Already living in his own version of Alice in Wonderland, Pongsapak ‘Fifa’ Laopakdee could not believe what he saw as he entered the players’ locker room of Augusta National Golf Club. Story by Joy Chakravarty at Augusta.

On the left of his allocated locker was one with Tiger Woods’ name on it, if the five-time Major champion had taken his place in the first major championship of the season. On the right, was Bryson DeChambeau’s.

The 21-year-old Thai, who secured a spot to play this year’s Masters Tournament after becoming the first player from his country to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship last October in Dubai, rubbed his eyes in disbelief, clicked pictures and sent it to family and friends.

Everything so far has been nothing but fantastical for the supremely talented amateur from Rayong, who is part of the famous Arizona State University’s Sun Devils team – which has won four Green Jackets this century (Phil Mickelson thrice and Jon Rahm in 2023).

Fifa is under no illusions of adding to that tally – not this year at least – but even as he is enjoying some incredible experiences, he wants a solid weekend finish.

Fifa Laopakdee. Picture by David Paul Morris/Augusta National/Getty Images.

Part of that preparation was playing a few rounds earlier in the year with Rahm, and deriving inspiration from Woods, who is half-Thai.

Staying at Crowe’s Nest at the property, Fifa is trying to soak up everything.

“The hospitality here is amazing. They’re treating us like kings. Like, every staff member knows who we are, and they know about our backgrounds. And they’re all super friendly. It’s amazing,” said Fifa, who is known for his long-hitting abilities despite a slender frame.

“There are a lot of ASU alumni who have played this event. I’m lucky enough to talk to them. I spoke to Josele (Ballester, who won the 2024 US Amateur and played the Masters last year), and I played a few rounds with Jon Rahm.

“It’s been an honour to have those kinds of guys in town and practice alongside you and give you any answers. They were happy to answer all my questions, ease all my concerns, and give me all the tips and other strategies to use this week.

“It’s been unreal so far, but I want to make it even better by playing well this week.”

Thailand has produced several remarkable talents in the past and many have played at Augusta National. However, Fifa is the first player from his country to get a Masters invite in six years since Jazz Janewattananond played here in the 2020 Masters and finished tied 51st. The best finish by a Thai player is Kiradech Aphibarnrat’s tied 16th at the 2016 edition.

Fifa is aware that the whole nation, and the continent of Asia, wants him to do well. But that is something that he is trying not to pay any attention to.

Fifa Laopakdee and Mateo Pulcini speak to members of the media. (Picture by Benjamin Gilbert/Augusta National/Getty Images).

“To be able to represent Thailand, and the Asia-Pacific region, is a huge honour. And to be the first Thai amateur to play in the Masters, is also huge. It’s always nice to know that you’re playing for something that’s bigger than yourself,” said Fifa, who loves singing during tournament rounds to deflect any pressure, a habit that he picked up from women’s world No1 Atthaya ‘Jeeno’ Thittikul.

“The Thai fans have been very, very nice to me. It’s so good to see how much they care and how much they support me. I really feel that have my back.

“Even though I won the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, I’m still the same person, same Fifa, and just trying to be myself. I am trying to keep away from the expectations back home. I am just doing what I’m supposed to do, and that’s what I do best.”

Former world No1 Woods has been an inspiration growing up.

“I grew up watching Tiger. But do I want to be like Tiger myself? Yes, but I also know we are so different. I always try, and work hard, to be the best version of myself,” said Fifa, nicknamed so by his football-loving father, after his AAC win.

“The media doesn’t say that he is half Thai, but it’s always a good reminder for me. I too have Thai blood, the same that has dominated the world of golf.”

Fifa has been paired with former Masters champion Fred Couples and Australia’s Min Woo Lee for the first two rounds. He tees off in Thursday’s opening round at 12:15pm Eastern time.

Twelve Singaporean golfers will be in action at the Singapore Open presented by The Business Times when the tournament tees-off on The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club, 23-26 April.

Singapore’s Nicklaus Chiam [main picture], who recently won the Selangor Masters on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), headlines a list of 10 players from the Singapore Golf Association – that utilises the Official World Golf Ranking.

The others are Ryan Ang, Gregory Foo, Dengshan Koh, Qiwen Wong, Dennis Lim, Joshua Yap and Marc Ong, while the country’s amateur stars Brayden Lee and Troy Storm complete the list.

James Leow, another recent winner on the ADT, at last year’s Aramco Invitational, and Mardan Mamat, the country’s most decorated golfer, will also compete.

Leow enters through the Asian Tour category for those who finished in the top-10 on the ADT Order of Merit last season, while Mardan qualifies through the Asian Tour’s Career Earnings exemption.

James Leow. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Chiam, whose victory at Selangor was his first in the professional game, said: “I’m very honoured to represent Singapore as the top ranked Singaporean golfer but that also comes with pressure. I’ll continue to focus on my processes and do what I can to replicate that success I had when I won in Malaysia.”

Said Leow: “Everybody, even all the Singaporean players will look forward to the Singapore Open. And with two available spots to The Open, that’s a very big opportunity for all of us. I like to compete against the best and see where I get myself.”

National squad member Storm, aged 17, is relishing another opportunity to prove his worth again on home soil after making the cut in the Singapore Open last year.

“Playing in the Singapore Open means a lot to me, especially after last year’s experience which was one of my best memories on the golf course,” said Storm.

“Being able to represent my country and compete in front of my friends and family makes the tournament even more special. I’m really looking forward to this year’s Singapore Open and can’t wait to get back out there and enjoy every moment.”

Troy Storm.

Last year Lee finished at the leading Singaporean after tying for 50^th, while Storm ended equal 63^rd. It was a remarkable performance by the duo who represented Singapore on home soil at the World Amateur Team Championship, also known as the Eisenhower Trophy, the month before.

For the second year in a row the US$2million Singapore Open will be part of The International Series – the upper-tier level of events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway to the LIV Golf League via The International Series Rankings.

The tournament is also one of the Open Qualifying Series events this season, with the top two players not otherwise exempt earning spots in The Open at Royal Birkdale, scheduled from July 16–19.

Following his last-gasp victory at the International Series Japan on Sunday Travis Smyth mentioned he did not know how many top 10s he’s had during his remarkable run of form recently.

The fact of the matter is that he’s had 22 top 10s over the past four years on the Asian Tour – which includes two wins, three runner-up finishes, and five third-placed results.

His lack of victories on the Asian Tour, particularly between his first, at the Yeangder TPC in 2022 and his second, two days ago, was the only concern – if concern is the correct terminology considering the way he has been playing.

However, the concern can now officially be put to rest after a brilliant win at Caledonian Golf Club. The manner in which he stormed through on Sunday afternoon by making birdie on 16 and an eagle on the last, thanks to a career-defining left to right breaking 20-foot putt, to win by one is reflective of a golfer at the peak of his powers.

Travis Smyth.

“I don’t know, [but] I’ve been able to turn a corner,” said the Australian, after his win – which propelled him to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings.

While all the hard work, patience, and the experience of being in contention week in, week out have helped him get to where he is now, he also pointed to the support of two other people: Dan Dymond, a renowned sports psychologist in Australia, and his vastly experienced caddie Richard ‘Rich’ Hallam.

“I started working with a psych in Melbourne, Dan Dymond, it’s been amazing,” said Smyth. “I haven’t really changed anything with the swing stuff, just been chipping away at that, but I feel like mentally, I’m just getting a little bit closer to where I need to be.”

Hallam, who worked for Australian Wade Ormsby for 10 years during many of his wins, started on the bag with Smyth mid-way through last year and has also brought an element of mental support.

Said Smyth: “Yeah. I mean, Rich is, you know, well experienced. I think he’s been caddying for like, 30 years, so more than I’ve been probably playing golf. But, you know, he acts as like a psychologist whilst I’m out there as well, which, which is pretty much what I’ve needed.”

Travis Smyth.

Hallam also carried the clubs for Smyth when he claimed the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship last month, a win that put him on course to claim the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit for the 2025/26 season.

Success in Japan was also his first on The International Series, the upper-tier level of events on the Asian Tour that provide access to the LIV Golf League through The International Series Rankings.

Smyth played three events on the LIV Golf League during its inaugural year in 2022, and has made no secret of his desire to return to the franchise.

“Yeah, I mean, the goals are still the same. Ever since I got a taste of LIV golf, I’ve wanted to get back there,” he said.

“So that’s still always at the back of my mind when I wake up in the morning and when I go to bed at night. So, I definitely want to finish out the season as good as I can and get back to where I feel like I belong.”

He feels The International Series events are his Majors and that certainly applies to the next one, the Singapore Open presented by The Business Times in just over two weeks.

Travis Smyth.

Often called ‘Asia’s Major’ the tournament makes its return to The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club and with Smyth in the form of his life you can be sure the tall Australian will most likely be making further major contributions to a season that has only just started.

Story by Simon Wilson/Asian Tour.

Pictures courtesy Graham Uden/Asian Tour. 

The exciting action on the golf course last week at the International Series Japan was matched by some strong talk off it that helped the new season on The International Series get off to a memorable start.

ROUND ONE

American John Catlin when asked if he’s close to getting back to his best after the first round:

• “I think there’s even better ahead. As I said at the start of 2024, no one goes through life or golf with everything going exactly to plan. I went through some challenges, but I’m stronger for it, and I believe my best golf is still to come.”

Lin Yuxin from China on his outlook and goals for his first Asian Tour season:

• “The Asian Tour is a great platform, and I feel very honoured to be playing here. I’m really grateful for the opportunity. In terms of goals, I’m just focused on doing my best each week and seeing where that puts me at the end of the season.”

New Zealand’s Nick Voke after playing through the worst of the weather and shooting four-under-par:

• “I’m probably as surprised as anyone. We knew it would be cold, wet and windy, we’re about a month earlier than last year—but I didn’t expect it to hit straight away. I don’t get to play in the rain too often, so it took some adjusting, but I managed it pretty well.”

ROUND TWO

Korean Yubin Jang on if he’s getting back to his form of the 2023–24 season on the Korean PGA Tour after a season on the LIV Golf League:

• “I played very well during that period, which helped me earn opportunities to compete at a higher level at LIV Golf. Last year didn’t go quite as I hoped, but I’m working hard to get back to that level and improve my performance this season.”

Karandeep Kochhar from India about his first time playing in Japan:

• “I think it’s awesome. I think obviously, playing on bent grass, like I think it’s amazing. Especially where I come from, obviously the course hasn’t been in the greatest of shape lately, so just to come here and play was just amazing. Like, it’s my first time to Japan obviously, so I’m really enjoying myself. The people are lovely; the course is amazing.”

On if he learned anything after disappointing final rounds in the Philippines and New Zealand, after leading in the former and being in contention in the latter:

• “I mean definitely, I think you learn more about yourself every time you fail, and you know, kind of come back up again. So, I think the most important part for me over this weekend will be to not get ahead of myself, and treat it like any other round. Obviously, it’s easier said than done, because every round is final rounds and weekends are obviously different. The pressure level is higher, but you know, I’m glad I put myself in that position. I want to feel the pressure, and even if I fail, that’s okay.”

ROUND THREE

Korean Hongtaek Kim on if he was targeting a win after being tied for the lead after three rounds:

• “To be honest, I didn’t have the best preparation coming in because my second child was just born. So, I was a bit unsure about how I would play this week. I’m just really pleased with how things have gone”.

Travis Smyth from Australia on his bounce-back after a double-bogey on the ninth hole:

• “Yeah, like, I just have a lot of belief in what I’m doing at the moment. You know, coming into this tournament, I was pretty unprepared. Like I didn’t practice much at all in those two weeks off, and felt very rusty at the start of the week, and even the first two rounds. And I just, I don’t know, I’m just taking it one shot at a time. I’m not really thinking too much about the result, and just, as cliche as it sounds, it’s literally just one shot at a time. And trying to sort of get my feels back, honestly, because it doesn’t feel like the same me as it did, like, sort of last month.”

ROUND FOUR

Australian Cameron John on his debut on The International Series:

• “I’m loving it. I’d honestly like to play as many of these as I can. I even messaged my wife earlier this week saying how great it would be to play the full schedule. There’s obviously a big opportunity at the end of it, so to start well gives me a lot of confidence going into the next events.”

Pavit Tangkamolprasert from Thailand describing his final round 62, nine-under-par:

• “Today I played pretty much like perfect golf. I drove the ball very well, I hit my irons very good and I was putting well. So, everything was like on the momentum. I sunk putts and had like a streak on the first nine, so I gained confidence with my putting.”

When asked if he thought he had a chance to win the tournament when he woke up this morning, he said:

• “Honestly, I didn’t feel that I was in contention, I just hoped that I wake up with no rain, not cold. The weather is perfect today, so yeah, it’s like moving day.”

American Austen Truslow on his eagle on the 16^th hole after his tee shot hit an overhanging cable and he got to play that shot again without penalty:

• “I mean, that was a crazy situation, I hit the telephone pole line, got to re-tee, and then I drove it to 36 feet and made the putt. And the first ball was going probably 20 yards right of the green, so that was insane. That’s the craziest eagle in my life.”

Ryosuke Kinoshita from Japan when asked about his final round:

• “I shot some good scores in the third and final rounds, and I started thinking about a win halfway through. However, it is really disappointing that I could not sink a short putt on the 15th. Overall, I am happy to have finished with three birdies in a row. Anyway, Travis was very impressive today.”

Travis Smyth on finishing with an eagle on the 72^nd hole to win his second Asian Tour event and first International Series title:

• “That’s what dreams are made of right there. As a young kid, you know, you’re on the putting green having putting comps with your mates, you’re trying to chip in to win, you’re trying to hole 25 footers to win. And that was unbelievable. You know, I won a tournament two weeks ago, probably a pretty similar putt downhill, left to right, just draw upon that. But yeah, for it to go in like that, it’s the best feeling ever.”

On his outlook for the 2026 season after winning twice now early in the year, after being winless since the 2022 Yeangder TPC:

• “Yeah, man, look, I’ve had a hard time trying to win tournaments. People don’t understand how hard it is to win, you know, like it’s such a mind game with yourself out there, you’re trying to… In the past, like you’re always trying to come up with excuses as to why you might not be leading, or why you might not be hitting the shots under pressure that you want to, but I don’t know, I’ve been able to turn a corner. I started working with a psych in Melbourne, Dan Diamond, it’s been amazing. Haven’t really changed anything with the swing stuff, just been chipping away at that, but I feel like mentally, I’m just getting a little bit closer to where I need to be.”

Asked if he had a target score in mind at the start of the final round he said:

• “I mean, I got off to a good start. The conditions were very favorable; I thought the flags were pretty easy. I don’t know who set up the pins, they were pretty easy. That’s why there were so many good scores. And pretty early on, you know, I saw Pavit like seven under through 12 holes, and another person was maybe six under through about 10 holes, so I thought I’m going to need to do something pretty special here. And I got a little bit ahead of myself, sort of, throughout the middle of the round, and was getting a little bit frustrated not making birdies. But I just sort of, I don’t know, as cliche as it sounds, I brought myself back to the present, you know, one shot at a time, and literally, that’s all it was. And then, you know, just to finish the way I did was unbelievable.”

On his previously stated goal of getting onto the LIV Golf League after playing three events in the 2022 inaugural season:

• “Yeah, I mean, the goals are still the same. Ever since I got a taste of LIV golf, I’ve wanted to get back there. So that’s still always at the back of my mind when I wake up in the morning and when I go to bed at night. I definitely want to finish out the season as good as I can and get back to where I feel like I belong.”

Travis Smyth’s dream run continued today when he made an eagle putt on the par-five 18th to sensationally win the International Series Japan by one.

In a riveting finish, he drained a 20 footer to narrowly avoid a play-off with Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Ryosuke Kinoshita from Japan – at Caledonian Golf Club, near Tokyo.

The Australian’s brilliant final putt saw him shoot a seven-under-par 64 to move to 15-under, with Pavit and Kinoshita both in the clubhouse on 14-under.

Pavit and Kinoshita had earlier turned the tournament on its head by shooting scintillating rounds of 62 and 63 respectively to come through from much further back. The former was in the 10^th from last group and Kinoshita the sixth.

Korea’s Hongtaek Kim and Shugo Imahira from Japan had started the day sharing the lead but were unable to keep up with the fast pace being set. Kim shot a 69 to tie for fifth while Imahira returned a 70 for equal seventh.

Travis Smyth.

This week’s US$2million event is the opening event of the season on The International Series, and it is Smyth’s first success on the Series – the upper-tier level of events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway to the LIV Golf League, via The International Series Rankings.

It’s also his second victory on the Asian Tour, having won the Yeangder TPC in 2022, and comes during a remarkable run of form.

He claimed the ISPS Handa Japan-Australasia Championship last month which put him on course to win the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit for the 2025/26 season.

The 31-year-old also finished third and fifth in the first two events of the season on the Asian Tour and now leads the Order of Merit, as well as The International Series Rankings.

“That’s what dreams are made of right there,” said the Australian about his closing putt.

“As a young kid, you know, you’re on the putting green having putting comps with your mates, you’re trying to chip in to win, you’re trying to hole 25 footers to win. And that was unbelievable.

“You know, I won a tournament two weeks ago, probably a pretty similar putt downhill, left to right – just drew upon that. But yeah, for it to go in like that, it’s the best feeling ever.”

Having started the day two behind the leaders, he gradually worked his way through the field on the front nine with birdies on one, two and six.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert.

With the course playing nearly three shots easier today and players making a deluge of birdies on the back nine he still had a lot of work to do. Birdies on 13 and 16 saw him move one behind Pavit and Kinoshita before he gained two shots on the last to finish the job in regulation play.

He explained: “I’ve had a hard time trying to win tournaments. People don’t understand how hard it is to win, you know. Like it’s such a mind game with yourself out there. In the past, like you’re always trying to come up with excuses as to why you might not be leading, or why you might not be hitting the shots under pressure that you want to, but I don’t know, I’ve been able to turn a corner.”

Pavit’s 62 was the lowest of the week and consisted of 10 birdies, and just the one dropped shot. His bogey came on the third, after which he burst into life making seven birdies in the next eight.

He said: “Today I played pretty much like perfect golf. I drove the ball very well; I hit my irons very good and I was putting well. So, everything was like on momentum. I sunk putts and had like a streak on the first nine, so I gained confidence with my putting.”

Austen Truslow finished in fourth on his own, two behind the champion. He closed with a 65, helped by an unlikely and adventurous eagle on the par-four 16^th. Remarkably, his first tee shot hit some overhanging cables which allowed him to replay the shot. He promptly found the putting green in one and made his eagle putt from about 30 feet. The American faced a similar length for eagle on 18 but was unable to convert that attempt to catch Pavit and Kinoshita.

Ryosuke Kinoshita.

“On 16, I mean, that was a crazy situation,” he said. “It hit the telephone pole line, got to re tee, and then I drove it to 36 feet and made the putt. And the first ball was going probably 20 yards right of the green. So that was insane. That’s the craziest eagle in my life. So that happened.”

The Asian Tour heads to the Singapore Open presented by The Business Times next. The US$2million event will be played on The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club from 23-26 April and is also part of The International Series.

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Korea’s Hongtaek Kim kept the lead for the third straight day after a see-saw contest over the closing stages here at the International Series Japan, that saw Shugo Imahira from Japan join him in front.

Kim, who started the round with a one-shot lead, fired a one-over-par 72 to sit on 10-under, with playing partner Imahira, in with a 71.

Korea’ s Yubin Jang is one back following a 71 at Caledonian Golf Club, outside Tokyo, with Australian Travis Smyth and Karandeep Kochhar from India, another stroke behind.

Smyth shot 68 while Kochhar a 73, in the first event of the season on The International Series – the upper-tier level of events on the Asian Tour that offer a pathway to the LIV Golf League through The International Series Rankings.

Kim did well to hang on to the lead on a windy day after a back nine saw him make bogeys on 10, 12 and 14, while Imahira, Jang and Smyth all birdied 18.

Shugo Imahira.

Said Kim: “I played really well on the front nine, especially managing the wind, but the conditions changed on the back nine and I wasn’t able to adjust as well. That made things a bit more difficult.”

The 32-year-old is chasing his second win on the Asian Tour, having claimed the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on home soil two years ago, while success tomorrow would be his maiden title on The International Series.

“My game hasn’t really changed much since round one, I’ve been playing solidly throughout,” he added.

“I just want to keep doing the same things, hitting fairways and staying consistent. There’s no need to change anything going into tomorrow.”

He admitted to not having the greatest preparation coming into the week as his wife recently gave birth to their second child but added: “I was a bit unsure about how I would play this week. I’m just really pleased with how things have gone so far.”

Imahira had struggles of his own on the inward half, dropping shots on 14 and 15 before his closing birdie.

Yubin Jang.

He is attempting to become the first player from Japan to win this title, with Australian Lucas Herbert having won the inaugural edition last year.

Having won 10 times on the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), including the Asia Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup in 2022 – an event joint sanctioned with the Asian Tour – as well as back-to-back JGTO Money List titles from 2018, he’ll start as one of the favourites tomorrow.

“The wind made it really tough today, it was swirling and we had some sudden gusts out there,” he said.

“I really wanted to finish at even, so it was nice to make that birdie at the end. I’m looking forward to going into tomorrow with the lead.

“My family is coming out to support me, which I’m really excited about. Once the tournament starts, I don’t get much time for parenting, so I try to be a dad as much as I can during the off weeks.”

Many will be watching closely to see how Jang performs tomorrow. He will also be one of the favourites as one of Korea’s brightest prospects.

Having turned professional in 2023, after helping Korea win the gold medal in the team competition at the Asian Games, he went on to win twice on the Korean PGA Tour in 2024 before being selected to play on the LIV Golf League last year.

While he was unable to retain his playing rights on the League for this year he looks like a player who has bounced back from the experience even stronger.

Travis Smyth.

Said the 23-year-old: “I missed a few putts early on, and the wind started to pick up, so I knew it wouldn’t be easy for anyone to go really low. I just tried to stay patient and keep myself in the round. My shots weren’t at their best, but I was able to adjust towards the end, which helped me finish on a positive note.”

He will be paired with Kim tomorrow, a player he is familiar with, as well as Imahira.

“I’ve played with him [Kim] a few times, and he is a very strong player,” said Jang.

“Hongtaek hits it long and is very consistent. But tomorrow is already the final day of the competition, so I’ll just focus on my own game and try to win.”

The name of Smyth on the leaderboard once again this season will also have the leaders on alert.

Currently in second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit following third and fifth placed finishes in the first two events he also wrapped up the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit last month.

Said the Australian: “I just have a lot of belief in what I’m doing at the moment. You know, coming into this tournament, I was pretty unprepared. Like I didn’t practice much at all in those two weeks off, and felt very rusty at the start of the week, and even the first two rounds.

“I don’t know, just taking it one shot at a time. I’m not really thinking too much about the result, and just, as cliche as it sounds, it’s literally just one shot at a time. And trying to sort of get my feel back, honestly, because it doesn’t feel like the same me as it did, like, sort of last month.”

Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Korean Hongtaek Kim stayed on course to claim his second title on the Asian Tour, and first on The International Series, after establishing the halfway lead in the International Series Japan today.

Having led after the first round with a seven-under-par 64, he added a 67 today here at Caledonian Golf Club for a strong tournament total of 11-under.

He has a one-shot lead over Japan’s Shugo Imahira and Karandeep Kochhar from India, both in with 65s – in the opening event of the year on The International Series, and the third stop on the Asian Tour.

Koreans Yubin Jang (63) and Younghan Song (68), Japan’s Tatsunori Shogenji (67) and Poom Saksansin (68) from Thailand, are another shot back.

Kim, winner of the GS Caltex Maekyung Open on the Asian Tour two years ago, managed to do what every great player is capable of at this level which was to work out what was wrong with his game after hitting a difficult patch.

Shugo Imahira.

He said: “I wasn’t hitting my shots very well early in the round, but I was able to figure out what I was doing wrong and make adjustments. After that, I was able to settle in and play much better.”

He made a bogey on the third to fall back into the chasing pack but his experience quickly kicked in as that was his only dropped shot. He made five birdies later to move into pole heading into the weekend, when rain has been forecast.

“With the rain, I probably won’t be able to get as much distance, so keeping the ball in the fairway will be very important,” he said. “From there, I’ll focus on staying patient, saving par when needed, and playing well around the greens.”

Imahira is one of the most decorated Japanese players in the field and showed that today when he eagled two of the par fives, the sixth, where he chipped, and the 18^th.

“This course gives us a lot of birdie chances, so I tried to take advantage when I could,” said Imahira – a 10-time champion on the Japan Golf Tour, and two-time winner of their Money List, in 2018 and 2019.

Karandeep Kochhar.

“I think I am in a good position. The event is taking place in Japan, playing in Japan gives me some advantage, so I expect to be in contention after the third round. One of my goals is to win international events, so I will do my best to make it happen.”

Kochhar has the distinction of being bogey free for two days, which is reflective of his strong start to the season. He is currently in sixth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

“I mean to stay bogey free I think everything has to be pretty much good, I would say,” said the Indian.

“I think though it’s my iron play majorly. And the putter, I feel like that’s the streaky one. I think that kind of dictates how I play, so I think the putter has cooperated so far quite well.”

The outstanding bogey-free 63 by Jang, who competed on the LIV Golf League last year, featured eight birdies and is the lowest round of the week so far.

He was unable to keep his playing privileges on the LIV Golf League but judging by today’s performance the experience has served him well.

“Last year didn’t go quite as I hoped, but I’m working hard to get back to that level and improve my performance this season,” he said.

Yubin Jang. 

“It’s still early in the season, so I’m not focusing too much on specific outcomes yet. I just want to keep improving and see where my game takes me.”

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, a two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, showed his class today by making his first cut on the Asian Tour since 2024.

The 54-year-old, who now plays mainly on the Senior Tours, returned a 69 to finish on the one under par cutline.

Surprisingly, Richard T. Lee’s remarkable run of 25 consecutive cuts made on the Asian Tour since 2023 finally came to an end. He came in with a 73 to finish even. The Canadian hit global headlines last month when he was defeated by American Bryson DeChambeau in a play-off at LIV Golf Singapore. A hectic travel schedule this season playing the LIV Golf League no doubt catching up with him this week.

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Hongtaek Kim [main picture] led the way on the opening day of the International Series Japan today – shooting a fine seven-under-par 64.

The Korean leads from compatriot Younghan Song and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, who both recorded 65s here at Caledonian Golf Club, in what is the opening event of the season on The International Series.

The stakes are high with players trying to get points on the board early on The International Series Rankings – which sees the leading player at the end of the season earn a place on the LIV Golf League.

Kim, who started on 10, made the most of the easier conditions in the afternoon registering an eagle, six birdies and one bogey.

“The conditions were a bit better in the afternoon, which helped,” he said.

“Overall, I played pretty solid and took advantage of all the opportunities out there.”

Younghan Song.

He made his eagle on the par-five sixth before closing his round with more brilliance by making birdies on eight and nine.

Added the 32-year-old: “I think it was my driving that was great today. I was able to hit a lot of fairways, which set up good chances to hit greens in regulation. That really helped me keep things consistent.

“It could be tougher with the weather in the morning tomorrow, so the key will be to stay patient and keep hitting fairways. Positioning off the tee will be really important again.”

He has won once before on the Asian Tour, at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in 2024 – when he beat Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam in a sudden-death play-off.

He is also a four-time champion on the Korean PGA Tour, his most recent being last year’s Busan Open.

However, he is arguably best known for being a star on the golf simulator circuit on Korea’s GTour, which has earned him nickname is King of the Screen. He claimed multiple titles on the hugely popular franchise.

Poom Saksansin. 

Song already has the privilege of playing on the LIV Golf League having joined the Korean Golf Club team this year.

“I’m really enjoying it,” he said about the League.

“It’s a new environment and everything feels different. The level of competition is very high, with many top-ranked players, so it’s been a great learning experience.”

He finished second here last year, just missing out on his second Asian Tour title. It was back in 2016 that he claimed the Singapore Open, defeating then world number one Jordan Spieth from the United States.

“I wasn’t playing particularly well coming in, but we had good weather today, which helped. I also have good memories on this course, so I just tried to focus on each shot and that allowed me to play well,” he added.

He was bogey free today with three birdies on each half.

Poom’s presence on the leaderboard always represents a threat.

He is a four-time winner on the Asian Tour and despite his lack of length off the tee he is a ferocious competitor.

Said the Thai: “I was a bit lucky to play in the afternoon with better conditions. My driving was good, and my putting was solid as well. There was a little bit of rain early on, but overall the conditions were manageable.

John Catlin.

“I’ll spend a bit more time on the putting later to make sure everything stays sharp. Just keep working and stay consistent.

American John Catlin, the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, is next best placed following a 66, along with China’s Lin Yuxin, winner of this season’s Asian Tour Qualifying School, Japan’s Tatsunori Shogenji, Wang Wei-hsuan from Chinese-Taipei and Korean Yongjun Bae.

Wooyoung Cho from Korea, the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit, came in with a disappointing 76.

The International Series Japan is the third stop on this year’s Asian Tour.

Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.

Tournament Information

• Tournament name: International Series Japan
• Date: 2-5 April 2026
• Venue: Caledonian Golf Club, Chiba, Japan
• Par/Yards: 71 / 7,126 yards
• Purse: US$2million
• Asian Tour leg: Third
• International Series leg: First
• Edition of tournament: Second
• Previous winner: Lucas Herbert (AUS), score 264 (-20) won by five shots at Caledonian
• Total number of players: 156
• Format: 72-hole stroke play format with a cut after 36 holes for the top 65 professionals and ties.

Richard T. Lee.

Field Breakdown

• Order of Merit winners: Kazuki Higa (2025), John Catlin (2024), Andy Ogletree (2023), Sihwan Kim (2022), Jazz Janewattananond (2019), Scott Hend (2016), Kiradech Aphibarnrat (2013), Jeev Milkha Singh (2006, 2008), Jyoti Randhawa (2002)
• Nationalities: 29
• Top contenders: Richard T. Lee (CAN), Kazuki Higa (JPN), Wooyoung Cho (KOR), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), Travis Smyth (AUS), Kota Kaneko (JPN)
• Highest ranked player on OWGR: Kazuki Higa #133
• Number of amateurs in the field: 1
• Number of Japanese players in the field: 32

Miguel Tabuena.

Tournament Notes

• Canada’s Richard T. Lee, a three-time winner on the Asian Tour, is off to a very strong start to his season on the LIV Golf League after winning the LIV Promotions event earlier in January. After recording two top-20’s in his first three events, he narrowly missed out in posting his first win on LIV after losing to Bryson de Chambeau in a playoff at LIV Golf Singapore and now sits in seventh place in the rankings. Lee’s impressive cut-streak on the Asian Tour now stands at 25, the last time he missed out on weekend play being the International Series Singapore in October of 2023.
• The 2025 Order of Merit champion Kazuki Higa from Japan is the highest ranked player on the OWGR in the field this week at number 133. Last season he won the Shinhan Donghae Open and Yeangder TPC in back-to-back weeks in september, and also posted five other top-10s during the season including T2’s at last year’s New Zealand Open early in the year and at the International Series Philippines in late October. Higa also captured the Japan Golf Tour Order of Merit crown in 2022 after winning four events on his home circuit that season.
• Current Order of Merit leader Wooyoung Cho from Korea has been playing great golf since the end of 2025, winning the Philippine Golf Championship in February and recording a runner-up and a T6 in late 2025. Cho was part of the Korean team that won the gold medal at the Asian Games in 2023 and is a two-time winner on the Korean PGA Tour.
• Travis Smyth from Australia has gotten off to a fast start of his 2026 season posting a third-place finish at the Philippine Golf Championship and a solo-fifth at the New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort to rank second on the Order of Merit. On the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia he recently claimed a win at the ISPS HANDA Japan-Australasia Championship to wrap up the 2025/26 Order of Merit win on that tour after a victory and two other recent top-fives. The Order of Merit title secures Smyth a place in The Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in July, as well as a card on the DP World Tour in 2027.
• Pavit Tangkamolprasert from Thailand, currently in third place on the Order of Merit, started his 2026 campaign with a very strong statement at the season opening Philippine Golf Championship with a runner-up finish, pushing the eventual winner Wooyoung Cho from Korea all the way to the end. Pavit, historically a slow starter to his seasons, then followed it up with another T2 in a playoff loss to compatriot Danthai Boonma on the All Thailand Tour a week later. His last tournament saw a T44 at the New Zealand Open presented by Millbrook Resort.
• Japan’s Kota Kaneko won the Japan Golf Tour Money list in 2025 after two victories and nine other top-10’s.
• Caledonian Golf Club opened in 1990. Its course was designed by J. Michael Poellot and since hosting the Japan Professional Championship in 2000, it has also welcomed other notable tournaments – including the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf.
• The International Series Japan is owned by LIV Golf and managed by 54 with the help of DSE.

Caledonian Golf Club.

All pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Sampson Zheng [main picture] and Taichi Kho compete in the International Series Japan this week playing with extra incentive.

The event starts tomorrow at Caledonian Golf Club and is the season-opener on The International Series. Both players arrive not only in form but with family history and heritage on their side.

Zheng was born in Japan to Chinese parents before moving to the United States at age 10. A year before departure he first discovered golf in Nagoya.

“I started at a driving range with my uncle, that’s where I fell in love with the game,” said the Chinese star. “It was the sport I struggled with the most, which is probably what drew me to it.”

Zheng turned professional less than two years ago and made an immediate impact with a tied fourth finish at the International Series England, followed by a runner-up result at the Mandiri Indonesia Open – where he lost in a sudden-death play-off.

His upward trajectory continued through 2025, including a tie for fourth at the International Series Philippines, a top-10 finish in the International Series Morocco, and at last year’s inaugural International Series Japan, also played at Caledonian, he placed tied 17^th.

Taichi Kho. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

“My game is starting to come together,” said Zheng. “I’ve been driving it well and the putting is improving. If I can putt well this week, I think I can give myself a good chance, and if that can translate into a strong start on The International Series Rankings, that would be a big bonus.”

Hong Kong number one Kho, meanwhile, arrives with his own strong ties to Japan. With a Japanese mother and a base just outside Tokyo, he considers this week a home event in every sense.

“It’s great to get The International Series underway here in Japan. The course is in fantastic condition, and this time of year, with the cherry blossoms, makes it a really special setting.

“Since turning professional, I’ve spent more time competing in Japan, and this year as a JGTO member, I’ll be here regularly. Sharing the stage with fellow JGTO players across the Asian Tour and The International Series makes it even more meaningful.”

Kho has won once on the Asian Tour, at the World City Championship in 2023, at his home club – the Hong Kong Golf Club. In 2024 he came close to earning a place on the LIV Golf League for the 2025 season when he tied for second at LIV Golf Promotions, two shots behind the winner and qualifier Lee Chieh-po from Chinese-Taipei.

The International Series is the upper-tier level of events on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway to the LIV Golf League through The International Series Rankings.