winner on Tour, Malaysian Gavin Green, the 2017 number one, and Australian Scott Hend – the most successful international player on the Tour with 10 victories and the 2016 Merit list winner will also be looking for strong performances in the North of England.
As will Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, a two-time winner on the Tour since last year’s restart, and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, also a winner this season.
“The International Series England is a landmark event for the Asian Tour which provides our members with a great opportunity to compete internationally in an exciting, new location,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
“An incredibly strong field will assemble for the tournament, which is a reflection of the appetite our members have for the International Series and will also allow us to showcase the Asian Tour’s depth in world-class talent to European fans. We have also received enormous interest from international players wanting to be part of the Asian Tour having seen our steady growth over the past few months.”
A host of Asian Tour legends will be in attendance, in particular Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant – the winner of a record 18 Asian Tour titles – and India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, who like Thaworn, has claimed two Merit list titles.
In addition, a number of high-profile players have been extended invites including McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, New Zealand’s Michael Campbell, who claimed the US Open in 2005, England’s Lee Slattery, Wu Ashun from China, Jovan Rebula from South Africa, Americans Peter Uihlein and Andy Ogletree, both former winners of the US Amateur Championship, and rising Australian stars Blake Windred and Louis Dobbelaar.
Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat claimed the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Some of the games’ leading amateurs have been invited, most noticeably Ratchanon, who has taken the Tour by storm with some brilliant performances, including winning the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup in Thailand in April to become the youngest male player to win on one of the game’s major Tours.
Exciting young amateurs England’s John Gough, the reigning English Amateur Champion, and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho will also play.
The event also features twelve dedicated spots for professionals from the United Kingdom, which include various rising stars such as Sam Broadhurst, son of six-time European Tour winner and Ryder Cup player Paul Broadhurst, as well as seasoned professionals such as Welshman Stuart Manley.
The International Series England is promoted by LIV Golf and will be followed by eight more International Series events this season.
Shugo Imahira drew on his wealth of experience at winning to claim the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup at Oarai Golf Club today to secure his first Asian Tour title and sixth success on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.
In a photo finish to the tournament, which was jointly sanctioned with the Asian Tour, Imahira prevailed by one shot on eight under for the tournament thanks to a rock-solid finish of pars down the closing stretch, while his rivals were dropping shots.
He closed with a two-under-par 68 with his compatriots Kosuke Suzuki, an amateur, Hiroshi Iwata, Kaito Onishi, and Yuto Katsuragawa all in second place.
Suzuki came charging out of the pack with a 63 – thanks to a brilliant back nine of five-under-par 30 – Iwata shot 68, while Onishi, who chipped in for birdie on 18, and Katsuragawa both carded 70s.
Imahira’s win also earned him a place in the elite field for The Open at St. Andrews in July – an event he has played in twice before.
The 29 year old started the day one behind overnight leaders Onishi, Katsuragawa, Japan’s Ryuko Tokimatsu and New Zealander Ben Campbell but finished first helped by a brave back nine made up of eight pars and a birdie, on the par-five 15th.
Amateur Kosuke Suzuki closed with a sensational 63. Picture by JGTO.
It was a different story for Iwata, Onishi and Katsuragawa on the homeward nine as they dropped shots at critical moments. Onishi and Katsuragawa, in particular, both made double bogeys, on 13 and 15 respectively, while the later made a costly bogey on 17 which opened the door for Imahira.
Suzuki, just 21 years old, was the only player who got to grips with the back nine – he made three birdies in a row from the 11th and an eagle on 15 – but having started the day seven off the lead the gap proved too big to close.
“I am really happy with this victory. I haven’t really performed well this year, so I’m glad I am able to win early,” said Imahira, who won the JGTO money list title in 2018 and 2019 and whose last victory was the 2021 Fujisankei Classic.
“The Open was my goal at the start of this season. My 172 world ranking isn’t good enough to get me into overseas events, so getting into The Open by winning this week is amazing. The goal was to be a major player rather than a prize winner.”
He received a cheque for US$178,205.
Campbell closed with a 72 to finish three behind the winner in a tie for eighth and also suffered from a disappointing finish that saw him double bogey 17.
He said: “Very frustrated with the finish. Lost the ball on 17th. I thought it was on the fairway, but it actually went left. It was a week that could have been unfortunately. But overall, still a positive week. I thought I was feeling rusty coming into this week and that sort of showed a little bit today. Had a good chance after making birdie on 13 but three putted 14 and that really killed me. I only had about 10 feet there for birdie. To three putt that really hurts.”
Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat produced one of his best rounds on Tour, a 66, to finish joint 11th.
“I almost couldn’t make it to this event,” said Itthipat, a three-time winner on the Asian Development Tour.
Ben Campbell was joint leader at the start of the final round. Picture by JGTO.
“I had issues with my visa applications because it was quite last minute. I was on the reserve list and only got into the tournament five days before I fly. I am really happy with my result. This is my first Diamond Cup and the first Asian Tour event I’ve played in Japan. I have played in Japan on the Challenge Tour before but never on the Asian Tour.”
The next event on the Asian Tour is the US$2 million International Series England at Slaley Hall Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, from June 2 to 5. The tournament is the second of 10 International Series events this season.
Japan’s Kaito Onishi stayed on top of the leaderboard in the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup today after the third round although he was joined there by countrymen Yuto Katsuragawa and Ryuko Tokimatsu and New Zealander Ben Campbell.
Onishi, the leader after the first two rounds, carded a one-over-par 71 to finish the day on seven under at Oarai Golf Club, while Tokimatsu, who had a hole in one, and Campbell both returned 66s; Katsuragawa came in with a 67.
Japan’s Shugo Imahira (69) and Yuki Inamori (70) are one stroke further back, in the Asian Tour Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) jointly-sanctioned event.
Onishi has only been a professional for a year and yet he is on the threshold of his first JGTO victory. And despite a difficult day on the course, which saw him make two birdies and three bogeys, he remained in a confident mood.
“I’m not bad at golf so I think I have a good chance tomorrow,” joked the 23 year old, who graduated from the University of Southern California last year.
Ben Campbell is on the cusp of the biggest win of his career. Picture by JGTO.
“My golf is in good shape, so I think I can win if the shots and putts mesh well. I think I have a chance if I can play my best golf.”
Campbell’s joint lowest round of the day, made up of six birdies and two bogeys, has put him is position to claim a second pro win, to go alongside his 2018 New Zealand PGA Championship success.
“I played solid,” said Campbell.
“My front nine was really good. I just putted solid the whole day. It’s a great golf course. It’s tough. You just have to stay patient out there. I actually had five weeks off before this week. I was feeling a bit rusty. Today, I hit some good shots and some bad ones as well. I’m going to the range now to hit some balls. I know what I need to do. I just need to keep doing it all the time. If I can play like how I did today tomorrow, I think I can give myself a good chance.”
One player who everyone will keep a watchful eye on tomorrow is Katsuragawa, who currently leads the JGTO Money List with first and second place finishes to his name this season.
“I’m glad I was able to improve my score by three today,” said Katsuragawa, who first hit the headlines at the SMBC Singapore Open in January when he tied for second to secure a berth in this year’s Open.
“This is my first time playing this course. I like this tough course better. I’m good at shot making, so I can attack. I think I gained a little confidence when I won for the first time this year. Once I won, I didn’t have any negative thoughts from there. Now I can play with the image of winning. I want to do the same tomorrow as today.”
Tokimatsu is the most experienced of the front runners, winning three times on the JGTO from 2016 to 2018, and his attempt to add a fourth was helped considerably by an ace on the par-three fourth, where he hit an eight irons from 160 yards.
“It’s my first [hole in one] in a pro tournament,” said Tokimatsu.
“I have had a lot in private rounds, but it’s exceptional in professional tournament.”
Ryuko Tokimatsu recorded his first ace in a pro tournament. Picture by JGTO.
He then raced into the lead after making birdie on six, seven, nine and 11 but as he was about to finish the day with the outright lead he made a double on 17.
“This Oarai course is like that, so it can’t be helped,” he added.
Japan’s Mikumu Horikawa also made a hole in one on the eighth, with a seven iron from 218 yards. He fired a 67 and is six off the lead.
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