Tour mourns loss of Patron
Asian Tour member Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe savoured a breakthrough victory on the Japan Golf Tour after completing a wire-to-wire triumph at the Sansan KBC Augusta ‒ winning by one shot over local favourite Ryo Ishikawa on Sunday.
Vincent, who finished as the leading Asian Tour player at the Tokyo Olympics earlier this month, had his wife, Kelsey, on the bag for him again at the Keya Golf Club ‒ where they won the Landic Challenge 7 tournament together on the Abema TV Tour in 2019.
The 29-year-old Zimbabwean closed with a bogey-free four-under-par 68 and a winning total of 17-under-par 271 to become the second player from his country to win on the Japan Golf Tour following Nick Price at the Suntory Open in 1999.
“I am surrounded by friends, and I have my loving wife besides me. I am surprised that we could win together again at Keya Golf Club,” said Vincent. “We added another great memory on my favourite course.”
Kelsey, a former star on Iceland’s professional soccer team, has been caddying for Vincent since they got married four years ago. “She watches my mental ups and downs when I play. She has never played golf, but she is perfect on yardages and reading the winds.
“During the tournament, you tend to think negative and all, but she tells me to calm down and be diligent. She is always by my side taking care of me. She is the world’s No.1 wife and a caddy,” Vincent added.
Vincent’s breakthrough also came a week after American Johannes Veerman, his good friend on the Asian Tour, won his first title on the European Tour at the D+D Real Czech Masters.
Singapore’s Abdul Hadi recorded the first back-to-back victory on the Singapore Pro Series Invitational Presented by FTAG today when he claimed the seventh and penultimate leg of the season in convincing fashion at Sentosa Golf Club.
The former national squad member won by three shots on the Serapong Course in the 36-hole mixed tournament, having triumphed by five strokes on the same course two weeks ago.
He carded his second successive three-under-par 68 for a six under total, finishing ahead of second-placed Mardan Mamat from Singapore ‒ who also came in with a 68.
“I played well today; I was very consistent,” said Hadi, who is affiliated to Sentosa Golf Club.
“With my back-to-back wins, I feel more confident, and I will take this vibe with me to Q School.”
The 26 year old has entered the Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School next month and flies out tomorrow. And, having shot four sub-70 rounds on the famously difficult Serapong Course in the last two Pro Series events he could not have prepared better.
The victory also saw him move to the top of the Order of Merit for the first time, ahead of second-placed countryman Gregory Foo, while Mamat is third.
Mamat, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, was looking for his first Pro Series win but had to settle for second for the third time on the new circuit.
He said: “I am actually happy for Abdul’s back-to-back wins today, and I wish him all the best for him at Q School and I hope he makes Singapore proud.”
Hadi’s start was not great as he dropped a shot on the par-five fourth but be courageously recovered by birdieing five out of the next seven holes before he could afford a bogey on 18.
The Singaporean was part of the 2015 SEA Games silver medal-winning team and in early 2019 finished first at the Qualifying School for PGA Tour Series-China.
Singapore’s Joshua Shou was outright third today after shooting 69 to finish on two over.
Foo and Singaporean amateur Justin Kuk were joint fourth after carding 73s to end three over.
The week’s event is the second from last leg of the circuit with the season-ending tournament being held from January 5 to 6, also at Sentosa ‒ home to the SMBC Singapore Open.
Each of the Pro Series legs counts towards the ‘Race to FTAG Cup’, where the winner of the Order of Merit will also receive a bonus of S$10,000.
American Johannes Veerman and Kazuki Higa from Japan flew the Asian Tour flag with distinction at the weekend winning on the European Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation respectively.
Veerman, an impressive performer on the Asian Tour since 2016, recorded his first victory in Europe when he won the D+D Real Czech Masters ‒ played at the Albatross Golf Resort.
And fellow Asian Tour member Kazuki Higa registered his second success in Japan by claiming the Shigeo Nagashima Invitational Sega Sammy Cup.
Veerman prevailed after a thrilling final round battle with playing partners Tapio Pulkkanen from Finland and Swede Henrik Stenson.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC – AUGUST 22: Johannes Veerman of United States poses with the trophy after winning the D+D Real Czech Masters alongside volunteers during Day Four of The D+D Real Czech Masters at Albatross Golf Resort on August 22, 2021 in Prague, Czech Republic. (Photo by Oisin Keniry/Getty Images)
The American shot a stunning four-under-par 68 to finish on 15 under par and claim a two-shot victory.
Pulkkanen and former Asian Tour member Sean Crocker from the United States finished in a tie for second on 13 under, with Stenson and American Paul Peterson – another Asian Tour member who won here in 2016 – another stroke back.
Veerman and Pulkkanen were tied playing the final hole, but the latter found the rough and then water to finish with a double bogey, and hand victory to Veerman, who closed with a par.
“It feels amazing. I was asked if I could put it into words and I can’t,” said 29-year-old Veerman, who last week announced his wife is pregnant.
“When I walked off the green I felt relief more than anything. Being neck-and-neck with Henrik, Tapio and Sean Crocker and a whole bunch of guys – to come out on top, breathe a sigh of relief. I’m elated. I feel amazing.
“To finally break out and win on the European Tour, it’s a dream come true being a European Tour winner. It’s something you practise for when you’re 12/13 years old, imagining making that putt. My putt was only a foot, so I wasn’t so nervous over it. I’ve got to soak it in. I feel amazing.”
Higa was equally as buoyant when he won by two at The North Country Golf Club ‒ an Asian Tour Destinations venue.
Kazuki Higa of Japan (Photo by Toru Hanai/Getty Images)
A final day four-under-par 68 saw him beat countryman Kunihoro Kamii by two shots.
Kazuki started Sunday two shots behind the leader Kamii, but following a seesaw match Kazuki pulled away after making three straight birdies from the 13th.
“Overall, my goal for today was to tie the tournament record 20 under, and I am glad that I was able to accomplish it,” he said.
Kazuki’s first victory in Japan came at the Sansan KBC Augusta in 2019, which was cancelled last year because of the pandemic but will be played this week.
On this day in 2010 a certain Indian golfer became the first from his nation to win on the PGA Tour. Here is the story of how Arjun Atwal bravely prevailed at the Wyndham Championship.
Arjun Atwal has achieved many things during his history-making career.
He is the first from the sub-continent to: win a European Tour event ‒ achieved at the 2002 Caltex Singapore Masters; earn over US$1 million in career earnings on the Asian Tour, in 2003; and taste victory on the Korn Ferry Tour, when he lifted the 2008 Chattanooga Classic trophy.
The list of honours goes on and on: he was the 2003 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, claimed eight titles on the Asian Tour, and recorded three European Tour success.
But if that is the iceberg beneath the surface then the tip is his memorable victory in the Wyndham Championship, at Sedgefield Country Club, on the PGA Tour on August 22 in 2010 ‒ on this day 11 years ago.
It was a success full of emotion and significance.
BENEFITS AND RECORDS
It meant he became the first Indian golfer to clinch a PGA Tour title, but it also allowed him to regain his playing card on the most lucrative tour in the game within weeks of losing it.
And it saw him become the first Monday-qualifier to win on the PGA Tour in 24 years (Fred Wadsworth was the last to achieve such a feat at the 1986 Southern Open).
He was 37 years old at the time, entering the twilight of his career, and having been struggling with his game, partly through injuries, his greatest triumph ‒ which importantly earned him his status on the PGA Tour for the remainder of that year and the next two years ‒ came completely out of the blue.
GREENSBORO, NC – AUGUST 22: Arjun Atwal holds the championship trophy after winning the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club on August 22, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
Atwal, who had a three-shot lead going into the final round, carded a three-under-par 67 to secure the title by a shot, from American David Toms, with a total of 20-under-par 260.
“I don’t know if it has sunk in yet, seriously. Obviously, it was a long-time dream but until it happens you just keep doubting yourself. I had my doubts despite a three-shot lead,” said Atwal, at the time. He also picked up a cheque for US$918,000 for his effort.
“I am so glad, I was very nervous, the most nervous I have been in all my life. My swing wasn’t feeling great but I just grinded it out and got it done somehow.”
CALM IN THE STORM
In a composed final day performance, Atwal picked up strokes on the third and fourth holes to be two-under at the turn.
On his way back, he added another two birdies on the 14th and 16th but a bogey on the 12th prevented him from going 21 under, something that his friend and practice partner American Tiger Woods had asked him to aim for the night before the final round in a text message.
“My goal was to get it to 21 under today. I came up one short. Actually, that’s the number my friend Tiger Woods also told me to get to last night,” he said.
“It’s all text, we never talk. He’s busy I guess,” he added.
Atwal mentioned he was glad the Wyndham tournament was televised live in India where his parents were watching, even though it was the middle of the night there.
GREENSBORO, NC – AUGUST 22: Arjun Atwal hits his second shot on the 18th hole during the final round of the Wyndham Championship at Sedgefield Country Club on August 22, 2010 in Greensboro, North Carolina. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
“There’s definitely pride in what I’ve done in my career,” the Indian star said more recently.
“Playing on the Asian Tour taught me a lot and it’s a matter of pride to be first Indian to win on the PGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, European Tour … that’s not bad. I’ve always dreamt about playing here [in the US] and this is the dream. Hopefully I can become the first Indian to win on Champions Tour as well. There may be generations doing much more after me, but they can’t take away being the first. It’s pretty cool coming from a country of 1.3 billion people.”
Bangladesh’s golfing talisman Siddikur Rahman has temporarily upped sticks and based himself in the United States so that he can play and practice more ‒ plus, he is also considering entering next month’s Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School.
The two-time Asian Tour winner and his wife, Samaun Anjum Auroni ‒ also a professional golfer ‒ are living in Dallas, Texas, where they have some Bangladeshi friends.
“I came for a few weeks, but I don’t know how long ‒ just until things improve back home,” said the 36 year old.
“I am here because in Bangladesh there have been long, long lockdowns, almost 80 percent of the time was lockdown, which only just ended,” said Siddikur.
He said his family were “really scared about COVID” and followed all the rules, didn’t go out and stayed at home. They are all vaccinated.
(Photo by Khalid Redza/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
The Bangladesh star has been able to make use of a five-year US visa and after a long and testing period, since lockdown started in March 2020, he is now able to play and practice regularly at a number of different venues.
He added: “Even the golf courses were closed [in Bangladesh], sometimes they were open, sometimes they were closed. I just could not practice that much as it was almost like full lockdown. So, I couldn’t do anything, and I got really fed up. That’s why I just said, ‘okay let’s go out!’.”
Much to his frustration he has only played in one tournament in 16 months: a local event played over three rounds on a nine-hole course which, of course, he won.
“I finished five under. The sponsor kindly gave us some money, and we just split the money and played.”
Siddikur first won on the Asian Tour in 2010 at the Brunei Open and triumphed in the Hero Indian Open in 2013 ‒ he has gone on to earn US$2 million in prize money on the Tour.
“My game is rusty and without tournaments, and as professional, we cannot judge our performance,’ said the Bangladeshi.
“To be honest I am not happy with my game for the last one and a half years because I could not play and practice, there were no tournaments. So, I will practice as much as possible and take the decision about the Korn Ferry Qualifying School in a few weeks. I am not yet decided if I will enter my name. I think I have until the end of the month to decide. I have a very good hope.”
(Photo by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
He has only played golf in the US twice before: a practice round at TPC Sawgrass many years ago, and in 2016 he played in a US Open qualifier in Los Angeles.
He said leaving Bangladesh was really hard, but absolutely necessary in order for him to further his career.
Pandemic collateral damage also meant he missed out on playing in the Olympics in Tokyo this summer; if it had been played in 2020 he would have qualified.
He competed in Rio in 2016 where, memorably, he was his nation’s flag bearer.
“I have no regrets, I already played in it. It was a big achievement for me,” he adds.
“I am really hungry to win again. I am just waiting for everything to go back to normal. I want to play again and see everybody. I am missing the Asian Tour a lot, the tournaments, the officials, all my friends.”
Singapore’s Amanda Tan showed why she is the nation’s top woman golfer when she became the first female to win on the Singapore Pro Series Invitational Presented by FTAG today.
A brilliant birdie, birdie finish by Tan on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club – home of the Asian Tour – saw her close with a two-under-par 69 for a two under total, and a ground-breaking three-shot victory over compatriots Shannon Tan, an amateur, and Koh Dengshan.
Tan fired a 72, while Koh, the first-round leader with a 70, carded 73 ‒ in what was the Pro Series’ fifth leg.
Tan’s feat was made even more impressive by the fact that she held off a challenge from her illustrious compatriot Mardan Mamat over the closing holes.
The country’s most successful golfer, with five Asian Tour wins, was also in the hunt for his first Pro Series title but double bogeyed the 16th, opening the door for Tan to finish in style for the victory, and record the only sub-70 score of the event.
Mardan returned his second 72 to tie for fourth on two over with Singaporean Abdul Hadi, who shot the same scores.
“Being the first female to win a FTAG Pro Series event feels just great!” said Tan.
“My putting today was strong. I had some trouble on 14 and 15 but I trusted my golf which kept me strong for the last few holes.”
Tan, who is based at Sentosa Golf Club, earned a cheque for S$3,000 and moved into sixth place on the Order of Merit, with three more tournaments to go on the exciting new eight-leg circuit.
Said Shannon Tan: “I’m very happy to be playing in my first FTAG Pro Series tournament. It was a great experience for me. I would like to thank the SGA for the opportunity, and I definitely look forward to the next one.”
Singapore’s Greg Foo remained the leader of the Order of Merit, with earnings of S$7,650, after signing for a 73 for ninth place.
Amateur Justin Kuk from Singapore, who finished runner-up in the Singapore Open Amateur Championship last month, returned a 76 to place eighth while Singapore’s Hailey Loh, who won the women’s division of the Singapore Amateur, shot a 77 for a respectable 15th position.
This week’s tournament marks the start of a busy month for the new circuit, as leg six takes place next week from August 11 to 12, while the seventh event tees-off from August 25 to 26.
The final season-ending tournament will be held from January 5 to 6; with all the remaining events to be played at Sentosa ‒ home of the SMBC Singapore Open.
Each of the Pro Series legs counts towards the ‘Race to FTAG Cup’, where the winner of the Order of Merit will also receive a bonus of S$10,000.
Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul says he worked out something on the back nine on Sunday in the final round of the Olympic men’s golf competition that might translate to better results moving forward this year.
The rising star closed with a four-under-par 67 after three successive 71s to finish on four under in a tie for 45th place, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better round to finish off. I was very consistent again not seeing a red figure,” Gunn said.
“But I kind of figured out something towards the back nine, I know it’s a bit too late, but it was good to get something going for when Japan (Tour) starts again. “
He stormed through the back nine in three-under-par 32 with four birdies and one dropped shot.
Gunn plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the Men’s golf event at Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 29, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“I think I kind of bend my knee too much and I think that kind of shallows my swing too much,” he added.
“I have always been hitting down on the ball a lot steeper. But if I bend my knee too much I try and scoop everything and I miss everything right. It makes it really hard to trust yourself and it made the week a bit harder ‒ it is just some basic stuff that I forget over time.”
He was one of two Thais in the Olympic 60-man field along with countryman Jazz Janewattananond and one of seven Asian Tour players.
Gunn has been playing on the Asian and Japan Tours over the past few seasons and has been one of the most consistent performers with many expecting a first victory to come soon.
He has been plagued by a left thumb injury for most of this year ‒ the unfortunate consequence of trying to hit the ball like American Bryson DeChambeau last year ‒ and plans to spend this week at the Olympic village while getting treatment from the physio.
He said: “I am not quite sure what my plan is yet, will try and sort something out with my physio and see how it goes.”
Gunn watches his shot from the 14th tee in round two of the Men’s golf at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
The Japan Tour resumes later in August, and he is hoping to be ready for that, while if his thumb has not healed by then he might have the option of a medical exemption.
As for his Olympic experience, he is certainly ready for more.
“It was the first time playing something bigger than yourself. Hopefully I get to play again in Paris. Hopefully by then we will have crowds and everything will be back to normal.”
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent and fellow Asian Tour players Anirban Lahiri from India and Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond all have an outside chance of finishing in the medals after another gripping day at the Olympic men’s golf competition today.
Vincent impressed in round three shooting one of the lowest scores of the day, a five-under-par 66, to move to seven under for tournament ‒ which is seven strokes behind American Xander Schauffele, who leads on 14 under after carding a 68.
Lahiri, one of the few players in the field to have competed in Rio five years ago, also fared well returning a 68 to lie a further shot back along with Jazz, who signed for a 72.
Jazz plays his shot from the 13th tee during the third round (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
All three will have to shoot low on Sunday at Kasumigaseki Country Club to challenge for honours.
Jazz did just that on day one when he came in with a 64, to sit second, but frustrating rounds of 71 and 72 have followed. He was paired with Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry today, who both excelled, firing 67 and 68, to finish three and four shots behind the leader, respectively.
Vincent, one of the most consistent performers on the Asian Tour over the past five years, was also a picture of consistency today, making five birdies and no bogeys.
And, Lahiri, determined to improve on his 57th placing in the previous Olympics, bravely fought his way back after a bogey at the first to birdie eight, eagle nine and birdie 14.
A total of seven Asian Tour players are competing in the star-studded 60 man field.
Matsuyama talks with Schauffele on the 12th hole in round thee (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Second-round leader Schauffele made a brilliant birdie on the last to edge one ahead of Japan’s great hope for gold, Hideki Maruyama, who returned a 67.
England’s Paul Casey (66) and Carlos Ortiz from Mexico (69) are tied for third, a further stroke behind.
The last round sets up a fascinating battle between Schauffele and Matsuyama, who were also paired together in the final round of the Masters this year when the Japanese star triumphed.
“Yeah, it’s good,” said Schauffele.
“Hideki’s a great player, he’s our current Masters champion. I plan on wearing that jacket someday as well, and whenever you play against the world’s best you happen to see them a lot. So, we’re playing together tomorrow in the final group, and I assume we’ll be playing in more final groups for years to come.”
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond maintained his pursuit of an Olympic medal today at Tokyo 2020 when he carded an even-par 71 in the men’s golf competition, to sit at seven under par for the tournament ‒ just four shots behind second-round clubhouse leader Xander Schauffele from the United States.
Jazz, who won the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2019 thanks to four victories, was unable to repeat the heroics of his opening day 64 but was content with his performance during another weather effected day at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
“Sometimes you have a good day, sometimes you have a bad day. I would say today is kind of in the middle. I didn’t play as good, I didn’t hit it as good,” said the 25-year-old.
He made one birdie and one bogey but was unlucky not to make a four on the par-five 14th, when his brilliant approach hit the pin and ricochet 60 feet away.
Jazz Janewattananond of Team Thailand plays a second shot on the second hole during the second round of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 30, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
His back nine was interrupted by an hour and a half weather delay but he was grateful to complete his round before another delay stopped play permanently for the day. Sixteen players will restart at 7.45am local time on Saturday.
“[I] just didn’t give myself enough chances. Struggling with lines, struggling with the spin, couldn’t control it. But I’m actually not too upset with my score because I knew I was struggling. I was just trying to get it around without doing too much damage.”
The Thai star is in privileged company as he is tied in seventh place with Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry.
Jazz added: “I think I have put myself in a pretty good position, like if someone were to ask me, okay, you’re two strokes back or three strokes back even going into the last two days would you take it right now before the tournament start and I would say I would. So, I mean you can say I played bad today, didn’t play as good as yesterday, but still I’m only two, three back. So, I’m actually pretty happy with myself.”
India’s Anirban Lahiri watches his drive from the 14th tee in round two of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on July 30, 2021. (Photo by Kazuhiro NOGI / AFP) (Photo by KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP via Getty Images)
Schauffele took charge of the tournament with a stunning 63, which was highlighted by two eagles, to reach 11 under and lead by one from Mexican Carlos Ortiz, in with a 67.
Chilean Mito Pereira (65), Alex Noren from Sweden (67) and Austria’s Sepp Straka (71) are three behind the leader.
Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, this year’s Masters champion, is eight under with two to play.
Seven-time Asian Tour winner Anirban Lahiri from India will also complete his second round tomorrow as he has two holes remaining. He is still in the hunt for honours but will need to rebound from today’s round which saw him play 16 holes in one over.
Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, is also far from out of it at three under but like Lahiri will need to improve on his second round 73.
Tied with him is Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino, the current leader of the Japan Tour money list, who played his way back into contention with a 68.
Hoshino, who has played on the Asian Tour for the past three seasons, had the honour of teeing off first in Thursday’s opening round.
Asian Tour regular Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe also shone on day two shooting a 67 to finish two under for event.
Scott Vincent of Team Zimbabwe plays his shot from the fourth tee during the second round of the men’s golf at Tokyo 2020 at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 30, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
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