Bangladesh legend Rahman raring to go despite lack of game time
Bangladesh golfing hero Siddikur Rahman is mixing it with the big guns at this week’s International Series Macau presented by Wynn – and that is all the more impressive considering his limited game time this season.
The two-time winner on the Asian Tour is on seven under at the halfway stage, just four off the lead following up his opening-day 66 with a second-round 67 at the Macau Golf and Country Club.
Starting on 10, the 39-year-old carded three straight birdies from 12 to 14 before ‘careless’ bogeys on 15 and 18 threatened to derail his round.
Two more birdies on one, his tenth, and six got him back on track, and his round could have been even better had he converted any of three birdie chances on his final three holes.
Siddikur Rahman. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Rahman, who managed a T3 at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters back in 2022 for one of his best finishes in recent times, and qualified under the career earnings category this week, said: “I have played quite well, today I had a lot of chances, but I made a few silly mistakes. My last three holes I could not capitalise on any of them from inside 70 yards, and I also made two silly bogeys.
“On 18 I topped a 240-yard shot into water for bogey, and on 15 I made bogey from the green with a three putt. I am hitting it so well with my first and second shots, but inside 80 yards, where I am normally strong, somehow, I seemed to miss in both rounds.”
Perhaps it should be no surprise that Rahman left a few shots out on the course. He has only played once this season, at the IRS Prima Malaysian Open a month ago where he managed a T31 on 13-under, 10 off winner David Puig of the Fireballs GC in the LIV Golf League.
The reasons for his lack of golf are varied – a mixture or bureaucracy and practice issues.
Rahman, who plays at Kurmitola Golf Club in Dhaka, said: “At my golf course I can play any time and practice inside the course, but my range has artificial matts and range balls, and as pro golfer you really need proper grass and real ball.
“So I didn’t get the chance to practice on the real course. I’m lacking a bit of practice. The last two weeks I didn’t do enough short game practice. I can see the impact on my long game, but I couldn’t practice that much so when I take set up, I’m not sure what to do. I’m in between. But I’m in good shape and feeling comfortable.
“Unfortunately, I couldn’t get a visa for Oman – as a Bangladeshi, there are often problems with visa. And because I was supposed to play Oman, I didn’t put my name down for New Zealand. So then I couldn’t get the visa for New Zealand at the last moment because it was too late. So seven under is not bad, I’m happy for both days!”
Siddikur Rahman. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Rahman, whose wife Samaun Anjum Auroni is also a golf pro, is optimistic about his game this season. He said: “Honestly, with the game I have and the way I am moving forward, I will hopefully be in a good position. The two bogeys today were from centre fairway, and the opportunities I got I could not convert, but my game is there and if I continue playing the way I am playing I will be in a good position.”
If there is a golf course that suits his renowned accuracy from the tee and strong short game it is Macau Golf and Country Club, so among the stars of LIV Golf lookout for Bangladesh’s favourite golfing son this weekend.
LIV Golf League star Harold Varner III is known for his big personality, and that attitude seems the perfect fit for the glitz and glamour of Macau. After a mixed first round, the mercurial American is eager to put on one of his better displays to match the surroundings in the International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
The bubbly 4Aces star was one over through 11, after a run of nine straight pars and one bogey at the turn. But the 33-year-old put together four birdies in the last six holes to bounce back and ease himself to a three-under 67, just four shots off leader Li Haotong of China and behind a huge chasing pack at the Macau Golf & Country Club.
Varner got the season underway with a dead-last finish at El Camaleon Golf Course for LIV Golf Mayakoba at the start of the season. And he is hoping to keep ‘trending’ in the right direction after a T15 last time out at LIV Golf Hong Kong last weekend.
Harold Varner III. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
He said: “That was good considering I was one over just after the turn – I really got to get going a little faster, I would say. That’s golf though. I played pretty well in Hong Kong so I have got to keep up that momentum. I’m really loving my golf right now, I’ve been working on doing good things and I have to trust that process and keep going.”
Varner clearly likes the international brief of the Asian Tour. Aside from last week’s T15 at Fanling, he carded a sublime 62 and two consecutive 66s last year on his way to a top-10 finish in the Hong Kong Open.
He also won the Australian PGA Championship in December 2016 and the PIF Saudi International in February 2022 with a monster eagle putt on the last.
He can’t quite put his finger on the good form, however he has credited The International Series for ‘keeping him sharp’.
He said: “I think it is awesome. It gives great opportunities, but you have got to play well. A lot of LIV guys are coming over and it is good for me – it keeps me from being lazy! It keeps me sharp, I just have to do my thing and keep travelling – another country knocked off.”
Reflecting on his goals he added: “I have to do my thing and keep travelling, that’s another country knocked off! If I play like I did on the back nine, I can do really well. Play well and keep doing the good things, make a lot of money,” he laughed. “I finished dead last in my first tournament this season but I’m trending and I have got to keep going.”
Li Haotong, once the great hope of Chinese golf, continued to show he is on the road to recovery today after taking the first-round lead in the inaugural International Series Macau presented by Wynn.
Li shot a confidence-building seven-under-par 63 at Macau Golf and Country Club, with LIV Golf League stars Mito Pereira of Chile and Pat Perez from the United States plus Japan sensation Yuta Sugiura next best placed following 64s.
Li had a shocking 2023, missing nearly every cut. However, the 28-year-old has shown a marked improvement this year, including a top-10 finish in the Dubai Desert Classic – the event he won in 2018. He made eight birdies and dropped just one shot today.
“Played really solid, gave myself a lot of birdie chances,” said Li, who has won seven times as a professional, including his national Open in 2016.
Mito Pereira. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I wasn’t that comfortable with some of the tee shots, but it was a solid day. This is my fourth or fifth time here. This time around the experience is a little bit better and hopefully I can keep playing like this and see how we go.
“I was just hoping to play steady today. No way did I think I would shoot seven under.”
Pereira, who made seven birdies and one bogey, is playing his fourth straight event. Despite admitting to fatigue, his game appears to be as sharp as ever.
“To be honest, I am really tired,” said the 28-year-old, who plays for Torque GC on the LIV Golf League.
“I am ready to go home but it’s the last push. I am trying to give it my best.”
He tied for fourth in the International Series Oman last month before playing LIV Golf events in Jeddah and Hong Kong.
Pat Perez. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He added: “Pretty solid today, tee to green. Made some good putts, some clutch putts, to keep the momentum going. Really happy with how I played overall.”
4Aces GC star Perez made seven birdies and one bogey, just like Pereira, although five of his birdies came on a brilliant bogey-free back nine.
The 48-year-old says he is reaping the rewards from extensive practice.
He said: “To be honest, I have been working really hard on my game and it’s showing.
“It was nice today, I hit it really good, the wind was blowing. There are some tight tee shots out there, I played great. I just screwed up one hole.
“I have been playing good all week, the course kind of fits my eye. I was excited to play. You need to keep your driver in play here.
“It’s cool being here, it’s mini-Vegas, and I love Vegas.”
Sugiura, perhaps inspired by his compatriot Takahiro Hataji’s memorable win at the New Zealand Open at the beginning of the month, looked set to share the lead with Li but he dropped a shot on his final hole – his only bogey of the day.
He is yet another exciting young golfer to emerge from the Land of the Rising Sun. He won the Dunlop Pheonix as an amateur last year and is in his first year as a professional, and could well be one to watch out for this week. He made it through this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying School.
Scott Hend is in a large group of players who returned 65s.
Yuta Suguira. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Australian being in contention is no surprise. He won the Macau Open here twice, in 2013 and 2015, and is out to make amends for letting the New Zealand Open slip from his grasp two weeks ago. There, he three-putted the 18th to hand Hataji a one-shot victory, and frustratingly miss out on his 11th Asian Tour title.
This week’s US$2million event is the second tournament of The International Series’ 2024 season and the fourth stop on the Asian Tour.
Tournament champions were not the only winners in 2023 as once again players and venues were rewarded for their important contributions to the season through other accolades at last night’s Asian Tour Awards Night, held at the Wynn Palace in Macau.
Andy Ogletree’s dominant 2023 season saw him receive arguably the most-coveted award of them all, the stamp of approval by his peers, as he was handed the Kyi Hla Han Award for the Player of the Year on the Asian Tour.
The American (main picture) won both the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) title, as well as The International Series OOM, in runaway fashion and was the overwhelming choice for the Kyi Hla Han Award – after a final count of a players’ poll was conducted.
It was the first year that the award had been named after Kyi Hla Han, the Asian Tour’s former OOM champion who later became the regional circuit’s Executive Chairman, making this all the more significant for Ogletree.
Saudi golfer Othman Almulla (left) receives the Tournament of the Year Award on behalf of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers from Angelo Que. Picture by Chris Wong.
Said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour: “It was a wonderful year for Andy, fittingly coming during the season when we named the prestigious Player’s Player of the Year Award after one of the Asian Tour’s most-celebrated luminaries, Kyi Hla Han.”
The Asian Tour membership also cast their vote in favour of the star-studded season-opening PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers as The Tournament of the Year.
“The Tournament of the Year Award is one of the Asian Tour’s most prestigious accolades – especially as it is an emphatic vote of confidence from our members,” added Cho.
“We first staged our season-opening event at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers in 2022, when it received rave reviews from our players. It was the perfect start to the year, and this was very much the case in 2023.”
On The International Series – 10 elite level events that are integrated into the Asian Tour schedule and provide a pathway onto the LIV Golf League – it was the Hong Kong Open that got the nod as The International Series Tournament of the Year.
The winners of the statistics categories were also rewarded. Picture by Chris Wong.
And equally impressively it was that event’s venue, the Hong Kong Golf Club, that was the Players’ Choice Course of the Year, along with Al Mouj Golf – the popular club on the stunning Muscat coastline that hosts the International Series Oman.
With regard to the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year Award there was only ever one candidate, Taichi Kho.
Winning the World City Championship at Hong Kong Golf Club saw him become the first player from Hong Kong to win on the Asian Tour, while he also shone at the Volvo China Open, chipping in for an eagle on 18 to tie for second.
Those performances helped him end the year in ninth place on the Merit list to complete one of the finest ever rookie seasons. He also claimed the gold medal in the Asian Games, which was another first for Hong Kong,
Statistically speaking, the players who featured on the leaderboard across the season also dominated the numbers.
Spaniard David Puig had the best stoke average with 68.25; Ogletree, not surprisingly, topped Greens in Regulation on 77.02%; and Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand had the measure of the greens with a medium of 27.85 putts per round.
A hot putter also helped Phachara make the most birdies. He recorded 293, although his compatriot Sadom Kaewkanjana matched him, to share the honours in that category.
Taichi Kho (right) is handed the Rookie of the Year Award by Dom Boulet. Picture by Chris Wong.
Korean Seungtaek Lee was the biggest hitter of the season with his average drive reaching 326.98 yards, Gaganjeet Bhullar from India hit it straightest off the tee finding 81.09% of the fairways, while it will surprise no one that the magical short game of Thailand’s Poom Saksansin allowed him to win the Scrambling section, getting up and down 67.24% of the time.
LIV Golf League star Ian Poulter hopes he can get back to winning ways at the US$2million International Series Macau presented by Wynn, the Asian Tour-sanctioned event which is making its debut in Macau this week.
The Majesticks GC co-captain is one of over 20 stars from the LIV Golf League battling it out with the cream of the Asian Tour at the second in a schedule of 10 elevated tournaments on the Asian Tour this season, taking place from 14-17 March at the Macau Golf & Country Club.
Poulter was joined by Andy Ogletree (HyFlyers GC), Sergio Garcia (Fireballs GC) and Asian Tour rising star Taichi Kho at a special press conference at Wynn Palace today (Tuesday) in front of over 70 media today.
Poulter has tasted success already in the region before, winning the Hong Kong Open back in 2010, and the Englishman, a Ryder Cup legend for Team Europe, is hoping to get back to winning ways on the Macau Golf & Country Club this week.
Taichi Kho, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Andy Ogletree pictured with the trophy on the grounds of Wynn Palace in Macau on Tuesday March 12, 2024, ahead of the International Series Macau presented by Wynn. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour
Poulter, who finished T8 at LIV Golf Hong Kong last week, is a popular figure in Asia and he said: “I don’t know if it was the crazy hairdo or the silly trousers but fans always seemed to like me playing out here and it is nice to have had a decent bit of success. Hopefully we can play well for the fans come out to watch us.”
Reflecting on his good performance last week he added: “I have done a lot of statistical work to review errors in my game, and in fact the whole team did and we have done a good job to make significant gains in certain areas.
“My putting last couple of weeks hasn’t been as good as I would like. Going into this week, I like this course. I remember in 2016 I got off to a fast start in the first round but didn’t finish it off, and hopefully I’m trending in the right direction this week.”
Ogletree is making his first return to The International Series since joining the LIV Golf League in 2024 as Order of Merit champion. The 25-year-old, who won in Qatar and England last year, is relishing the prospect of making his return in Macau after playing in a fun nearest-the-pin challenge from the Wynn Palace rooftop last year, as part of the event announcement.
He said: “I’m really enjoying LIV Golf and it wouldn’t be possible without how I prepared on The International Series. I felt it prepared me very well about different courses, and travelling the world, and scheduling my week with practice, and adjusting to conditions. This year I will be trying to use these events to stay sharp.
All four players attended a packed press conference at Wynn Palace in Macau. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
“To sum up, my form hasn’t been very good. It’s frustrating but I’m figuring out my game and working out a few things. LIV Golf has been a bit of an adjustment for me, but I think good golf is on the way and I will just try to do my best this week.”
Garcia, a six-time winner in the region already in an illustrious career that yielded 36 international trophies, said: “I’ve been fortunate to travel around the world and play a lot of time in Asia, it is always fun to come back and feel welcome and see the people.
“I’m looking forward to it and I should get some good preparation so I can get ready for the tournament and go out and give it my best shot.
“I had a good start to the year in Mayakoba. I feel my game is fairly good, not amazing, but I’m working hard on it and on the mental side of it. It’s good to be here in Macau for the first time and I look forward to giving myself a shot.”
Kho is one of those aspiring young players battling it out on The International Series in search of all-important rankings points. A T2 at the Volvo China Open and T6 at the International Series Singapore last year showed how talented the Hong Kong golfer is.
The 23-year-old, who won the World City Championship in his hometown last year, is confident The International Series is fast tracking his game. He said: “I think The International Series has done so much good for my game. Being able to play with players with such a high standard of field is an incredible accelerator for growth.
“For me to learn from these major champions and Ryder Cup stars and multiple tournament winners, gives me insights into how I can improve my game. I felt last season I did a good job growing after each tournament, and I’m feeling strong, my game is coming together and really looking forward to this week.”
Andy Ogletree had so much fun outside the ropes for the one day he travelled to Macau last year – he just could not wait to get back to the city and replicate it inside the ropes. Report by Joy Chakravarty in Macau.
He attended the launch ceremony for the International Series Macau presented by Wynn immediately after the Hong Kong Open, last November.
It was a flying visit before heading to the next event in Indonesia, played that same week, which meant he had no time to visit the famous venue for the event, Macau Golf & Country Club.
“It was the most fun I have had in one night,” said the American.
“The Wynn people, they were extremely hospitable, and they spoiled us rotten. We had amazing food, and we enjoyed our time at the casino and other events that were organised for us. I was there only for about 18 hours and time flew. It was a blur for sure.”
Andy Ogletree. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Fast forward four months and Ogletree is back in town and raring to go for the start of the inaugural US$2million event which commences on Thursday.
It’s the fourth event of the season on the Asian Tour, the second leg of The International Series but Ogletree’s first appearance of the year here as he has been playing on the LIV Golf League – thanks to finishing first on last year’s International Series Order of Merit, now called The International Series Rankings.
“I couldn’t wait to get back and see a lot of familiar faces from last year and see the guys that I competed against week in week out. It will be great to catch up with everyone,” said the 25-year-old.
“However, as always, I’m going to try to win a golf tournament. A golf tournament is never a social event for me. But I’m happy to get back and play the Asian Tour and try to promote what’s gotten me out here. It’s been such a great opportunity for me and opened doors for Major championships and to LIV Golf.
“I’m forever thankful to the Asian Tour for giving me somewhere to play. Anytime I can go play those events, that will be the priority for me to give back for what they’ve given me.”
Now an Atlanta resident, Ogletree had a sensational 2023, winning two International Series events, in Qatar and England. and topping both the Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merits.
The rewards came thick and fast. The biggest being full playing privileges on the 2024 LIV Golf season, and a place in the HyFlyers GC alongside his childhood hero, Phil Mickelson from the United States.
Andy Ogletree. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He also set to earn a place in the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon in July – his first start in a Major championship as a professional – as one of the top-five players on the International Federation Ranking, where he is number two currently.
Ogletree hasn’t had the best start to his LIV Golf League season – in the four tournaments he has played so far, Hong Kong last week was his best effort with a tied 29th place – but he has been improving with every outing.
“I am a bit frustrated with how I’ve been playing lately. I’m working on some stuff and trying to get my confidence back to where it was. I am putting in the hours that I need to on the practice area to give me that confidence,” said Ogletree, who also claimed the International Series Morocco in 2022.
“I do feel like I’m really close to playing some great golf again. And I think I’m starting to get those feelings again. I’m starting to show up to tournaments thinking that I’m going to win. Just got to keep staying positive and keep working hard. Good golf is definitely on the horizon for me.”
Playing under Captain Mickelson has been a learning experience for Ogletree. He feels like he has already picked up a few things from the six-time Major champion, which will help him become a better player in the future.
Said Ogletree: “The greatest thing about Phil is that he is so generous to me and the other guys. He genuinely wants us to do as well as we can. And he shares a lot of knowledge that he’s accumulated throughout his career with us. I couldn’t speak more highly of him as a captain and his generosity towards the whole team and caddies and the staff.”
With this added to his arsenal a fourth International Series title may well be a possibility.
Anthony Kim, who recently announced his return to professional golf as a LIV Golf Wild Card player, has joined a strong field featuring stars from the LIV Golf League and the cream of the Asian Tour for the US$2million International Series Macau presented by Wynn from 14-17 March.
The American returned to golf after almost 12 years away from the game, and he is set to compete against some big names at Macau Golf & Country Club.
Former Masters champions Sergio Garcia (Fireballs GC) and Patrick Reed (4Aces GC) headline a star-studded LIV Golf League line-up alongside former US Open champion and new Smash GC member Graeme McDowell.
Other strong contenders in the field this week include Fireballs GC player David Puig from Spain, the recent IRS Prima Malaysian Open champion, and India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Australian veteran Scott Hend, who have both won twice in Macau.
Anthony Kim tees off during day two of the LIV Golf Hong Kong at the Hong Kong Golf Club. Picture by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.
Kim has played consecutive LIV Golf events in Jeddah and Hong Kong in the past two weeks and showed great form on the final day at the Hong Kong Golf Club, carding a five-under 65 in his final round on Sunday.
He said: “I just kept doing what I’ve been working on the last two months. Obviously being away from the game so long, it’s been tough to practice and get all the things that I need to get prepared for the tournament, but I’m working on the right things at this moment.
“It’s just one round of golf. But I played the right way. I didn’t do anything extraordinary. I just played like I know how to play. The scores were what they are.”
Kim was a key member of the victorious US Ryder Cup team at Valhalla in 2008, where he beat Garcia 5&4 on the Sunday singles, and the pair will be competing once again as The International Series makes its debut in Macau.
The 38-year-old is no stranger to golf in the region. He played nine times on the Asian Tour until 2011, with four top-five finishes including a joint third in the 2011 Singapore Open, when he finished just one shot behind champion Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano.
Kim said: ”I had a great time playing on the Asian Tour in the past. These last few weeks have been a dream and a long time coming. I’m looking forward to working on my game and getting back out there.”
The tournament is the second of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that offer increased prize funds, world-class destinations, and a pathway to the LIV Golf League for golfers from all over the globe through the season-long International Series Rankings.
Former Masters champion Patrick Reed and 4Aces GC team-mate Pat Perez are the latest big names to sign up for the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, which starts next week.
The field is now one of the strongest in the history of the series, with over 20 LIV Golf League stars and every tournament winner from last season’s schedule participating.
The inaugural tournament, the second on a 10-event schedule following the highly successful series-opening International Series Oman, takes place at Macau Golf & Country Club from 14-17 March.
Reed, winner of the coveted Green Jacket at Augusta National in 2018, has played in several events on The International Series schedule in the past two years. The US Ryder Cup star was eager to highlight the ‘exciting’ opportunity and pathway onto the LIV Golf League that the Asian Tour sanctioned series gives players from all over the world.
Pat Perez of the Aces GC celebrates a birdie putt on the 12th hole during day three of LIV Golf Adelaide last year. Picture by Mark Brake/Getty Images.
He said: “Watching the game grow, with LIV Golf getting behind The International Series and the Asian Tour, is amazing to see. To be able to come out here and watch those guys now have a pathway to LIV is exciting.
“If they get that opportunity, a shot at making it to the next level, they’re going to be able to grow and hopefully make it to where we are (the LIV Golf League), while at the same time making it to the majors and the big events around the world.”
Tournament winners from last year’s schedule include International Series Order of Merit champion Andy Ogletree, who secured his place on the LIV Golf League this season by clinching top spot in the standings, thanks largely to victories in Qatar and England that made it three in two years along with his first professional title in Egypt in 2022.
Ogletree, who plays on Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC team, will be joined by Takumi Kanaya, the highly rated Japanese star who finished four shots ahead of Berry Henson and Sadom Kaewkanjana in last season’s International Series Oman at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat.
International Series Thailand champion Wade Ormsby is also confirmed. The Australian carded a final-round 65 to match Chonlatit Chuenboonngam and then held his nerve in a thrilling play-off against the Thai to secure victory at the Black Mountain Country Club.
Kieran Vincent, who made his way onto the LIV Golf League last season by securing one of three spots via the LIV Golf Promotions event in Abu Dhabi, will also be in the field.
The Zimbabwean, who plays on Jon Rahm’s new Legion XIII team, finished one shot ahead of Anirban Lahiri and Kevin Yuan on the KN Golf Links to win the International Series Vietnam last season.
The Spanish LIV Golf league duo of Eugenio Chacarra and David Puig will also feature. Fireballs GC star Chacarra held his nerve to see off Australian Matt Jones in a thrilling 10-hole play-off in the St Andrews Bay Championship, while his team-mate Puig led from wire to wire for an emphatic five-shot victory at International Series Singapore.
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, Ben Campbell of New Zealand and Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar, the final three winners on The International Series last season, are also confirmed.
Suwannarut shot a final round 64 to secure a six-shot win at the Volvo China Open, before Campbell leapfrogged Cameron Smith and Phachara Khongwatmai on the final hole of play to snatch a thrilling victory at the Hong Kong Open.
A week later, Gaganjeet Bhullar led from start to finish for a classy five-shot victory at the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club in Jakarta.
The tournament is the second of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that offer increased prize funds, world-class destinations, and a pathway to the LIV Golf League for golfers from all over the globe through the season-long International Series Rankings system.
The International Series Macau presented by Wynn follows the International Series Oman on the schedule and is the fourth event of the Asian Tour season.
Australia’s Scott Hend was denied an 11th victory on the Asian Tour today after an inspired performance by Takahiro Hataji saw him become the first player from Japan to win the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
In a pulsating finish here at Millbrook Resort, just outside Queenstown, Hend, to the gasp of a large gallery, missed a three-foot par-putt on the par-three 18th to hand Hataji a one-stroke victory.
Hataji fired an accomplished bogey-free four-under-par 67 for a four-round total of 17-under, while Hend shot a 69.
Australians Anthony Quayle (67) and Matthew Griffin (70) plus New Zealand’s Josh Geary (69) tied for third, two behind the champion.
Takahiro Hataji. Picture by Chris Symes/www.photosport.nz
Hend, joint-leader at the start of the day with Griffin, birdied 16 and 17 to draw level with Hataji, who was playing in the group ahead, but then three-putted the last hole. His first putt to win the event was from about 20 feet.
It is one of biggest upset wins in the history of the Asian Tour as little-known Hataji has never won before, with his previous best performance coming in last year’s Kansai Open Golf Championship in Japan, where he was runner-up.
He started the day one shot behind the leaders and despite his lack of experience he gradually worked his way to the top with two birdies on the front nine, followed by two more on the second half – crucial birdies on 12 and 15 gave him a two-shot lead over the closing stages.
The 30-year-old narrowly missed a 15-footer for birdie on the last shortly before Hend, who looked like he would force a play-off at the very least, uncharacteristically finished poorly.
“I was preparing for a play-off,” Hataji said later.
“I am really thrilled, very happy. The whole day was a fight. It was a struggle, but I am happy I came through it. My emotions really came to the surface.
“I holed a long putt on the 11th, and that’s when I felt I can do this.”
Hataji, a professional since 2104, becomes the first Japanese player to win on the Asian Tour since Takumi Kanaya at the International Series Oman last year.
If Hend had won, then at the age of 50, he would have become the oldest winner of the event. He does have the consolation of closing the gap on Asian Tour Career Earnings leader Thongchai Jaidee from Thailand. Hend won US$114,289 today and is in second place, just US$280,190 behind, with total earnings of US$5,483,197.
Asian Tour regular Ian Snyman from South Africa completed one of his best performances on Tour, closing with a 69 to tie for sixth, along with Australian Justin Warren – third at this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying School – who shot a 68.
Hong Kong hotshot Taichi Kho just two off the pace after round three was expected to mount a challenge today by shot a 71 to end equal 14th.
Scott Hend. Picture by Michael Thomas/www.photosport.nz
Young Indonesian golfer Jonathan Wijono, who plays on the Asian Development Tour, completed a memorable week, signing for a 68 to finish in a tie for 34th, which helped him and amateur partner Jubilant Harmidy win the Pro-Am part of the tournament.
Total prizemoney this week was NZ$2 million (approximately US$1.22million). For his victory Hataji received a cheque for US$201,686.
The tournament was jointly-sanctioned with the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, in partnership with the Japan Tour.
The Asian Tour has a week off now before heading to the International Series Macau presented by Wynn. The inaugural US$2million event will be played at Macau Golf and Country Club from March 14-17. It’s the second tournament on this year’s 10-event International Series and fourth on stop on the Asian Tour.
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho will have a chance to win the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport at Millbrook Resort tomorrow after he moved into contention with a fine four-under-par 67 in today’s third round – spoilt only by a double-bogey on the 18th that cost him the lead.
Last year’s Asian Tour Rookie of the Year is two behind frontrunners Scott Hend and Matthew Griffin from Australia, who fired rounds of 67 and 69 respectively to move in front on 14-under. They all played the Millbrook course today.
Kho was in control for most of the day and was the outright leader playing the last, a par-three. However, he found water off the tee and after taking a drop required three more strokes.
“I was a little bit quick coming down the stretch,” said the 23-year-old, who recorded an emotional and historic victory in the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club last year, becoming the first player from Hong Kong to win on the Asian Tour.
Scott Hend. Picture by Michael Thomas/www.photosport.nz
“Didn’t quite have the breadth control. I stepped into that last shot a bit too quick. I think I picked the right shot, using a wedge. I tried to kind of ride the wind but just pulled and drew it.”
He’d surged up the leaderboard following an aggressive front nine that saw him go out in four-under with birdies on three, four, six and eight, which put him one off the lead. A bogey on the 10th was quickly dealt with when he made birdies on 11 and 12 and another on 14. A dropped shot on 16 was also appropriately handled with a birdie on the penultimate hole before his uncharacteristic error on 18.
He said: “I played great today. Hit the ball better, continued to putt well, the speed is getting better on my part. I did a lot of great things today but unfortunately sometimes you finish weak.
“It wasn’t my best finish today, but I think that will help me going into tomorrow. Just need to pace myself better down the stretch. Other than that it was a lot of positives.”
Despite the mistake on 18, Kho is clearly reveling being here and making up for the disappointment of last year. He made the trip to this event in the hope that, as a reserve due to his Qualifying School category, he would get a start if someone dropped out. He patiently waited all day on the first tee but there were no withdrawals, so he flew immediately out to get ready for the next event.
He said: “I left right away to play International Series Thailand. I actually ended up playing pretty well there and I attribute that a lot to coming down here. I got my reps in for being in this environment.”
Kho is tied with fellow Asian Tour player Ian Snyman from South Africa, who recorded a 65.
Overnight leader Hend appeared out of it after going out in two over but produced a remarkable, rollercoaster back nine featuring an eagle, four birdies and a double.
Matthew Griffin. Picture by Michael Thomas/www.photosport.nz
The eagle came on the par-four 16th.
He explained: “Yeah, just hit a wedge, just a sand iron from about 118. Didn’t want to miss the green. So, I played it up the spine of the green and I was hoping to get a little kick. It did, got lucky, went in.”
The 50-year-old is chasing his 11th win on the Asian Tour.
“If I’m in the last five, within the last five groups, I still think I can win. You know, you got a chance to win a tournament, you gotta be happy,” he added.
Japan’s Kodai Ichihara (63) and Takahiro Hataji (66) and New Zealand’s Josh Geary (68) are in joint third, one behind the leaders.
A total of 32 Asian Tour members, out of 59 at the start of the week, successfully made it through to the weekend.
That number still playing includes nine from this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying School, with Australian Justin Warren – who finished third at the school – faring the best at this stage.
He is one behind Kho and Snyman having fired a brilliant 64, off the back of just surviving cut.
Said the 28-year-old Australian: “I was just grateful to have a tee-time because at 6pm last night it was not looking too good. Each guy was having a birdie, and I was sliding back. I thought we are not going to make the cut.
Justin Warren. Picture by Michael Thomas/www.photosport.nz
“So, when we did, my first thought was that it was great to have a tee-time. Secondly, we are going out super-early, good weather, so just try to make as many birdies as possible and climb up the leaderboard.”
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