Hua Hin, Thailand, February 19: Read what players have to say following the opening round of the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Wednesday.

Neil Schietekat (RSA) – First round 64 (-7), A&B course

I played pretty good. The wind kept us cool and the wedges were on and I made a couple of putts. It was a pretty solid day. The greens are tough. You just got to be patient all week and you just got to hit your wedges good. This is my second time here at the Asian Tour Qualifying School and it’s been a few years since I first came here.

I have played a little bit on the Asian Tour last season on a couple invites. It was nice and I kind of got used to the grass so it’s not that unfamiliar to me. I enjoyed the two events that I played in Indonesia and India. Everyone’s very friendly and accommodating. Hopefully we can pull it through the weekend.

Justin Harding did really well on the Asian Tour in 2018. He used to play with us back home on the Sunshine Tour and he just couldn’t break through and then you know he had his big breakthrough here. It’s good to see him playing well. He’s a nice guy and he’s a good player. There are so many good players coming from South Africa.

I’m from South Africa so it’s just about getting used to the weather here. It’s just pretty much getting to know the greens for me. The key differences are the greens for me, we get a lot of grain back home. We had a tournament back home last week and I flew here on Sunday night. Took me two flights via Dubai and I only got here on Monday evening.

HUA HIN – THAILAND – Neil Schietekat of South Africa pictured on Wednesday February 19, 2020, during round one of the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Toshiumi Kushioka (JPN) – First round 64 (-7), A&B course

I putted pretty well the whole day. It was tough out there with the wind but I tried my best today and I am happy with my score, given that it’s my first time out there playing the Asian Tour Qualifying School. But having said that, the A&B course that I played today is easier. I would have to pay more attention when I play the C&D course tomorrow.

I didn’t manage to get through the Japan Tour Qualifying School last year so I thought I should give myself a chance to get my card on the Asian Tour. That’s why I am here this week.

Benjamin Follet-smith (ZIM) – First round 65 (-6), A&B course

I played well. I have been struggling quite a bit so it’s nice to finally see some results. Today was a good test and I did well. It is always nice to put yourself in position. I played consistently for a bogey-free round. Patience was key.

I got my first birdie of the day on the 12^th and that kind of kept me going. I was just happy to be seeing positives. I wasn’t really trying to do anything or pushing myself. I just kind of stuck with it and focusing on the game.

Just eliminating everything else, you know, small things that I used to worry about, whether it’s using the right marker for the day or, you know, changing balls, etc.

I hit a couple of straight down the middle drives and then I was able to hit the wedges close. It’s my second time at the Qualifying School. I missed out last year.

HUA HIN – THAILAND – Karan Pratap Singh of India pictured on Wednesday February 19, 2020, during round one of the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Karan Pratap Singh (IND) – First round 65 (-6), A&B course

I had a good round, didn’t make any bogeys. I hit the ball really good and I was able to convert most of my birdie opportunities. I have been working really hard before coming here so it feels great to get off to a good start.

I’m into my second year as a professional and I think the experiences that I gained from my rookie season playing on my local Tour has helped me a lot. It gives me a lot of confidence coming into this week.

I feel the competitiveness on the Asian Tour is very good. That’s the reason why I want to play here. There are a lot of good players here and it would be a good platform for me to hone my skills. My favourite player on the Asian Tour is Shubhankar Sharma. He won the Order of Merit in 2018 and he’s one of the players whom I look up to on Tour.

Natipong Srithong (THA) – First round 66 (-5), C&D course

I got off to a good start from the 10^th and I was just riding on the momentum out there. I just went for a Lasik eye surgery last month and it helped because I can see things clearly on the course now. My eyesight seems better than before, so it was good. I was able to read the lines better than before too.

This is my second tournament after the surgery. I feel really comfortable now. My short game was good today. I putted well. Overall, I had a good and consistent round with only one bogey on seventh. Coming back to Qualifying School this week, I told myself to just play my own game and not think too much.

I just want to focus hole by hole and shot by shot. Feels good to play the tougher course C&D in four-under. It gives me a lot of confidence heading into the next round.

HUA HIN – THAILAND – Natipong Srithong of Thailand pictured on Wednesday February 19, 2020, during round one of the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Miguel Delgado (USA) – First round 66 (-5), A&B course

It was a little bit windy but I hit the ball really well. Made some long putts but if I can make a couple more shorter ones tomorrow, I could go even lower. Overall, I had a good day out there. I know the grass here, having played in the first stage here last week.

I only played one day this week and had the rest of the days off before starting again today. I managed to get some good rest and that helped. This is my second attempt at the Asian Tour Qualifying School. I came out here last year as an amateur but missed the final stage by one which was tough.

I am glad I came back again got off to a good start this week. I have always wanted to play on the Asian Tour. I have been following the Tour from afar and through it was a great Tour and I came here to try. You need to hit a lot of good wedge shots out there to give yourself good scoring opportunities.

Hennie Otto (RSA) – First round 67 (-4), C&D course

It was quite tough when the wind came up today. But I really played well, to be honest. On the front nine, I hit them close and made the putts. And then on my back nine, I was hitting the ball really well too so that also helps on the greens.

The greens are very tricky so you need to place them on the right places. I think I hit all the fairways, so it makes a big difference. I have played in Thailand before but it is my first time playing in the Asian Tour Qualifying School.

I was injured for two years. I didn’t play any golf in 2016 and 2017. I lost my European Tour card because of the injury as well. But the last two years in South Africa, I recovered from my injury and I played well so I thought I want to give it a go in Asia, just to see if I can do something different in a different scenery.

I have enjoyed playing the European Tour events in Asia before so I was looking forward to this week. It’s going to be a long week but we will see what happens.

I enjoy the food in Asia. It’s always warm and hot here but you know you can enjoy the golf. Golf in Asia has grown a lot over the years. It’s all the young players now and standards are getting higher. All the young players are working harder which made a big difference.

HUA HIN – THAILAND – Joshua Shou of Singpore pictured on Wednesday February 19, 2020, during round one of the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Joshua Shou (SGP) – First round 67 (-4), C&D course

I hit a lot of good iron shots today. Definitely helps when you hit it close for a couple of tap-ins out there. The course was playing a bit tough with the wind and the dry conditions, so I am very happy with my four-under today.

Getting off to a good start on the tougher course C&D definitely gave me a boost in confidence but the A&B course is no pushover as well. You still got to hit a lot of good shots and put yourself in good positions to score. Still got a long way to go but happy with the start.

I made a good birdie to the last hole 18^th. I hit a good drive into the wind and had about 200 metres into the wind as well. Hit a good shot with my hybrid there to about one foot and made the putt. I got off to a dream start with four birdies in six holes as well. I was just able to hit it close and make some putts.

This is my third attempt at the Asian Tour Qualifying School. It helped that I played on the same course last year. I knew what kind of shots I needed to hit so I have been practicing a lot back home. Hopefully it will continue to help me this week.

Kanchanaburi, Thailand, February 17: The Asian Tour will make its maiden visit to Kanchanaburi for the inaugural Royal’s Cup 2020 to be staged at the Grand Prix Golf Club from March 12-15.

While Kanchanaburi is steeped in World War II history, the Royal’s Cup 2020, which offers a total prize purse of US$400,000, is ready to chart its first chapter at the western province of Thailand, located approximately three hours’ drive by car from Bangkok.

Situated near the River Kwai in Kanchanaburi and approximately 30 minutes away from Kanchanaburi town, the Grand Prix Golf Club will host the Royal’s Cup 2020 which will be one of the first outings for many players who will graduate from the Tour’s Qualifying School, also held in Thailand over the next two weeks.

As a full-field Asian Tour event, a host of promising players from Thailand and across Asia are expected to battle for top honours at the Grand Prix Golf Club, a world-class championship golf course which offers panoramic views of Burmese mountain ranges in the distance.

The Royal’s Cup 2020 is promoted by Grand Prix International, the company behind the Bangkok International Motor Show (BIMS) which has been a major event on Thailand’s automotive scene for over 40 years.

Dr Prachin Eamlumnow, Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Grand Prix International Public Ltd Company said: “The Grand Prix International Public Company Limited is a company that organises the Bangkok International Motor Show; an event with an international standard guaranteed by OICA.

“The golf tournament that we will be held to honor His Majesty King Rama X and to celebrate the 50 years of the Grand Prix in business. It is also to promote professional Thai golf sport to be recognized internationally. We would like to provide it at an international standard. Therefore, we have chosen to work with the Asian Tour, a reputable organization that is the official regional sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia.”

Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO, Cho Minn Thant said: “The Asian Tour is delighted to align with powerhouse organiser Grand Prix International for their inaugural professional golf event.

“We are honoured that Dr. Prachin has chosen the Asian Tour as the platform to showcase another side of the company whose main business is already a household name in the automotive industry.

“We are excited to visit Kanchanaburi for the first time in the Asian Tour’s history and looking forward to experiencing the hospitality of the highly rated Grand Prix Golf Club.

“Our members will have another opportunity to compete and earn their passage to the upper echelons of the professional game in a country that has produced many worthy champions. We are confident that the event will allow the local galleries to catch their heroes in action at the Grand Prix Golf Club.”

Ends.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia February 15: The Malaysian Open, a flagship event of the Malaysian Golf Association (MGA) which is making its return to the Asian Tour schedule after a four-year absence, will continue to proceed as scheduled.

Sanctioned by the Asian Tour in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation. (JGTO), the US$1 million event is set to get underway at the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club from March 5-8.

Addressing the concerns over the current Covid-19 situation, MGA President, Tan Sri Mohd Anwar Mohd Nor said: “The health and safety of players and audience is and remains the number one priority of the MGA. With strict measures in place, as guided by the Ministry of Health Malaysia, we will provide initial medical care in the event of illness and help prevent disease transmission.

“With this assurance given we hope that all players and audiences not to worry and be ready for the upcoming Malaysian Open 2020.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour said: “We are very much aligned with the decision made by MGA and with the stringent measures put in place during the week. We are adopting similar operational procedures at all our upcoming events to improve the safety towards all stakeholders and participants. We are confident the Malaysian Open will restore its pride as one of the most popular events on the Asian Tour schedule.”

Ends.

Sentosa, Singapore, February 14: The Maybank Championship, due to take place at Saujana Golf and Country Club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from April 16-19, 2020  has been postponed due to the outbreak of Corona-virus (Covid-19).

The Asian Tour and European Tour accepted a request from title sponsor and promoter Maybank to postpone the Maybank Championship.

Discussions are ongoing with all parties looking into the possibility of rescheduling the tournament later this season.

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour said: “We respect the decision made by the various key stakeholders of the Maybank Championship. We understand their concerns over the evolving Covid-19 situation which is a major international health issue and we look forward to the return of the Maybank Championship when the situation normalises.”

Datuk Abdul Farid Alias, Group President & CEO of Maybank, said: “The decision to postpone the Maybank Championship was made after intense deliberation and careful consideration in the interest of all the players, visitors, working teams and partners.

“The postponement of the Maybank Championship was not an easy decision to make, however, the safety of all stakeholders takes precedence, and we want to ensure that any risk of possible exposure to Covid-19 is mitigated. We will monitor the situation and work closely with the European and Asian Tours, as well as our other partners, as we plan for our return in the future.”

Ends.

Kyoto, Japan, February 14: The concluding leg of the third edition of the Panasonic Swing Series will reach its climax when the Panasonic Open Golf Championship returns to Kyoto in September.

Established in 1959, Joyo Country Club will play host to the best players from the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) for the first time in more than a decade when the co-sanctioned event gets underway from September 24-27.

The Joyo Country Club last hosted the Panasonic Open in 2009 where Japan’s Daisuke Maruyama ended his four-year title drought with a four-stroke triumph then.

The ¥150,000,000 (approx. US$1,389,000) Panasonic Open Golf Championship is expected to be hotly contested by players who are not only battling for top honours but also their positions on the Order of Merit as the event will play a pivotal role in determining their places on the money list.

Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand stole the headlines when he won the second edition of the Panasonic Swing series after finishing in fourth place at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship last year.

That result was enough for him to secure the Panasonic Swing series with 3,021 points, taking home the top bonus prize of US$70,000 along the way too.

Thai duo Poom Saksansin and Panuphol Pittayarat secured second and third places on the final Panasonic Swing rankings, earning US$50,000 and US$30,000 respectively from the reward scheme.

Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO, Cho Minn Thant said: “We look forward to returning to the Joyo Country Club which last hosted the Panasonic Open in 2009. It’s great to travel and experience different courses on the Panasonic Open rota. Our members really appreciate the opportunity to see different parts of Japan whilst competing for such an illustrious championship.

“With the Panasonic Swing reaching its exciting conclusion there, I’m confident the Panasonic Open Golf Championship will continue to provide the galleries with an unforgettable week of top notch golfing action.”

Ends.

Queenstown, New Zealand, February 13: Two Major winners and a golfer who won the “fifth” Major will add significantly to the 101^st New Zealand Open presented by SKY Sport in Queenstown later this month.

US Open winners Michael Campbell and Geoff Ogilvy have confirmed their start, along with the remarkable KJ Choi, who won The Players Championship, who will also return for a third straight year.

The 101^st New Zealand Open, which has attracted 156 professionals from 18 countries, will be staged at Millbrook Resort and The Hills from February 27 to March 1.

Campbell, who headed Tiger Woods by two shots at Pinehurst in 2005 to secure a place in golfing history, returned to the game last year and to the 100th New Zealand Open.

The 2000 New Zealand Open champion has joined the European Seniors Staysure Tour, with a best performance a share of second place in the PGA Seniors Championship last year.

With a year of more regular competition under his belt, Campbell has returned to Millbrook Resort, from his base in Spain, and will undoubtedly be a little more ‘match fit’ than he was a year ago.

Tournament Director Michael Glading welcomed the return of former New Zealand Open winner Campbell, recognising the large part that Manuka Doctor has played in making this happen.

“Manuka Doctor are a significant sponsor of the New Zealand Open, and also give great support to Michael, so for us this is a match made in heaven. We are just delighted to have Michael return to play in our event again” said Glading.

Geoff Ogilvy, who won 12 times as a professional including eight on the PGA Tour, and claimed the US Open crown in 2006, reaching #4 in the world rankings.

While he played in the New Zealand Open as a young professional, he ventured back last year for his first-ever visit to Queenstown after closing a long chapter of golfing life based in the US to return with his family to Melbourne.

He has spent much of the year settling his family into life in Australia, taking up the cudgels as an assistant to Ernie Els for the Presidents Cup and playing fleetingly.

But he saw enough of the golf courses at Millbrook Resort and The Hills, and the spectacular surrounds of Queenstown to return.

“I had a really good time last year and am really looking forward to coming back” said Ogilvy.

Choi, Asia’s most successful golfer, is returning to the New Zealand Open for a third straight year, and will reunite with Ogilvy, with the pair both serving as assistants in the Presidents Cup.

He has won 29 times over 25 years as a professional and claimed a top-20 finish last year.

“I have greatly enjoyed my last two visits to the New Zealand Open and I cannot say enough about the presentation of the courses at Millbrook Resort and The Hills,” said Choi.

“I played quite well last year, and I feel if my game is at its best then I can be very competitive at Millbrook Resort, which will be the host course this time.”

The 101^st New Zealand Open, who carries a prize purse of $1.4million, is a co-sanctioned event with the PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, and in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.

Ends.