It was super-low scoring at the Black Mountain Championship in Hua Hin, Thailand, last week, with the rain softened par-72 layout at Black Mountain Golf Club surrendering an incredible 1,961 birdies and 39 eagles.

Michael Maguire and John Catlin’s four-round total of 23-under was the joint second lowest of the year on the Asian Tour – one behind Catlin’s winning score at the Saudi Open presented by PIF – while the tournament also saw the lowest cut of the season so far, with six-under-par necessary to make it through to the weekend.

Maguire, as we all know, sensationally beat Catlin on the second extra-hole – surprisingly with a par, after his opponent made bogey having found a greenside bunker on the par-five 18th in three.

An inspired Maguire, who is in his sophomore season on the Asian Tour, posted 23 birdies and one eagle during the week, and also did a great job in keeping bogeys off his card. He only dropped two shots: on the 11^th hole on Thursday and on the ninth hole on Sunday.

John Catlin. Picture by Vachira Kalong/Asian Tour.

With only two bogeys during the tournament, the American topped the Fewest Bogies or Worse statistics category together with fellow-American Berry Henson and Thai players Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Nopparat Panichphol.

Another crucial factor in his victory was his par-five scoring in the final round: taking full advantage of his length off the tee, Maguire eagled the par-five second hole and birdied the other three, including the 18th hole to force the play-off with Catlin, who was only able to par both par fives on the back nine on Sunday.

Being one of the longer drivers on the Asian Tour, Maguire averaged 305.88 yards off the tee at Black Mountain and ranked seventh in the Driving Distance category. Korean Chanmin Jung once again lived up to his nickname “The Korean Hulk” by leading that category on an unbelievable 326.25 yards.

Maguire’s other statistics for the week were: Putts per Round 27.5 (T14), Putts per Greens in Regulation (GIR) 1.65 (23^rd), GIR 79.17% (T14) and Fairways Hit 58.93% (T51).

This season’s dominant player Catlin put on yet another brilliant performance and came very close to winning his third Asian Tour and second International Series event of the season.

According to the statistics he did very well from tee to green, ranking T4 in Fairways hit with 83.93% and T8 in GIR with 83.33%. However, his putting was not up to his usual top-notch standards, as he ranked T38 in Putts per GIR with 1.7 and T47 in Putts per Round with 29.

Poosit Supupramai. Picture by Vachira Kalong/Asian Tour.

For the season as a whole, and counting only players with 20 or more rounds played, Catlin ranks second only to Spain’s David Puig in Putts per GIR with 1.68 and third behind Puig and Korean Bio Kim with 27.9 Putts per Round.

It is also worth noting that Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai was the best putter last week, finishing first in Putts per Round, with Korean Jeunghun Wang, on 25,75, and Putts per GIR with 1.52. He tied for 22nd in the tournament and must have been left wondering what might have been.

On the rankings side of things Catlin extended his lead on both the Asian Tour and International Series tables. He now leads the former with a startling 2,830.77 points vs. 1,171.43 points from New Zealander Ben Campbell. In The International Series Rankings battle, which earns the winner a lifechanging place on next year’s LIV Golf League, Catlin now leads with 810.88 points to Campbell’s 526.83.

Even if the New Zealander wins this week’s International Series Thailand, and Catlin misses the cut, Campbell cannot overtake the American in either race.

Statistics Categories leaders at the Black Mountain Championship (of players making the cut):

• Putts per Round: Poosit Supupramai (THA), Jeunghun Wang (KOR) – 25.75
• Putts per GIR: Poosit Supupramai (THA) – 1.52
• GIR: Austen Truslow (USA), Vanchai Luangnitikul (THA) – 87.50%
• Fairways Hit: Ben Campbell (NZL) – 91.07%
• Driving Distance: – Chanmin Jung (KOR) 326.25 Yards
• Most Eagles: Kristoffer Broberg (SWE) – 3
• Most Birdies: Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA), Kieran Vincent (ZIM) – 27
• Fewest Bogies or Worse: Michael Maguire (USA), Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), Nopparat Panichphol (THA), Berry Henson (USA) – 2
• Scrambling: Hung Chien-yao (TPE) – 93.33 %

Unheralded Michael Maguire from the United States denied his in-form compatriot John Catlin a third victory of the year after winning the US$2million Black Mountain Championship today, following a dramatic sudden-death play-off in heavy rain on the par-five 18^th at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand.

Maguire, in just his second season on the Asian Tour and without a win in the professional game, made par on the second play-off hole to take the title after Asian Tour and The International Series number one Catlin missed his 15-footer for par.

Both players made birdie on the first play-off hole, where Catlin, with a short birdie putt, appeared to have won before his opponent sensationally holed a 20-footer for a four from the fringe.

Both players had finished 72-holes tied on 23-under after Maguire shot a seven-under-par 65 and Catlin carded a 66 – in The International Series’ fifth event of the season, and the 15^th leg of the Asian Tour.

Michael Maguire. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.

Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar, joint leader at the start of the day with Catlin and paired in the final group with Maguire and Catlin, closed with a 72 and finished four short of the play-off.

Chinese-Taipei’s Max Lee Chieh-po agonisingly missed the play-off by one, with his 65 leaving him solo third.

New Zealand’s Ben Campbell (64), Suteepat Prateeptienchai (66) from Thailand, and Italian Stefano Mazzoli (66), finished in a tie for fourth, another two strokes back.

Said Maguire: “Big weight off my shoulders. You know, kind of been close, you know, kind of a journeyman, played on every tour you can think of and finally to get a win on a big, big tour like this is huge!”

The American was one behind Catlin playing the last, with the former, so often unbeatable in this position, the hot favourite to win.

Maguire found the front bunker in two while Catlin faced a 12-footer for birdie. However, in a surprise turn of events Maguire sensationally nearly holed his bunker shot for an eagle leaving him a straightforward birdie putt while Catlin missed his putt for the victory to send the event into overtime.

Michael Maguire. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.

Maguire, aged 31 and from Florida, made it through the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the beginning of last year, in fourth place, and kept his card after finishing 56^th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

That season was helped in a big way by tying for fourth in the International Series Vietnam, which had been his best finish on the Asian Tour before today’s epiphany.

“It was a fun battle down the back,” he added. “We were kind of back and forth. I think I tied him on the seventh hole, six hole, and then we had a two-shot swing on nine. It was kind of big, but I knew two shots is nothing out here on this course, especially with the finish, you know, having a couple holes we could reach, by getting close to the green with drivers. So, it was just staying close and just kind of being patient was kind of my biggest thing, and then having to roll in a few nice ones.”

Catlin was attempting to win three titles in a season for the second time in his career. He achieved the feat in 2018, and it looked like the hat-trick was well within his grasp throughout today.

“I mean, I gave it everything I had, I went bogey free,” said the American, who won the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, in a play-off, and the Saudi Open presented by PIF, back-to-back earlier this year.

“I thought I had it in the first play-off hole, and I thought I had it in regulation, and he just hit an amazing bunker shot and then holed about a 20-footer to extend the play-off.”

He also lost the International Series Morocco in extra-time this year after Campbell stormed through at the end holing a succession of stunning putts.

John Catlin. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.

He added: “I mean it kind of feels like Morocco, like I really didn’t do that much wrong, and here I am standing on the wrong side of it, so it is what it is.

“I kind of kept telling myself I was like, Michael’s kind of pushing me, like I could feel that. Like he kept holing good putts and hitting good shots in there, and I kind of used that. I was like okay, he’s gonna push me on, I gotta keep staying strong.”

The result means he extends his lead on both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings ahead of next week’s International Series Thailand at Thai Country Club in Bangkok.

The Black Mountain Championship has kicked off a six-tournament closing stretch to The International Series which offers brothers Scott and Kieran Vincent an incredible opportunity to rescue their LIV Golf League dreams after both finished in the relegation zone this season.

Elder brother Scott, who has been playing for the Iron Heads GC for the past two seasons since being crowned The International Series Rankings champion in 2022, finished in the drop zone despite producing a respectable seven finishes in the top 25.

Kieran, last season’s International Series Vietnam champion, was relegated after just one season on Jon Rahm’s brand-new Legion XIII team after three top 25s.

The Zimbabwean had qualified on one of three golden tickets after a stellar season and a thrilling sudden death play-off in the LIV Golf Promotions event.

Kieran Vincent. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.

The International Series guarantees one spot on the LIV Golf League next season to the rankings champion, and both brothers now view the run-in of six events in eight weeks as crucial. Six chances to earn priceless points and fight for that all-important spot at the top of the rankings.

Scott said: “That is the goal, I have said to my team and that is what we are doing. But I cannot just sit here and point at the finish line. I must do all the little things along the way. And so for me, it is little wins each and every day about what I believe I need to be doing for those things to potentially happen.

“The results I cannot control, but how I attack, handle and prepare for each day, I can control. So that is the best way for me to get the outcome I am hoping for.”

Kieran admits he had a steep learning curve but acknowledges he could not have asked for a better set-up. Alongside two-time major winner Rahm, the Spaniard’s Ryder Cup team-mate Tyrrell Hatton and highly-rated American youngster Caleb Surratt, he claimed a season-high four team victories.

He said: “I really enjoyed my time out there, and especially with the group of guys that I had, they just made it so awesome. If there is any way of being able to get back out there, why wouldn’t I do it?

Scott Vincent with The International Series Rankings trophy in 2022.

“I want to do the best I can, I always do but having the availability of six events which is more than half a season and with two good weeks and suddenly, things can change. That is definitely on the forefront of my mind.

“But it is also about figuring out how I can continue to keep getting better, how I can continue to use what I have learned to help me get better? That is also something I am trying to do for the rest of the season.”

His elder brother may be determined to bounce back, but he also has a philosophical approach to his time on LIV Golf.

He said: “As I am reflecting, I know I must take those things that I learned forward – this is a journey. I had an amazing experience playing on LIV Golf, what a dream to play against the best players in the world on the biggest stages across the world. I have got so much to be thankful for.

“But what can I learn and what can I use to move forward, progress and continue from here? Because on The International Series I still get to play golf at the highest level as a professional, and very few people do that. I need to be grateful for that.”

Both players made it through to the weekend at Black Mountain but were unable to challenge the leaders meaning they have work to do over the remaining five International Series events.

The International Series boasts 10 lucrative events that are part of the Asian Tour. This week’s Black Mountain Championship is the fifth leg of the series, and the 15th stop on the Asian Tour – which features 21 in total.

Gaganjeet Bhullar’s game finally clicked today, after uncharacteristically struggling this season, as he took the third-round lead at the Black Mountain Championship.

The Indian was at his imperious best shooting a six-under-par 66 for a tournament total of 19-under, and a two-shot lead over none other than the player of the year so far, American John Catlin.

Catlin fired a 65 here at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand – where conditions were far from ideal with grey skies and rain persisting all day.

His compatriot Michael Maguire carded a 68 and is another shot back, while Chinese-Taipei’s Lee Chieh-po fired the lowest round of the day, a 64, to sit in fourth, an additional stroke behind, with David Boriboonsub from Thailand, who returned a 67.

John Catlin. Picture by Vachira Kalong/Asian Tour.

Bhullar, the 36-year-old from Amritsar, has triumphed 11-times on the Asian Tour – the most by an Indian – but dogged by a sore hip this year he has not finished better than joint 33^rd, at the International Series Morocco. After missing the last three cuts he is currently 123^rd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

However, the rebound appears to have begun this week, and a 12^th win is a real possibility.

“It was a good round of golf to be honest,” said the Indian star, who made six birdies and started the day sharing the lead with Suteepat Prateeptienchai from Thailand.

“I think the best part was that it was a bogey-free round. I probably hit about 17 greens in regulation, so that gave me a good opportunity to make lots and lots of birdies. I putted quite well today, I would say as good as yesterday, and drove the ball well, just missed two fairways today. But other than that, I think it was a solid round.”

He holds the course record here, a round of nine-under back in 2009, and has only dropped two shots all week. And despite the poor weather today, which fortunately was just rain and no lighting, he has continued to dominate the course.

“Normally it’s a thunderstorm and we don’t play, but yeah, it was quite challenging. Actually, in the last few holes I had to change my strategy off the tee, because I was just not comfortable hitting driver on all the holes. On number 16 I had to hit a three wood, and on the 17th I had to hit a four iron.”

Michael Maguire. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour

Catlin is aiming to complete a hat-trick this week, after a phenomenal season that has seen him win twice: International Series Macau presented by Wynn and Saudi Open presented by PIF, back-to-back.

He also nearly claimed the International Series Morocco, but was stopped in his tracks by New Zealand’s Campbell, after the Kiwi won on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off. Catlin was also second in the Yeangder TPC, joint third in the Malaysian Open and equal fourth in the SJM Macao Open.

He is the runaway leader on both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings.

He said: “It was a grind, you know, it’s hard to keep everything dry. It was on and off all day, it was rain and then it kind of stopped, and then it would come back. And then it would get heavy, I felt like I was constantly having to adjust my numbers and what shots I was playing, so yeah, to come out with 65 is definitely nice.”

The American is clearly revelling playing in Hua Hin – his home away from home, as, just under a decade ago, he chose to base himself here when playing on the Asian Tour.

He said: “Yeah, it’s great being here, anytime I can play a tournament in Hua Hin it’s awesome. This has been kind of a second home, and I’ve basically had a place here for eight years. I’ve played this golf course more times than I can count, so all of that is definitely helping me play well.”

He only dropped one shot today and carded eight birdies.

Maguire, a graduate from last year’s Qualifying School, has the opportunity tomorrow to improve on his best performance on the Asian Tour, which is tied fourth in last year’s International Series Vietnam.

“Tricky conditions out there with the rain,” commented Maguire, who has made just one bogey in three rounds.

“I think we only had two holes where it wasn’t raining, so just trying to manage keeping everything dry, and trying to just figure out how far the ball is flying. Because yesterday it was hot in the afternoon, the ball was going miles, and today, with the rain, it kind of cooled down a little bit. So, yeah, happy with the way I played.”

Suteepat shot a 71 and is five behind Bhullar, along with Italian Stefano Mazzoli, in with a 70.

In-form Suteepat Prateeptienchai from Thailand and Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar both added second-round six-under-par 66s to their opening day 65s to take the lead at the Black Mountain Championship today.

They have reached 13-under for the US$2 million event here at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand, and lead by one from American Michael Maguire (64), Italian Stefano Mazzoli (65) and Canadian Richard T. Lee (66).

China’s Liu Yanwei, the joint-first round leader, was in a share of the lead playing the last but made a bogey and returned a 68 to also be one back.

Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (66) and Nitithorn Thippong (68), Englishman Matt Killen (67), Mexico’s Santiago De la Fuente (68), plus Australian Kevin Yuan (68) are an additional stroke back – in the fifth event of The International Series season on the Asian Tour.

Gaganjeet Bhullar. Picture by Vachira Kalong/Asian Tour.

Suteepat won the Yeangder TPC in Chinese-Taipei three weeks ago and sitting in ninth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit continues to go from strength to strength, rarely putting a foot wrong.

“I’m very happy about my score, I’m doing very well. My game is very good now,” said the 31-year-old, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, having claimed last year’s Taiwan Glass Taifong Open – also in Chinese-Taipei.

“I changed my swing a little bit this year, and it’s made me more confident. Yeah, and after winning I’ve been feeling relaxed because I don’t have to worry about keeping my card, so I play for fun. It’s very good.”

He started on the back nine and made his move with three birdies on-the-trot from the 15^th. He made eight birdies in total and two bogies, one of those coming on his last which saw him slip back into a tie.

Bhullar is India’s most successful player on the Asian Tour, with 11 magnificent wins, but he has been conspicuous by his absence this season on the leaderboard.

He has been battling to find his form due to a sore hip and missed the last three cuts but after two fine rounds this week the serial winner looks to be getting back on track in time for the business end to the season.

Stefano Mazzoli. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.

Said Bhullar, whose most recent win was last year’s BNI Indonesian Masters, also part of The International Series: “You know, mentally, I think I’m probably as sharp or as strong as I played last year. This year physically, I’ve been struggling a bit with my hip. It’s not an injury, it’s not a sports related injury, but I’m just not feeling … You know, the first half [of the season], that was the reason I struggled a bit. But now towards the second half, I think I’m getting my momentum right and the body is feeling in good shape. Definitely feeling the mojo back. And I think the last few tournaments of the year, I would definitely expect myself to play well.”

He has made 15 birdies in two days and registered just two bogeys – in keeping with a player who holds the course record here.

“I still hold the lowest course record here, nine under back in 2009,” said the 36-year-old.

“You know, this is probably one of my favourite golf courses on the Asian Tour. I’ve played here a bunch of times. In fact, in the off season, I used to come and practice here for a couple of weeks whenever I used to get off. And, you know, it’s a great layout. Anybody who’s putting well definitely has an advantage. And as I said, one of my favourite venues, I expect to play well on the weekend.”

Mazzoli is enjoying a fine first season on the Asian Tour having finished eighth at this year’s Qualifying School, and currently sits in 48^th place on the Merit list – helped by finishing in a tie for fifth at the International Series Morocco in July.

“I’m pretty pleased, I’ve been playing well,” said the Italian.

“I played really good last week in China on the Challenge Tour, so it’s good to come here. I’ve been pretty steady both two days. Yesterday maybe I made a couple of bad mistakes, but I’m really pleased. Pretty consistent, hopefully I can keep it going.”

Lee looked set to also finish 13 under, helped by successive birdies on the outward half, but he dropped a shot on the penultimate hole.

He said: “I definitely made a lot of putts, even yesterday and today. I had a good five birdie stretch on the front nine, and just couldn’t really convert any birdie putts on the back nine. Unfortunately, I had a tough 30-yard bunker shot on 17 that caused me to make a bogey, but I think there’s still a lot of golf left the next two days, so we’ll see what happens.”

Sadom Kaewkanjana. Picture by Vachira Kalong/Asian Tour.

John Catlin carded a 65 and is just three behind the leaders. The American, who lives in Hua Hin when competing in Asia, is once again in position to consolidate his lead on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings.

American Pierre-Henri Soero and Australian Todd Sinnott – the other joint first-round leaders with Liu and Thailand’s CharngTai Sudsom – carded 72s and are five behind the leaders. CharngTai fell back with a 73 and is seven under.

Evergreen South African Jbe Kruger admits a LIV Golf League spot is on the mind of every player that line ups on The International Series – a motivating factor as he looks to bring his recent winning form to the Black Mountain Championship this week in Hua Hin.

The 38-year-old recently wrapped up a third Asian Tour victory at the weather-affected Mercuries Taiwan Masters, despite “not playing as well” as he wanted.

Because of Typhoon Krathon, the field played three rounds of shotgun starts on the two weekend days, and it was Kruger who came out on top, two shots better than South Korean Jeunghun Wang and Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand.

That victory moved him to 12th in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and he will be looking for a similar result on duty in The International Series as he bids to climb from his current position of 44th after four tournaments.

Jbe Kruger. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.

He started well at the Black Mountain Championship – a five-under first round of 67 left him just three off the early frontrunners in a bunched leaderboard.

With six events in eight weeks wrapping up The International Series season, and the crucial rankings race which will give the champion a place on the LIV Golf League roster, he said: “I think it (the LIV Golf League place) is in the back of everyone’s mind. You have to win multiple tournaments, it’s the only way.

“It’s probably the biggest draw card for the Asian Tour. They have grown with The International Series events. I think everyone wants to try and play on LIV Golf, if they’re not on the PGA Tour. At the moment, it’s the only way.”

Kruger is optimistic he can make a challenge, even though he’s still not truly convinced of his form.

He explained: “I’m battling on the driving range at the moment, battling with ball striking. I’m not hitting it as well as I should. And then the putter is on and off – it’s never really warm, it’s never really cold. I just have to keep grinding, even though the game’s not there.

“But with any win, it definitely boosts your confidence. I still believe I can win, even when I’m not playing great.”

Kruger all smiles after clinching the 2024 Mercuries Taiwan Masters title.

When asked about the pressure of playing an elevated event on The International Series, he added:

“Something I learned over the years is they (tournaments) are not bigger or smaller. You still have to hit good shots. You still have to make putts. Even if the prize money is bigger, it’s still a golf tournament.”

With a reduced schedule of three rounds in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, did Kruger feel suited to the LIV Golf format?

Completely different experiences, he laughs.

“Yes we played three rounds or 54 holes, but we played 27 holes the first day, and then 27 holes the second day. So that’s almost the opposite of LIV Golf. But you know, I think that shows that it’s the guy that can adapt the best that can win. I think it is as simple as that.”

Former touring professional turned CrossFit Games athlete Pierre-Henri Soero muscled into a share of the lead today at the US$2 million Black Mountain Championship at Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand.

The American carded an eight-under-par 64 along with Thailand’s CharngTai Sudsom, Liu Yanwei from China and Australian Todd Sinnott.

Soero played on the Asian Tour back in 2011 and fully justified his invite to The International Series event this week by making an eagle, seven birdies, and just one bogey.

The 41-year-old said: “I used to do this for a living, that was my job, playing 25 events a year but I was able to be successful at something else.

“It’s all mental, I am in a good head space here. I am here on vacation with my wife. It’s all a bonus. If I play well, I play well, if not it’s still a vacation.”

Liu Yanwei. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.

Now based in Florida, he is a personal trainer and has competed in the CrossFit Games on six occasions.

That solitary bogey of his came on the last, the ninth hole as he began on 10, meaning he just missed out on the outright lead.

“It was a good bogey actually, I was in the rough, a lot can happen, so I am okay with that,” he added.

“Golf is about muscle memory, I used to grind six hours a day practicing, so it’s still there.”

CharngTai and Liu clearly inspired one another today as, paired in the same group, they both pounded the course in synergy making eight birdies apiece.

They are both battling to keep their Asian Tour cards this year, with CharngTai languishing in 85^th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and Liu 109^th – so their opening salvos will give them great hope as the season enters its final stages.

CharngTai Sudsom.

CharngTai, a graduate from last year’s Asian Development Tour, said: “Today, my drive was quite good, and my putting was quite sharp, kept it simple. I probably only missed one fairway.

“Feel like I have only just started to find some form today. Just hope this continues.”

CharngTai and Liu mirrored each other on the back nine, making birdies on 12 and 13, plus the final three holes.

“I think our group is 20-under for three of us combined,” said Liu, who made it through this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying School.

“So, yeah, normally, this is the stuff you want to see. I think for all of us we fed off good shots, and then I don’t think any of us made a bogey today. So, I think that’s pretty positive, yeah, so hopefully, our group can keep it up.”

Mexico’s Santiago De la Fuente, who recently turned professional and won this year’s  Latin America Amateur Championship, Thailand’s David Boriboonsub, Poosit Supupramai, Suteepat Prateeptienchai , Nitithorn Thippong, and Nopparat Panichphol, plus Indonesian Jonathan Wijono, Malaysia’s   Shahriffuddin Ariffin, Chanmin Jung from Korea, India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Kevin Yuan from Australia all returned 65s.

American John Catlin, the leader of both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings, shot a 69 and is tied for 58^th.