Series Opens Proud New Chapter for Black Mountain
With the hosting of last week’s inaugural International Series Thailand, a proud new chapter in the history of Black Mountain Golf Club has been written.
Sculpted by Pacific Coast Design’s Phil Ryan and opened for play in 2007, the Hua Hin property has underlined its status as one of Asia’s most prolific tournament venues.
“To get the honour to host the Asian Tour’s first International Series event was fantastic,” said Harald Elisson, General Manager at Black Mountain, the first club in Thailand to become part of the Asian Tours Destinations network.
“We had our first Asian Tour event, the Black Mountain Masters, in 2009. Since then we’ve frequently hosted professional tournaments,” added Elisson, whose tenure has also coincided with the staging of the Thailand Classic, King’s Cup and Royal Trophy.
He said: “We’ve been working with the Asian Tour for 12 or 13 years now and we have a great relationship.
“We hadn’t hosted a big tournament for a while, so we were very excited about the International Series Thailand – and for us to be the first host venue.
“It was exciting for us to show Black Mountain from its absolute best side – both on and off the course. Then there was everything else that goes on around a tournament. We tried to make it a bit special.”
A bit special it certainly was with Sihwan Kim scorching to a winning aggregate of 26-under-par 262, including an opening 62 and a closing 63. Elisson said: “The golf course was in perfect condition. Without the strong winds we often have, it was ideal for low scoring. We were expecting some low scores, but nine-under and 10-under … that’s amazing!”
Since the club’s inauguration, Black Mountain has never stood still, always looking ahead to the next addition or challenge. Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, more progress is on the way.
Elisson said: “I love the aspect that we keep growing all the time. We keep changing. We keep evolving, both on the course and off the course.
“We always try to make the course better. We always try to get more facilities around the area. We have a school on site now and a lot of other facilities. We also keep growing because more and more people are choosing to stay here, either as a second home or permanently.
“Black Mountain has become a fantastic golfing community with a great mix of people from all around the world – Europeans, Scandinavians, Australians, as well as Thais and other Asians. We have a great mix of nationalities and people.”
Golf’s history books will record that the International Series Thailand was a landmark week for the Asian Tour.
The first event in the eagerly-awaited new initiative proved a resounding success on numerous fronts – outstanding venue and outstanding scoring being the most glaringly obvious.
With a prize purse of US$1.5 million and the promise of nine more events of similarly elevated status on the calendar for 2022, no wonder there were smiles on the faces of participants at the Black Mountain Golf Club.
Among those watching over proceedings and admiring the birdie-fest was Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour.
After the roller-coaster ride he’s been through the past two years plotting the Asian Tour’s path out of the Covid-19 pandemic, Cho would have been entitled to reflect with quiet satisfaction on the achievements of the past four months.
“Coming out of Covid, we definitely did not expect to be in this position. It’s very fortunate for us to come out of the pandemic in such a strong position,” said Cho, referring to the 21-month hiatus the Asian Tour endured.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Sihwan Kim of the USA pictured with the winner’s trophy on Thursday March 6, 2022 after the final round of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
For Cho and the Asian Tour management team, the 84-week absence of tournaments did not mean they were able to take a break. Far from it.
Cho said: “It was a time for us to go back to the drawing board, explore options, talk to different sponsors, and look at ways to come back bigger and stronger. So we’re happy that we’re able to do that.
“The proof is in the pudding … and everyone’s happy. Everyone’s playing competitive golf for decent prize money. Finally, hopefully, the level of competition goes up and up and up.”
One of the main sources of Cho’s contentment is the backing of LIV Golf Investments, which is enabling the Asian Tour to provide more playing opportunities for its members, along with significantly greater prize money.
Over a 10-year period, LIV Golf has committed to investing US$300 million via the International Series, consisting of 10 events each year with prize funds of US$1.5 million to US$2 million.
Cho said: “I feel like the International Series is where the Asian Tour belongs. For decades, it’s what we’ve been waiting for … and it’s the new standard for the Asian Tour.
“In the past, the Asian Tour was a collection of small prize money events with the odd $1 million or $2 million events scattered in there. But now the standard for the Asian Tour is going to be $1 million-plus, high level events, great destinations and locations, and it’s going to be a lot more competitive.”
Across the International Series, there will be considerable focus on player experience.
Cho said: “For the golfers, we want to make them feel special. We want to make them feel like the International Series are major events.
“So, you’ll see a barber shop; you’ll see a smoothie bar; you’ll see foot massage; you’ll see more physiotherapy; you’ll see a club fitting area for guys to adjust loft and change the grips on their clubs; you’ll see a fully kitted out gym; you’ll see a players’ lounge. We want to increase the whole professionalism of the Tour. And this is where it starts.”
By offering increased purses and a better player experience, Cho is convinced events will attract stronger fields and competition levels will improve. It will also encourage more of the young up-and-coming players to remain in the region rather than touring the globe in search of tournaments in which to play.
In particular, that applies to those who hold dual membership of the Asian Tour and either DP World Tour or Japan Tour Golf Organisation.
Cho said: “One of the major differences that the fans are going to see with the International Series is that the bigger names, who are traditionally dual members, will come back and play these tournaments.
“Usually they’d have to go to Europe or to Japan for bigger prize money and to play a fullish schedule. But now that we’ve got a guaranteed 10-event series with good prize money, it’s going to be very competitive and bring those guys back home to Asia.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand pictured in action on Thursday March 3, 2022, during day one of The International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The USD$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Now there’s a ways for them to stay in Asia, compete at the highest level, and not have to travel abroad to make a good pay cheque. Hopefully, they stay over here, they groom their games, go and play Majors, World Golf Championships and move up the ranks.
“The way we improve players in Asia is giving them better competition or tougher competition … and a full schedule of 25 to 30 events.”
With domestic Tours expanding in countries such as Thailand, India, Taiwan and Indonesia and the Asian Development Tour and Asian Tour in sound shape, Cho says there’s now a ladder system and proper career pathway. There’s more competition and more depth.
“There’s a hunger among players to play better. That’s all we can ask for,” said Cho.
Laguna Golf Phuket in Thailand and Indonesia’s Parahyangan Golf are the latest award-winning golfing venues to become part of Asian Tour Destinations network.
They are the 10th and 11th golf clubs to join Asian Tour Destinations, which was re-launched in 2020 as an affiliate network of premier golfing properties in the region that have direct ties with the Asian Tour.
“We’re delighted to welcome Laguna Golf Phuket and Parahyangan Golf to the expanding Asian Tour Destinations family,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour.
“We look forward to working with both clubs and further developing the strong ties that we’ve built with them through the staging of tournaments,” added Cho.
Laguna Golf Phuket hosted the inaugural Laguna Phuket Championship late last year as the Asian Tour resumed play following the Covid-19 pandemic, and also staged the Singha Phuket Open on the Asian Development Tour in 2017.
PHUKET-THAILAND- Hole No 7, left and Hole No 6, right, at Laguna Phuket on Phuket Island, Thailand. The Asian Tour Laguna Phuket Championship will be held at the Laguna Phuket from December 2-5, 2021. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Parahyangan Golf was the venue for the Asian Development Tour’s Combiphar Players Championship in 2019.
In recent years, both clubs have also had the distinction of being voted as the Best Golf Course in their country by the World Golf Awards.
Set within Laguna Phuket Resort – Asia’s first fully integrated destination resort with a variety of hotel options, including Banyan Tree Phuket – the Laguna Golf Phuket course is an idyllic golfing paradise.
Darren Robson, Director of Golf at Laguna Golf Phuket, said: “Revitalised in 2015, the layout offers an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all abilities, whether you’re just setting out on your golfing journey … or you’re an Asian Tour professional! We’re delighted to partner with the Asian Tour to become an official Asian Tour Destinations venue”
Laguna Golf Phuket is a sister club of Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, the first Vietnam club to join Asian Tour Destinations.
Meanwhile, Parahyangan Golf is the first Indonesian club to sign up with the network.
Situated within the eco-city of Kota BaruParahyangan, the golf course is set amidst a dramatic mountain and valley landscape.
Easily accessible from the Padalarang toll gate on the Cipularang toll road, Parahyangan Golf, sculpted by JMP Golf Design Group’s Bob Moore, is located less than 10 miles west of Bandung, Indonesia’s third-largest city, and home to the seat of the West Java Provincial Government.
Club Manager Yulius Ardiansyah said: “At our five-star golf course and clubhouse, nature guides the experience – whether you’re being challenged by the golf landscape, enjoying a traditional Javanese massage or dining on Sundanese cuisine overlooking rice paddies.
“We’re honoured to become the first club from Indonesia to join Asian Tour Destinations and look forward to hosting another Asian Tour event in the not too distant future.”
Sentosa Golf Club was the first establishment to become part of Asian Tour Destinations. The Singapore venue has since been joined by Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia; Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand; Classic Golf & Country Club in New Delhi, India; Kota Permai Golf & Country Club and Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club, both in Malaysia; Laguna Golf Lăng Cô in Vietnam; and Japan’s Sapporo Country Club and The North Country Golf Club.
Asian Tour Destinations will be adding other prominent venues from the Asia-Pacific region to its portfolio in the near future.
Thailand’s golfing phenom TK Ratchanon, as he’s popularly known, has been getting plenty of attention since he played in his first Asian Tour event late last year.
And at the weekend he again performed with distinction claiming 11th place at the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, which was the first of the ground-breaking new 10-event International Series.
It is easy to forget Ratchanon Chantananuwat is still an amateur and so the question is how much would he have earned if he had been competing as a member of the play for pay ranks.
After two solid events in Phuket in late November and early December 2021, he nearly won The Singapore International in January having held the lead early on the back nine on Sunday. He would eventually finish solo-third for his best Asian Tour event to date.
Last week the teen titan was sitting in tied-eight position after a nine-under-par 63 in the third round before narrowly missing out on recording his second Asian Tour top-10 by one shot.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat pictured on Friday March 4, 2022, during round two of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
So, based on the six events TK Ratchanon has competed in his earnings would have been:
Blue Canyon Phuket Championship: tied 15th , US$12,670
Laguna Phuket Championship: tied 30th, US$7,925
The Singapore International: third, US$63,000
SMBC Singapore Open: tied 34th, US$8,625
PIF Saudi International Powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers: 71st , US$10,500
International Series Thailand: tied 11th,US$23,145
The hypothetical total earnings of US$125,865 in four months would be impressive by anyone’s standards, but quite incredible for a player that just turned 15 three days ago.
We are sure to see a lot more of “TK” in the coming months and years, but one thing is for sure it is not his winnings that will count for his growing legion of fans but rather the joy his genius is bringing to the game and the Asian Tour.
American Sihwan Kim finally secured his first victory as a professional after over a decade long wait when he claimed the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club today.
The in-form 33 year old, who has been in the final pairing on Sunday at three of the last six Asian Tour events, fired an inspired nine-under-par 63 to beat Thailand’s great hope of the future Phachara Khongwatmai by two strokes.
Phachara, the overnight leader chasing his second Tour victory, had no answer to Kim’s round and shot a 68.
South African Ian Snyman and Itthipat Buranatanyarat from Thailand finished two shots further back tied for third after rounds of 64 and 67 respectively.
Sihwan Kim, who turned professional in 2011, has recorded eight top-four results on the Asian Tour since 2018, including two runner-up finishes.
Today’s victory is the culmination of a fine run of form recently which has seen him finish joint fourth at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship, fourth in the SMBC Singapore Open, and tied second in the Royal’s Cup last week.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Phachara Khongwatmai of Thailand pictured on Sunday March 6, 2022 during the final round of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
And he has also finished second four times on the Challenge Tour, since 2012.
“To get that monkey off your back is more of a relief, and happiness, I guess. I know I had it in me, but I guess I just stayed diligent throughout my career, and here I am,” said Kim, who earned a cheque for US$270,000 and moved to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
“It definitely helped [being in the penultimate group]. When you get off to hot start and when the leaders see your name going up the leader board it kind of puts pressure on the leaders. Obviously because you should make birdies and when it doesn’t come it kind of gets frustrating, so it definitely helped to be in the second from last group.
“It just felt like I was going to make everything today. I was swinging it really freely. I was just reading the lines really well, felt like I was going to make everything.”
Sihwan Kim started the day three shots adrift of Phachara but took charge of the tournament with the most remarkable run of holes seen on the Asian Tour.
He made seven birdies in row from the second – which was two short of Austrian Bernd Wiesberger’s record at the 2017 Maybank Championship.
By the halfway mark he had a one-shot lead over Phachara before another birdie on 10 saw him move two ahead. A three-putt bogey on 14 gave Phachara a glimmer of hope before the American restored his two-shot advantage by sensationally holing his third shot from the bunker on 15 for a birdie.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Ian Snyman of South Africa pictured on Sunday March 6, 2022 during the final round of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
That left him with a three-stroke lead but again Kim gave Phachara a chance by missing a 10 foot par putt on 16 after finding sand with his second. Phachara proceeded to birdie 16 to close the gap to one before Kim made birdie on 17 to restore a two-shot advantage that would remain until the end.
Phachara won his first title on the Asian Tour at the Laguna Phuket Championship in December and was the hot favourite to prevail today.
He said: “Today, I was aiming to shoot four or five under to win, but Sihwan played very well, he was eight under after only 10 holes, which really affected my game. I am still proud of my performance, and I’m satisfied. I kept fighting until the very end.”
Asian Tour rookie Snyman was one of the surprise performers on the last day coming through to register the best finish of his career.
“Today was a big mental breakthrough. Being able to put together four rounds like that is incredible,” said Snyman.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Itthipat Buranatanyarat of Thailand pictured on Sunday March 6, 2022 during the final round of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I loved it, love every moment. I had to remind myself the whole time to keep pushing. Don’t go into defence mode. Overall, I am very, very pleased. It’s a relief making that final putt on the last.”
The Asian Tour heads to The DGC Open next. The inaugural event is being played at Delhi Golf Club from March 24 to 27.
Phachara Khongwatmai emerged from a packed leaderboard to take the third-round lead in the US$1.5 million International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club today.
The Thai star fired a nine-under-par 63 to lead on 20 under by three from countrymen Poosit Supupramai and Itthipat Buranayarat, American Sihwan Kim, India’s Karandeep Kochhar and Doyeob Mun from Korea.
Poosit matched the course record with a 62 while Itthipat and Kim fired 65s. Kochhar returned a 66 with Mun signing for a 68.
Overnight leader Ryo Hisatsune from Japan carded a 71 and is 15 under.
Phachara Khongwatmai has only dropped one shot in three days and made nine birdies today, including six on the back nine, with three on the trot from the 16th.
“I have been playing well for a while, so I felt like a good round was coming,” said the 22 year old, who also shot 63 on day one.
“The course is possible to shoot low score, but you still have to play well.”
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Poosit Supupramai of Thailand pictured in action on Friday March 5, 2022 during day one of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour.
The rising star finally won his first Asian Tour event at the end of last year at the Laguna Phuket Championship, after years of coming close, including six runner-up finishes.
Phachara Khongwatmai also won twice on the Asian Development Tour in 2015, while it was back in 2013 he triumphed in the Singha Hua Hin Open as a 14 year old amateur.
He added: “Yes, Hua Hin has special meaning for me, as I turned professional after winning in 2013.”
Poosit matched Sihwan Kim’s first round course record thanks to an eagle, nine birdies and just one bogey.
Said the Thai golfer: “I just made the cut yesterday, which was a good day for me. Today I said to my family that I would concentrate on an aggressive game, as usual, and I did it well. I had a great game today with a good combination of driving, iron shots and putting and also slam dunked an eagle. I got some luck, everything was perfect.”
Earlier in the day Thailand’s Ratchanon “TK” Chantananuwat, who celebrated his 15th birthday yesterday by finishing on the six under halfway cut, stormed through the field with a 63 to finish on 15 under.
“Fifteen yesterday and 15 under today. I think I will need at least 63 tomorrow to win,” said Ratchanon.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat amateur golfer of Thailand pictured in action on Saturday March 5, 2022 during round three of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Tomorrow I am going to try and strike the ball like I did today and give myself a lot of opportunities again. Every single putt I have, I will have to run through every scenario and every possible calculation I need to make before hitting the putt. If I want to win, I have to do that for every single putt. I did not manage to do that on eight of the holes today. This is the first time I’ve played two ball in my life. Feels a bit lonely.”
The youngster said it was his lowest 18-hole score.
He added: “My previous lowest was an eight under on the All Thailand Golf Tour.”
Japanese teenager Ryo Hisatsune upstaged many of the big-name players in this week’s International Series Thailand to take the halfway lead at Black Mountain Golf Club.
The 19 year old, who turned professional at the end of 2020, shot a six-under-par 66 for an impressive tournament total of 14 under.
He leads by one from Koreans Sungyeol Kwon and Doyeob Mun, who both carded 66s.
A shot further back is reigning Asian Tour number one Joohyung Kim (68) and Taehee Lee (64) from Korea, South African Jaco Ahlers (63), Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (66) and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit (65), and American Todd Baek (66).
“My course management today was very good. I am very happy,” said Hisatsune, who has his girlfriend Rirua on the bag.
“It was a so hot today, I am not used to this.”
Hisatsune fired seven birdies and dropped just one shot.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Sungyeol Kwon of Korea pictured on Friday March 4, 2022, during round two of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
A rising star of the Japan Golf Tour Organization he recorded six top-20 finishes during his rookie season in Japan last year and could well be a threat at the weekend.
Said Mun: “I am disappointed not to birdie the last. My chip should have been better so I could have made birdie and birdied the last three. Two more rounds to go though and so still a long way to go.”
Kim, also 19, is lurking ominously behind the leaders although feels his best is still yet to come in what is the first of 10 International Series events this season.
“To be honest I felt like I left a lot of shots out there today. It is still an under par round and it’s going to give me a chance,” said Kim.
“You can get a bunch of birdies out there, so you have to hit it close and give yourself a lot of opportunities. Everything needs to work well here. To be honest the last two days have not been the best that I have had but to still be here in contention is a good feeling.”
The Korean claimed Asian Tour Order of Merit title in January, helped by winning The Singapore International before finishing joint second in the season-ending SMBC Singapore Open.
Ahlers, a nine-time winner on South Africa’s Sunshine Tour who has been playing in Asia on and off for the past 10 years, fired an eagle, nine birdies and one bogey for the lowest round of the day.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Joohyung Kim of Korea pictured in action on Friday March 4, 2022, during round two of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He said: “I played pretty much the same as yesterday but made a lot more putts. I had 31 yesterday and 23 today. It is eight different. That’s just the name of the game.
My form has been good recently, it’s been solid, not 63-type but plugging along, top 10 here, top 10 there. I just needed the putting to work, and it did today.”
India’s Karandeep Kochhar and Korean Bio Kim are a stroke further back after rounds of 68 and 69.
The halfway cut was made six under, which was one shot short of the record set at the New Zealand Open in 2018.
Thailand’s amateur star Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat made the cut for the sixth successive time on the Asian Tour on the day he turned 15 years old.
He shot a 68 to make it through to the weekend on six under.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, amateur golfer of Thailand pictured on Friday March 4, 2022, during round two of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
India ace Jeev Milkha Singh said there were numerous occasions during the pandemic when he feared for the future of professional golf in Asia. However, all that seems to have changed with the new International Series on the Asian Tour, the first of which is being played at the Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin this week, writes Joy Chakravarty.
“I’d actually get shivers up my spine thinking about the plight of some of the young players. The situation was very serious in India and many other Asian countries during the lockdown periods. Golf courses were shut. While tournaments were just not possible, you could not even go out and practice,” said the 50-year-old, a two-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
“I was hearing stories all over of how young professionals were turning away from golf just because there was no way of making a living from the sport. It was happening across the board. Caddies, greenkeepers and service staff were severely affected as they lost their jobs and income. I know players in their mid-30s with young families who told me about the hardships they were facing and how they were unable to pay for basic things such as their kids’ education. It was one of the worst situations I have seen in my entire lifetime.”
Singh was personally impacted himself and tragically lost both his parents to COVID-19 complications within the space of five tumultuous days last year.
The Asian Tour did not have a single tournament between March 2020 and November 2021. It resumed action after a gap of nearly 21 months. Earlier this year, at the season-opening US$5 million Saudi International, LIV Golf increased its investment in Asian Tour to US$300 million for 10 years and created the International Series – 10 tournaments with prize purse of US$1.5 to US$2 million, to be played in various parts of Asia and other continents.
PHUKET-THAILAND – Jeev Milkha Singh of India pictured on Wednesday, November 24, 2021 during the Pro-am event ahead of the Asian Tour’s Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 at the Blue Canyon Country Club, (Canyon Course), with a prize fund of US$ 1 Million. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I have been part of Asian golf ever since I turned pro. I think the last time I saw this much excitement among the players was way back in 1995 when the Asian PGA Tour (which later evolved into the Asian Tour) was formed and we finally had a proper schedule that included several half-a-million dollar events at a time when $100,000 to $150,000 was the norm,” said Jeev Milkha Singh, who was expected to tee up in Hua Hin before pulling out for personal reasons.
“We have had big prize money events in Asia before, most of which were joint sanctioned. Apart from the Barclays Singapore Open [which Singh won in 2008], Asian Tour members have never played in fully sanctioned events like what we will have at the International Series.
“Earlier, even if you were 60th in the Order of Merit and kept your card, you’d have made around $50,000 at the most. I’d say many players in the top-60 were incurring a loss for the year with that kind of earning. But this season, the 60th placed player will make at least $100,000. That is a very decent amount playing golf in Asia. It will help players bank a few dollars as savings, which is always a good feeling.
“Obviously, winning takes care of everything. I’d always advise that the attitude must be that I need to win the tournament – whether it is a US$2 million International Series title, or an event with smaller purse. However, the importance of money cannot be denied, and nothing improves the confidence more than when you have some money in the bank.”
Singh, a board member of the Asian Tour, is getting ready for the seniors circuit, and has secured his cards in Europe, Japan and Korea. But one thing is certain – he is going to return to the Tour he loves the most whenever he can.
“It’s getting increasingly tough to battle it out with the young guns on the Tour. My body has taken a toll with the various injuries I have endured throughout my career. So, to be able to play three-round tournaments on shorter courses is a very welcome idea for me,” added Singh, winner of six titles on the Asian Tour.
“But don’t count me out of the Asian Tour yet. I am going to return and play whenever I can. I love playing all over the world, but I have always maintained that there is nothing more enjoyable and special than playing on the Asian Tour. There is a camaraderie between the players and the staff that just can’t be found anywhere else.
“I will have a few competitive rounds under my belt by the time I get back on the Asian Tour, and hopefully, that will help me compete against these youngsters.
“And even when I am not playing on the Tour, I will keep an eye on what is happening here. The kind of talent we get in Asia is mind-boggling. It’s pure, feel-oriented talent. It’s like a Jordan Spieth or Matthew Wolff. They have a lot of X factor in them. I will definitely be following their rise as they fly the Asian flag around the world.”
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