Thai duo Jazz and Gunn aim to find their kicks in Olympic Golf
Thai golf duo Jazz Janewattananond and Gunn Charoenkul have found added motivation ahead of the men’s golf competition at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 after finding inspiration from compatriot Panipak Wongpattanakit, who won gold in the women’s taekwondo 49kg event.
Both golfers were glued to the TV screen in the Olympic Village on Saturday night when the 23-year-old Panipak delivered Thailand’s first gold medal of the Games with a victory in the final seconds against Spain’s Adriana Cerezo Iglesias.
SAITAMA, JAPAN – JULY 26: Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand practices on the 18th hole prior to the Men’s Individual Stroke Play event on Day 6 of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics at the Kasumigaseki Country Club on July 26, 2021 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR/IGF)
“Gunn and I watched Thailand take gold, and it was pretty amazing even watching it on TV,” said Jazz, a six-time winner and the 2019 Order of Merit champion on the Asian Tour. “We were like, ‘Oh my God, this is happening and we’re getting a medal.’ It kind of kickstarted our emotions a little bit and we’re now thinking it’s possible even in our sport to win a medal and let’s go do it.”
The 25-year-old Jazz and Gunn, 29, are making their Olympic debuts at Kasumigaseki Country Club starting on Thursday where they hope to land Thailand’s first-ever medal in the men’s golf competition. Five years ago in Rio, Kiradech Aphibarnrat tied for fifth and Thongchai Jaidee finished 15th.
Jazz, who is ranked 145th in the world, said being amongst other Olympians has been an amazing experience so far. “It’s pretty surreal. It didn’t hit me until pretty much arriving at the Games Village and walking around, going to the gym and walking to the recreation centre. It really hit me that I’m really one of the Olympians now. Back in the day, golf wasn’t in the Olympics, so I kind of had to pinch myself that I’m here now and representing Thailand. The dream is to get the gold but if you say ‘Jazz, you can go home now with any medal’, I’ll gladly take it.”
THOUSAND OAKS, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 23: Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand plays a shot on the second hole during the second round of the Zozo Championship @ Sherwood on October 23, 2020 in Thousand Oaks, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Gunn, a two-time winner on PGA TOUR Series-China and a regular on the Japan Golf Tour, said Panipak’s last-gasp victory in the martial arts event was awe-inspiring. “We were sitting on our couch and there were three Thai guys watching Thailand vs Spain and it was kind of scary at the same time as there were quite a few Spain athletes behind us! We kind of won gold in the last 15 seconds and overtook Spain by one point. It shows it can be done,” said Gunn.
“The Olympics are big in our home country,” Gunn added. “It’s also my first time representing my national team so I’m really proud and happy to be here. Not everybody gets a chance to compete in the Olympics. It’s massive. Everyone back home holds the Olympics higher than the majors. I’m just humbled to be here.”
Jazz competed in the 2010 Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Kasumigaseki as a 14-year-old but has no recollection of his time at the historic venue. It was the same event that saw Hideki Matsuyama of Japan claim a five-stroke victory which propelled his golf career on the PGA TOUR. Matsuyama, the reigning Masters champion, will carry Japan’s golden hopes this week.
THOMASTOWN, IRELAND – JULY 01: Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand tees off on the fourth hole during Day One of The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Mount Juliet Golf Club on July 01, 2021 in Thomastown, Ireland. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
“I can’t remember much but it is good to be back,” said Jazz. “The course looks really nice, and the greens are pure. I played on the Japan Tour in 2019 and hope I can use my experience for this week. It’s just amazing to have the Thai flag on my shirt. I turned professional early so I didn’t have a chance to represent Thailand too much although we do it when we’re on Tour. But it’s not quite like this. This is different. We’re playing for Thailand and words can’t explain how it feels to be doing this.”
Gunn reckons the par-71, 7,447-yard Kasumigaseki’s East course could produce low scores with how conditions are set up. “This is a pretty long course,” he said. “With the weather forecast, the fairway might get softer and we’ll have long irons in. Some greens are really undulating too and you have to put your ball in the right spots to give yourself chances. The greens are soft and you can go really low. It could be 20 under and better.”
Featured photo: Credits to International Golf Feberation (IGF)
A lack of form is not deterring Malaysian golfer and 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Gavin Green from dreaming of winning an Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 medal when the men’s golf competition begins at Kasumigaseki Country Club from Thursday.
The 27-year-old admits his game has been stuck in the rough due to a combination of factors but feels he is on the verge of a resurgence as he prepares to go head-to-head against many of the game’s global stars.
“Of course, I dream about it (winning a medal). I just keep telling myself if I can play well and things click, anything can happen. It’s tough to say I want to win a gold medal as the field is so deep. You just keep practicing hard and sooner or later, it will happen. You just need to stay patient,” said Green.
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – JUNE 11: Gavin Green of Malaysia tees off on the 13th hole during the second round of The Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik and Annika at Vallda Golf & Country Club on June 11, 2021 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
He has missed 11 cuts from 14 starts on the European Tour this season which is hardly the preparation for a second appearance in the Olympic Games following his debut in Rio in 2016. However, he believes he is turning the corner as he seeks to regain his best form.
“I don’t know what happened. Starting this year, it deteriorated bit by bit. You’ve got to get yourself out of the hole and it’s funny the scores reflect worse than what it actually is. I’ve been working quite a bit, and we’ve had to make a few changes to my swing due my wrist issues and to find consistency off the tee. I’m grinding and the goal will be to swing freely and enjoy playing golf again. I feel positive,” he said.
“I don’t think I’ve gone through something like this before. My game was always about getting better every year. It’s a new experience and a learning curve for sure. Once I get myself out of this slump, then I’ll know what to do the next time. All top players go through this,” added Green, whose father Gary will caddie for him this week.
GOTHENBURG, SWEDEN – JUNE 11: Gavin Green of Malaysia looks down the 13th hole during the second round of The Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik and Annika at Vallda Golf & Country Club on June 11, 2021 in Gothenburg, Sweden. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
Despite the current state of his game, the long-hitting Green believes he is a far better golfer now compared to 2016 where he finished 47th in a field of 60 golfers in Rio. He knows it will take four really good rounds at the historic Kasumigaseki Country Club to give himself a chance of a podium finish.
“I think I’ve matured over the last four years. Being in Europe, you learn more about course management. Playing with strong players and in different weather conditions, you learn to adapt. I’ve gotten stronger in this area. And my mindset now is also to not put too much pressure on myself. I’m learning and always trying to improve and that’s not just about hitting golf balls at the range.
“I don’t think the gold medal is far away for Malaysia but at the same time, it’s not close. There are lot of things we can do as a country, and more people need to support golf.”
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – JANUARY 16: A detail of the Olympic rings tattoo of Gavin Green of Malaysia during Day One of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at Abu Dhabi Golf Club on January 16, 2019 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Like many other Olympians, Green had the Olympic rings tattooed below his right arm to remind him of his journey in the game. He was an outstanding amateur golfer and attended the University of New Mexico in the U.S. before turning professional.
“It (tattoo) brings back good memories and it reminds me of all the hard work that I went through to get to Rio,” said Green. “The timeline I had to make it to Rio was so limited and I made it right on the number (60th). It means a lot to me.
“The Olympics is a different kind of event and we got to see all the other sports in Rio and being around other athletes. As a golfer you never get to do that. For you to experience that and see how they work, it was cool. We got to watch Usain Bolt win the 100m race and we were right at the finish line and it was something else. To see the crowds going crazy and Usain doing his move, it was amazing.
“In Rio, it was more of an experience of being there. Now I want to compete. My mindset will be different.”
Featured photo: Credits to International Golf Feberation (IGF)
Wooden clubs and mud greens, Indian Open champ C. Muniyappa lockdown innovations. By Robin Bose from thegolfinghub.com, in India.
C. Muniyappa, the 2009 Hero Indian Open champion, grew up learning golf on mud greens with handcrafted clubs. The setting used to be agricultural fields in his village before he moved to pristine championship courses like the Karnataka Golf Association in Bengaluru, his regular practice venue. But unknown to him then, staying connected to his village, called Poolampatti in the nearby state of Tamil Nadu, would help him many years down at a time when life and golf came to a standstill.
Since the pandemic struck last year, the visits to the village to escape the scourge of the virus were also used to stay sharp, albeit the traditional way. Muniyappa got little time to plan before the first visit and arrived in the village without his regular clubs save the odd iron and had to make do with ones carved out of the branches of a tamarind tree. It was nothing new for Muniyappa as access and affordability was not easy in the formative years. The clubs were improvised alright but in sync with the three mud greens he created last year in a portion of the land owned by his uncle.
He was better prepared this time and anticipating the second wave in late March moved to the village with a better ensemble of conventional clubs a week after the Professional Golf Tour of India got stalled again. Practice was on the mind, but also on the agenda was building a base for the family. Work on both projects started alongside and though it will be a while before the house is ready, Muniyappa was up and about with practice in no time.
Two-and-quarter acres were earmarked for the makeshift mini golf course, and it took Muniyappa and his sons Kiran (16) and Prem (10) about two days to get the facility ready. Making use of the hilly terrain to increase the difficulty quotient, two mud greens of 150 and 120 yards have been created at a higher level while the third measuring 140 yards is on a lower gradient. Irons and a sand wedge come into use here, and since the putter broke during practice, a 9-iron is being used as a makeshift putter along with a wooden one.
Through April and a portion of May, Muniyappa practiced hard, but just as the connect with the past was getting stronger, he was laid low by body ache and high fever. Given the times, it was a scare till medical reports confirmed dengue. A month went by without practice, and though yet to gain full strength, Muniyappa is getting back to the old schedule.
A typical day starts at 7am with an hour-long session of stretching, pull-ups, yoga and breathing exercises. Depending on the intensity of the sun, practice happens early in the morning or between 4-6.30 pm. Work starts from the makeshift range which allows a carry of 230 yards. Excited village kids wait at the other end to collect the balls, and for the odd golf ball as a giveaway after Muniyappa is done.
The action then shifts to the tight mini course. Teeing off amid lush green foliage, chipping and putting is a test of skill given the rocky and potholed terrain. But Muniyappa swears by it and claims the experience makes putting in tournaments seem like child’s play. Given the small coverage area, the exercise is repeated 4-5 times. As for the score, it mostly hovers around 1-2-over. The best he has managed till date is 1-under and that is a source of encouragement to keep at it in the hope when tournaments resume this unconventional practice drill will hold in good stead.
Lockdown innovations ?
Former Indian Open champion C. Muniyappa ?? making the most of the pandemic back home in India. ?⛳ pic.twitter.com/qBwzyhnopd
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) July 26, 2021
The XXXII Olympiad is finally here, with the opening ceremony taking place on Friday, and next week will see the men’s golf tournament tee-off at Kasumigaseki Country Club. To whet your appetite, we look back at Rio 2016 ‒ when Justin Rose won gold in such glorious fashion.
Justin Rose’s exuberant fist pump celebration after holing the winning putt was one of the many lasting memories from Rio 2016.
Sadly, the Englishman did not make the Great Britain team for Tokyo, but he set the bar for Olympic golf in terms of passion and performance.
He became golf’s first Olympic champion since 1904 by overcoming friend and Ryder Cup partner Henrik Stenson from Sweden in a thrilling final round at the Olympic Golf Course.
Rose, 36 years old at the time, was level with Stenson on 15 under par after 17 holes but the Swede bogeyed the last while Rose sank a birdie putt to win by two shots.
The 2013 US Open champion closed with a four-under-par 67 to win on 16 under.
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Henrik Stenson (R) of Sweden congratulates Justin Rose of Great Britain as Rose celebrates winning in the final round of men’s golf on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Golf Course on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
Stenson ‒ who two months earlier had claimed The Open ‒ took silver with a 68, while American Matt Kuchar carded a 63 to claim bronze on 13 under.
“That felt better than anything I’ve ever won,” said Rose.
“It was the best tournament I’ve ever done. Hopefully, we have shown Brazil what golf is about. I’m glad it was close. Not for my nerves, for golf.”
Rose had relished the prospect of becoming an Olympian since the moment the sport’s return to the Games was confirmed in 2009.
Such was his eagerness to be part of the experience, he arrived the week before the Olympics officially started to ensure he was part of the opening ceremony.
“It’s a dream come true,” he said. “I’ve been thinking about Rio for a long, long time. I’ve been dreaming about coming here for a few years now. I was hoping my ranking would allow me to compete in the Olympic Games.
“I came here in good form, and I felt excited about competing, excited about giving it 100%. Then, when I actually got down to Rio and experienced the whole vibe of the Olympics, to come out of it with a medal is incredible. To come out of it with gold, unbelievable.”
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 14: Justin Rose (C) of Great Britain celebrates with the gold medal, Henrik Stenson (L) of Sweden, silver medal, and Matt Kuchar of the United States, bronze medal, after the final round of men’s golf on Day 9 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Golf Course on August 14, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
The Englishman made history by hitting Olympic golf’s first hole-in-one in the opening round and started Sunday with a one-shot lead, before shooting four birdies and just one bogey on his outward nine.
Stenson carded birdies in four of his first 10 holes and drew level with Rose when the leader dropped a shot on the 13th.
It looked like a play-off would be needed to separate them, but Rose held his nerve on the par-five last, chipping his approach to two feet from the hole, while Stenson’s spun away to around 20 feet.
The Swede then raced his birdie putt eight feet past the hole and missed the return to allow Rose the luxury of two putts for victory. He needed just the one.
Earlier, Stenson had been forced to summon the trainer to help with back issues on the 14th hole, which left him face down on the tee for a brief spell. He went on to bogey the hole.
“I didn’t make the best swings there for a little while, but it wasn’t hindering me too much,” Stenson said. “But it’s not something you plan to have worked on out on the course.
“It did kind of put me out of rhythm a little bit, but I was still there till the end. It was just down to whoever made a birdie on the last, otherwise we would have been out for a play-off.”
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat competes in the men’s individual stroke play at the Olympic Golf course during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 11, 2016. / AFP / Emmanuel DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP via Getty Images)
A total of 14 Asian Tour members competed in Rio, with several players excelling: in particular, Australian Marcus Fraser and Kiradech Aphibarnrat from Thailand tied for fifth, just eight shots behind Rose. Fraser, in fact, led after day one and two.
But more than the performances it was the Olympic experience that was remembered the most by the Asian Tour players who competed.
Bangladesh star Siddikur Rahman was the flag bearer for his country, Brazil’s Adilson da Silva was the first player to tee off in the first round, and Malaysian Gavin Green, inspired by the occasion, promptly got an Olympic tattoo on his arm when he returned home.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, saved the best for last at the Open Championship at Royal St George’s on Sunday after closing with a three-under-par 67 to finish in a tie for 46th place, on even par ‒ his best finish in three appearances in golf’s eldest Major.
It brought to an end a good week’s work for Asian Tour players, which saw five survive the halfway cut, with South African Justin Harding ‒ a two-time winner on the Asian Tour ‒ leading the way by finishing in a tie for 19th, following a final day 75, in the final Major of the year.
American Johannes Veerman tied with Jazz, Japan’s Ryosuke Kinoshita came equal 59th and Thailand’s Poom Saksansin ended joint 76th ‒ an impressive result considering it was his Major debut.
American star Collin Morikawa claimed the title after shooting an inspired bogey-free final round 66 to hold off compatriot Jordan Spieth and win by two strokes.
The 24-year-old, who won his first Major on his US PGA Championship debut last year, became the first Open debutant to win since American Ben Curtis did so at this course in 2003.
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 15: Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand plays his shot from the first tee during Day One of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 15, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)
“This is one of the best moments of my life,” he said. “Look at all these fans. To see some of the best crowds I have ever seen, I’m looking forward to making my trip every year.”
Morikawa’s final round saw him win on 15 under, with 2017 champion Spieth also recording a 66.
US Open champion Jon Rahm from Spain birdied four of his last six holes to also card a 66 and finish joint third on 11 under with overnight leader Louis Oosthuizen from South African, who closed with a 71.
“I tell everyone I am not the biggest history guy but I want to add myself to history and make memories for myself,” added Morikawa.
“Everything about this week was very special, to cap it on my caddie’s birthday, even more special.
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 18: Open Champion, Collin Morikawa of United States celebrates with the Claret Jug on the 18th hole during Day Four of The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 18, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
“I’ve had belief in myself since turning pro that I can do it. When it’s coming to these tournaments, courses and styles that I have never played, I do my homework Monday to Wednesday to know what I need to do.”
Report by Robin Bose from thegolfinghub.com, in India.
Udayan Mane does not care much about the cliché, “I grew up dreaming of the Olympics.” He had an “unreal” wish of featuring in the Ryder Cup though, but not the Olympic Games. “As kids, we engaged in putting competitions to win The Masters, but the Olympics was never on the to-do list,” said the Indian.
But since golf returned to the Games after 112 years at Rio 2016, Mane made an addition to the checklist. The week of the event in Rio, Mane was keyed in, making it a point to tune in for the post-round interviews of Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar in particular to “get a sense of the atmosphere”.
He stepped up by raising his craft several notches and specific work going into fitness. The hours of toil paid off as Mane qualified for Tokyo courtesy of a prolific run on the Professional Golf Tour of India between December 2019 and March 2020 that saw him win thrice in succession and finish second before the virus struck.
But the road to Tokyo had been an arduous one.
With overseas travel an uphill task and tournaments at home after the pandemic hit happening in fits and starts, Mane’s ranking dropped. With time, interest in the Olympic rankings waned too but he kept doing what he was supposed to. Mane won the Delhi NCR Open, the last event on the Professional Golf Tour of India before Lockdown 2 this year, but he was aware that would not suffice. Mails were shot off to the European and Sunshine Tours requesting for spots. The South African Tour responded favourably but by May India was in the red zone, making leaving the shores impossible. Another opportunity was the Asia Pacific Diamond Cup on the Japan Golf Tour, but the 14-day quarantine rule did not make sense.
DHAKA, BANGLADESH – FEBRUARY 04: Udayan Mane of India in action during round four of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open at Kurmitola Golf Club on February 4, 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
The angst got deeper when Mane was informed by the Indian Golf Union, the national federation, in June that he did not figure even among the Olympic replacements. Mane ploughed on with his daily schedule but with a tinge of disappointment. But when news broke of Emiliano Grillo’s pull out from the Olympics, which paved his way to join Anirban Lahiri in Tokyo, it was like elixir. Practice at the Poona Club got more structured and with a lot more intent.
The golf course yet to reopen after the second wave in the country, Mane is the lone figure practicing with undivided focus. Initially, when news broke of his qualification, the phone did not stop ringing and that was an irritant. At the risk of seeming impolite, Mane had to switch off as there is a task on hand.
Peace has been restored and its Mane, Rupesh, his caddy on Tour, and fitness trainer Samarth Dwivedi hard at work. A typical day starts at 8am with mobility and conditioning under the watchful eyes of Dwivedi. The 90-minute session at the gym, again out of bounds for everyone else, is followed by breakfast before hitting the golf course around 11am. From then till 6pm, all aspects of the game are covered interspersed by playing nine or 18 holes six days a week.
DHAKA, BANGLADESH – FEBRUARY 04: Udayan Mane of India in action during round four of the Bashundhara Bangladesh Open at Kurmitola Golf Club on February 4, 2017 in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Photo by Arep Kulal/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images)
Notes are also being exchanged between the two Olympic-bound athletes and Rahil Gangjee, their go-to man on what to expect in Japan. Mane has made it a point to have a chat with Gangjee at least once a week so that enough updates are got on the conditions before departure.
After the dismal phase of watching the world pass by, the mood is upbeat and should a medal come India’s way, the Mane household in Pune will have a quiet celebration, quite like the way they embraced his qualification. It was over roast chicken, mashed potatoes, and veggies; a podium finish will call for a more elaborate menu.
Singapore’s Marc Ong won for the first time on the Singapore Pro Series Invitational Presented by FTAG today ‒ in the fourth leg, at Tanah Merah Country Club.
The 26 year old fired a closing two-under-par 70 to finish even for the tournament, and tie compatriot Greg Foo but win on countback based on final round score.
Foo, joint leader at the start of the day with Singapore’s Mitchell Slorach, closed with a 75 on the Tampines Course.
Slorach tied for third, two shots back, with countryman Mardan Mamat and Myanmar’s Zaw Moe.
“This is my first win as a pro, so it means so much,” said Ong, who earned a cheque for S$3,850.
“It was close all the way and to come out on top against Greg [Foo] and Mardan [Mamat] is really great. I didn’t check the scores for most of the round but when I checked the app I saw we were tied so that put the pressure on.”
Ong, a professional for three years who is based at Tanah Merah, toured the front nine in two under and came home in even par making a crucial birdie on the par-three 16th.
Foo had claimed the second leg of the Pro Series here on the Tampines Course – helped by a final round 64 – and was looking to continue that winning streak this week.
However, the two-time Singapore Open Amateur champion double bogeyed the 10th and dropped shots on 14, 15 and 18 for a back nine of 42.
And, Mamat, a five-time winner on the Asian Tour, also struggled home in two over – he made double on the par five 15th – to help hand victory to Ong.
“It wasn’t meant to be today, best to let the young one’s win,” joked 53-year-old Mamat.
In the 73rd Singapore Open Amateur Championship – which was run in parallel with the Pro Series event, on the same course ‒ Singapore’s Ryan Ang emerged victorious. He closed with a 74 to finish four over for the event and beat countryman Justin Kuk by two shots. Singapore’s Hailey Loh claimed the women’s title by five from Aloysa Margiela Atienza.
This week marked the first time the Singapore Open Amateur Championship has been played in parallel with a professional event.
The event was also to be the circuit’s first 72-hole tournament, but Tuesday’s first round was washed out because of heavy rain. Total prize money was S$12,600.
Each of the Pro Series legs counts towards the ‘Race to FTAG Cup’, where the winner of the Order of Merit will also receive a bonus of S$10,000.
The next event – leg five – will be played on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club from August 4 to 5.
Three-time Asian Tour winner Poom Saksansin says it will be a “great honour” to play in this week’s Open Championship, as it will mark the first time he has competed in one of golf’s four Majors.
“The Open is very important for me as it’s my first Major. It’s a very big event. I’m very happy to attend this tournament,” said the Thai star, who will tee off at 3.54pm (GMT) in the first round with American Kurt Kitayama, also a winner on the Asian Tour, and Deyen Lawson from Australia.
“When I was a junior, I used to play on the links course – it’s buffeted by strong winds and deep bunkers.”
The 28-year-old, who qualified via the 2020 SMBC Singapore Open, says he has been working on making his body stronger to deal with the more exacting conditions that come with links golf, and he has been practising his “straight shot”.
SANDWICH, ENGLAND – JULY 13: Poom Saksansin of Thailand tees off during a practice round for The 149th Open at Royal St George’s Golf Club on July 13, 2021 in Sandwich, England. (Photo by Harry Trump/R&A/R&A via Getty Images )
“I only got the course information from the internet. Although I have no idea about the course conditions, I aim to make the cut. I admit that I never played in the course conditions like that but I will try my best to play without pressure,” added Poom, who flew into the UK on Saturday.
“During the pandemic, I had a lot more time to practice and improve my flight ball. Also, I have been competing in golf tournaments in Thailand,” he added.
“I think I practiced too much as there were just a few local tournaments. My performance during the year was not very good – sometimes I have been playing with stress. I felt pressured while I was playing. I was not playing that well as I was playing before the pandemic.
“Although I practiced a lot, my game was not improving. I decided to practice less so I haven’t got back pain and I feel more comfortable. I’m a better player with less practice.”
The tournament tees-off on Thursday at Royal St George’s with Ireland’s Shane Lowry defending the title he won at Royal Portrush in 2019 (the event was cancelled last year because of the pandemic).
SINGAPORE- Poom Saksansin of Thailand an Open qualifier pictured on Sunday January 19,2020, during the final round of the SMBC Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore. The USD$ 1 million event is co- sanctioned with the Asian Tour and Japan Tour, January 16-19, 2020. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Lagardére Sports.
Ten Asian Tour members are competing: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion – Americans John Catlin and Johannes Veerman, Australian Brad Kennedy, Ryosuke Kinoshita and Rikuya Hoshino from Japan, Canadian Richard T. Lee, and Jaco Ahlers from South Africa.
ENDS
After a one-year hiatus, Korea-based Canadian Richard T. Lee finally makes his debut appearance at The Open this week. The two-time Asian Tour winner earned his coveted ticket by virtue of a commendable fifth-place finish at the 2020 SMBC Singapore Open.
“This is a very special week to me. It is my second Major appearance. I am lucky to still be able to play competitive golf back home in Korea prior to this week. I will continue to play the same golf as what I have been doing,” said the 30-year-old Lee.
SINGAPORE- Richard T.Lee of Canada pictured Saturday January 18,2020, during round three of the SMBC Singapore Open at the Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore. The USD$ 1 million event is co- sanctioned with the Asian Tour and Japan Tour, January 16-19, 2020. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Lagardére Sports.
Despite not being to travel outside of Korea due to the pandemic, Lee made the most of his playing opportunities over the last 12 months, notching three top-five results in 18 starts on the Korean PGA Tour.
“My preparations (for The Open) are the same as other tournaments. I have been playing a lot of KPGA events recently and I have been playing well. I am glad to finally be here for The Open and I look forward to a great week ahead,” added Lee, who previously played the U.S. Open in 2007.
Lee emerged runner-up at the 2006 U.S. Junior Amateur to earn an exemption into the sectional qualifier for the 2007 U.S. Open. He came in runner-up in the qualifier to earn his Major debut and became the second youngest golfer, at the age of 16, to tee up in the prestigious tournament.
Unfortunately, Lee did not complete the tournament as he suffered a wrist injury during the second round. He turned professional immediately after. Lee came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2013 and claimed his first victory at the Solaire Open in the Philippines the year after.
His second win came in 2017 where he shook off injury woes to win by one shot over Malaysia’s Gavin Green at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea.
Lee missed out on his third victory at the 2019 Sarawak Championship after losing in a sudden-death play-off but was applauded for his aggressive style of play which saw him make a sensational eagle on the 72nd hole to force extra time.
He had hit a three-wood off the deck from about 275 yards before rolling in the eagle putt from eight feet. It was a magnificent shot as he had to hit a big draw around the trees to get to the green on 18. That shot was undisputedly hailed as the shot of the decade on the Asian Tour, according to a fans’ poll last year.
???? #?
Well deserved, @progolferrich ??
The 'shot of his life' ?? and the most popular shot among the fans in the last decade on the Asian Tour. ?⛳#ShotoftheDecade #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/KLd2stXUUd
— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) September 15, 2020
Lee will tee off at the Royal St. Georges Golf Course alongside fellow Asian Tour winners Jazz Janewattananond and Poom Saksansin of Thailand, Japanese duo Rikuya Hoshino and Ryosuke Kinoshita, as well as American Johannes Veerman and Brad Kennedy of Australia.
Ends.
The Open Championship tees-off at Royal St George’s on Thursday ‒ much to the delight of the golfing world, as the event was cancelled last year because of the pandemic. Surprisingly, still no player from Asia has improved upon the second-placed finish by Chinese Taipei’s Lu Lianghuan in 1971, at Royal Birkdale. We look back at what was one of the stand-out Opens, thanks to the performance of the man popularly known as “Mr Lu”.
When China’s Haotong Li stormed through the field on the final day of The Open in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, threatening to become the first Asian to win the Claret Jug, Chinese-Taipei’s greatest golfing hero Lu Lianghuan ‒ likely watching at home, in Taipei ‒ perhaps thought his second-place finish in the 1971 Open, remarkably played at the same venue, was about to be finally matched or surpassed.
The region has been waiting a long time for an Asian player to win The Open, and even Lu would have welcomed seeing a name from this region being inscribed on golf’s most recognisable trophy.
However, as impressive as Li’s closing seven-under-par 63 was it was only good enough to secure him third place, and leave him six shots behind the impressive champion, American Jordan Spieth.
Photo by Getty Images.
Once again, Lu’s best-ever performance by an Asian in the Open record remained firmly intact.
With Asian golf continuing to make great strides forward, his result may be beaten someday soon – although the intricacies of links golf might possibly delay the process further.
And the fact that Lu’s week was so memorable, for a variety of reasons, makes it worthy of a record lasting longer.
The 1971 Open was the 100th Open and saw Lee Trevino from the United States win the Claret Jug for the first time and, following triumphs at the U.S. Open and the Canadian Open, completed a unique hat-trick of victories within only four weeks.
Lu had been a professional since 1955, playing on the Asian Golf Circuit (as the Asian Tour was called then) and in Japan, and had played in The Open only once before.
His pork pie hat caught the eye, especially as he kept politely tipping its brim to the packed galleries. He had only bought the hat a few days before the tournament because, as he would later explain: “I like round hats. And I hate the sun shining on my neck.”
The 34-year-old, affectionately known by then as “Mr Lu”, quickly became a firm fan favourite, along, of course, with the charismatic and chatty Trevino.
The American star shared the lead on each of the first two days and led by one from Lu and Englishman Tony Jacklin, the 1969 champion, going into the final round.
Trevino was in inspired form early on and made four birdies in the first six holes to lead by six at the turn.
Photo by S&G/PA Images via Getty Images
However, Lu remained undeterred and bravely responded with birdies at the 13th and 15th holes before Trevino had a double-bogey seven at the 17th ‒ meaning the lead was down to one at the last.
Both made birdie on the last, but it was a traumatic finish for Lu as his second shot hit a female spectator on the head. Visibly distressed, he composed himself to take second.
“I feared for her,” Lu said. “I hit her really badly, but I went over and she said to me: ‘go on Mr Lu – get a birdie for me!’”
The concussed spectator, Mrs Lillian Tipping, was taken to hospital to receive several stitches and Lu went to check up on her afterwards. They stayed in contact, and he even invited her and her husband to stay at his hotel in Taipei years later, on offer they accepted.
Lu’s success did not stop at Royal Birkdale as the following week he won the French Open at Biarritz. It was all part of a phenomenal 1971 when he also won in Thailand and Japan.
Photo by Getty Images.
His Open heroics were also not over as in 1974 arguably Asia’s greatest golfer of the time tied for fifth at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
During an illustrious career he won the Asian Golf Circuit Order of Merit twice, in 1966 and 1967, and claimed nine titles in Asia and eight in Japan.
And, most noticeably, in 1972, he and countryman Hsieh Min-nan teamed up to win the World Cup at Royal Melbourne Golf Club, Chinese-Taipei’s sole victory in the event.
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