Jazz, Juvic, and Anirban shine
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, thrilled his army of followers in the region today when he shot a seven-under-par 64 to finish in sole possession of second place after the first round of the Olympic Games men’s golf competition.
A fine birdie on the long par-four 18th ‒ where he struck his approach to three feet ‒ saw him sign for a sublime and unblemished opening round, composed of seven birdies and no dropped shots, to finish one stroke behind Austrian Sepp Straka, whose 63 was a course and Olympic record.
Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and Carlos Ortiz from Mexico tied for third after shooting 65s, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
In equal fifth is Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, the 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, who carded a 66.
Pagunsan walks with his caddie in round one of the men’s golf competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Kawagoe on July 29, 2021. (Photo by YOSHIHIRO IWAMO / AFP) (Photo by YOSHIHIRO IWAMO/AFP via Getty Images)
And, Indian star Anirban Lahiri made it three Asian Tour Order of Merit champions in the top-10 when he returned a 67, to tie for eighth.
Jazz, who claimed four Asian Tour titles when he won the 2019 Order of Merit, raced up the leader board with a four-under-par 31 back nine, with his other birdies coming on 10, 11, and 13. He also had four birdies in a row as he made birdies on eight and nine.
Impressively, Jazz ‒ who is one of 10 Asian Tour players competing in the elite 60-man field ‒ moved into contention despite having to finish his last three holes after two-hour and 19-minute weather delay.
“It’s early in the tournament,” Jazz said. “You can’t win the tournament on the first day, but you can get yourself in a good position for sure. So, I think I did that, I put myself in a good position and I just tried to hang on and try to keep going on.”
When asked what it is like to play in his first Olympics, he added: “Playing golf with a different mindset. You’re not playing for yourself, you’re playing for the country, you’re playing for the medals, you’re just going for it, you’re just playing with all your heart, it’s different.”
Having won his first title in Japan at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open in May, Pagunsan today showed he is playing some of the finest golf of his career at the age of 43.
He fired six birdies and just one bogey, proudly flying the flag as the only Filipino in the field, with compatriot and former Tour player Artemio Murakami on the bag.
Lahiri plays his shot from the fourth tee during the first round at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 29, 2021 in Kawagoe, Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Lahiri won the Order of Merit in 2015 and is determined this week to improve on his 57th placing in Rio.
“It was good. I think I started off a little dodgy first few holes, couldn’t get my rhythm going early. But then I settled down nicely,” said the Indian.
“I think I played pretty good. I probably feel like I could have taken some more chances, some opportunities on the back nine I didn’t make as many birdies as I could have. But I’m playing well, so I have to build on this and as you can see already there’s a lot of opportunities if it keeps playing like this, soft, there’s not much rain today, then you have to go out there and just really be aggressive and make a lot of putts.”
Pre-tournament favourites Collin Morikawa from the United States ‒ winner of The Open two weeks ago ‒ Masters’ champion Hideki Matsuyama from Japan, and Ireland’s Rory McIlory all carded 69s.
Anirban Lahiri and Udayan Mane are not just fighting for an Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 medal in the men’s golf competition this week – they are desperate to put golf firmly on the map in their native India.
The Indian duo will carry their nation’s challenge at Kasumigaseki Country Club beginning on Thursday, knowing full well an unprecedented medal in golf would do wonders in growing the sport and enticing greater support in their cricket-mad homeland.
“It will mean that the face of golf will change permanently,” said Mane, who is making his Olympics debut.
“Right now, there is a select amount of people who know what golf is in our country. If we can win a medal, people will know what golf is, all the 1.2 billion people in India. There’ll definitely be more kids taking up golf as there are these new opportunities staring at them. It will change how everyone looks at golf in India. Cricket will always be No. 1 but we’ll at least be able to shorten the gap.”
Lahiri – winner of the 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit – is on a quest for redemption in Tokyo after finishing 57th out of 60 golfers in Rio 2016. Back then, he was playing with an injury but the PGA TOUR regular enters the week in good form following a top-three finish at the Barbasol Open for his best finish of the season.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Anirban Lahiri of Team India plays during a practice round at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“It’ll be huge,” said Lahiri on the prospect of what a medal in golf would do for India.
“As you can imagine, it’s a big deal. The Olympics is a big deal. We had our first silver (women’s weightlifting) on the first day of the Games, which was the first time it’s happened. I’m beginning to see the ripples beginning to take effect at home and I can feel how it will boost that sport positively and I would love for it to happen in golf. This is a great opportunity to have a first with golf … for us to change the perception and attitude.
“I definitely have a lot more intent, more focus, more believe and definitely more confidence. To compare last time and this time, it’s totally different. I came with an injury and was coming off the back of some WDs going into Rio. Feels like I’m moving in the right direction with my golf and with my body. I think it’s good timing for me.”
Mane, a 30-year-old with 11 victories on his domestic circuit, grew up competing in swimming and basketball before being bitten by the golf bug which saw him pursuing the sport as a career. Getting on the flight to Tokyo was a dream come true after he qualified as the 60th player when entries closed last month.
“It feels surreal, it feels fulfilling and I feel proud. I am still in shock really and there’s a cocktail of feelings in my body that I can’t express through words fully yet. By the time the first round arrives, I would know what I’m feeling,” he beamed.
Staying with the Indian contingent at the Games Village has provided Mane with an experience of a lifetime and opened his eyes as well seeing how other Olympians prepare themselves for competition.
“I’ve definitely realised one thing … I’ve got to work much harder on my fitness seeing all the athletes over there. The atmosphere is really intense, and everyone is out there to win something for their country and make their country proud. The intensity at the village where everyone is trying to peak at the right moment is pretty cool to watch,” he said.
Indian stars @anirbangolf and @TheUdayanMane hope to elevate the status of golf in their cricket-mad nation by finishing in the medals @Olympics. The golf tournament starts tomorrow.
???#Tokyo2020 #Olympics #Olympicgolfhttps://t.co/efmT7rRBZW— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 28, 2021
“I spoke to a few Norwegian female weightlifters and they had more muscles than I do! They were ripped and were as tall as I am. They were more curious about golf than anything else, asking me like how we play 18 holes and that was pretty cool. I met a few other Indian athletes and they’re so dedicated in what they want to do. They are so focused on what they want to achieve that you can learn from them.”
Donning India’s tri-colours will provide the motivation for Lahiri and Mane as they seek podium finishes. “It always invokes the feeling of going beyond yourself. You’re not here for yourself this week. Anirban Lahiri is not playing for Anirban Lahiri. I’m playing for India, for my motherland,” he said.
“You’re thinking of going beyond what you think is your best. Definitely wearing your nation’s colours make a difference. It’s a hugely positive thing. I believe I have experience, the game and fortitude to do what is needed. I want to give myself the opportunity come Sunday. That’s what I’m here to do and that’s all I’m thinking about.”
Eight players from the Asian Tour will tee off in one of the tournaments of their lives tomorrow when they compete in the first round of the Olympic Men’s Golf Competition, at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
And, perhaps, none will be more excited and proud than Japan’s Rikuya Hoshino who The International Golf Federation ‒ organisers of the golf event ‒ have given the honour of hitting the opening tee shot.
Hoshino, who was the leading Asian Tour player to qualify after finishing in 24th place on the rankings, will start at 7:30 a.m. local time ‒ along with Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Sepp Straka of Austria.
The 25 year old, who has played on the Asian Tour for the past three years, has enjoyed a brilliant 2021, winning twice in Japan to take pole position on the money list there.
The other Japanese player competing ‒ Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama ‒goes off at 8:41 a.m.
India’s Anirban Lahiri, who competed in Rio five years ago, is the next Asian Tour player off at 8.52 a.m.; while Gavin Green from Malaysia, the other Asian Tour competitor in the field who competed in Rio, is in the following group at 9.03 a.m.
Both are former Asian Tour Order of Merit champions.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 27: Anirban Lahiri of Team India plays during a practice round at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 27, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul is in the threesome at 9.14 a.m; while his compatriot Jazz Janewattananond – the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner – starts his Olympics at 9.47 a.m.
Juvic Pagunsan from the Philippines and Zimbabwean Scott Vincent are the only Asian Tour players paired together at 10.58 a.m., and India’s Udayan Mane ‒ who earned the 60th and final Olympic qualifying berth ‒ makes his debut in the Olympics at 11.09 a.m.
In one of the high-profile groups, American Collin Morikawa ‒ last week’s winner of The Open ‒ Rory McIlroy from Northern Ireland and Korean Sungjae Im begin at 10.25 a.m.
As a boy, Rikuya Hoshino had visions of competing in the Olympics and challenging for a medal for his country, Japan.
Come Thursday, the 25-year-old gets to live his dream when the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 men’s golf competition tees off with the first round at Kasumigaseki Country Club.
Hoshino, a five-time Japan Golf Tour winner, was given the honour of hitting the opening tee shot scheduled at 7.30am after he was placed in the first group of the day with Thomas Pieters of Belgium and Austria’s Sepp Straka.
“The fairway on the first hole is very narrow, so I’m definitely going to be nervous about that but I want to really focus on trying to hit the fairway and have a good start,” he said in a press conference with compatriot Hideki Matsuyama on Tuesday.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 25: Hideki Matsuyama and
Rikuya Hoshino of Team Japan pose for a portrait at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
While most of the spotlight leading up to the men’s golf competition has been on Matsuyama, who won the Masters Tournament in April, Hoshino is relishing the opportunity of representing Japan and fighting for a podium finish.
“The Olympics is a stage that I’ve dreamed about since I was little growing up. And since the last edition of the Olympics, golf has been added and I’ve been wanting to participate. I’m finally happy to be able to join the Tokyo Olympics in my home country,” said Hoshino.
The slender local star is quietly confident he can enjoy a strong week. This season, he has won twice on the domestic circuit while a T26 finish at the U.S. Open in June for his best major finish in four appearances has given him new self-belief he can go toe-to-toe with the game’s top stars.
Rikuya Hoshino ?? will have the honour of hitting the first tee shot when the men's golf competition gets underway on Thursday. ?️⛳@OlympicGolf #OlympicGolf pic.twitter.com/b0wxU64f4A
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 27, 2021
“It’s going to a very unique type of nervousness, but I’m going to try my best to win a medal,” he said. “At the U.S. Open, I went on to make the cut. So I felt like I could play well on the big stage and that became a catalyst to gain some confidence.”
With Jun Mizutani and Mima Ito making history for Japan on Monday as the mixed doubles pair produced an epic comeback to give the nation its first-ever table tennis Olympic gold medal, Hoshino hopes he and Matsuyama will also create their own Olympic moment at Kasumigaseki’s East course.
“I’ve been watching other fellow Japanese athletes compete and last night, I watched our team win the table tennis gold medal, which was inspiring. I think I want to join them and do my best and convert the inspiration into playing well on the golf course,” said Hoshino.
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 25: Hideki Matsuyama of Team Japan plays during a practice round at Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Matsuyama, a six-time winner on the PGA TOUR, will get his campaign underway at 8.41am alongside Australia’s Marc Leishman and Canadian Corey Conner while World No. 3 Collin Morikawa, who won The Open Championship two weeks ago for his second major victory, will launch his quest for gold alongside Ireland’s Rory McIlroy and Sungjae Im of Korea.
With a Green Jacket already in his wardrobe following his historic Masters win which made him the first Japanese male major champion, Matsuyama is keen to grab gold despite the weight of a golf-mad nation resting on his shoulders.
“To be able to represent Japan and play in my home Olympics, this is probably the first and last time I’ll be able to do that,” said the 29-year-old. “I’m very happy to be able to participate here. Three weeks ago, I got tested positive for COVID-19 and I wasn’t really sure if I’ll be able to make it to the stage here, so finally I’m here and I’m very happy.
“I won the Asia Pacific Amateur here 11 years ago which got me into the Masters, which I went on to win this year,” Matsuyama added. “So, in a way Kasumigaseki has been a place for me to progress and grow. Hopefully I can do the same this week and move to the another level.”
TOKYO, JAPAN – JULY 24: A general view at the Kasumigaseki Country Club ahead of the Tokyo Olympic Games on July 24, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Featured photo: Credits to International Golf Feberation (IGF)
Thai golf duo Jazz Janewattananond and Gunn Charoenkul have found added motivation ahead of the men’s golf competition at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 after finding inspiration from compatriot Panipak Wongpattanakit, who won gold in the women’s taekwondo 49kg event.
Both golfers were glued to the TV screen in the Olympic Village on Saturday night when the 23-year-old Panipak delivered Thailand’s first gold medal of the Games with a victory in the final seconds against Spain’s Adriana Cerezo Iglesias.
SAITAMA, JAPAN – JULY 26: Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand practices on the 18th hole prior to the Men’s Individual Stroke Play event on Day 6 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 26, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR/IGF)
“Gunn and I watched Thailand take gold, and it was pretty amazing even watching it on TV,” said Jazz, a six-time winner and the 2019 Order of Merit champion on the Asian Tour. “We were like, ‘Oh my God, this is happening and we’re getting a medal.’ It kind of kickstarted our emotions a little bit and we’re now thinking it’s possible even in our sport to win a medal and let’s go do it.”
The 25-year-old Jazz and Gunn, 29, are making their Olympic debuts at Kasumigaseki Country Club starting on Thursday where they hope to land Thailand’s first-ever medal in the men’s golf competition. Five years ago in Rio, Kiradech Aphibarnrat tied for fifth and Thongchai Jaidee finished 15th.
Jazz, who is ranked 145th in the world, said being amongst other Olympians has been an amazing experience so far. “It’s pretty surreal. It didn’t hit me until pretty much arriving at the Games Village and walking around, going to the gym and walking to the recreation centre. It really hit me that I’m really one of the Olympians now. Back in the day, golf wasn’t in the Olympics, so I kind of had to pinch myself that I’m here now and representing Thailand. The dream is to get the gold but if you say ‘Jazz, you can go home now with any medal’, I’ll gladly take it.”
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand plays a shot on the second hole during the second round of the Zozo Championship @ Sherwood on October 23, 2020 in Thousand Oaks, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Gunn, a two-time winner on PGA TOUR Series-China and a regular on the Japan Golf Tour, said Panipak’s last-gasp victory in the martial arts event was awe-inspiring. “We were sitting on our couch and there were three Thai guys watching Thailand vs Spain and it was kind of scary at the same time as there were quite a few Spain athletes behind us! We kind of won gold in the last 15 seconds and overtook Spain by one point. It shows it can be done,” said Gunn.
“The Olympics are big in our home country,” Gunn added. “It’s also my first time representing my national team so I’m really proud and happy to be here. Not everybody gets a chance to compete in the Olympics. It’s massive. Everyone back home holds the Olympics higher than the majors. I’m just humbled to be here.”
Jazz competed in the 2010 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Kasumigaseki as a 14-year-old but has no recollection of his time at the historic venue. It was the same event that saw Hideki Matsuyama of Japan claim a five-stroke victory which propelled his golf career on the PGA TOUR. Matsuyama, the reigning Masters champion, will carry Japan’s golden hopes this week.
THOMASTOWN, IRELAND – JULY 01: Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand tees off on the fourth hole during Day One of The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet Golf Club on July 01, 2021 in Thomastown, Ireland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
“I can’t remember much but it is good to be back,” said Jazz. “The course looks really nice, and the greens are pure. I played on the Japan Tour in 2019 and hope I can use my experience for this week. It’s just amazing to have the Thai flag on my shirt. I turned professional early so I didn’t have a chance to represent Thailand too much although we do it when we’re on Tour. But it’s not quite like this. This is different. We’re playing for Thailand and words can’t explain how it feels to be doing this.”
Gunn reckons the par-71, 7,447-yard Kasumigaseki’s East course could produce low scores with how conditions are set up. “This is a pretty long course,” he said. “With the weather forecast, the fairway might get softer and we’ll have long irons in. Some greens are really undulating too and you have to put your ball in the right spots to give yourself chances. The greens are soft and you can go really low. It could be 20 under and better.”
Featured photo: Credits to International Golf Feberation (IGF)
A lack of form is not deterring Malaysian golfer and 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Gavin Green from dreaming of winning an Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 medal when the men’s golf competition begins at Kasumigaseki Country Club from Thursday.
The 27-year-old admits his game has been stuck in the rough due to a combination of factors but feels he is on the verge of a resurgence as he prepares to go head-to-head against many of the game’s global stars.
“Of course, I dream about it (winning a medal). I just keep telling myself if I can play well and things click, anything can happen. It’s tough to say I want to win a gold medal as the field is so deep. You just keep practicing hard and sooner or later, it will happen. You just need to stay patient,” said Green.
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – JUNE 11: Gavin Green of Malaysia tees off on the 13th hole during the second round of The Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik and Annika at Vallda Golf & Country Club on June 11, 2021 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
He has missed 11 cuts from 14 starts on the European Tour this season which is hardly the preparation for a second appearance in the Olympic Games following his debut in Rio in 2016. However, he believes he is turning the corner as he seeks to regain his best form.
“I don’t know what happened. Starting this year, it deteriorated bit by bit. You’ve got to get yourself out of the hole and it’s funny the scores reflect worse than what it actually is. I’ve been working quite a bit, and we’ve had to make a few changes to my swing due my wrist issues and to find consistency off the tee. I’m grinding and the goal will be to swing freely and enjoy playing golf again. I feel positive,” he said.
“I don’t think I’ve gone through something like this before. My game was always about getting better every year. It’s a new experience and a learning curve for sure. Once I get myself out of this slump, then I’ll know what to do the next time. All top players go through this,” added Green, whose father Gary will caddie for him this week.
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – JUNE 11: Gavin Green of Malaysia looks down the 13th hole during the second round of The Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik and Annika at Vallda Golf & Country Club on June 11, 2021 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
Despite the current state of his game, the long-hitting Green believes he is a far better golfer now compared to 2016 where he finished 47th in a field of 60 golfers in Rio. He knows it will take four really good rounds at the historic Kasumigaseki Country Club to give himself a chance of a podium finish.
“I think I’ve matured over the last four years. Being in Europe, you learn more about course management. Playing with strong players and in different weather conditions, you learn to adapt. I’ve gotten stronger in this area. And my mindset now is also to not put too much pressure on myself. I’m learning and always trying to improve and that’s not just about hitting golf balls at the range.
“I don’t think the gold medal is far away for Malaysia but at the same time, it’s not close. There are lot of things we can do as a country, and more people need to support golf.”
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 16: A detail of the Olympic rings tattoo of Gavin Green of Malaysia during Day One of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 16, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Like many other Olympians, Green had the Olympic rings tattooed below his right arm to remind him of his journey in the game. He was an outstanding amateur golfer and attended the University of New Mexico in the U.S. before turning professional.
“It (tattoo) brings back good memories and it reminds me of all the hard work that I went through to get to Rio,” said Green. “The timeline I had to make it to Rio was so limited and I made it right on the number (60th). It means a lot to me.
“The Olympics is a different kind of event and we got to see all the other sports in Rio and being around other athletes. As a golfer you never get to do that. For you to experience that and see how they work, it was cool. We got to watch Usain Bolt win the 100m race and we were right at the finish line and it was something else. To see the crowds going crazy and Usain doing his move, it was amazing.
“In Rio, it was more of an experience of being there. Now I want to compete. My mindset will be different.”
Featured photo: Credits to International Golf Feberation (IGF)
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, saved the best for last at the Open Championship at Royal St George’s on Sunday after closing with a three-under-par 67 to finish in a tie for 46th place, on even par ‒ his best finish in three appearances in golf’s eldest Major.
It brought to an end a good week’s work for Asian Tour players, which saw five survive the halfway cut, with South African Justin Harding ‒ a two-time winner on the Asian Tour ‒ leading the way by finishing in a tie for 19th, following a final day 75, in the final Major of the year.
American Johannes Veerman tied with Jazz, Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita came equal 59th and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin ended joint 76th ‒ an impressive result considering it was his Major debut.
American star Collin Morikawa claimed the title after shooting an inspired bogey-free final round 66 to hold off compatriot Jordan Spieth and win by two strokes.
The 24-year-old, who won his first Major on his US PGA Championship debut last year, became the first Open debutant to win since American Ben Curtis did so at this course in 2003.
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 15: Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand plays his shot from the first tee during Day One of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 15, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
“This is one of the best moments of my life,” he said. “Look at all these fans. To see some of the best crowds I have ever seen, I’m looking forward to making my trip every year.”
Morikawa’s final round saw him win on 15 under, with 2017 champion Spieth also recording a 66.
US Open champion Jon Rahm from Spain birdied four of his last six holes to also card a 66 and finish joint third on 11 under with overnight leader Louis Oosthuizen from South African, who closed with a 71.
“I tell everyone I am not the biggest history guy but I want to add myself to history and make memories for myself,” added Morikawa.
“Everything about this week was very special, to cap it on my caddie’s birthday, even more special.
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Open Champion, Collin Morikawa of United States celebrates with the Claret Jug on the 18th hole during Day Four of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 18, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“I’ve had belief in myself since turning pro that I can do it. When it’s coming to these tournaments, courses and styles that I have never played, I do my homework Monday to Wednesday to know what I need to do.”
Singapore’s Marc Ong won for the first time on the Singapore Pro Series Invitational Presented by FTAG today ‒ in the fourth leg, at Tanah Merah Country Club.
The 26 year old fired a closing two-under-par 70 to finish even for the tournament, and tie compatriot Greg Foo but win on countback based on final round score.
Foo, joint leader at the start of the day with Singapore’s Mitchell Slorach, closed with a 75 on the Tampines Course.
Slorach tied for third, two shots back, with countryman Mardan Mamat and Myanmar’s Zaw Moe.
“This is my first win as a pro, so it means so much,” said Ong, who earned a cheque for S$3,850.
“It was close all the way and to come out on top against Greg [Foo] and Mardan [Mamat] is really great. I didn’t check the scores for most of the round but when I checked the app I saw we were tied so that put the pressure on.”
Ong, a professional for three years who is based at Tanah Merah, toured the front nine in two under and came home in even par making a crucial birdie on the par-three 16th.
Foo had claimed the second leg of the Pro Series here on the Tampines Course – helped by a final round 64 – and was looking to continue that winning streak this week.
However, the two-time Singapore Open Amateur champion double bogeyed the 10th and dropped shots on 14, 15 and 18 for a back nine of 42.
And, Mamat, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, also struggled home in two over – he made double on the par five 15th – to help hand victory to Ong.
“It wasn’t meant to be today, best to let the young one’s win,” joked 53-year-old Mamat.
In the 73rd Singapore Open Amateur Championship – which was run in parallel with the Pro Series event, on the same course ‒ Singapore’s Ryan Ang emerged victorious. He closed with a 74 to finish four over for the event and beat countryman Justin Kuk by two shots. Singapore’s Hailey Loh claimed the women’s title by five from Aloysa Margiela Atienza.
This week marked the first time the Singapore Open Amateur Championship has been played in parallel with a professional event.
The event was also to be the circuit’s first 72-hole tournament, but Tuesday’s first round was washed out because of heavy rain. Total prize money was S$12,600.
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.
The next event – leg five – will be played on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club from August 4 to 5.
Three-time Asian Tour winner Poom Saksansin says it will be a “great honour” to play in this week’s Open Championship, as it will mark the first time he has competed in one of golf’s four Majors.
“The Open is very important for me as it’s my first Major. It’s a very big event. I’m very happy to attend this tournament,” said the Thai star, who will tee off at 3.54pm (GMT) in the first round with American Kurt Kitayama, also a winner on the Asian Tour, and Deyen Lawson from Australia.
“When I was a junior, I used to play on the links course – it’s buffeted by strong winds and deep bunkers.”
The 28-year-old, who qualified via the 2020 SMBC Singapore Open, says he has been working on making his body stronger to deal with the more exacting conditions that come with links golf, and he has been practising his “straight shot”.
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 13: Poom Saksansin of Thailand tees off during a practice round for The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 13, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/R&A/R&A via Getty Images )
“I only got the course information from the internet. Although I have no idea about the course conditions, I aim to make the cut. I admit that I never played in the course conditions like that but I will try my best to play without pressure,” added Poom, who flew into the UK on Saturday.
“During the pandemic, I had a lot more time to practice and improve my flight ball. Also, I have been competing in golf tournaments in Thailand,” he added.
“I think I practiced too much as there were just a few local tournaments. My performance during the year was not very good – sometimes I have been playing with stress. I felt pressured while I was playing. I was not playing that well as I was playing before the pandemic.
“Although I practiced a lot, my game was not improving. I decided to practice less so I haven’t got back pain and I feel more comfortable. I’m a better player with less practice.”
The tournament tees-off on Thursday at Royal St George’s with Ireland’s Shane Lowry defending the title he won at Royal Portrush in 2019 (the event was cancelled last year because of the pandemic).
SINGAPORE- Poom Saksansin of Thailand an Open qualifier pictured on Sunday January 19,2020, during the final round of the SMBC Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore. The USD$ 1 million event is co- sanctioned with the Asian Tour and Japan Tour, January 16-19, 2020. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Lagardére Sports.
Ten Asian Tour members are competing: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion – Americans John Catlin and Johannes Veerman, Australian Brad Kennedy, Ryosuke Kinoshita and Rikuya Hoshino from Japan, Canadian Richard T. Lee, and Jaco Ahlers from South Africa.
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After a one-year hiatus, Korea-based Canadian Richard T. Lee finally makes his debut appearance at The Open this week. The two-time Asian Tour winner earned his coveted ticket by virtue of a commendable fifth-place finish at the 2020 SMBC Singapore Open.
“This is a very special week to me. It is my second Major appearance. I am lucky to still be able to play competitive golf back home in Korea prior to this week. I will continue to play the same golf as what I have been doing,” said the 30-year-old Lee.
SINGAPORE- Richard T.Lee of Canada pictured Saturday January 18,2020, during round three of the SMBC Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore. The USD$ 1 million event is co- sanctioned with the Asian Tour and Japan Tour, January 16-19, 2020. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Lagardére Sports.
Despite not being to travel outside of Korea due to the pandemic, Lee made the most of his playing opportunities over the last 12 months, notching three top-five results in 18 starts on the Korean PGA Tour.
“My preparations (for The Open) are the same as other tournaments. I have been playing a lot of KPGA events recently and I have been playing well. I am glad to finally be here for The Open and I look forward to a great week ahead,” added Lee, who previously played the U.S. Open in 2007.
Lee emerged runner-up at the 2006 U.S. Junior Amateur to earn an exemption into the sectional qualifier for the 2007 U.S. Open. He came in runner-up in the qualifier to earn his Major debut and became the second youngest golfer, at the age of 16, to tee up in the prestigious tournament.
Unfortunately, Lee did not complete the tournament as he suffered a wrist injury during the second round. He turned professional immediately after. Lee came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2013 and claimed his first victory at the Solaire Open in the Philippines the year after.
His second win came in 2017 where he shook off injury woes to win by one shot over Malaysia’s Gavin Green at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea.
Lee missed out on his third victory at the 2019 Sarawak Championship after losing in a sudden-death play-off but was applauded for his aggressive style of play which saw him make a sensational eagle on the 72nd hole to force extra time.
He had hit a three-wood off the deck from about 275 yards before rolling in the eagle putt from eight feet. It was a magnificent shot as he had to hit a big draw around the trees to get to the green on 18. That shot was undisputedly hailed as the shot of the decade on the Asian Tour, according to a fans’ poll last year.
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Well deserved, @progolferrich ??
The 'shot of his life' ?? and the most popular shot among the fans in the last decade on the Asian Tour. ?⛳#ShotoftheDecade #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/KLd2stXUUd
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) September 15, 2020
Lee will tee off at the Royal St. Georges Golf Course alongside fellow Asian Tour winners Jazz Janewattananond and Poom Saksansin of Thailand, Japanese duo Rikuya Hoshino and Ryosuke Kinoshita, as well as American Johannes Veerman and Brad Kennedy of Australia.
Ends.
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