Asian Tour Media leads remote revolution in Phuket
Asian Tour Media (ATM) has successfully utilised new cutting-edge golf remote production technology for the first time on the Asian Tour, delivering the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship and Laguna Phuket Championship broadcasts, the first Asian Tour events to take place since COVID-19 stopped play.
With the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and restrictions on travel, an innovative remote production technology solution was developed and trialled earlier this year by Asian Tour Media at two LPGA events in Singapore and Thailand. It successfully allowed crews to collaborate remotely from different locations and deliver outstanding broadcasts for global consumption with minimal staff on site. In what was a first for golf production, all the learnings and technological advancements now in place are set to forever change the golf event broadcast landscape with ATM leading the way.
The pandemic allowed the time and opportunity to relook at golf production from the ground up and develop a new framework, focusing on technology as never before. By utilising existing underground fibre optic cable networks in place all around the world and a compression technology, ATM can create content quicker and for less expense, changing the entire future delivery of production at live golf events.
PHUKET-THAILAND- The Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Phuket tournaments used a hybrid method of broadcasting, utilising both public internet and secure private telco lines with the remote production technology offering many benefits. It enables more optimal and flexible ways of working, allowing Asian Tour Media crews to produce multiple events in the same day, reduces travel and freight costs, and minimises wear and tear on expensive equipment. It also offers a much more sustainable and environmentally friendly method of production as it significantly reduces travel, thereby limiting carbon footprint.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour said: “Utilizing this new technology allows us to potentially televise more content than ever before without the logistical barriers that we may ordinarily face. Showcasing the talent that competes regularly on the Asian Tour and reaching more fans on a more regular basis is one of our top priorities for the Tour moving forward.”
Peter White, Senior Head of Production, Asian Tour Media, commented: “We are delighted to have been able to deliver the first two Asian Tour events back utilising this new technology. Born out of necessity during the pandemic, we are pleased to be able to capitalise on the innovations and technologies developed for the long-term benefit of the Asian Tour. As we navigate the ongoing restrictions and challenges of the pandemic, our abilities in delivering this remote network solution will be invaluable in ensuring a top-quality Asian Tour broadcast.”
PHUKET-THAILAND- The Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), November 25th-28th, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Whiz-kid golfer TK Ratchanon Chantananuwat has revealed that he bravely battled back from a nose bleed, heat stroke and a severely blocked left ear in last week’s Laguna Phuket Championship at Laguna Golf Phuket.
The 14-year-old amateur star ‒ who made the cut in both the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship and the Laguna Phuket Championship, finishing as low amateur both times ‒ said he suffered from a blocked ear on day one last week and later in the week had heat stroke that nearly forced him to withdraw.
“I couldn’t hear since the first day,” he said.
“I went to see the doctor, but he said it would be too risky to treat it without the proper equipment. But I went to the hospital, as it was so bad, but they couldn’t clear it out. In the end I took some medicine and that helped.”
Impressively, he finished in a tie for 30th place at Laguna Golf Phuket but it was at the Blue Canyon event where he really attracted headlines after closing with a 65 to finish 12 under and tie 15th.
His ailments definitely had an impact at Laguna.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14 year old amateur of Thailand pictured on Sunday, December 5, 2021 with the Low Amateur Award and his mother and father during the final round of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It [the ear] is a big problem that started with my nose. It’s complicated. My problem is I get a lot of heat stroke, and I randomly get a runny nose and sneeze a lot and I get a lot of nose bleeds and because the nose is connected to the ear it causes some problems with my ear and that’s what caused the wax to be that stuck,” said Ratchanon.
“Apparently, I have pretty much no holes to breathe through in my nose, so I am barely breathing, so I just found that out. It’s basically an allergy which I have had since six.”
The night before his final round at the weekend TK Ratchanon had a very high fever that threatened his participation.
“My mum had to feed me dinner cos I was in bed and I couldn’t get out. At 9pm that night I had no chance of playing but I took a lot of medicine, woke up and felt pretty good.”
“TK”, as he is nicknamed, next competes in the All Thailand Golf Tour and Thailand Trust Tour’s biggest season-closing events this month.
Ends.
Phachara Khongwatmai finally secured his breakthrough maiden win on the Asian Tour today when he claimed the US$1million Laguna Phuket Championship after a gripping finish at Laguna Golf Phuket.
He holed a pressure-packed 12-foot par putt on the 18th to avoid a sudden-death play-off and beat countrymen Panuphol Pittayarat and Denwit Boriboonsub and Korean Bio Kim by a solitary shot.
Phachara, who first hit global headlines when he won a professional event aged 14, claimed the biggest tournament of his career so far after closing with an even-par 70 for a winning total of 10 under, on a difficult day when the wind speed reached 25 to 30km per hour.
“I feel very happy, and very excited for this win. I have been waiting for about six years. Right now, it is my time, and I feel great,” said 22-year-old Phachara ‒ six-times a runner-up on the Asian Tour.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Phacahra Khongwatmai of Thailand celebrates victory on the 18th green on Sunday, December 5, 2021, during the final round of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Today was quite difficult because it was tough wind. I have never played this wind in Thailand before. Today was tough, and all about who can make the score. That last putt is my last chance for 18 holes but if I missed I knew I had another chance in a play-off. But I had that putt from that place before when I was here in quarantine.”
The Thai star has won twice before on the Asian Development Tour, both in 2015, while it was back in 2013 he triumphed in the Singha Hua Hin Open as a 14 year old amateur.
The tournament developed into a two-horse race over the closing holes between Phachara Khongwatmai and playing-partner Panuphol. The latter held the lead for much of day but bogeyed three holes in a row from the 13th.
A pivotal two-shot swing saw Phachara draw level with Panuphol on the par-five 14th, where Phachara made birdie while Panuphol bogey.
And Phachara moved one ahead on the following hole when he made par while Panuphol registered another bogey.
The momentum was in Phachara’s favour but drama was soon to follow when he three-putted 17, after missing a seven footer for par, to leave them both tied on 10 under playing the par-four 18th, with Kim, also playing in the group, one back.
In a nail-biting finale, Panuphol ‒ whose approach shot landed 15 yards short ‒ chipped to 15 feet but missed his attempt, while Kim’s birdie putt from 22 feet also slipped past the hole.
Earlier, Phachara had had to deal with a difficult 40-foot birdie putt, which sped past the cup to set up victory with the last roll of the dice.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Bio Kim of Korea pictured on Sunday, December 5, 2021, during the final round of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Denwit, aged just 17, returned a 68, Panuphol 71, and Bio a 72.
Bio, like Phachara Khongwatmai, was looking for his first Asian Tour win having led after each of the first three days and had started the final round with a one-shot advantage over his two playing partners.
But he got off to the worse start possible with four bogeys in the first five holes. He was out of contention for most of the day until presented with a chance to make extra time on 18.
“It was another difficult day when I could not find my rhythm, but I still had some chances with some putts coming in. I am proud of the way I hung in there,” said Bio.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand, left and Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand walk to the 7th green pictured on Sunday, December 5, 2021 during the final round of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The tournament was the second and final event of the Asian Tour Phuket Series.
The Asian Tour heads next to Singapore, where two 2020-21 season-ending events are being planned.
Bio Kim has one eye on trophy in his bid to win for the first time on the Asian Tour gathered momentum today when he took the halfway lead in the US$1million Laguna Phuket Championship at Laguna Golf Phuket.
The Korean added a four-under-par 66 to his first round 62 to lead on 12 under by two shots from Thailand’s Chanachok Dejpiratanamongkol, in with a 67.
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai is a stroke further back after firing 65, one better than his compatriots Panuphol Pittayarat and Natipong Srithong, who both shot 64.
The tournament is the second and final leg of the Asian Tour Phuket Series, which has marked the resumption of the Tour after a 20-month COVID-19 enforced break.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Bio Kim of Korea pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Kim had a commanding three-shot lead with two to play but surprisingly hit trouble on the par-four 17th, where he made double. His tee shot went right into pine trees and from there he found woodwork twice while trying to punch out before reaching the green with his fourth. But he bounced back brilliantly on the par-four 18th, hitting a nine iron from 160 yard to 12 feet ‒ which he duly converted for a birdie.
“It was one of those day when I could have done much better but luckily today is over and I will regroup tomorrow,” said the 31 year old.
“And hopefully I do a little better than today. I will just keep my head down, be focused and be present; that’s who I am and that’s how I am playing the game of golf. And hopefully good things happen on the weekend.”
Kim was expected to be the next big superstar of Korean golf over a decade ago after winning both the Korean and Japan Amateur Championships in 2008, before finishing top of the Korean PGA Tour Order of Merit two years later and then securing his PGA Tour card aged 20.
But he lost his card after one year there, played the Web.com Tour (now called the Korn Ferry Tour) before competing mainly in Korea ‒ where he has won six times, including the LG Signature Players Championship last month.
That victory and a joint fourth placing in last week’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship suggests the Korean ‒ who graduated from the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2020 ‒ is building towards a second coming, and tomorrow Bio Kim has one eye on trophy.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Chanachok Dejpriantanamongkol of Thailand pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I have made a lot of putts for the last few months. My putter has been co-operating, and I have been hitting the ball better than I used to for the last few years, I think that helps as well. I have just been sticking to what I have been doing,” he said.
“Maybe the big difference is my second child who was born last October. I have two daughters now, hopefully I can give them good things on the weekend.”
Chanachok’s affinity for Laguna Golf Phuket continued after he made an eagle, a birdie and for the second day did not drop a shot.
The Thai golfer won the Singha Phuket Open here in 2017, on the Asian Development Tour, in brilliant fashion finishing 27 under.
“It’s not easy but it’s just that I did not have big trouble. I have been in good spots for up and downs,” said the 27 year old.
“This week my up and down game is really good, and my iron game is also good, but the best thing for me is putting, I have not three putted yet.”
PHUKET-THAILAND- Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Chanachok has good reason to be playing well as his wife is expecting in February.
He added: “Right now I have to focus on my game. I think after this year I might pause my game because our baby is coming next year. And I think I will also open a shop in Bangkok, a golf club fitting shop.”
He’s also in fine form thanks to losing 15 kgs over 12 months after changing to a vegan diet.
Chanachok also claimed the Singha Championship in 2017 on the All Thailand Golf Tour for his only other success as a professional.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Panuphol, better known as “Coconut”, rocketed into contention with four birdies on the trot from 10th followed by an eagle on the par-five 14th.
American Berry Henson, who competes in this week’s Laguna Phuket Championship at Laguna Golf Phuket, has been in fine form over the past two weeks with two top-four finishes and says being a part-time Uber driver is one of the keys to his success.
“This came up when I was injured in 2016,” said the Hua Hin-based golfer ‒ who finished two shots behind the winner Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei in last week’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship to claim joint fourth.
“I always need to rent a car when I am back in the US, and I found an option to rent an Uber vehicle, through Enterprise at the time. And I thought this would be good to kill some time and actually raise some money for charity. And I quite enjoyed it.
“And then I kind of beat the system a bit by renting the car but then driving for Uber to pay it off. So now when I go back home, I always do the same situation. I drive about 20 hours a week and it’s like having a free car. I have the time to do it. I am on the golf course and doing my training, but I can drive a few hours a day as I don’t have any responsibilities. And it gives me a little time away from golf, as opposed to sitting on the couch which I just can’t do.”
PHUKET-THAILAND-Berry Henson of the USA pictured on Wednesday December 1, 2021 during the Pro-am event ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 43 year old was in Thailand for a year after the Bandar Malaysian Open in March 2020 when the pandemic stopped play on the Asian Tour but went back to the US in March this year and picked up a Uber vehicle and drove it two weeks straight.
He adds: “I started to prepare for the Challenge Tour [Europe] but got into the main Tour, played a stretch there, returned home and did some more Uber driving for two weeks. It’s kind of meditative to me, I love to chat, they love my story, I play games with my passengers, and I get a lot of them who follow me on Tour now which is cool.”
Henson tied for third on the All Thailand Golf Tour two weeks ago and is expected to be in contention this week.
He’s been meticulously planning for the restart of the Asian Tour with a number of coaches in the US ‒ which includes a swing coach, a short-game coach and a physical trainer ‒ prior to returning to the region but says Ubering has also helped.
“We have found the right formula as far as peaking is concerned and I think the two weeks driving Uber helped. There is definitely a mental side to that,” he added.
Henson first burst onto the scene in 2011 in an impressive rookie season with two victories in the span of three weeks. He claimed his breakthrough on the Asian Tour by winning the ICTSI Philippine Open, two weeks after he dominated the Clearwater Masters on the Asian Development Tour with a seven-stroke victory.
Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang is targeting the Asian Tour Order of Merit title ‒ and is hoping to become the first player from his country to achieve the feat in 27 years ‒ following his victory in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship at Blue Canyon Country Club last week.
He moved into second place on the Merit list and is looking to build on the momentum from that win at the Laguna Phuket Championship, which tees-off tomorrow at Laguna Golf Phuket ‒ in what is the second and final leg of the Asian Tour Phuket Series.
“Now that I’m second on the Order of Merit, I am going to try to win the Merit list,” said Chan, who received a cheque for US$180,000 on Sunday.
“There are still a few events to go and it’s not easy to win it but now that I have a chance, I will go for it and do my best.”
Australian Wade Ormsby, also playing this week, currently leads the Merit list with earnings of US$237,003, Chan is second on US$211,775, while 19-year-old Joohyung Kim sits third with US$194,628.
PHUKET-THAILAND-Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei pictured on Wednesday December 1, 2021 during the Pro-am event ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The last player from Chan’s homeland to claim the Merit crown was Lin Keng-chi in 1995.
“I was struggling with a stiff neck on the first day I got to Phuket. I didn’t sleep well and could not quite complete my swing, actually. I felt like I could only go back three quarters and I couldn’t hit it hard too.”
Despite that, he shot a final round four-under-par 68 to finish on 18 under par at Blue Canyon and beat two rising stars in the game, Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Kim, by a shot.
“I felt like I was swinging with a rain jacket on. Thankfully the course last week wasn’t too long. As long as I can find the fairway, I’m okay with my second shots and short game, which are my strengths.”
It was his first win on the Asian Tour in five years. Both his previous wins came in 2016, first in the King’s Cup here in Thailand and then the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan. He is also a six-time winner on the Asian Development Tour ‒ the last of those coming in 2018.
PHUKET-THAILAND-Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei pictured on Wednesday December 1, 2021 during the Pro-am event ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Both Phuket events boast prizemoney of US$1million and will be followed by two events being planned in Singapore in January that will bring to a conclusion the 2020-21 season.
The cream of the Asian Tour are competing in Phuket, including: Australian Scott Hend, a 10-time Asian Tour winner, reigning Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand, and Malaysian number one Gavin Green.
We have put together 10 things you need to know ahead of this week’s Laguna Phuket Championship, which marks the second event of the Asian Tour Phuket Series.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat of Thailand, 14 year old amateur, pictured on Tuesday November 30, 2021 during an official practice round ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
- Laguna Golf Phuket, revamped and revitalized by architect Paul Jansen in 2014, had previously hosted the Laguna Phuket Open on the Asian Development Tour from 2017 to 2019. The 2017 edition was made special by Thailand’s Suttijet Kooratanapisan, who recorded the first ever 59 on the ADT and Asian Tour in the final round.
- A talented field of 144 players from 25 countries, including five Order of Merit champions and 40 Tour champions, are set to compete in the event.
- Reigning Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond will be looking to redeem himself after uncharacteristically missing the halfway cut last week. Place seventh on the current Order of Merit, Jazz will be vying to become the first player to successfully retain the Merit crown in back-to-back seasons on Tour.
- Current Order of Merit leader Wade Ormsby of Australia, who won the season-opening Hong Kong Open for his third Asian Tour title in 2020, will be looking to end his year on a high with a good showing this week. He came in tied-23rd last week to retain his lead on the Merit rankings.
- Scott Hend, the first Australian to lift the Order of Merit crown in 2016, will be in search for his 11th title on Tour after enjoying a top-five result last week. Three of his 10 victories came in Thailand.
- Korean sensation Joohyung Kim, who won the 2019 Panasonic Open India in only his sixth start on the Asian Tour, will aim to go one better this week for his second title on Tour. The 19-year-old Kim was crowned the Order of Merit champion on his domestic Tour earlier this month and had come in runner-up last week thanks to a closing 66.
- Despite missing out on his second Asian Tour victory last week, Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand is keeping his head high as he continues to enjoy a solid run where he has yet to shoot over-par in his last 20 competitive rounds.
- Sadom claimed his fourth victory in two months when he won the Singha Classic on his domestic Tour mid-November. He has not finished outside of top-10 in his last nine professional starts. His joint runner-up finish last week saw him jump to 251st place on the OWGR and eighth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
- Thai Amateur Ratchanon Chantananuwat enjoyed a memorable debut last week where he became the third youngest player, at the age of 14 years old, to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour. Ratchanon, who goes by the nickname TK, impressed with a solid tied-15 place finish last week, thanks to weekend rounds of 68 and 65.
- The Order of Merit race continues in Phuket as players vie to finish inside top-30 on the final Merit rankings to qualify for the lucrative US$5 million Saudi International, which will be the season-opener for the Asian Tour’s 2022 season.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Wade Ormsby of Australia pictured on Tuesday November 30, 2021 during an official practice round ahead of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, December 2-5, 2021, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Jeddah: The Asian Tour will present the strongest field in its history when the 2022 Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers takes place at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, near Jeddah, from 3-6 February 2022.
The landmark occasion will bring together household names across recent generations of the global game, as well as future stars of Asian golf, to compete for an increased prize purse of $5 million and one of the highest Official World Golf Ranking point totals in international golf.
Players confirmed so far for the 2022 Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers include:
The leading lights of the Asian Tour will also have a significant presence with the inclusion of the top 30 ranked players at the end of the 2020/21 season within the Saudi International field. The final 30 will be confirmed in January following a season-ending double-header in Singapore, with the likes of Jazz Janewattananond, Scott Hend, Gavin Green, John Catlin, Shiv Kapur, Wade Ormsby and Joohyung Kim already having participated in the Asian Tour’s returning event, the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021, won by Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei. Click here to view the current Order of Merit.
Golf Saudi is a staunch supporter of men’s and women’s professional golf and continues to view the participation of the world’s best players in Saudi-based events as a key driver of interest amongst residents and growth of the sport’s popularity throughout the country.
Majed Al-Sorour, CEO and Deputy Chairman of Golf Saudi and the Saudi Golf Federation, said: “The 2022 edition of The International is the strongest yet, but we are still only in the formative years of our vision for golf in the Kingdom.
“We are seeing great progress in participation with boys and girls through our national grass roots and schools’ programs, and are enjoying a significant uptick in demand from men and women throughout The Kingdom. We are also enjoying a rich vein of form with our national amateur teams.
“Whilst this is a product of many factors, there is no denying the massive impact the best players in the world can have on creating multi-generational interest in the sport. This is why we place such importance on securing the strongest field possible, each and every year.”
The recently announced partnership with the Asian Tour, which included a 10-year sanction of the Saudi International from 2022, has created widespread interest but also great benefit within the sport. After an 18-month suspended season, it will contribute to the Asian Tour’s reemergence and generate new opportunities for players across the global golf landscape.
Al-Sorour added: “While we do not allow ourselves to be distracted from our long-term objectives by any external voices, we have been encouraged by strengthening discussions around the importance of fresh competition and innovation in the professional game.
“We are strong advocates for this, as we see it as the only way to achieve golf’s true global potential and realize the game’s considerable untapped value. All we will say is it is better for the sport if the competition remains healthy and respectful, as opposed to hostile, as all parties look at new ways to benefit this great game.”
The Saudi International field will include a broad spectrum of exemption categories that will see new competitors visit Saudi Arabia for the first time. This means new opportunities for many of the Asian Tour’s best performers to try their luck over the Royal Greens course.
Teenager, Joohyung Kim, currently 3rd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, said: “The Saudi International will give us a new opportunity to compete against the world’s best, something many Asian Tour players have never been afforded. Given the way events and ranking points are weighted on different tours, it was historically more challenging for players rising through the Asian Tour to find their way into the biggest events.
“But the Asian Tour’s talent pool runs deep and, as we see every week, players from a diverse cross section of nationalities are more than capable of competing at the highest level. More big events will help to create a more prosperous Asian Tour and, without doubt, create new talent that can compete on the biggest stage, giving the sport in Asia and around the world a very welcome shot in the arm.”
PHUKET-THAILAND- Joohyun Kim of Korea pictured on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 during the Pro-am event ahead of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
CEO of the Asian Tour, Cho Minn Thant said: “With a new showpiece event and a field of such outstanding caliber lined-up for the Saudi International in 2022, there can only be positives for the game as a whole. We are extremely optimistic about how these new opportunities will encourage emerging talent, expose a broader base of players to elevated competition and attract a deeper and more engaged fan base.
“History will reflect upon how developments like the Saudi International and Golf Saudi’s partnership with the Asian Tour helped see in a new era in the professional game. With the right guidance, it’ll be the sport that benefits most, with more top athletes from across a wider geographical spectrum present at the very top level and more interest from a more diverse and committed group of stakeholders.”
For more information about the Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, visit
Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang put himself into position to win on the Asian Tour for the first time in five years after taking the third-round lead in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship today along with American Sihwan Kim, who is looking for his first victory.
They both carded four-under-par 68s on the Canyon Course at Blue Canyon Country Club to move to 14 under par for the US$1million event, that marks the resumption of the Asian Tour following a 20-month break caused by Covid.
Overnight leader Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand shot 72 to lie in third place two behind, while a further shot back are Australian Scott Hend (65), Joohyung Kim from Korea (69) and American John Catlin (72).
“Happy to put myself in a good position for Sunday. I haven’t played in the final group since 2016,” said Chan.
Chan has two Asian Tour titles to his name, which both came in 2016 first in the King’s Cup, here in Thailand, and then the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan. He is also a six-time winner on the Asian Development Tour ‒ the last of those coming in 2018.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Sihwan Kim of the USA pictured on Saturday, November 27, 2021 during round three of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He held the outright lead for much of the back nine but made a bogey on 16 ‒ which was his first dropped shot in 51 holes.
“Feels like how it was back then when I won the King’s Cup in 2016. That was also in Thailand. Thailand is my lucky country. But I won’t think so much for tomorrow. Just keep doing what I have been doing.”
Kim has been playing in Europe this year and is enjoying the warmer conditions this week.
“It feels kind of weird playing in this weather, being so humid and hot, but yeah I was looking forward to this,” he said.
“Tomorrow I just need to keep it in the fairway and make some putts. Being in the fairway is key on this golf course. If I can do that, my irons are pretty good right now, it will be good.”
Sadom has now not shot over par in 19 consecutive rounds ‒ he has won four times on the All Thailand Golf Tour over the past two months ‒ but he came close to breaking his streak today.
He made the turn in three over and looked to be falling away but bounced back with three birdies in the last five holes.
PHUKET-THAILAND- L-R -Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand and Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei shake hands on the 18th green on Saturday, November 27, 2021 during round three of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Said Sadom: “I didn’t hit my driver good on the front nine today, but it got better on the back. But the turning point came on 13. I gave myself a chance for birdie on that hole and I made it. I felt confident again from there. Nice to go on and birdie 15 and 16. Felt great to fight back to even-par. I still have a chance tomorrow.”
Ratchanon Chantananuwat, Thailand’s 14-year-old golf phenom, continued to impress by returning a 68 to move up into a tie for 33rd. Yesterday he became the third youngest player to make the cut on the Asian Tour.
Saudi Arabia’s Othman Almulla, part of a strong contingent of players from the Middle East making their debut on the Asian Tour this week in Phuket, has more than just playing golf on his mind.
“I have been playing for Saudi all around the world and representing the flag and trying to help grow the game,” said the 34 year old at Blue Canyon Country Club today, where he has been competing in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship ‒ the Tour’s first event back following a 20-month break caused by the pandemic.
“It’s just an unbelievably good feeling to be here and competing. This is not just about playing golf.”
Almulla is Saudi Arabia’s only professional golfer and has been joined this week by three of his nation’s leading amateurs Abdulrahman Al Mansour, Saud Al Sharif and Faisal Al Salhab. All four are representing Golf Saudi and playing on the Asian Tour for the first time.
Also competing are four players from the MENA Tour: Jordanian Shergo Al Kurdia, David Langley and Curtis Knipes from England, and Scotland’s Ryan Lumsdan.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Abdulrahman Al Mansour of Saudi Arabia, amateur, hits the first ball for the restart of the Asian Tour after a 20 month Covid pandemic suspension, pictured on Thursday, November 25, 2021, during round one of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Al Kurdia is also the first player from Jordan to play on the Tour.
Almulla shot rounds of 76 and 72 to miss the cut but relished the opportunity to compete again.
“It feels great to be competing and we have been welcomed by the Asian Tour, we love that. It’s just great to have somewhere to play. It’s been so hard since I turned professional in 2019. I had one full year and then it’s been super difficult to find places to play,” added Almulla, whose home club is Rolling Hills Golf Club in Saudi Arabia.
“And this week has been so well run. It’s 20 months since the Asian Tour was played. I played in the Asian Tour Qualifying School about 10 years ago and it’s great to see how big it’s grown and see such big names in the field.”
First tee shot on Tour in 20 months 😃⛳👏🏻#BCPC2021 #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/7iTIAOqJzU
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) November 25, 2021
Al Mansour actually had the honour of hitting the first tee shot on Thursday morning to mark the Tour’s resumption and also signify the Tour’s strengthening of ties with the Middle East.
Adds Almulla: “To see our amateurs come out and hit a lot of good shots, make some birdies, and lose the rustiness has been great. And we get to go again in a couple of days. And I am looking forward to seeing what they can do.”
PHUKET-THAILAND- Shergo Al Kurdi of Jordan pictured on Thursday, November 25, 2021, during round one of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Plans are also being put in place for the Tour’s feeder circuit, the Asian Development Tour, to work closely with the MENA Tour ‒ which will lead to more opportunities for developing players.
Next week the Tour heads to the Laguna Phuket Championship at Laguna Golf Phuket ‒ where all the representatives from the Middle East will once again compete.
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