Chan Shih-chang back in the groove
Chan Shih-chang took the lead on day one of the Royal’s Cup today, recapturing some of the form that saw the Chinese-Taipei golfer win the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship at the end of last year.
Chan fired an eight-under-par 64 at Grand Prix Golf Club, in Kanchanaburi province, to lead from Justin Quiban from the Philippines, who shot 65.
Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren plus Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Thitipan Pachuayprakong, returned 66s, in the second event of the season on the Asian Tour.
“I found back the same feeling I had when I played well in Phuket last year, which was nice,” said Chan.
“I hope it stays that way in the next few rounds. I haven’t been home since going to Singapore [in mid-January]. Went to Dubai to practice for a week after the events in Singapore, and then headed to the Saudi International, went back to Dubai again after Saudi before coming here. It’s been a long stretch on the road but looking to finish it off with a good result these two weeks in Thailand.”
The 35 year old is a three-time champion on the Asian Tour and a six-time winner on the Asian Development Tour.
Chan’s first win on the Asian Tour came here in Thailand at the King’s Cup in July of 2016 before he claimed the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup Golf in Japan, two months later.
His victory in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship last November is arguable the most significant for the Chinese-Taipei golfer as the event was the Asian Tour’s first event back after a 20-month hiatus caused by COVID-19.
Chan began his round today on the 10th and went out in five under and reached eight under for 13 holes before making his only bogey of the day on hole five. However, a birdie on his final hole saw the Chinese-Taipei golfer restore his impressive total.
KANACHANABURI-THAILAND-Justin Quiban of the Philippines pictured on Thursday February 24, 2022 during round one of the Royal’s Cup at the Grand Prix Golf Club, Kanchanaburi, Thailand, a USD$ 400.000 Asian Tour event, February 24-27, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Quiban turns 26 on Saturday and celebrated early with a fine round today.
“I just followed my game plan from the beginning. Tried to hit as many greens as I can. I was actually rolling my putts real good, reading the greens real good. Even the speed,” said the Filipino.
He nailed eight birdies and dropped one shot.
He added: “Ever since I played in the States last year for eight months just doing mini tours my game has been great, even when I played in the Asian Tour Phuket Series last year, played well, made both cuts.”
Hellgren, who attended Florida State University and roomed with American Brooks Koepka for two years, went round bogey free with four birdies on his front nine and two on his back, on the last two holes.
The Swede is playing his first season on the Asian Tour having played predominantly on the Challenge Tour in Europe.
He’s not missed the cut in all five events since the Asian Tour restarted at the end of last year.
“I played some interesting golf today. Made a couple of good saves. It was fun out there, I liked it,” said the 31 year old.
Having played in the wind for the past few weeks the Swede said he had started hitting a low fade as opposed to his normal draw, which he finally went back to today
He said: “I think my form has not been very good over the past few weeks, but I have managed to play the weekends. The last two weeks after Saudi we sat down and said we need to change things up, we need to start hitting the ball straight again, maybe even a draw. I have been playing a full fade for the past six weeks.”
The “we” he refers to includes his coach Robert Ericsson, who is currently at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, venue for next week’s International Series Thailand.
KANACHANABURI-THAILAND- Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden celebrates with his caddie on the 13th green on Thursday February 24, 2022 during round one of the Royal’s Cup at the Grand Prix Golf Club, Kanchanaburi, Thailand, a USD$ 400.000 Asian Tour event, February 24-27, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Hellgren has been attached to the club since winning an event there in 2014.
“I love it there, play there every winter. Normally two or three months every year but now I am going to have Black Mountain as my base as I want to focus on the Asian Tour,” he added.
Asked if he keeps in touch with four-time Major winner Koepka he said: “Still keep in touch, he sent me some messages when I was in Saudi.”
Newly crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim from Korea and American John Catlin, a four-time Asian Tour winner, were in a large group of players who returned 67s.
Catlin, back in Asia after three events on the DP World Tour, produced a typically accomplished round.
“I have tightened a few things up and it went well today. Off to a good start, three more days to go,” said the American, a three-time winner in Europe since 2020.
“I like playing in Asia, I like my chances of playing better and winning here. It’s a lot of travelling but it’s kind of a necessary evil. It’s part of the job I signed up for, you just go wherever the events are.”
Catlin’s most recent win on the Asian Tour was the 2019 Thailand Open.
In an outstanding development for the Asian Tour, the United States Golf Association (USGA) have announced that the 2020-21 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner has earned a place in the elite field for this year’s US Open.
This means newly-crowned Merit list champion Joohyung Kim will have the pleasure of recalibrating his schedule to include a trip to what will be the 122nd United States Open Championship – to be played at The Country Club, Brookline, Massachusetts, June 16-19.
“This is amazing news,” said the 19-year-old Korean.
“I have had a great start to the year, but things just got better!”
Kim, who is competing in this week’s Royal’s Cup in Thailand, wrapped up the Merit title last month after finishing joint second at the SMBC Singapore Open, the final event of the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 season.
After earning US$108,125 at Sentosa Golf Club he topped the list with earnings of US$507,553 having played in all eight events on the schedule.
Said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour: “This is tremendous news. The Asian Tour truly appreciates this recognition from the USGA. Joohyung Kim is clearly the number one player on the Asian Tour right now and without doubt deserves this honour.”
Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Kim became the second youngest winner of the Merit title after compatriot Seungyul Noh – who was also 19 when he won in 2010 but is a month younger.
His path to the top was helped by winning The Singapore International the week before Singapore’s national Open.
Shiv Kapur says his preparations for this week’s Royal’s Cup in Thailand, the second event of the season on the Asian Tour, have been impressive if a little different: he’s been skiing in Bulgaria!
“I am quite relaxed actually,” said Shiv Kapur ahead of this week’s US$400,000 event, which tees-off tomorrow at Grand Prix Golf Club, in Kanchanaburi province.
“I have had unusual preparation; I went skiing last week, and it could not have been different weather. I had a pretty hectic start to the year so I thought it would be nice to kick back and relax and come in with a different mindset.”
Shiv Kapur has a second home in Bulgaria, part owns a bar there at Lighthouse Golf & Spa Resort and has been doing a Pro Am in the country for the past five years.
“Bulgaria is like a second home for me,” he adds.
The Indian star has been in excellent form since the Asian Tour restarted at the end of last year and he has not missed the cut in five starts.
However, he is still looking for his first Asian Tour victory since winning an earlier version of this week’s tournament at the very end of 2017. It was called the Royal Cup and as it featured only 30 Asian Tour players it did not count towards the Order of Merit.
Like this week, the trophy back then was bestowed by the King and Kapur is fully aware of its significance.
KANACHANABURI-THAILAND- Shiv Kapur of India pictured with his caddie / coach Shane Gillespie of the USA on Wednesday February 23, 2022 ahead of the Royal’s Cup at the Grand Prix Golf Club, Kanchanaburi, Thailand, a USD$ 400.000 Asian Tour event, February 24-27, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Any time when you win the Kings’ trophy in Thailand, it’s very special. I remember having my whole family there, my daughter was quite young, and my parents were also there that week,” said the 40 year old.
“I remember having a battle with Prom [Meesawat] down the stretch. I was lucky to come out on top that time. We have had some great battles in the past from my junior days to my amateur days and to come out on top was pretty special, and it was a great way to end that 2017 season for me.”
That proved to be the finest season of his career so far as he also won the Yeangder Heritage in Chinese-Taipei and the Panasonic Open India.
He now has four Asian Tour titles to his name and is determined to add to that total this year.
Said Kapur: “I put in a lot of effort during the time off. I have been in the gym, even though it may not show, trying to get fitter and stay injury free. I have done some pretty good work on my game. Haven’t had the wins, put myself in position, but not been able to close at the weekend, that would be something I would like to change. I am treating this week like it’s a new season, that’s why the break last week. It’s important to feel mentally fresh as well.”
He also has his coach Shane Gillespie caddying for him this week, as he will for next week’s International Series Thailand, and The DGC Open in New Delhi later in March
“I am feeling mentally refreshed, recharged batteries and ready to go again,” said Kapur.
“I am feeling good about my game. I think there is a lot of good work we have put in already in the last 24 hours. And I am quite excited for the week.”
The driving range at the Hong Kong Golf Club was bristling with activity. The sense of anticipation was palpable. It was the eve of the 1986 Hong Kong Open, the showpiece event on the Asian Circuit. High-profile participants were beating balls, ironing out last-minute flaws in their swings.
Sam Torrance, Ian Woosnam and Paul Way, heroes of Europe’s momentous Ryder Cup victory five months earlier, were all busily at work. But it was a fresh-faced, diminutive golfer from Myanmar who was the centre of attention … and the individual I’d been tasked with tracking down for an exclusive interview for the South China Morning Post (SCMP), writes Spencer Robinson – Contributing Editor.
Swinging effortlessly, Kyi Hla Han drew gasps of admiration from the watching galleries, spellbound at the control and pureness of the striking as golf balls soared high into the Fanling sky.
Every few minutes he halted his practice regimen to receive a long line of well-wishers, patiently queuing up to offer a welcoming word, a hand shake or a friendly back slap. The affection was heart-warming and genuine.
The South China Morning Post report, by Spencer Robinson, in 1986
Just 24 hours earlier, Kyi Hla was among thousands of disgruntled travellers stranded at Manila airport, caught up in what became known as the People Power Revolution, a non-violent campaign that brought more than one million civilians onto the streets of the Philippines’ capital and would lead to the end of Ferdinand Marcos’ 20-year reign and the restoration of democracy in the country.
Having finished 16th in the previous week’s Philippine Open, Kyi Hla couldn’t wait to get to Hong Kong and continue the positive momentum he was building up. However, with the uprising that was spreading across the streets of Manila, roads were blocked. On the Monday of Hong Kong Open week, the day he was due to fly, all flights out of the Philippines were cancelled.
Despite the chaos around him, Kyi Hla kept a cool head and managed to cajole a taxi driver to deliver him to the airport on Tuesday. His hopes were further raised when Philippine Airlines announced that four flights would be allowed to leave the country. The next challenge was to get onto one of them.
Using his charm and persuasive powers, he managed to gain an audience with the new president of the national carrier, who had taken over when his predecessor fled the country in the wake of the political crisis.
Standing on the range at Fanling that late February morning in 1986, Kyi Hla, a glint in his eye, recounted: “I told him I was a professional golfer who was supposed to be playing in Hong Kong and pleaded with him to get me out of the Philippines in time. Fortunately, he was also a golfer. He called over one of his staff and told her to arrange for me to get on the flight!”
Han’s Manila Escape Act was the back-page headline in the next day’s SCMP, accompanied by an endearing black-and-white image of the then 25-year-old, wearing a short-sleeved t-shirt and sweater along with a warm, enigmatic grin that the golfing world would get to know so well over the following 35 years.
In action at Fanling in 1989 (Photo by Chu Ming-hoi/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)
Over that period of time, Kyi Hla’s star shone brightly as he lit up fairways around the globe with his sublime shot-making. From Bali to Bangkok, Manila to Melbourne, Shanghai to Singapore and Taipei to Tokyo, he rarely failed to thrill the galleries that came out to cheer him.
Most notable on his playing CV were victories in the 1994 Singapore Open and 1999 Volvo China Open, the year he topped the standings in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, earning him a maiden Major appearance at St Andrews in the 2000 Open Championship. Along the way he rubbed shoulders with all-time greats such as Tiger Woods, Seve Ballesteros, Gary Player, Greg Norman and Vijay Singh. Never did Kyi Hla look out of place alongside any of them.
As he would discover later in his role as Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, the competition and power battles in boardrooms around the world were no less daunting or intense. Fighting for the rights and recognition of Asian players, on occasions he found himself pitting his wits against heavyweight Tour commissioners Tim Finchem and Ken Schofield.
Through it all, Kyi Hla Han essentially remained the same easy-going, kind, caring and humble character. Neither did he ever lose sight of his good fortune in being able to carve a glittering career from a sport at which he excelled and loved; nor did his passion or spirit of generosity in sharing time and laughter with family and friends ever wane.
To be included on the invitation list for the gatherings he and his wife, Marlene, regularly hosted at their beautiful Singapore home was an honour and a privilege. Good friends, good food and good wine were always in plentiful supply. My son, then in his late teens, still fondly remembers his introduction to Myanmar beer, personally given to him by Kyi Hla at one New Year celebration.
The outpouring of love and affection that greeted the sudden and cruelly premature passing of Kyi Hla last weekend is testament not only to his standing as one of the Asian game’s iconic figures spanning the best part of four decades, but also the esteem in which he was held, evidenced by social media postings from many who may never have met him but were well aware of his achievements.
Kyi Hla Han was a bona fide giant of golf in the region, as articulated so movingly by Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour’s Commissioner and CEO, and television commentator and Asian Tour board member Dominique Boulet, a golfing contemporary and one of Kyi Hla’s closest buddies.
The 2000 Johnnie Walker Classic.
Given the reverence in which Kyi Hla is held by so many of the current generation, it’s fitting that the Asian Tour should ensure his legacy will thrive with the creation of a Kyi Hla Han Future Champion Award in his honour to aid the development of juniors and the sport of golf in Asia.
A devoted husband to Marlene and father to Natasha and Kaitlyn, Kyi Hla Han’s passing leaves a huge gap in the lives of all those blessed to have known him and spent precious time in his company. He will never be forgotten.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan credits the enforced break caused by COVID-19 and help from former Asian Tour player turned coach Annop Tangkamolprasert for his dramatic turnaround in form this year.
Rattanon starts as a potential contender in this week’s Royal’s Cup at Grand Prix Golf Club, the second event of the season on the Asian Tour, after an impressive start to 2022 which included narrowly losing to Korean Joohyung Kim in a dramatic sudden-death play-off at The Singapore International last month.
It’s been a delight to see the 26 year old back in full flight after two torrid years when he feels the problem was more psychological than physical.
And any athlete that has experienced a mental block that hinders performance at the highest level will probably admit that these are more difficult to overcome than a technical one.
“It’s not that it wasn’t good, I could not hit them,” Rattanon says, particularly about when things started to go awry in 2019.
He is not the kind of player you would expect to have these issues: he claimed the Thailand Open in 2017 while collecting three other top-five finishes and finishing 37th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit with over US$131,000 in earnings. And 2018 results were very similar with two top-five finishes in big events and a 36th place on the Merit list.
But the 2019 season would prove to be much more difficult.
“In 2019 I made the cut in only five Asian Tour events. I played many tournaments that year because I was also playing Japan Tour, but I lost my confidence to play and lost my mental capacity. I couldn’t hit my irons; I admit that I couldn’t hit the ball in 2019,” he adds.
So, what turned things around?
Firstly, while the hiatus forced by the pandemic was a testing time for a lot of players, it proved to be a much-needed clean break for Rattanon.
He said: “During the pandemic I didn’t practice very much, and I think that was good for me. When I didn’t play golf for a while, it made me forget about the bad shots”.
And, at the end of 2021, he started working with his friend Annop – brother of two-time Asian Tour winner Pavit Tangkamolprasert – and this collaboration proved promising after only a few weeks.
“I wasn’t confident in any shot for a year-and-a-half before going to Singapore. I practiced with Annop for a month in the end of last year, and he helped me a lot and improved my swing. He changed my grip and the swing a little bit,” said Rattanon.
It was a fourth-place finish in the Trust Golf Mixed event in Thailand at the end of December that gave him the confidence to travel to The Singapore International, which was played on the impressive but punishing Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club.
Armed with a new belief in his ability, Rattanon performed beautifully in what was the penultimate event of the 2020-21 season.
Having held the overnight lead after both rounds two and three by two shots, he was eventually caught by Kim in the last round after shooting an even-par 72 to Kim’s 70. The play-off was decided on the first extra hole with a birdie from Kim while Rattanon’s effort slid by the hole.
“The conditions at Tanah Merah were very difficult and it was windy. My iron shots were not very good but my chip-shots and putting was great. Although I lost in the play-off I’m satisfied. It made me feel more confident,” said Rattanon.
Importantly, the runner-up finish in Singapore secured his playing rights for the 2022/23 Asian Tour season, and he started the new season with an impressive tied-46th placing against a world-class field at the Saudi International at the beginning of February.
“It’s really great to see the Asian Tour come back strongly. There are many tournaments to play this year, especially starting the season with a very big tournament like the Saudi International, and this week’s Royal’s Cup,” said the Thai golfer.
“My plan for this year is just to enjoy my game. I don’t want to expect too much because I don’t want to put pressure on myself like I did in the past. As you know, I played well in 2017 but a year later I practiced too hard and expected too much. When it didn’t work, I lost my confidence so from now on I will try to not think too much about the results. Just take it easy and concentrate on my game.”
It is with a heavy heart that the Asian Tour announces the loss of Kyi Hla Han – our former Tour number one and Executive Chairman, and one of the most iconic figures in Asian golf.
Kyi Hla passed away on Saturday afternoon in Singapore due to complications with cancer treatment. He was 61 years old.
“There are few words to express the loss that everyone at the Asian Tour is feeling at the moment,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour.
“First and foremost, our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to his family at this very difficult time. We are all only just processing the news as we recently saw him at the SMBC Singapore Open in January. Asian golf has lost one of its greatest players, its greatest personalities, and its greatest leaders. We will forever remember Kyi Hla.”
Kyi Hla turned professional in 1980 and enjoyed a 25-year playing career that saw him win on 12 occasions, most notably in the 1994 Singapore Open and the Volvo China Open in 1999, the year he claimed the Merit list. He also represented Myanmar in five World Cups.
He would become equally as well known for his executive role in shaping the Tour after retiring from competitive golf in 2004 and assuming the role as Executive Chairman in 2006. He was the first Asian to hold this position and by drawing on two and a half decades of experience he successfully led the Tour for over 10 years.
Added Cho: “On a personal note, Kyi Hla was a mentor to many of us within the management of the Asian Tour and was a massive influence in many of our lives and careers. He always put the Asian Tour and its members first and was ultra-passionate about seeing Asian golf rise up on to the world stage. We will strive to continue his legacy and make him proud of the Asian Tour that he devoted his life to.”
A true flag-bearer for Asian golf, but outside of golf he was laidback, funny and very popular. Charismatic beyond words, he always had time for anyone who needed advice, and everyone was welcome in his home. He loved his family, music and the great outdoors.
“Early reaction to the news from around the world has been overwhelming,” said Asian Tour Board member Dominique Boulet and close friend.
“It is a true indication of the tremendous impression he left on everyone he met. Small in stature but with a big game and a bigger heart, he was the best, most loyal, supportive and generous friend a man could ever ask for! His eternal optimism and laughter is a loss to us all.”
Speaking to the Asian Tour last year on the eve of his 60th birthday, Kyi Hla said: “I had wanted to be a pro golfer since I was 10 years old. I’ve been very fortunate to pursue a sport that I loved. Traveling all over the world, meeting new people, making so many friends, and playing a lot of great tournaments and golf courses.”
The Tour will be creating a Kyi Hla Han Future Champion Award in his honor to aid the development of juniors and the sport of golf in Asia.
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim from Korea, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – the 2019 Tour number one – four-time Asian Tour winner John Catlin from the United States and defending champion Shiv Kapur from India lead a stellar line-up of players for next week’s Royal’s Cup.
The US$400,000 event, hosted by Grand Prix International Public Company Limited, will be played at Grand Prix Golf Club in Kanchanaburi from February 24-27, and is the second event of the season on the Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanchana, who hit headlines when he claimed the SMBC Singapore Open in January, his countryman Phachara Khongwatmai, who won his first Asian Tour title at the end of last year at the Laguna Phuket Championship, and Australian Scott Hend, a 10-time winner of the Asian Tour, will also compete in the inaugural event.
Kim, Catlin and Sadom are the highest ranked players in the field on the Official World Golf Ranking at 82, 150 and 153 respectively. With such an impressive entry list the tournament boasts one of the strongest fields of the year in Thailand.
Due to COVID-19 protocols the Royal’s Cup tournament will be held behind closed doors, but it is being broadcast live on True Vision Channel, reaching over 20 million households.
PHUKET-THAILAND- John Catlin of the USA pictured on Thursday, November 25, 2021, during round one of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Dr. Prachin Eamlumnow, Chairman of Grand Prix International Group, said: “This tournament aims to promote Thailand as a world-class golfing destination and provide great opportunities for Thai professional golfers to participate on the international stage alongside well-known golf pros from around the world. This tournament is also focused on enhancing the development of the golf industry in Thailand and making golf an even more popular sport in Thailand as well as helping to generate income and stimulate the national economy and tourism. Furthermore, the event is also held in honour of His Majesty the King and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Grand Prix International in 2020.”
Mr. Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Tour, said: “This will be a great year for us and we’re happy to be bringing a world-class field to Thailand. We are confident that this will be an exciting competition and well worth the wait caused by the pandemic. The collaboration between Grand Prix International Public Company Limited and the Asian Tour will help leverage the standard of this tournament, attract top players and golf fans alike from all corners of the world. We are proud that this tournament will be standout event in 2022.”
Apart from a total purse of US$400,000, the winner of this prestigious golf tournament will have the honour of receiving the Royal’s Cup, bestowed by King Rama X for the first time in Thailand.
In addition, there will be a prize for the first player to achieve a Hole-In-One on one of the par three (holes 3, 5, 12, and 16), as well as a prize for the first Albatross on holes 2, 14, and 18. The winners will drive home in one of the event sponsors latest model vehicles, which are: Toyota (Camry 2.5 HEV Premium), Mitsubishi (OUTLANDER PHEV GT-Premium), Mazda (MazdaCX-3), MG (ALL NEW MG5 X), Isuzu (Isuzu D-MAX X-Series Hi-Lander 4-Door 1.9 Ddi Z A/T), and Volkswagen (Caravelle Touring MNC)
More than 50 Asian Tour winners and six Order of Merit champions will form part of an elite 144-man field who will tee up at Black Mountain Golf Club for the highly anticipated International Series Thailand from March 3 to 6.
Reigning Asian Tour number one Joohyung Kim of Korea, four-time Asian Tour champion John Catlin of the United States, as well as Thai aces Jazz Janewattananond, Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai are among the notable names slated to play.
Tour veterans Thaworn Wiratchant and Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, Australia’s Scott Hend, India’s Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh and Singapore’s Mardan Mamat, boasting a collective total of 57 titles on Tour, will also add to the collection of star-power in the US$1.5million event.
Hend, hailed as the most successful international player on Tour with 10 victories, including three that were secured in Thailand, is the last player on Tour to triumph at the award-winning Black Mountain Golf Club when he won the Thailand Classic in 2016.
England’s Steve Lewton, who leads the 2022/23 Order of Merit following a solid tied-fourth place finish at the season-opening Saudi International last week, will also compete as well as American Berry Henson, a proud brand ambassador and resident of Black Mountain Golf Club.
Thai amateur Ratchanon Chantananuwat, who has been hogging the limelight since the Asian Tour’s resumption in Phuket last November, will make another appearance having received a sponsors’ invitation.
The 14-year-old prodigy has not missed a single cut in his last five starts on the Asian Tour. The teen sensation even came close to winning in Singapore last month before settling for third at The Singapore International.
Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO Cho Minn Thant lauded the impressive line-up, saying: “This is the first of our International Series events and it is no surprise to see the cream of the Tour has entered. This will be a ground-breaking tournament.
“It’s been six years since we last played at Black Mountain Golf Club. They have been a wonderful host in the past and I am sure they will be once again. We are looking forward to a special week there.”
Other leading players in the impressive field include Chan Shih-chang of Chinese Taipei, India’s Shiv Kapur, Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita and Hideto Tanihara, Wade Ormsby of Australia and Bio Kim of Korea.
The tournament is the first of 10 International Series events that will take place this year along with the Asian Tour’s traditional strong backbone of established events.
Teenage prodigy Ratchanon Chantananuwat has had some stiff Asian Tour examinations these past three months. He’s passed them all with flying colours.
On the back of an accomplished string of performances, the 14-year-old Thai schoolboy’s stock has soared, writes Contributing Editor Spencer Robinson.
Once more defying the doubters, Ratchanon played all four rounds in last week’s PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers – the fifth Asian Tour event in succession in which he’s made the half-way cut.
Thanks to his latest effort at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in the Asian Tour’s 2022 season-opener, Ratchanon has broken new ground – advancing into the top-50 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) for the first time.
Up 10 spots to 44th, he also has the distinction of now being the number one rated Thai player in the standings.
The teenager’s meteoric rise can also be measured by the fact that he now features in the top-500 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), the system that rates all professional golfers.
In 465th place, the Bangkok-based Shrewsbury International School student has only six of his compatriots ahead of him.
Although he says maths is his least favourite subject at school, Ratchanon will have added up the numbers and realised that if he’d been a professional golfer he’d have collected more than US$120,000 in winnings from his appearances in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship (tied 15th); Laguna Phuket Championshiop (tied 30th); The Singapore International (third); SMBC Singapore Open (tied 34th) and PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers (71st).
PHUKET-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14 year old amateur of Thailand pictured on Friday December 3, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Laguna Phuket Championship 2021 at Laguna Golf Phuket, with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Despite the obvious temptation to relinquish his amateur status and cash in on his talent, Ratchanon accepts that neither is he ready to take the leap to turn pro, nor is he planning to do so in the foreseeable future.
“My plan is I’m going to stay in school and then do a couple years of college,” he said, confirming that joining a member of the Ivy League would be his preference.
“I’m not 100 per cent sure yet because I’m not even sure what subject I’m going to choose. I’m still too young. They can’t even contact me,” he said.
He’s not too young, though, to set his sights high. Asked specifically which colleges he’d be interested in, he said: “Stanford would be one. I would love to go to Stanford … or maybe something like Oklahoma, which has proven to be a decent school academically and really good for golfers or athletes in general. I’m going to try to go for top schools that will help me in my golf as well.”
Inevitably, his recent displays have attracted attention from America’s foremost college golf coaches, always seeking to stay ahead of the game – and their rivals – by recruiting the world’s finest sporting talent.
Meanwhile, those charged with undertaking character assessments will no doubt be thrilled to have listened to Ratchanon’s post-tournament comments in Saudi where there was not the slightest hint that he’ll be resting on his laurels.
“This is definitely new for me,” he said, referring to the strength of the field which included four of the top-10 in the OWGR and a dozen Major champions.
Having played alongside Cameron Smith and Lee Westwood in Saudi, Ratchanon acknowledged that his game is still some way short of the top tier.
“They’re so much better. I have a lot of work to do,” said Ratchanon, aware how lucky he is to have been presented with so many opportunities to participate in Asian Tour events, enabling him to gauge the state of his game compared to the pros.
“I’m very fortunate. I’m probably one of the few people, if not the only kid, to get to play these tournaments often. I’m picking up quite a lot of things. I guess to other 14-year-olds or kids younger than me, I think just come watch. You won’t get to play yourself, but you’ll definitely get to see different things.”
Following his own advice, Ratchanon Chantananuwat wasted no time after finishing his final round at Royal Greens to return to the course, specifically to watch Dustin Johnson in action.
Neither is he backward about coming forward and asking questions.
“He’s not afraid to ask questions. He asked me about a shot I played on 17 with a three-wood,” said European Ryder Cup veteran Westwood.
“First and foremost, he’s a lovely young man, credit to his parents. Secondly, he’s good, a lot of game. If I didn’t know and I just took him on face value, he doesn’t look like he’s got too many weaknesses. Knowing that he’s 14, the weaknesses he does have are going to get ironed out through still growing.
“He’s got a great opportunity if he doesn’t fall into one of the pitfalls you can run into. If he just carried on now and just lets himself develop, he’ll turn into a very good player,” predicted Westwood.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananwat of Thailand, amatuer, pictured on Friday, November 26, 2021 during round two of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
While the next few weeks will see him playing catch-up at school, it won’t be long before Ratchanon is back in the international golfing spotlight when he lines up in The Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club (March 17-19).
Recognised by Golfweek as the number one junior event in golf, the Junior Invitational welcomes the best golfers from around the world to the South Carolina venue, with the promise of significant WAGR points at stake.
“Everyone’s telling me it’s a great tournament and a great course – heaven for golfers. I’m going to be off a week from school. I’m going to enjoy that as much as possible and then catch up again,” said Ratchanon Chantananuwat, learning new lessons every step of the way.
Harold Varner III saw his sensational victory in the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers propel him into the top-50 on the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time and opened the door to a world of playing opportunities at the highest level.
The American moved into 45th place on the Ranking, from 99th – a position that will see him be able to play in the Majors and many of the game’s other leading events.
Crucially, he will be able to make his debut in the Masters in April if he remains in the top-50 over the next few months.
Varner III drained an incredible eagle putt, from about 100 feet, on the par-five 18th at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club to beat countryman Bubba Watson by a shot in the season-opening event on the Asian Tour.
Varner III, who was the third-round leader and playing in the final group, reached the front edge of the green in two and looked a safe bet to make a birdie and force a sudden-death play-off with Watson, who, playing three groups ahead, had also made eagle.
However, in a dramatic grandstand finish, Varner III holed out for a three to claim the biggest title of his career and also the biggest cheque, as first place was worth US$1 million.
“I was wanting that,” said the 31 year old, when told he would be in the top 50.
“That is awesome. I was wondering that. Yeah, that’s the goal, man. That gets you in the things that I haven’t played in. I’ve played in some big events here and there, but yeah, that’s why we play.
“I was on the cusp of it after Hilton Head and didn’t execute, played a lot of golf. Frickin’ A. That’s all I wanted to know when I was sitting out there. What does — this has got to get me close. So yeah, that’s awesome.”
Varnerhas played on the PGA Tour since 2016, with a best finish of second place.
His most significant win prior to last week was the 2016 Australian PGA Championship.
He added: “I just never doubted myself. I never questioned that, hey, we can’t win this. I think that’s what the greats do. I would think a couple years ago I would have had a hard time taking that in and being like I have to do this. No, just play golf, do your job. That’s what I’m supposed to do.
“I’ve never questioned my ability. The only people that question it are the people that sit right in here, and they’re like, man, he needs to be winning. But I don’t march to anyone’s beat in here. I do what I’m supposed to do, and things come.”
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