Nearly man ‘Nine’ is philosophical about his return to Black Mountain
Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam has history at the stunning Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, but he’s not expecting that to count in his favour as he prepares for this week’s Black Mountain Championship, the fifth tournament on The International Series schedule.
Last year at the same venue, Chonlatit lost out to Wade Ormsby in a thrilling play-off, after a missed birdie attempt from eight feet gave the Australian the International Series Thailand title.
However, he’s playing down any expectations on his return to the iconic course as he takes on a strong field that includes The International Series Rankings leader John Catlin, the International Series Macau presented by Wynn champion, and nearest challenger Ben Campbell, the International Series Morocco winner.
The Thai, affectionately known as ‘Nine’ by his peers, is widely considered to be one of the best prospects to emerge from the country recently, after breaking through from the Asian Development Tour with a standout 2022 season.
Chonlatit Chuenboonngam reacts on the 18th green after losing a play-off against Wade Ormsby at last year’s International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
During that campaign, Nine recorded one win at the Gunung Geulis Invitational, and also earned three second-placed and two third-place positions.
He said: “I think the course will suit me well since the fairway is hard, and the greens are fast. Recently I feel I have played better, during the past few weeks, but my putting game still needs to be improved.
“I will put all my effort to win, but my putting games is not perfect at the moment. So for just now, I will just aim to make the cut and then see what position I am in, and I can plan my game.”
Chonlatit sits outside the top 100 of The International Series Rankings but knows that he could ignite his push for that place on the LIV Golf League with a decent display either in Hua Hin this week or at International Series Thailand which takes place at the Thai Country Club in Bangkok next weekend.
He’ll be facing stiff opposition, however. As well as Catlin and Campbell, the field also includes International Series England champion and RangeGoats GC star Peter Uihlein plus recent Asian Tour champions Rattanon Wannasrichan, Jbe Kruger, Suteepat Prateeptienchai and Steve Lewton.
His Asian Tour results have been hit and miss this season, with the highlight being another agonising play-off defeat: this time to local hero Hongtaek Kim in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open after leading by a shot with three still to play.
Chonlatit in action at this year’s GS Caltex Maekyung Open, where he also lost in extra time. Photo courtesy of Korean Golf Association/Asian Tour.
Despite twice ending up on the losing side of a play-off, he played down any concerns of mental scarring, as he said: “Actually, when the play-off started, I only thought that I need to play my best.
“I wished I could win but deep down inside I knew it was not my time yet. I don’t want to put myself under pressure. I need to accept the outcome.”
The Black Mountain Championship, the fifth of 10 events on The International Series, takes place from 17-20 October at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, with International Series Thailand following from 23-27 October at Thai Country Club in Bangkok. The Rankings leader at the end of the 10 events will earn an automatic place on the LIV Golf League roster for the 2025 season.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan started the week in Macao with a nine under-par-61 and after that nobody was able to catch him, winning wire-to-wire by two shots over countryman Gunn Charoenkul.
The 29-year-old kept mistakes to a bare minimum at Macau Golf & Country Club, making only four bogeys for the week. The only player with less was his closest challenger Gunn – who topped that category with just three
Rattanon also seemed to be in total control on the greens last week, averaging only 25.75 Putts per Round to lead that category by half a stroke over fellow Thai Prom Meesawat with 26.25. Rattanon also ranked second in Putts per Greens in Regulation (GIR) with 1.56.
Gunn was also rolling his ball well on the greens, ranking fourth in Putts per Round and joint ninth in Putts per GIR with 26.75 and 1.65 respectively. He was also very impressive off the tee in Macau, ranking joint first alongside Korean Seungtaek Lee and Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei with 73.08% of Fairways Hit in Regulation.
Gunn Charoenkul. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
The top two players Rattanon and Gunn were both close to the top spot in most birdies made for the week with 22 for the tournament champion and 21 for the runner up. Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, Poosit Supupramai, and Chapchai Nirat finished first with 23.
On the Asian Tour Order of Merit side of things Rattanon made a big jump leaping from 37th to sixth, while Gunn boosted his ranking from 36th to 17th.
Seungtaek Lee, who finished tied for 13th in the tournament, had the most impressive driving performance of the week, ranking first in Driving Distance with 341.63 yards, and joint first in Driving Accuracy with 73.08%. A very rare combination. He also led the field in Putts per GIR with 1.54, but unfortunately for Lee he also made seven bogies and two doubles, which kept him from finishing higher up on the leaderboard in the end.
Seungtaek Lee. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Statistics categories leaders at the SJM Macao Open (of players making the cut):
- Putts per Round: Rattanon Wannasirichan (THA) 25.75
- Putts per Greens in Regulation: Seungtaek Lee (KOR) 1.54
- Greens in Regulation: David Boriboonsub (THA) 86.11%
- Fairways Hit: Seungtaek Lee (KOR), Gunn Charoenkul (THA), Hung-chien Yao (TPE) 73.08%
- Driving Distance: Seungtaek Lee (KOR) 341.63 Yards
- Most Eagles: Matthew Cheung (HKG), Zhang Jin (CHN), Jeunghun Wang (KOR) 2
- Most Birdies: Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), Poosit Supupramai (THA), Chapchai Nirat (THA) 23
- Fewest Bogies or Worse: Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 3
Tournament Information
- Tournament: Black Mountain Championship
- Date: October 17-20, 2024
- Venue: Black Mountain Golf Club, Hua Hin, Thailand
- Par/Yards: Par 72 / 7,344 Yards
- Purse: US$2 million (First place US$360,000)
- Asian Tour leg: 15th event of 2024 season
- The International Series leg: Fifth
- Edition of tournament: First
- Total number of players: 150
- Format: 72-hole stroke play with a cut made after two rounds to the leading 65 pros plus ties
- Social Media Hashtags: #TimeToRise #BMChamps #InternationalSeries
John Catlin. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Field Breakdown
- Order of Merit winners: Sihwan Kim (2022), Jazz Janewattananond (2019)
- Nationalities: 30
- Top contenders: John Catlin (USA), Ben Campbell (NZL), Peter Uihlein (USA), Paul Peterson (USA), Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA)
- Highest ranked player on OWGR: John Catlin (USA) #124
- Highest ranked player on 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit: John Catlin #1
- Highest ranked player on 2024 International Series Rankings: John Catlin #1
- of amateurs: 3
- of Thai players in the field: 39
Peter Uihlein. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Tournament Notes
- Hua Hin-based American John Catlin is having a fantastic season and leads both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings. The 33-year-old has posted two victories so far this season, the International Series Macau presented by Wynn and the Saudi Open presented by PIF, as well as two runners-up in the International Series Morocco and the Yeangder TPC. A tied third finish in the season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open secured him a spot in the 152nd Open Championship where he finished tied 16th for his best result in a major. In last week’s SJM Macau Open Catlin was again in great form, finishing T4 and extending his Order of Merit lead. He has also subbed in for injured players on three different teams on the LIV Golf League this year, and posted an impressive T7 in LIV Golf Nashville in June. Catlin has amassed US$1,084,225 in earnings in nine Asian Tour starts so far this season, while his LIV Golf League total was US$1,629,367 in his 2024 campaign.
- New Zealander Ben Campbell is a two-time winner on The International Series after capturing this summer’s International Series Morocco in a play-off against John Catlin, and the 2023 Hong Kong Open. Currently second on The International Series Rankings, he would have a chance to overtake Catlin in those rankings with a win or solo second. Other good results this season includes a T5 at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn and a T10 at the 103rd New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
- Peter Uihlein from the U.S. won International Series England in his last Asian Tour outing and is sitting in third place in The International Series Rankings. Just like Campbell, he would also have a chance to pass Catlin with a victory or solo second. In addition to his win in England in August, he also has a T3 at the Saudi Open presented by PIF and a sixth-place finish at International Series Oman earlier in the season. Uihlein also plays in the LIV Golf League where he had a T2 at the LIV Golf Las Vegas as his best result this year.
- Left-handed American Paul Peterson is making his first Asian Tour start of the season after wrapping up his PGA Tour card for next year by finishing 17th on the Korn Ferry Tour points list, mainly due to winning the Simmons Bank Open for the Snedeker Foundation late in the season. Peterson’s lone Asian Tour title came at the 2018 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open, and he also has a win on the DP World Tour at the 2016 D+D REAL Czech Masters.
- Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan is entering this week full of confidence after winning the SJM Macao Open wire-to-wire last week, two shots ahead of countryman Gunn Charoenkul. He had also posted a T4 finish the week before at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, in what was then his best result of the season after a slow start. With the win in Macau, he jumped to sixth on the Order of Merit from 37th the previous week. Rattanon has posted a good result on the Black Mountain layout in the past, finishing T5 at the 2022 International Series Thailand.
- Black Mountain Golf Club has hosted seven Asian Tour events in the past: International Series Thailand (2022, 2023) True Thailand Classic (2015, 2016), Royal Trophy (2011) and Black Mountain Masters (2009, 2010)
- Several of this week’s players have their Asian Tour base at Black Mountain Golf Club, including Jazz Janewattananond, Berry Henson and Björn Hellgren.
- Danish prodigy Jakob Skov Olesen winner of The Amateur Championship this year is also competing.
- Former Ryder Cup player Chris Wood from England is also playing this week. He won the Thailand Open in 2012. He was in the Europe team that lost to the U.S. in Hazeltine in 2016. In 2008, he memorably won the silver medal for finishing T5 as an amateur in The Open Championship, and he also produced a T3 finish the following year at Turnberry.
Danish prodigy Jakob Skov Olesen has already signalled his undoubted talent to the world of golf by winning The Amateur Championship and making the weekend cut at The Open Championship in Royal Troon this year.
The 25-year-old [main picture after winning The Amateur Championship] is now hoping to take the next step on his fledgling career in Thailand at the Black Mountain Championship, one of 10 elevated tournaments on the LIV Golf-promoted The International Series.
The Asian Tour-sanctioned events form a pathway onto the LIV Golf League roster via the end-of-season Rankings.
Olesen, a former University of Arkansas student, is currently keeping his options open with Q School on a number of tours in the near future.
Jacob Skov Olesen. Picture by Octavio Passos/Getty Images.
However, he knows enough about the pathway forged by players such as Andy Ogletree, the US star who claimed a coveted place on the LIV Golf League after winning The International Series Rankings race in 2023, to consider the Asian Tour as a prospect.
He said: “I am exempted into The International Series next year because of winning The Amateur Championship, so that’s a real opportunity for me, and I’m very open-minded.
“I’m also playing the DP World Q School, and the PGA Tour Q School as well, it is obviously really nice to have those options and opportunities next year.
“There’s a lot of things I don’t know where I’m at and what my schedule can look like, but it’s always good to have options.”
Olesen, who has also contested the Arnold Palmer Cup, the annual team competition for college and university golfers, believes the next crop of golfing talent are seriously weighing up the prospect of a tilt at The International Series.
So far, Ogletree and 2022 champion Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe have taken the route onto LIV Golf.
Rising stars such as Rayhan Thomas, Leo Oyo and Jonas Baumgartner have clearly taken note.
The trio of Oklahoma State players all featured at International Series Morocco, joining Peter Uihlein and Eugenio Chacarra, both former alumni turned LIV Golf League stars who now play regularly on The International Series.
Olesen said: “Definitely there are a lot of people that are looking this way, especially with The International Series now, with bigger prize pools. And yes, this (event) seems to be run extremely well.
“That is what filters down. If you know that the tournaments are run well, with good courses and destinations, people will want to play.
“When you see this, and you hear from other guys that have done it, then it becomes an option. And I definitely think you’re going to see a lot more guys from America and Europe coming over here to play.”
Olesen will tee it up in a field including other promising youngsters such as Mexico’s Santiago De La Fuente, the Latin America Amateur champion, and Sampson Zheng, the talented Chinese youngster who finished runner up in the 2023 edition of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
After turning pro midway through 2024, Sampson has impressed on the Asian Tour with a T4 finish at International Series England and a T2 in the Mandiri Indonesia Open.
The Black Mountain Championship takes place from 17 to 20 October at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Gunn Charoenkul underlined his undoubted talent with a second-place finish in the SJM Macao Open last week, and the Thai player hopes an improvement with the driver can help him land an elusive maiden victory – and bragging rights – at the Black Mountain Championship this week at Black Mountain Golf Club.
Gunn has now finished runner-up on four separate occasions on the Asian Tour after finishing two shots adrift of Rattanon Wannasrichan at the weekend.
One of seven Thai players to finish in the top-10 at the weekend, Gunn is eager to win – simply so he can silence his roommate on tour after Suteepat Prateeptienchai raised the stakes with victory at the Yeangder TPC in Chinese Taipei last month, making it two wins on the Asian Tour for the 31-year-old.
Gunn said: “My game is getting better and better. My tee shot was not so good last week but I still have a few days to adjust my swing. If I can’t make it better, I will have to live with it like I did last week.
Gunn Charoenkul. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
“To finish second last week makes me feel more confident. But is not equivalent to what my roommate, Suteepat Prateeptienchai bragged about his two wins. That is really igniting the fire in me.
“I have finished runner-up four times, and I admit that it’s not my time yet. I was close to it last week and if I can control my driver, I think I still have an outside chance to win this week.”
One of those four second placed finishes also came in an International Series event, in Qatar last year.
The 32-year-old does have winning experience with multiple victories on the PGA Tour China and the All Thailand Golf Tour.
And he now has two chances to go one better in his home country in the next two weeks, with the players also gearing up for International Series Thailand, which takes place the following week at Thai Country Club in Bangkok.
Last weekend’s champion Rattanon is hoping he can continue his good form for the double header in Thailand – as long as he can control his temper.
The 29-year-old, who had his girlfriend Manuschaya ‘Minnie’ Zeemakorn, a Thai LPGA Tour player, on the bag at the weekend, said: “I’m so glad that The International Series selected Thailand to host two events in a row. It offers great opportunity for Thai players to win.
“After the win I have gained more confidence to play this week, but I won’t set my hopes too high because I don’t want to put myself under pressure.
“I have worked very hard and found that if I can control my temper I can have my smooth game and success, otherwise I wouldn’t win last week. I will keep my confidence and good memories from last week to play in Hua Hin.”
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan swept to a brilliant wire-to-wire victory in the US$1 million SJM Macao Open today for his first victory on the Asian Tour in seven years.
On a beautiful sunny day at Macau Golf & Country Club, the 29-year-old confidently completed arguably the finest week of his career by firing a four-under-par 66 to finish the tournament on 20 under.
Players from Thailand made it a clean sweep of the top three positions, with Gunn Charoenkul finishing second, two shots back following a 67, and Poosit Supupramai third, another two strokes behind, after a 64.
Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader John Catlin from the United States returned a 65 to share fourth with Filipino Miguel Tabuena, who eagled the par-five 18th for a 63 – the perfect way to celebrate his 30th birthday today. They finished on 15 under.
Rattanon Wannasrichan. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Rattanon had a one-shot lead over Gunn at the start of the day and it never looked like he would surrender the lead. His nickname is ‘Fluke’ but it was all skill today as he pulled away from the pack. He had a four-shot lead over playing partner Gunn at turn, which moved to five after he birdied 10, and by the time they reached 18 the cushion was three.
Rattanon reached the green in two to ensure there would be no dramatic collapse and he could afford the luxury of a three putt, after missing a six-footer for birdie. Gunn made birdie there to close the gap.
Rattanon has won once before on the Asian Tour, at the Thailand Open in 2017, and is also a winner on the Asian Development Tour, claiming the 2015 Taifong Open.
“I’m so happy,” said Rattanon.
“I didn’t think I could win again, because I had a very tough year in 2019. I played really badly that year, but I told myself to not give up, that’s why I could improve my game and win again.”
Rattanon with his girlfriend Minnie. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
He felt finishing fourth in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last week did wonders for his confidence while he also clearly benefitted from having his girlfriend Manuschaya ‘Minnie’ Zeemakorn, a Thai LPGA Tour player, caddy for him.
He added: “She’s helped me a lot about life and golf. In life we stay together, we eat together, and we enjoy that life. That’s why it’s made it fun for me to play golf.”
He earned a cheque for US$180,000 now heads into a busy and lucrative three-week run of tournaments full of confidence, particularly as the next two events are in Thailand: next week’s Black Mountain Championship, followed immediately after by the International Series Thailand.
For Gunn it was another near miss, and he has now finished second on four occasions on the Asian Tour.
“This is great. It’s another second place, not a win but I am fine with it,” said the 32-year-old.
“I found a lot more confidence this week especially after missing the cut the last two weeks. Just tried to keep things simple and I holed some great putts.
“With those three par fives on the back nine I thought I might have a chance of catching Rattanon but it wasn’t to be. I leave with a lot more confidence though.”
Gunn Charoenkul. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Pavit Tangkamolprasert closed with a 67 to finish solo sixth, six off top spot, one of seven Thais to finish in the top-10.
Defending champion Min Woo Lee from Australia signed off with a 66 to tie for ninth.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan kept the lead in the US$1 million SJM Macao Open at Macau Golf & Country Club for the third straight day, once again producing a determined display, shooting a three-under-par 67.
It remains mainly an all Thai affair at this stage, as Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul is one-shot back in second, following a 66, with his compatriot Pavit Tangkamolprasert joint third along with Chinese-Taipei’s Liu Yung-hua.
Pavit, the champion here in 2016, carded a 67, while Lui shot a 68. They are five behind the leader.
Rattanon had a two-shot lead over Gunn at the start of the day, and stayed in front by making four birdies and one bogey – slightly more conservative playing compared with his first two rounds of 61 and 66 but a solid effort considering the pressure he was under on moving day.
“Today was really tough for me because I felt a little bit pressure, but I tried not to think too much about it,” said Rattanon, who is 16-under.
“Also, today my tee shots were not as good I wanted, so that’s why I couldn’t score more under par.”
Gunn Charoenkul. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Rattanon has won once before on the Asian Tour, at the Thailand Open in 2017, and is also a winner on the Asian Development Tour, claiming the 2015 Taifong Open.
On playing with Gunn and Suteepat Prateeptienchai today, he said: “It felt like the All Thailand Tour, because we’ve known each other for more than 10 years, we had a lot of fun today on the course.”
He also has the benefit of his girlfriend Manuschaya Zeemakorn, a Thai LPGA Tour player, caddying for him.
Both him and Gunn made birdie on the last to put some daylight between them and the chasing pack.
“I am really happy to be in this position,” said Gunn, desperate to win for the first time on the Asian Tour having finished runner-up on three occasions.
“I am still battling a slice, fighting old bad habits as I am coming over the top of it but it’s under control. I’ll put some more work in on the range. I putted great and holed some crucial putts.
“Just need to make sure Rattanon doesn’t get too far ahead tomorrow.”
Pavit’s victory here eight years ago was his first on the Asian Tour. He beat India’s Anirban Lahiri in a sudden-death play-off and would dearly love to complete the double tomorrow.
Pavit Tangkamolprasert. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Said the Thai: “Oh, it would be fantastic [to win], especially, you know, this week and tomorrow, it’s the 13th of October, our King Rama Nine passed away on that day. So, it would be very emotional, definitely.”
Having finished second and fifth the last two weeks on Tour he will fancy his chances on Sunday.
“I think just I found a rhythm hitting my irons and my putting has been very good for the past two weeks. So yeah, that’s good thing, because I have been able to keep the momentum from the last two weeks into this week,” he said.
Asian Tour number one John Catlin is in a group of players in joint fifth place. The American fired a 68 and is six back from Rattanon and has a lot of ground to make up if he is to add the SJM Macao Open title to his International Series Macau win, recorded here back in March.
American Brian Harman, winner of The Open last year, also came in with a 68 and is nine under, while Australian Min Woo Lee, the defending champion, returned a 67 and is seven under.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan kept up his unrelenting pace at the SJM Macao Open today by adding a second-round four-under-par 66 to his opening 61 to keep the lead.
He’s 13-under for the US$1 million tournament and has a two-shot lead over fellow Thai Gunn Charoenkul, who fired a 64.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai made it a monopoly for Thailand so far after returning a 63 to sit third, a shot further back, at Macau Golf & Country Club. All three played in the morning, a definite advantage as the wind picked up later in the day.
“I’m happy with my score today, if I can shoot four under every day, I’m very happy,” said Rattanon, who has his girlfriend Manuschaya Zeemakorn, a Thai LPGA Tour player, caddying for him.
“If I hit my tee shots well it’s good for me this course, because there are a lot of wedges into the greens.
“I think Thai players have played this course so many times, maybe that’s why they are playing well.”
Gunn Charoenkul. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
He tied for fourth in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters at the weekend for his best result of the season and is in search of a second title on the Asian Tour. He won the 2017 Thailand Open and famously came close to a second win in 2022 when he was beaten by Korean Tom Kim, now a star on the PGA Tour, at The Singapore International, following a sudden-death play-off.
Gunn is in the hunt despite his game not being under control.
“I couldn’t really start the ball online,” he said, “so, I’m just aiming everything left and play like a 30-yard slice, really. But my putter has been good, you know, really feeling it this week, and it’s been working all week.
“I would say my ball striking is still way off. I mean, I still hit my seven iron like a 20-yard cut, 30-yard cut. So, I’ll find something on the range today and see how it goes.”
The 32-year-old is very much in the ‘one of the best players not to win on the Asian Tour category’ and is drawing inspiration from his roommate Suteepat – who won the Yeangder TPC two weeks ago.
He added: “My roommate “Tee” [Suteepat] is igniting the fire in me. He already has two wins in the bag, and I’m out here like 10 years and have no wins. So, I’m really grinding it out the past two weeks. I really learned a lot the last two weeks, how to manage my game better, and not to fix my swing, you know, the same old stuff on the course.
“And, somehow, it’s working out this week, and hopefully the trend is heading up. He [Suteepat] jokes a lot, you know, winding me up but in a good way and I am using it to get the best out of me. He’s really heading up in a good way, and hopefully he pulls me up as well.”
Suteepat Prateeptienchai. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Chinese-Taipei’s Liu Yung-hua carded a 67 and is in fourth place, four behind Rattanon – a fine effort considering he made a triple on his first hole of the tournament yesterday.
John Catlin came in with a 65 and is in a group of players five off the lead. The American’s move up the leaderboard was expected. He won the International Series Macau here in March, carding a 59 on the third day, and currently leads the Asian Tour and International Series rankings.
Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert, joint second at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and the champion here in 2016, returned his second 66, and is tied with Catlin.
Brian Harman, the lefthander who won the Open last year, signed for a 66 and is seven under, while defending champion Min Woo Lee from Australia carded his second 68 and is four under.
South African Daniel Van Tonder made the first ace of the week, holing a nine iron on the par-three fourth from 148 yards. He finished with a 69 and is also four under.
His countryman Jbe Kruger, winner of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, just missed the cut, made at even par, after rounds of 70 and 71.
Recent International Series England champion Peter Uihlein heads a strong LIV Golf contingent as The International Series makes two stops in Thailand for back-to-back tournaments on the Asian Tour calendar.
First up, the RangeGoats GC star will compete at the Black Mountain Championship from 17-20 October alongside Kieran Vincent of Legion XIII plus Jinichiro Kozuma and Scott Vincent from Iron Heads GC.
The LIV Golf stars then head to Thai Country Club in Bangkok for International Series Thailand, from 24-27 October, where they will be joined by Fireballs GC youngster Eugenio Chacarra, the 2022 LIV Golf Bangkok champion and a winner on The International Series last year at the St Andrews Bay Championship.
South African Branden Grace of Stinger GC, Danny Lee of Iron Heads GC and Sam Horsfield of Majesticks GC are the other LIV Golf stars joining the field for the second date in Thailand.
Kieran Vincent. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Rankings leader John Catlin, the International Series Macau presented by Wynn champion, is also in the field for both events alongside nearest challenger Ben Campbell, who beat the American in a play-off at International Series Morocco, as well as Wade Ormsby, last year’s International Series Thailand champion at Black Mountain Golf Club.
All three travelled with the LIV Golf League this season as alternates to cover for injury to the roster, and Catlin in particular caught the eye with a T7 at LIV Golf Nashville in June while representing Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC.
Uihlein is heading to Thailand in red-hot form, having claimed his maiden victory on both the Asian Tour and The International Series at Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey, England. The American is eager to maintain that winning streak as he returns to Thailand for the first time since 2022, where he secured a top-20 finish at the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok.
The former world amateur No.1 warned that the competition will be fierce as he said: “There’s plenty of talent, really good players, and I think they just haven’t really had as big a platform to showcase their skills.
“The International Series helps, knowing these guys and seeing the quality of their game go to a different level. The International Series is just going to continue to keep growing and getting better, and I think you’ll start seeing more talent be recognised.”
Scott Vincent. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Aside from the race for the LIV Golf League spot, Uihlein believes The International Series plays an important role in player development as he added: “Playing a global schedule is beneficial long term. Being able to play different types of courses, different types of grass, different cultures, really enhances your ability to play quality golf around the world.
“The international scope that they have allows guys to do that and getting outside of Asia and going into Africa and Europe has been great for the Asian Tour and The International Series, and it’s only continued to keep getting better and better.”
The two events kick-off a six-tournament stretch over eight weeks, with the overall rankings champion ultimately claiming a spot on the LIV Golf League for the 2025 season, while a number of high-ranking players will also earn places on the season-ending LIV Golf Promotions event which last year yielded three additional spots on the roster.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series said: “With six events left on the calendar, we have two-thirds of the season’s rankings points and $US 15.5 million in prize purses still available. There is an opportunity for anyone to make a move, and we are delighted that this thrilling conclusion gets started with two tournaments in the heartlands of Asian golf.”
Rattanon Wannasrichan’s nickname is “Fluke” but there was certainly no element of luck in his nine-under-par 61 today at the SJM Macao Open.
The outstanding opening round gave him a two-stroke lead over Australian Sam Brazel, who returned a 63 – who like the Thai leader eagled the par-five 18th.
Filipino Miguel Tabuena, Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun and Liu Yung-hua plus Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren, shot 64s, here at Macau Golf & Country Club, while Chinese-Taipei’s Wang Wei-hsuan and Gunn Charoenkul from Thailand are next best placed following 65s.
Rattanon has been playing this event for 10 years but hasn’t come close to shooting such a low round here before.
He started on 10, making four birdies on the back nine, all four in-a-row from hole 13, and an eagle on 18, where he drained a 40-footer. Birdies on three, four and nine completed one of the finest rounds of his career.
Sam Brazel. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
“It’s not my lowest as I have shot 10 under on the Asian Development Tour but it’s amazing,” said the 29-year-old, who tied for fourth in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters at the weekend for his best result of the season.
“I was just hoping to shoot a couple under today, didn’t expect to go so low. But I do like this course, there are a lot of chances to shoot birdies.”
He is trying to win for the second time on the Asian Tour, having won the 2017 Thailand Open. He came close to a second title in 2022 when he was beaten by Korean Tom Kim at The Singapore International following a sudden-death play-off.
“It’s a great start but there is a lot of golf still to be played,” he added.
Americans John Catlin, who won the International Series Macau at this same venue in March and is ranked first on the Asian Tour and International Series, and 2023 Open winner Brian Harman, are in a group of players tied for 11th following 67s.
Miguel Tabuena. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Defending champion Min Woo Lee has started slowly with a 68 – last year he fired rounds of 62, 64, 65 and 63 – while South African Jbe Kruger, winner of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, is in a group of players who shot 70.
Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, runner-up here last year, has work to do after firing a 71.
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