Four heading to The Open championship
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, Yuto Katsuragawa from Japan, Korean Joohyung Kim, and American Sihwan Kim have booked their berths in the elite field for the Open Championship this year, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary and will be played at St Andrews.
Sadom led the way by winning the SMBC Singapore Open today while Katsuragawa and Joohyung Kim were second, with Sihwan Kim fourth.
Said Sadom: “This is a dream come true, it will be my first Major. I am so happy.”
It marks the second time in succession that Kim has made it through to golf’s oldest Major via the SMBC Singapore Open as he finished fourth in 2020, the last time the prestigious event was played.
“I had the opportunity to play in The Open last year but could not because of COVID, so it means so much to have a second chance,” said Kim.
SINGAPORE- Sihwan Kim of the USA pictured during round four, Sunday January 23, 2022, at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
The Open will be played on the Old Course at St Andrews from July 14-17.
Since 2017, the SMBC Singapore Open has been part of The Open Qualifying Series – an honour bestowed on the tournament by The R&A.
The Open Qualifying Series allows for the leading four players who finish in the top 12 and ties at the SMBC Singapore Open and who are not already exempt to earn a place in the game’s oldest Major.
The last time The Open was played at St Andrews was in 2015, when American Zach Johnson beat Marc Leishman from Australia and South African Louis Oosthuizen in a four-hole play-off.
In 2020 the top four finishers to qualify along with Kim were, Poom Saksansin of Thailand, Canada’s Richard T. Lee and Ryosuke Kinoshita of Japan. They earned a place in the field at Royal St George’s last year. Both Kinoshita and Poom excelled by making the cut, making it memorable first appearance in the event.
The Open Qualifying Series provides the opportunity for players to realise their dream of playing in golf’s original Championship.
Places in The Open are available in a host of events across multiple continents. The Open Qualifying Series started at the Joburg Open at Randpark in Johannesburg last November.
Three places were on offer at there, with Thriston Lawrence, Zander Lombard and Ashley Chesters booking their spots at the home of golf.
ENDS
American Sihwan Kim stayed out in front after the third round of the US$1.25 million SMBC Singapore Open today at Sentosa Golf Club but was joined at the top by Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand.
Third-round leader Kim carded a two-under-par 69 on the Serapong Course while Sadom fired a 65 to lead on 11 under, in the final event of the 2020-21 season on the Asian Tour.
Joohyung Kim, the 19-year-old Korean who currently leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit, returned a 69 and is in solo possession of third, three strokes back.
Australian Zach Murray, in with 65, Justin De Los Santos from the Philippines and Japan’s Yuto Katsuragawa, who both scored 68, are a further shot behind.
Kim, who has spent much of his career playing on the Challenge Tour in Europe, is chasing his first win as a professional.
SINGAPORE- Sihwan Kim of the USA pictured during round three, Saturday January 22, 2022, at the SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
Said the Korean-American: “I feel alright, I wish I made more putts, but it is what it is and I’m still leading. I just couldn’t really get it close to the pin today, only had a couple of birdie chances and that was about it.”
The 33-year-old has finished in the top five six times on the Asian Tour and was joint fourth in the recent Blue Canyon Phuket Championship, at the end of last year.
“It is a very demanding course. I don’t know how the winds are going to be tomorrow, but I’ll just do what I did for the first three rounds,” added Sihwan Kim, who claimed the US Junior Championship in 2004, before playing college golf at Stanford University.
Sadom has won once before on the Asian Tour, at the 2019 Bangabandhu Cup Golf Open –which saw him become the fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on Tour as it was his first start after graduating.
The 23 year old triumphed five times in Thailand last year, including in the Thailand Open, but a victory tomorrow would be far and away the biggest win of his career.
SINGAPORE-Joohyung Kim of Korea pictured during round three, Sarturday January 22, 2022, at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
“I feel very happy. I made it bogey-free today and hit 16 greens, many chances to make birdie today, so I’m very happy today,” said Sadom.
“Tomorrow is the final day, and it’s not easy for me. A lot of pressure, but I will do my best.”
His 65 was the joint lowest round of the day and was flawless with six birdies and no dropped shots.
Joohyung Kim, despite being well place to win the Merit list and add Singapore’s National Open to his win in last week’s The Singapore International, was not happy with his round.
Said Kim: “I started really well at the front nine, it’s the back nine that I couldn’t do anything about it. To be honest with you, I was really disappointed with my back nine, felt that I should have stuck more in there, felt that I should have been mentally more there but made a few mistakes. The last hole I was able to redeem myself but I’m just not really confident over the ball and so got some work to do. I will still be in the final group tomorrow, so will give myself a chance tomorrow and work on it again.”
He got off to great start with an eagle on the par five fourth and went out in three under but dropped shots on 15 and 17 saw him slip back.
SINGAPORE- Mitchell Slorach of Singapore poses with his golf ball after making a hole-in-one on hole No 17 during round three, Saturday January 22, 2022, at the SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
Thailand’s 14-year-old star Ratchanon Chantananuwat signed for a 72 and is one over, one ahead of England’s Paul Casey, who came in with a 71
Singapore’s Mitchell Slorach aced the par-three 17 hole using a six iron and won a five-year Shangri-La Diamond Membership and 500,000 Shangri-La Circle Points, worth approximately US$50,000.
Sihwan Kim fired a fine five-under-par 66 in the second round of the SMBC Singapore Open today to take the clubhouse lead on nine under at Sentosa Golf Club.
The American opened up a three-shot lead over Korean teenage star Joohyung Kim – who came in with his second 68 to put himself in a strong position to wrap up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title at the weekend.
Korean Dongkyu Jang and Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand are a stroke further back following rounds of 69 and 70 respectively.
The US$1.25 million event is the final event of the season on Asian Tour. Three players were unable to finish as darkness fell.
Sihwan Kim has good pedigree – he won the US Junior Championship in 2004, joining a host of big names players to have claimed the title including compatriots Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth – and showed that on the Serapong Course today.
SINGAPORE- Joohyung Kim of Korea pictured during round two, Friday January 21, 2022, at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
He started on 10, toured the back nine in three under and after making three birdies in a row from his 11th he had a five-shot lead.
The 33 year old’s only blemish followed when he double bogeyed hole six but he responded with a birdie on the seventh.
“Feels good, I putted really well today and hopefully the rest of my game follows,” said Sihwan Kim, who also went to Stanford University, at the same time as Michelle Wie.
“I don’t know [why I played so well]. To be honest, I just had a terrible practice round. So, I didn’t really expect that. But at the end of the day, you know, you just kind of find what you have and score from there. So that’s what I’ve been doing.”
Joohyung Kim, winner of last week’s The Singapore International, was again in impressive form making five birdies and two bogeys.
He has a healthy lead at the top of the Merit list with his nearest challengers Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Trevor Simsby from America, off the pace, while Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei will miss the cut.
Said Kim: “It’s not over till it’s over. I can’t relax over the weekend, but just got to keep grinding, trying to finish the best I can this week.”
SINGAPORE- Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand pictured during round two, Friday January 21, 2022, at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
“I feel like this weekend, it means so much to everyone and it’s a big week for everyone so you know, keep my head down and keep grinding,” he added.
Sadom won five times in Thailand last year, including his National Open.
“I have worked really hard on my game over the last two years since COVID,” said Sadom.
“Now that I have made the cut, I am aiming for a top five finish.”
Thailand’s Ratchanon Chantananuwat, the 14-year-old golfing phenom, carded a 73 and is level par in a tie for 31st.
His playing partner England’s Paul Casey recovered from his opening round 76 by carding a 68 to finish on two over, which will most likely be good enough to make the cut, currently three over.
An eagle and a birdie in his closing six holes saw the Ryder Cup star, joint second here in 2019, narrowly make it through to the weekend.
SINGAPORE- Dongkyu Jang of Korea pictured during round two, Friday January 21, 2022, at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
Korean Taehoon Ok sensationally eagled the two par fives on the front nine of the tough Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club today to help take the clubhouse lead, along with Thailand’s Suradit Yongcharoenchai, on the opening day of the US$1.25 million SMBC Singapore Open.
Ok and Suradit fired five-under-par 66s in the final event of the season on the Asian Tour to lead from Korean Sihwan Kim, Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, and Justin De Los Santos from the Philippines who returned 67s.
Koreans Joohyung Kim – the current leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit and winner of last week’s The Singapore International – and Dongkyu Jang came in with 68s, in a group of players consisting of Thailand’s 14-year-old wonderkid Ratchanon Chantananuwat, Tirawat Kaewsiribandit, and Kosuke Hamamoto and Singapore’s Jesse Yap.
Play was abandoned for the day at 5.51pm due to poor weather (lightning and rain), with 52 players due to resume their opening rounds at 7.30am on Friday.
SINGAPORE- Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand pictured during round one, Thursday January 20, 2022, at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
Little-known Ok hit a rescue to 20 feet for his eagle on the fourth and on the par-five seventh nailed a three wood to 15 feet and holed out. He also made three birdies, including one on 18, and two bogeys.
“The last tournament didn’t go too well so I was feeling a bit anxious,” said the 23 year old, who missed the cut in The Singapore International.
“But after last week I’ve been practicing a lot, so think I’ve improved and think I have figured things out.”
He added: “After the 2021 season ended, I was trying to fix my swing, but it wasn’t going too well. But this time I’m feeling pretty good so I’m just going to do my best.”
The Korean tied for 10th in the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship at the end of last year suggesting more results were to follow.
Back in 2020 he made three birdies in his last five holes to secure the last card at the Qualifying School.
Suradit had a chance to take the outright lead but missed an eagle putt on the par-five 18th from 15 feet. Impressively, he went round bogey free.
“Really happy today,” said Suradit.
SINGAPORE- Joohyung Kim of Korea pictured during round one, Thursday January 20, 2022, at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
“I played good, putting was okay, I made tee shots that were very good today but some second shots on par threes were not so good, but it’s okay.”
He played on the European Tour last year and feels he has come back stronger.
“It was a great experience playing in Europe. I am definitely a better player,” added the Thai golfer.
Joohyung Kim put himself in a strong position to win the Merit title at the weekend.
He said: “Just trying to stay in the moment. That’s what I’ve been working on for the past couple of weeks. And I think it was a really good example of it today. I just kept telling myself, it’s just the first round I can’t win it today. So just hang in there and just keep hitting good shots.
“Just grind it out. You know, I got a lot of work to do. You know, I got a lot of time until tomorrow. So just practice and hopefully you know, tomorrow we can put a best foot forward.”
Ratchanon, better known as “TK”, finished third last week and excelled again today playing with England’s Paul Casey.
SINGAPORE- Paul Casey of England, left, chips onto the 16th green watched by Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14 year old amateur of Thailand during round one, Thursday January 20, 2022, at The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
“I am a bit disappointed. I could have done better,” said the confident teenager.
“It was amazing playing with Paul. He is such a nice guy and a great ball striker!”
Casey in his first event back after the end of season break returned a 76.
England’s Paul Casey had planned to compete in the SMBC Singapore Open last year, eager to improve on his impressive joint second-place finish in 2019.
He’s a big fan of Sentosa Golf Club’s acclaimed Serapong Course but the pandemic meant the event, one of the region’s iconic National Opens, could not be played.
It was a missed opportunity for the region to see him play again that disappointed everyone but much to the delight of his many fans the Ryder Cup star and winner of 21 titles around the world is back for this year’s long-awaited tournament, which tees-off tomorrow, and he is very excited about it.
“It’s been difficult for pretty much everyone on the planet this last two years,” said the 44-year-old Arizona-based star.
“We planned on being here last year and then that got cancelled. But I’ve always loved playing international golf. And I’ve loved this golf course. It’s a difficult golf course but I think it suits my game very nicely. You know, not a lot of guys have made the journey over but this is what I’ve always done. So, I relish the challenge. There’s a lot to play for.”
His last event was in Dubai towards the end of last year and although he says he “probably lacks a little sharpness” he says his game is in good shape.
SINGAPORE- Paul Casey of England answers questions at a press conference on Wednesday January 19, 2022 ahead of the SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond beat him by two shots three years ago and he is determined to make amends for that this week.
“That’s why I’m here! Jazz beat me, it was a 65 or something in the final round and I thought there was unfinished business. There’s a lot of history to this event. It’s a fantastic trophy. I think this first year was 1961. Great list of champions. Adam Scott’s won here, what three times or something? Yeah, I’d love to win it. As I said unfinished business.”
He’s been put in the same group as Thailand’s 14-year-old wonderkid Ratchanon Chantananuwat for the first two rounds, which will make for a fascinating pairing.
It is just the start of what will be another big year for Casey, who is surprisingly still in search of his first Major and very conscious of how high the standard of the professional game is at the moment.
“You know in this game, it is transitioning, it seems, all the time. You know, these younger, faster guys are amazing. Like last week, we got to watch TK finish third! And the scoring in the States is bonkers. I know those golf courses in Hawaii,” he said.
SINGAPORE- Paul Casey of England pictured warms up at the driving range ahead of the Pro-am event on Wednesday January 19, 2022 ahead of The SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
“The game is just on a trajectory which is impressive and so my goals are to stay relevant really. I’ve got various things written down, including my victories. Yes, the Major always gets written down. I still feel I’ve got a great chance at Augusta National. I love the fact we’re going to St Andrews this year. I was third I think when Louis won in 2010. There’s a lot to play for.
“I think my thing is stay healthy. Stay fit. You know I felt I got probably a bit burnt out last year. Just a lot of stuff that went on last year, which was all good, Olympics and Ryder Cup and victory in Dubai early in the year but if I stay healthy, then there’s no lack of excitement and energy that I’ve got for the game.”
SINGAPORE- Paul Casey of England pictured during the Pro-am event on Wednesday January 19, 2022 ahead of the SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
A record number of Singapore players will compete in this week’s SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club providing a great opportunity for the country’s leading golfers to make their mark in their National Open.
A total of 20 Singaporeans will compete in the US$1.25 million event, which includes seven amateurs, with the ultimate goal of aiming to become the first Singaporean to claim the title.
The tournament, which for the first time in its history is the season-ending event on the Asian Tour, tees-off tomorrow on the Serapong Course –– which is the home course for four Lion City elite players: Abdul Hadi, Koh Dengshan, Jesse Yap and Mitchell Slorach.
“This is a great opportunity for all of us,” said the in-form Hadi, who earlier this year finished top of the local Pro-Series tour, after winning the final three events of the eight-leg circuit on the Serapong Course.
“I’m sure everyone who tees it up this week will have a chance. But you just got to not think about it and take it day by day and hopefully you’ll have a chance on Sunday.”
SINGAPORE- Koh Dengshan of Singapore pictured during round three, Saturday January 15, 2022, at The Singapore International golf event at Tanah Merah Country Club, (Tampines Course). The US$1 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 13-16, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Impressively, he finished eight under at the final Pro-Series event, and he was six under for both legs six and seven. Each tournament was played over two rounds.
He added: “I think the most important is probably tee to green, finding fairways and duplicating a lot of long irons, mid irons into the greens here at Serapong. The key for most of the holes is finding the middle of the green, making par and taking advantage of the par fives.”
Koh finished as the leading Lion City elite player in last week’s The Singapore International on the Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club, in joint 24th place.
“It was obviously a very tough week last week. Hung in there and stayed patient,” said the 33 year old.
“I hope to carry the momentum on to this week. It’s a brand-new week so I think I just got to refocus, stay in the present and do my best. It’s always nice to play in the Singapore Open, especially at Sentosa. The Club’s been really supportive of us. I think we’ve got a lot of opportunities to practice here and there are really good facilities at Sentosa, so I think it’s a really nice opportunity.
“A lot of our pros and amateurs got picked this week. So, it’s really nice to see so many Singaporeans playing.”
SINGAPORE- Ryan Ang of Singapore pictured during round four, Sunday, January 16, 2022, at The Singapore International golf event at Tanah Merah Country Club, (Tampines Course). The US$1 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 13-16, 2022. Picture by Tharm Sook Wai/Asian Tour.
Mardan Mamat, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour and a veteran among the Lion City elite players, is also competing along with Singapore Open Amateur champion Ryan Ang.
Fourteen-year-old amateur Brayden Lee, who made headlines in this event in 2017 when he came close to beating Australian Adam Scott in the Beat the Pro Challenge aged nine, is also in the field.
Korean Joohyung Kim achieved so much in his first tournament of the year last week, The Singapore International: he won the tournament in a thrilling sudden-death finish, took over top spot on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and moved into the top-100 on the Official World Golf Ranking.
But there is no time for the 19 year old to rest on his laurels as this week he competes in the SMBC Singapore Open, on The Serapong at Sentosa Golf Club – the final event of the Tour’s 2020-21 seasn and its all work for Joohyung Kim.
“I’m still enjoying it,” said the powerfully built star.
“You know, I wish I could have enjoyed it a little bit longer, but it’s straight back to work. Obviously happy about that, but you know, just trying to concentrate on this week.”
He holed a testing 14-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole on Sunday on the Tampines Course’s at Tanah Merah Country Club to beat Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan, and register his second victory on the Asian Tour.
He added: “To be honest, I felt kind of rusty. I came outside of quarantine and very cold in Korea, couldn’t play a lot of rounds. Just did what I had to do. And with the conditions being so tough I think it really suited my game pretty well. And I played very conservative, very smart and, you know, made a lot of putts. So, I was pretty surprised last week when I won.”
Kim leads the Merit list with earnings of US$399,428 but three players can catch him this week: Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai, Chan Shih-chang from Chinese-Taipei and American Trevor Simsby.
SINGAPORE- Joohyung Kim of Korea answers questions at a press conference on Tuesday January 18, 2022 ahead of the SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
“I mean, the goal [this year] was to get at least one win and first week out, get one win and back inside the top 100 and number one on the Order of Merit. So, big step, but it’s a bigger step this week,” added the Korean, who is ranked 89th in the world.
Should he win the Merit title he will be the second youngest to do so after his compatriot Seungyul Noh, won it in 2010.
Kim has played the SMBC Singapore Open once before, when the tournament was last played in 2020, and came fourth – just a few months after his first Tour victory at the Panasonic Open India. That secured him a place in The Open but the pandemic prevented him from competing.
He played the Pro-Am this morning as part of his preparations for one of the most important weeks of his fledgling career, its all work for Joohyung Kim.
“I mean, the conditions are so pure, where you can just take advantage when you can and play conservative when you can’t,” he said.
“So, I mean, some holes are just right next to the ocean. So, you got to really factor the wind there and play really smart, but when you have a chance, you know, you have a chance to take advantage. And the par fives are, you know, mostly all reachable so you try to make your score there and just try to score on the holes you can and play conservative when you can’t.”
SINGAPORE- Joohyung Kim of Korea pictured during the pro-am event on Tuesday January 18, 2022 ahead of the SMBC Singapore Open on the Serapong Course, Sentosa Golf Club. The US$1.25 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 20-23, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
It’s not only the names of Major championship winners and Ryder Cup heroes which have been inscribed on the magnificent silverware that is presented each year to the winner of the SMBC Singapore Open.
Since its inauguration in 1961, US Masters winners Adam Scott, Angel Cabrera and Sergio Garcia, along with Ryder Cup heavyweights Ian Poulter and Matt Kuchar, are among the global stars who have savoured success in Singapore’s national Open, one of the most enduring and popular events on the Asian Tour calendar, writes Asian Tour contributing editor Spencer Robinson.
Sharing a place alongside them on the Singapore Open roll of honour is a legendary Asian trio of Asian golfing legends who will be teeing-it-up at Sentosa Golf Club this weeek in the season-ending event on the 2020-21 Asian Tour schedule.
For all the successes they achieved in marvellous careers, the legendary Asian trio of Myanmar’s Zaw Moe, Indians Jyoti Randhawa and Jeev Milkha Singh rank victory in the Singapore Open among their proudest moments.
Now into their fourth decade of competing professionally, the appearance of the legendary Asian trio at Sentosa in 2022 will inevitably spark bouts of nostalgia, especially for Singh whose triumph in 2008 was secured on the award-winning Serapong Course that they will once more grace this week.
AUGUSTA, GA – APRIL 09: Tiger Woods walks with Jeev Milkha Singh of India up the first fairway during the first round of the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2009 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Singh’s dramatic one-stroke success remains among his most revered, repelling the challenges of another legendary group of Major champions – Padraig Harrington, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson and Rory McIlroy – in a nail-biting denouement.
“The depth of the field that week was amazing with four guys in the top-10 in the world ranking playing. That win gave me a lot of confidence,” said Singh, in the wake of his sixth Asian Tour victory, worth US$792,500, raising his season’s tally to US$1.4 million.
Not only did Singh become the first player to surpass US$1 million in earnings in a single season on the Asian Tour, but also he went on to win a second Asian Tour Order of Merit title in three years. The following year he rose to a high of 28th in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Starting the final round at Sentosa in 2008 five strokes off the pace, Singh charged up the leaderboard with an outward 33 and birdied the 11th hole to take control of the tournament. Bogeys on 13 and 16 set up a tense finish but his rivals failed to take advantage of his late blemishes.
Els and Harrington tipped their hats to Singh.
“It could have been a win for me. But Jeev is a great guy and I’m happy for him,” said South African Els.
Irishman Harrington, who won both the Open Championship and PGA Championship that year, echoed those sentiments. “I’m delighted for Jeev,” he said.
GURGAON-INDIA- Jyoti Randhawa of India pictured during the Pro-am event on Wednesday November 13, 2019 ahead of the USD$ 400.000 Panasonic India Open at the Classic Golf and Country Club, Gurgaon, India. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
For Randhawa and Zaw, the venues for their triumphs were the Singapore Island Country Club (SICC) and Jurong Country Club (JCC) respectively.
Over the SICC’s Island Course in 2000, the then 28-year-old Randhawa posted a four-day total of 20-under, three clear of second-placed South African Hendrik Buhrmann.
“I’d won three times previously on Tour but all of them were in India. So, it was good to finally win outside my country. My fellow players were telling me that I had to get the monkey off my back. I’m glad all doubts were finally put aside,” said Randhawa.
“Patience was the key,” added the Indian, who recovered brilliantly from an indifferent opening 72 with rounds of 64, 65 and a closing 67.
Zaw enjoyed a similar margin of victory in his 1997 success at the now-defunct JCC.
“Since 1995 I had been playing well but I couldn’t win, so when I arrived at the Singapore Open that year I felt I was due,” said Zaw, a long-time Singapore resident.
Four strokes clear at the top after three accomplished rounds in the 60s, Zaw signed off with a maturely-compiled 72, leaving him three ahead of American Fran Quinn, the runner-up.
A quarter of a century later, this legendary Asian trio still going strong.
It’s testament to their skill and longevity that these three former Singapore Open champions are plotting to play their part in the latest chapter in the history of this storied event that is about to be penned.
By Spencer Robinson – Contributing Editor
In the eyes of Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat, Joohyung Kim is a veritable veteran.
At the ripe old age of 19, Kim is already into his fourth year as a professional. On Sunday, he triumphed in the Asian Tour’s inaugural The Singapore International.
In so doing, he’s not only broken into the top-100 in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) in 89th spot, but also soared to the summit in the Asian Tour’s 2020-21 Order of Merit standings.
It’s a position the Korean seeks to confirm at this week’s season-ending SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club’s award-winning Serapong Course.
Among his rivals there will be TK, the 14-year-old Thai amateur prodigy who is continuing to turn heads.
A student at Shrewsbury International School in Bangkok, TK’s burgeoning reputation was further enhanced with a third-place finish at Tanah Merah Country Club in what was his first appearance in a professional tournament outside his native Thailand.
Poised to break into the top-100 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, TK’s recent exploits on the Asian Tour – he finished top-30 in both the Blue Canyon Championship and Laguna Phuket Championship late last year – have also enabled him to climb the ladder on the OWGR.
On the back of his heroic effort at Tanah Merah, the Thai amateur prodigy has climbed to 462nd in the OWGR standings. Astounding.
One man who is not surprised at TK’s meteoric rise is Andrew Knott, an acclaimed mind coach and Director of Coaching at the Singha Elite Golf Performance Centre at Bangkok’s Thana City Country Club.
A member of the PGA of Great Britain & Ireland who has worked with many of Thailand’s top players over the past decade, Knott has charted TK’s development at close hand since setting eyes on him for the first time in 2013, when TK was aged five.
SINGAPORE- Ratchanon Chantananuwat, 14 yr old amateur of Thailand pictured celebrating with his father / caddie on green No 4 during round two, Friday January 14, 2022, at The Singapore International golf event at Tanah Merah Country Club, (Tampines Course). The US$1 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 13-16, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Knott said: “I don’t like to add to the mounting expectation as there is so much that can happen on his journey. But the sky is the limit for TK.
“He is the first male player I have seen in Thailand who shows the attributes to compete at the very top … and that means the Majors. Injuries aside, he’ll become the number one Thai golfer, if not the world number one.”
On the topic of Majors, such is the confidence of the Thai amateur prodigy that he sees the SMBC Singapore Open as a passage to the 150th Open Championship, to be staged at St Andrews from July 14-17.
Part of The R&A’s Open Qualifying Series, the leading four players who finish in the top 12 and ties at Sentosa, and who are not already exempt, will earn places in the game’s eldest Major.
It’s a spine-tingling thought that is uppermost in TK’s mind.
Asked about his prospects over the Serapong Course, TK said: “I think (my chances) are pretty decent if I play good golf. I played Sentosa once and, like Tanah Merah, it’s a really hard golf course. It’s challenging, and you need to play some real good golf.
“So I think if I hit my driver straight, like I did for the majority of The Singapore International, I have a decent chance. I’ll try to win it … and I’ve got to secure a spot in The Open as well.”
Hoping to join him at St Andrews will be Kim. He can book his ticket either via his OWGR position or by finishing top-12 this week, which would go a considerable way to landing the Asian Tour Order of Merit crown, his over-riding target.
“I didn’t know I would be in this position. But here I am. It’s a very important week for all the players, myself as well,” said Kim.
Even at his tender age, however, experience has taught him not to get too far ahead of himself.
SINGAPORE- Joohyung Kim of Korea pictured during round four, Sunday January 16, 2022, at The Singapore International golf event at Tanah Merah Country Club, (Tampines Course). The US$1 million Asian Tour event is being staged January 13-16, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It’s a win today,” he said in the immediate aftermath of his Tanah Merah triumph. “But definitely tomorrow it’s back to the grind.
“I want to go as far as I can (in the game). Like I said, it’s a win. But my team and me, we’re never satisfied. So, it’s back tomorrow, back to the grind and trust the process.” Spoken like a true veteran.
Sentosa Golf Club’s majestic Serapong Course is primed to reveal a ‘meaner’ personality at this week’s SMBC Singapore Open.
Perennially regarded as one of Asia’s most demanding golfing tests, the venue for the Asian Tour’s 2021-2022 season-ending event (January 20-23) has been further enhanced, writes Contributing Editor Spencer Robinson..
Once more, the course will examine every facet of a player’s game with recent upgrades ensuring there will be a special focus on sand skills at the award-winning layout.
While the course will once more be presented in the pristine conditions which players have become accustomed to, a beach party it may not prove to be.
Andy Johnston, Sentosa Golf Club’s General Manager and Director of Agronomy, said: “The first thing players will notice after the glowing conditions of the improved grasses, which will make the course look even more majestic, will be the bunkering.
“The bunkers are in the same locations, but the sand lines are now much higher. We removed all the old sand, replaced the liners and added new sand. But in the process we changed the sand lines to a rugged, unorthodox and serrated edge look – a design that many championship courses around the world use on their bunkers.
“It really brings out the personality of The Serapong and the new sand lines increase the size of the bunkers by nearly 30 per cent. This makes them stand out more and, quite frankly, they look meaner.”
Regular visitors to The Serapong course will notice also some small changes to the tee complexes on holes two, four, six, seven and eight.
SINGAPORE- The 18th hole pictured on Sunday January 20, 2019 during the final round of the SMBC Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
Johnston said: “We have moved them closer to the water and added walls to increase the size of the tee to give them more space, so in certain cases they bring more of the hazard into play.
“They will also notice the redesign of hole six where we have moved the fairway closer to the water, added a large waste bunker, redesigned the fairway bunker strategy and added a testing false front to the green, which is nicknamed ‘The Dragon’s Tongue’.”
According to Johnston, the changes made will not significantly affect the scoring.
He said: “To be honest, that was never the intention of the course upgrades. The Serapong course is already a true test of golf for both professionals and amateur players alike.
“The goals were to clean up the historic playing surfaces, offering more consistent playing conditions, to upgrade the infrastructure where drainage was failing and also remove the heavy organics that had built up in the soil profile of the past 20 years. I believe the course is in superb condition right now.”
Praising the work of his agronomy and greenkeeping teams, Johnston said The Serapong was closed for final preparations on Sunday (January 16).
He said: “We have a seasoned group of tournament warriors meticulously following our usual playbook for tournament preparations. For us, the focus is all about delivering tournament-ready conditions, 365 days of the year.
“The entire course receives maximum focus, although we all know it is about the greens. The smooth roll and the pace are what sets the tone for a great event. In almost every championship I have been involved in since 2010 we have seen high 13s to low 14s (on the stimpmeter). This year will be no different.”
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