Varner III feels “awesome” to break into top-50
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.”
Asian golf fans can look forward to seeing more of Gavin Green in the region in the months ahead.
By his own admission, the Malaysian has endured a difficult 18-month period, during which he suffered homesickness and a loss of form, writes Contributing Editor Spencer Robinson.
But after an encouraging outing in Saudi Arabia last week, the Asian Tour’s 2017 Order of Merit champion is regaining his appetite for the game, driven by a desire to spend more time closer to home, in the company of family and friends.
Despite a frustrating closing 72 in 2022’s season-opening PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, Green finished in a share of 38th place.
More importantly, the former champion saw signs of progress that point to promising year ahead.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Gavin Green of Malaysia pictured on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during round three of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It was actually a very positive week,” said Green, reflecting on his overall performance at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
“This week was much, much, better than Singapore,” added Green, who struggled to find his range in the previous two events in the Lion City last month.
“I’ve been putting a lot of work into my game and (in Saudi) my irons were better as was my driver … which was in this planet. I am not saying fairway, I’m saying planet,” added the 28-year-old, one of the game’s longer hitters.
Following a joint third-place finish alongside Phil Mickelson and behind only Graeme McDowell and Dustin Johnson in the Saudi International in 2020, Green rose to 146th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Since then, however, he’s been on a slippery slope, outside the top-200 by the start of last year and down to 522nd after missing the half-way cut in the SMBC Singapore Open three weeks ago.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Gavin Green of Malaysia pictured on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during round three of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
It’s a trend he’s hoping to reverse in 2022 with the likelihood that he’ll be focusing more of his attention on playing in Asia.
He said: “Last year I was just miserable. It was Covid, it was quarantine, being away from home seven months.
“I think I learned you can’t stay away from home too long. Two or three months max if you’re really pushing it. Mentally you can’t deal with it, being in the hotel, being in the bubble, it’s not that easy. I like being home, being with my friends, just being home.
“But you’ve got to deal with it … and moving forward I am going to plan more time at home. I think that’s more important to me than play, play and play. If your frame of mind is not there, then there is no point.
“If it fits the schedule, I would love to play more close to home this year.”
That may well mean a start in the Asian Tour’s next event, the Royal’s Cup at Grand Prix Golf Club in Thailand (March 3-6).
“There’s a lot of planning. It’s tough with protocols, I will know more next week,” said Green.
American Harold Varner III holed a miraculous eagle putt from 92 feet on the par-five 18th at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club to win the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers today and beat compatriot Bubba Watson by a shot.
In one of the most remarkable finishes seen in tournament golf, Varner prevailed after Watson, playing three groups ahead, had also made three on the last from 15 feet to appear on course to win.
Varner, leader at the start of that, closed with a one-under-par 69 and finish on 13 under to claim by far the biggest victory of his career, worth a US$1 million cheque.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Harold Varner III of the USA pictured on Sunday, February 6, 2022 with the winner’s trophy after the final round of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Twelve-time PGA Tour winner Watson fired a stunning 64, in what is the season-opening event on the Asian Tour, while Spaniard Adri Arnaus shot 71 to take to sole possession of third, three behind the winner.
Asian Tour regular Steve Lewton, who was paired with Watson, enjoyed one of the finest tournaments of his career after closing with a 67 to ties for fourth, a stroke further back.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Tommy Fleetwood of England, left, and Adri Arnaus of Spain pictured the 16th green on Sunday, February 6, 2022 during round four of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Awesome. Still – it’s been pretty crazy since it happened,” said Varner, who has won once before, in the 2016 Australian PGA Championship, the year he started playing regularly on the PGA Tour.
“I’m just trying to take it in. Winning just never gets old. I just know that there’s been times where it just didn’t go my way and today it did. I’m super thrilled not just for myself, but everyone that’s either on my team or in my corner.
“They know who they are so I don’t have to thank them. They know who they are. My mom’s already called. Yeah, I’m pumped.”
The 31 year old’s chance of winning appeared to have gone after he made double bogey on 14 before he dropped another shot on 16 but a birdie on the penultimate proved to be the precursor to his grandstand finish.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Bubba Watson of the USA pictured on Sunday, February 6, 2022 during round four of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Watson, after watching Varner hole out on the last, ran down to the green to congratulate his friend.
He said: “It’s a dear friend of mine. It’s a guy I truly love. It’s a guy that I want to help. He’s new — when I say new, we know Harold, but it took me — it was five years until I won my first. So, this is a guy that’s just starting to play better and better each year. We see his name a little bit more. He’s getting comfortable.”
“I’m not mad at him for beating me. I’m happy for him. He’s a dear friend of mine, and I applaud him. I love seeing that. I cheer for him,” added the two-time US Masters champion.
England’s Lewton was thrilled with his finish in the star-studded event. “It just re-affirms how well I am playing,” said Lewton.
“I hit my irons really well this week. It is my first time playing here and it’s been an incredible experience. I can take a lot of confidence from this ahead of the Asian Tour’s next two events in Thailand.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Steve Lewton of England pictured on Sunday, February 6, 2022 during round four of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Englishman has been in fine form on the Asian Tour recently with top-10 finishes in The Singapore International and Laguna Phuket Championship.
Defending champion Dustin Johnson from the United States returned a 70 to end seven under and tie for eighth.
The Saudi International boasted the strongest field in the history of the Asian Tour and one of its most lucrative purses.
The Asian Tour’s next event is the Royal’s Cup at Grand Prix Golf Club from March 3-6.
Battling Harold Varner III birdied the par-five 18th to finish one-stroke ahead of Adri Arnaus from Spain after the third round of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers today.
The two players had started the round tied for the lead and went head-to-head for much of the day before the American returned a 68 to finish on 12 under while Arnaus carded a 69 at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood, chasing his first win in three years, fired a 67 and is a shot further back in sole possession of third place, in the star-studded opening event of the season on the Asian Tour.
The US$5 million event features the strongest field in this history of the Tour and one of its most lucrative purses.
Australian Cameron Smith came in with a 70 and is fourth on eight under, while defending champion Dustin Johnson from the United States (67) is seven under along with Australian Wade Ormsby (68) and Ryosuke Kinoshita from Japan (69).
Varner is on the threshold of the biggest win of his 10-year career.
“Just hanging in there,” said Varner.
“Really good pins today on 11, 12. So I just did a good job of just slowing down and just doing my job. I love competing. I mean, it’s the greatest thing in life is competing and just working at it.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Harold Varner III of the USA pictured on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during round three of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The American claimed the Australian PGA Championship in 2016 before joining the PGA Tour.
Arnaus lost the Acciona Open de España in a sudden-death play-off last year on the DP World Tour and will go all out to secure his first big win in the pro game on Sunday.
Said Arnaus: “I just think that day by day we get the hang of how the course is playing, the same wind as yesterday, as far as velocity and direction. So, we’re already knowing what to do here and there. It’s just sticking to the game plan and really give yourself the best look as you can and be in the right position.
“You know, when it comes to the putts, it’s not that easy to get the line right, as you can imagine.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Tommy Fleetwood of England pictured on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during round three of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Fleetwood’s last victory came in the 2019 Nedbank Golf Challenge so victory tomorrow will be important for one of the game’s finest players.
“Yeah, very happy to be done and in. I got off to a bad start. I actually hit a perfect drive on one and was in like this massive rough and made a bogey from nowhere. On days when you know it’s going to be really hard, you don’t really want to be giving too many shots away, especially the start,” said Fleetwood.
“But after that, played really, really well. Scored well. Made more birdies than I thought I would do today probably. Just hit a lot of really good iron shots and gave myself chances.
“It was hard all day. It was like yards to play and scrapping. Yeah, very happy to be done for the day.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Phachara Khongwatmai Thailand pictured on Saturday, February 5, 2022 during round three of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai, one of the Asian Tour’s rising stars, recovered from yesterday’s 76 and came in with a 66, thanks to a birdie, birdie, eagle finish, to end three under.
“The 76 was a shame. If not for that I could have been in contention, but I am learning all the time. I will try and go low tomorrow,” said 22-year-old Phachara.
His young countryman Ratchanon Chantananuwat, the 14-year-old golf phenom, carded a 74 and is four over for the tournament.
American Harold Varner III and Adri Arnaus from Spain upstaged many of the game’s elite players to take the lead after round two of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers today after shooting four-under-par 66s to reach 10 under.
They lead by two from Australian Cameron Smith and Matthew Wolff from the United States, after they returned 66 and 67 respectively, in the season-opening event on the 2022-23 Asian Tour schedule.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood is a shot further back after carding a 67 on another windy day at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
Overnight leader Matteo Manassero from Italy came in with a 73 and fell back to five under, defending champion Dustin Johnson from the United States shot 71 and is four under while Korean star Joohyung Kim, who won the Asian Tour Order of Merit title last month, returned a 73 and is two under.
“I played really solid,” said Varner, who was paired with Wolff.
“It wasn’t blowing as hard this morning, so I didn’t think it was gettable, but obviously in my group it was pretty gettable, so just trying to hang in there and just give myself a chance.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Harold Varner III of the USA pictured on Friday, February 4, 2022 during round two of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Varner, who began on the back nine, started poorly and was one over for his round after seven holes but then birdied four out of his next five holes.
He added: “I think you’ve got to drive it really well. It’s [the course] forgiving off the tee, but when it’s blowing this hard, the lines get a little bit tighter, and you’ve just got to keep hitting good shots.”
Big-hitting Arnaus is looking for his first big win in the pro game after impressing over the past few years and is no stranger to this week’s venue.
“I’ve been playing this course now for a few years and starting to get the hang of it. Even on this wind, I’ve already seen it in the past, so I know my lines,” said the Spaniard.
“That doesn’t mean that a few shots might not go your way, and that’s what happened on the front nine. On the back nine, we kept it quite well in play. So that’s the important part, just putting yourself in a good spot and from there trying to attack.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Cameron Smith of Australia pictured on Friday, February 4, 2022 during round two of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Smith, a four-time winner on the PGA Tour including the Sentry Tournament of Champions last month, made his move while enjoying the blustery conditions.
“I like it windy,” said the Australian, who played on the Asian Tour in 2014. “I grew up in the wind. Being from Australia, it’s something you kind of have to get used to pretty quick. Yeah, you’ve just got to strike the ball well. You’ve just got to hit it out of the middle and judge your wind.”
Wolff raced into the front early on after playing his first nine in four under, helped by an eagle on the par-five 18th, before three bogies in a row from the fifth saw him slip back.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Matthew Wolff of the USA pictured on Friday, February 4, 2022 during round two of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He said: “My ball-striking is really coming along, which is probably the thing that I know that I can depend on the most, and it’s really nice to see that paying off. I’m definitely in a great position for the weekend.
“I definitely feel like I left some out there, but I guess going into the weekend, that might be a good thing because if I can tighten up some of those mistakes, I might be able to hold the trophy at the end. I feel really happy with where I’m at, and hopefully if I just don’t miss a couple short putts I’ll be in a good spot.”
Fleetwood was more than happy with his start and what he is working on. “I’m working on the right things,” said the Englishman. “Got a good structure, good simple structure. Focusing on a couple of key areas, trying to drive it better, and at the moment just trying to hit one shot off the tee and put it in play more and give myself a chance to play from the fairways a lot more. And doing that really, being focused on it.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14 yr old amateur of Thailand pictured on Friday, February 4, 2022 during round two of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Thailand’s amateur sensation Ratchanon Chantananuwat continued he remarkable run of making the cut in every professional event he has played in when he carded a 71.
The 14 year old, who placed third in The Singapore International on the Asian Tour last month, is level par for the tournament having opened with a 69.
At the start of the day American Bryson DeChambeau withdrew from the event with a left hand and left hip injury.
Matteo Manassero rekindled some of the magic from his glory days to take the first-round lead today at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.
The Italian shot a sizzling eight-under-par bogey-free 62 at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in what is the opening event of the Asian Tour’s 2022-23 season.
England’s Sam Horsfield, Adri Arnaus from Spain, Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita plus Americans Bubba Watson and Harold Varner III carded 64s.
Newly crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim from Korea, Americans Dustin Johnson, the defending champion, and Matthew Wolff, Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai, Indian Shiv Kapur, and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann came in with 65s.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Joohyung Kim of Korea, left and Dustin Johnson of the USA pictured on the 16th green, Thursday, February 3, 2022 during round one of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Matteo Manassero has struggled with his game over the past 10 years, following a brilliant start to his career as a teenager, but today’s performance in the star-studded US$5 million event suggests better days are ahead.
He toured the front nine in six-under-par 29 with six birdies before two birdies on the homeward stretch.
“It was one of those days in which everything was going my way,” said the Italian.
“I was playing really solid, giving myself a lot of birdie chances, a lot of really short ones, as well. So just got the round going and just felt comfortable. That’s the right word, I guess.”
The 28-year-old’s last big win came in 2013 at the BMW PGA Championship – which was his fourth success on the DP World Tour in the space of three years.
He also won the Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club in 2012, when the event was jointly sanctioned with the Asian Tour and the DP World Tour.
He added: “I’m curious to see what 2022 has for me. I worked really well, and I’m happy with the work I’ve done. Obviously, it started really good. There’s going to be some lows, there’s going to be some ups, but I’m ready for it and see what happens.”
Joohyung Kim, paired with Johnson – the winner of this event in 2019 and 2021 – also made a fine start despite some nerves early on.
“I think I had some nerves in the first couple holes. You saw that roller coaster ride. But got into a good mindset. I felt calm after a couple holes, and obviously I know I was birdieing. Just stuck in there, and yeah, great round,” said the Korean.
The 19-year-old rising star secured the Merit list last month by winning the Tour’s penultimate event, The Singapore International, before tying for second in the SMBC Singapore Open.
“I hope the TV got my smiles because I was having the time of my life. It was awesome playing with those guys, and just a great experience,” he added.
“I told myself there’s a reason I’m playing with these guys, and I know I worked really hard to get to this point. I prepped really well this week, and I just told myself just be confident and don’t be afraid and just hit your shots, and I think that’s what I did.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand pictured on Thursday, February 3, 2022 during round one of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Phachara began his round on hole 10 and impressively made six birdies in a row from the 14th to move into contention.
He said: “I feel I am very close to everything coming together. Maybe I need to work more on my fitness and consistency, but everything feels good. It’s a good start and I am excited to start the season this way.”
The brilliant 22 year old won the Laguna Phuket Championship at the end of last year for his maiden win on the Asian Tour, before finishing the season fourth on the Merit list.
His countryman Sadom Kaewkanjana, winner of the Singapore Open, fired a 68 and is in a tie for 32nd.
World number five Dustin Johnson will bid for a hat-trick of victories in the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers this week facing what he feels is “probably the best field they’ve had”.
The American, who is competing in just his second event of the year, is the defending champion, having been victorious last year, while he also won in 2019 and was runner-up in 2020.
The US$5 million event is the opening event of the season on the Asian Tour and tees-off tomorrow at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.
“Well, I mean, this year is no different than any other year,” said the 37 year old.
“Absolutely I’m going to try to do everything I can to put myself in a position to have a chance to win come Sunday. Yeah, obviously the field keeps getting better and better every year, so it gets a little harder and harder to win the trophy.
“They’ve done a great job with this event and keep bringing a lot of world-class players in. I think this year is probably the best field they’ve had. It’s a lot of talent, a lot of really good golfers. It’s going to be a challenge.”
He’s been drawn with newly crowned Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Joohyung Kim, Korea’s 19-year-old star, in the first two rounds and compatriot Jason Kokrak.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Dustin Johnson of the USA, defending champion, pictured on Wednesday, February 2, 2022 during the Pro-am event ahead of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Over 50 Asian Tour members are competing including six Asian Tour number ones.
Johnson is joined by a powerful contingent of Americans including Bryson DeChambeau, Xander Schauffele, Phil Mickelson, Tony Finau, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, the winner here in 2020, Spaniard Sergio Garcia, and Englishmen Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, and Ian Poulter, are also competing.
The stellar line-up means the tournament features the strongest field in the history of the Asian Tour and it is also one of the most lucrative in the Tour’s history.
Two-time Major winner Johnson made his first start of the year at the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour finished in joint 25th place.
He said: “Last week was a good week, I felt like I played really solid. Difficult golf course, difficult conditions. Yeah, I felt like for my first week in a long time, the game held up quite nicely. Going into the last round on Sunday, I was kind of right in the middle of it. Played actually really well on Sunday, just scored really bad. Played better probably Sunday than I did any of the other days, but obviously shot a worse score. But that’s golf.”
When he won here in 2019 he finished 19 under, while last year he led the way 15 under.
“Obviously since the first year I came, I’ve liked the golf course,” he said.
“I’ve obviously done pretty well here the last three years, so I look forward to coming over here. It’s a tournament I enjoy playing. It’s a golf course I enjoy to play, and yeah, it’s a place that, I have a lot of good memories.”
The Asian Tour is aiming to stage 25 events this season, which will include the 10 new International Series tournaments announced yesterday.
LIV Golf Investments and the Asian Tour today unveiled The International Series and the 2022-23 destinations and prize purses for the ground-breaking series of 10 marquee international events announced in November 2021.
In what is the most significant development in the history of Asian golf and a boom for the global game, what is now to be known as The International Series will be integrated into the full 2022-23 Asian Tour schedule. The series will kick off in Thailand in March followed by visits to England, Korea, Vietnam, the Middle East, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong and will feature prize purses ranging from US$1.5 to US$2 million per event.
Today’s announcement also saw the unveiling of the new brand, name, and logo as well as an increase in the lucrative and unprecedented investment into the Asian Tour from US$200 million to US$300 million further solidifying LIV Golf Investments dedication to the global game. As one of the biggest investments in the history of professional golf, The International Series will support playing opportunities and prize funds for the 10 events to be played every season over the next decade. It has been designed to drive greater engagement amongst fans, attract new commercial interest and to help stabilize professional golf following a sustained period of worldwide disruption and uncertainty.
“We are on the threshold of a new era for Asian golf,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour. “The International Series is a new upper-tier of elite events, the likes of which the region has not seen before, that will mark the start of a phenomenal period of growth for the Asian Tour. It also signifies the beginning of our relationship with our new strategic partner LIV Golf Investments and its CEO Greg Norman.”
“Importantly, The International Series will add to the Asian Tour’s backbone of established events to comprise a 25-event season, expected to represent a record-breaking combined prize-fund. Each of the 10 events will be broadcast live across the globe, with plans to attract an international field of headline talent.”
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – LIV Golf Investments announce the 10 event The International Series, from left right, Greg Norman, CEO LIV Golf and Asian Tour No 1 golfer, Joohyung Kim of Korea shake hands at a press conference ahead of the US$ 5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers. The event is staged from February 3-6, 2022, at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club, King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
In October last year, Greg Norman, was announced as CEO of LIV Golf Investments – a newly formed company whose purpose is to holistically improve the health of professional golf on a truly global scale to help unlock the sports’ untapped worldwide potential. PIF, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds with a diverse international investment portfolio, is the majority shareholder in LIV Golf Investments.
“We are setting the Asian Tour up as a powerful new force on the world golf stage,” said Norman. “In my 40 years as a professional golfer, I’ve seen many parts of the world that have benefitted tremendously from golf and its growth and development. We now have the opportunity to do that in the Asia Pacific region and the Middle East with this incredible investment platform. Everyone benefits – professional players, amateurs, grassroots golf, fans, economies, communities, stakeholders. I’ve never been so optimistic about the future of the sport.”
The widely acclaimed Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, will host The International Series Thailand March 3-6, boasting a prize purse of US$1.5 million, before London stages the next event at Centurion Club from June 9-12, offering a US$2 million purse. The second half of the year will see stops in Korea, Vietnam, and Indonesia before heading to the Middle East and then culminating in China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The announcement comes on the eve of the Asian Tour’s new season with the US$5million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers starting on Thursday at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. With six out of the top-20 players in the world competing – including Americans Dustin Johnson, the 2019 and 2021 champion, and Bryson Dechambeau – as well as over 50 of the Asian Tour’s most prominent players, the star-studded event is the strongest field in the history of the Asian Tour. The tournament, which is not part of The International Series, also offers one of the Asian Tour’s most lucrative purses.
KAEC-SAUDI-ARABIA – Asian Tour and LIV Golf Investments announce The International Series. From left to right -Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, Greg Norman, CEO LIV Golf and Asian Tour No 1 golfer, Joohyung Kim of Korea. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Asian Tour’s 2020-21 season was recently completed and saw Joohyung Kim, Korea’s 19-year-old rising star, claim the coveted Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Speaking at today’s press conference, he said: “I have been fortunate to enjoy an amazing start to my professional career but for this to happen at the same time as the Asian Tour is going through such incredibly positive changes is a huge bonus for me, as well as for all the Asian Tour players.”
More details of The International Series events, and other Asian Tour tournaments this year, will be made available in due course.
By Spencer Robinson, Contributing Editor
Should Bio Kim bump into Shane Lowry at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club this week he could be forgiven for affording himself a wry smile … and a fleeting moment of nostalgia.
Korean Kim and Irishman Lowry are in the starting line-up at the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the opening leg of the Asian Tour’s 2022 season.
Although they barely know each other on a personal level, this will not be the first time that their paths have crossed.
Not that Kim expects the 2019 Open Championship winner to have vivid recollections of their encounters in a Ryder Cup-style contest between the finest male amateurs of Asia-Pacific and Europe almost 14 years ago.
The sixth edition of the Bonallack Trophy took place at Valderrama in Spain in the final week of April, 2008 with the host continent’s star-studded team spearheaded by Lowry and the English duo of Chris Wood and Danny Willett, then the world’s number one amateur and a Masters champion in the making.
For their part, Asia-Pacific hopes of an ‘away’ win were reliant on New Zealand standout Danny Lee and 17-year-old Korean Bio Kim.
While Lee had a week to forget, losing four of his five matches, Kim’s reputation soared on the back of a sterling performance that saw him claim 3½ points from a possible five.
Alongside unrelated compatriot Kim Yeong-su, Bio recovered from a one-down loss in their opening match to remain undefeated.
In two epic foursomes contests, the Kims followed up a first-day half against Willett and Wood by beating the Englishmen 2 & 1. Earlier on day two, they’d swept aside Lowry and Welshman Nigel Edwards 3 & 1 in the fourballs.
Not content with those efforts, Bio Kim went on to score a comprehensive 4 & 2 win over Lowry in the final-day singles.
Although Bio’s heroics proved in vain with Europe running out comfortable winners, the Korean, confidence boosted, returned to Asia where he pulled off a notable double, winning both the Korean Amateur and Japan Amateur titles.
The following year, Kim and Lowry both relinquished their amateur status. They’ve gone on to carve successful careers with multiple wins, Kim in Asia and Lowry in Europe.
While Kim recalls his sole Bonallack Trophy appearance with fondness, he’s typically modest and under-stated when discussing those clashes with Lowry.
Of his singles success, Kim said: “Europe had already won the trophy so I think Shane was going easy on me!”
Rather than reflect on past glories, Kim, now aged 31 and a father-of-two, is firmly focused on what lies ahead, starting with the Saudi International.
Following an impressive run of form that saw him conclude the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 campaign with four successive top-10s – Blue Canyon Phuket Championship (tied fourth); Laguna Phuket Championship (tied second); The Singapore International (seventh) and SMBC Singapore Open (tied ninth) – Kim is anxious to continue trending upwards.
“I’m looking forward to Saudi Arabia. I’ve never been to the Middle East so it’s a first for me and a special event for the Asian Tour,” said Kim, who placed seventh on the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 Order of Merit and has climbed to 216th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
“The Saudi International is a great opportunity for Asian Tour members to play with PGA Tour players. For me, I need to concentrate on my own game and play how I can – not try and play like Dustin (Johnson) or Bryson (DeChambeau),” added Kim, for whom collecting world ranking points is a priority as he plots a path back to the PGA Tour.
“At some point, I want to get inside the top-100 in the world ranking, qualify for the Majors and get back to the big-time on the PGA Tour,” said Kim, who admits he was unprepared for his first flirt with the PGA Tour after gaining a spot via qualifying school at the end of 2010.
In 2011, at the age of 20, he was the youngest member of the PGA Tour. Although he posted five top-25 finishes from 25 starts he finished 162nd on the Money List and lost his card.
“Looking back, I wasn’t ready mentally for the big stage. I was a little homesick and I couldn’t compete. Now I’m more settled and mature and would like to have another shot,” said Kim, who will consider attempting to regain his playing rights through the Korn Ferry Tour.
After his varied experiences as a teenage prodigy, Kim is better placed than most to comment on the remarkable exploits of his 19-year-old compatriot Joohyung Kim, the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 Order of Merit champion, and 14-year-old Thai Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat, whose recent performances have catapulted them into the headlines.
Bio Kim said: “Joohyung is capable of getting to the very top. He’s got a fabulous tempo and rhythm to his swing and he doesn’t seem to get shaky or nervous. Nothing bothers him.
“For TK, I was surprised that he didn’t back off when playing with Paul Casey at the SMBC Singapore Open. It was impressive.
“They’re both more mature than I was when I was the same age as them. I was too hurried, wanting to get on Tour as soon as possible instead of spending enough time learning.”
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