Tour Insider: Mercuries Taiwan Masters
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
The Tournament
The Mercuries Taiwan Masters is the longest consecutively running full-field event on the Asian Tour, having been part of the schedule since 2004. Inaugurated in 1987 the tournament has seen many winners that are well known to Asian golf-fans, such as Thaworn Wiratchant, Boonchu Ruangkit, Lu Wen-teh, Scott Hend, Gerry Norquist and Hsieh Min-nan.
Hsieh Min-nan, or “Tony Hsieh” as he is also known, is one of the true legends of golf in Chinese Taipei. He won this event in 1992 at the age of 52, and incredibly also made the cut in 2010 at the age of 70 when he finished tied for 47th. A remarkable feat against a field where many players were less than half his age!
Tournament host Mr. George Wong is graciously offering up prize money of US$900,000 this year, an increase of US$50,000 from last year, of which US$180,000 will go to the champion.
Last year’s event was won by first-time winner Adilson Da Silva of Brazil who held off Berry Henson and Lin Wen-tang to win by a shot on seven-under-par 281.
The Course
The Taiwan Golf and Country Club, or “Tamsui” as most of the players call it, is an old-school Asian course with tree-lined fairways requiring precision off the tee. An ability to work the ball both ways also helps since there are some doglegs to navigate.
The greens are also notoriously difficult to read, as the strong grain as well as the slope has to be taken into consideration. This will give players with past experience on these putting-surfaces an advantage over first timers and players used to bent grass greens.
The course plays to a par of 72 at 6,923 yards, so it’s not necessarily a course where power off the tee will be a big factor. Keeping the ball in the fairway however will be, as proven by famously accurate driver of the ball Da Silva last year.
The Contenders
Adilson Da Silva
Defending champion Da Silva will likely be a tough guy to beat this week, as his record from the last few years of the tournament has been outstanding. In addition to wining last year, he also finished tied-second in 2017 and tied-third in 2015.
Although he is yet to record a top-10 finish on the Asian Tour this season, a driving accuracy percentage of 84.10% so far this season should give Da Silva a great chance to excel on this course once again.
Yikeun Chang
One of the most in-form players recently on the Asian Tour with a win at Yeangder TPC and a runner-up the week before, Chang also has a lot to play for this week.
Currently in seventh place in the WGC-HSBC Champions qualification standings that end this week, he needs at least a solo-third finish this week to surpass Masahiro Kawamura who currently holds the last spot.
Not an easy task, but he’s certainly playing well enough to be up to the challenge.
Scott Vincent
One of the top contenders every week he tees it up, Vincent came close to getting his breakthrough Asian Tour win at the Shinhan Donghae Open two weeks ago after finishing third.
Vincent is in good form and has had good results at this course the last two years with a tied-seventh in 2018 and a tied-second in 2017.
Add a win on the AbemaTV Tour in Japan earlier this year and six other top-10s this season, and the case for the Zimbabwean gets even more solid.
As with Chang above, Vincent also needs to finish no worse than third for a chance to qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Lu Wei-chih
With a tied-eight in the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup as his best result so far in 2019, Lu came close to a top finish again last week in the Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan.
In tied-second after two rounds and only one shot out of the lead, Lu was looking for another top finish until a poor round on Sunday derailed his bid.
Having won this event in 2016 and a tied-ninth in 2018 after coming back from brain surgery, Lu will have all the necessary experience to challenge for this title again this year.
Rashid Khan
With three top-10s this year on the Asian Tour and two wins at home on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), Khan is getting back to the form that saw him become a two-time winner on the Asian Tour in 2014.
Currently 27th on the Order of Merit with US$83,467 Khan has already regained his Tour card that he lost last year, and the tied-second in his last event could mean he is ready to come back into the winner’s circle once again.
Lin Wen-tang
The winner of this event in 2009 and with three top-10s here the last three years, Lin certainly has all the necessary local knowledge to do well again.
He was the leader after 54 holes at last month’s Yeangder TPC outside of Taipei and had his best tournament of the season finishing fourth. Always a threat playing on home soil.
Tamsui, Chinese Taipei, October 2: Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant returns for his first event on the Asian Tour this season, ever ready to show he can still rule the fairways when the Mercuries Taiwan Masters begins on Thursday.
At 52, the Thai veteran holds the distinction of having the most number of Asian Tour victories with a total of 18 wins.
While he plays predominately on the Senior Tour in Japan and Europe nowadays, Thaworn knows he can still give his younger rivals a run for their money especially with his vast experience and mental toughness.
Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei-chih, who has won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters three times in 2005, 2011 and 2016, is confident of emerging victorious again at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Lu showed glimpses of his best form when he finished tied-eighth in Japan earlier this year and is pleased to have his career back on track again after undergoing a brain surgery in 2012.
American Berry Henson is also back and hoping to make up for the disappointment of last year when he finished just one shot back of eventual champion Adilson Da Silva of Brazil.
Did you know?
- Thaworn came close to winning the Mercuries Taiwan Masters twice in 2008 and 2011 when he finished second on both occasions.
- The 52-year-old holds the record for the most number of Asian Tour victories with a 18 total wins.
- Thaworn is a two-time winner on the Japan Senior Tour with his latest victory coming in September at the Komatsu Open.
- Thaworn’s last win on the Asian Tour came in 2014 when he won the King’s Cup on home soil.
- In 2012, Lu underwent brain surgery to remove a non-malignant tumour which put him out of action for close to a year.
- All of Lu’s four victories on the Asian Tour have come from home soil in Chinese Taipei.
- Lu won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2005, 2011 and 2016.
- Berry Henson is a one-time winner on both the Asian Tour and the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2011.
- The American has notched two top-10s in Bangladesh and Korea this year.
- He finished tied-second together with Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang, one shot back of Adilson Da Silva at last year’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
Tamsui, Chinese Taipei, October 1: Malaysia’s Danny Chia is hoping to pull off a miracle as he seeks a hat-trick of victories in Chinese Taipei when he returns for the Mercuries Taiwan Masters which starts on Thursday.
Despite having to grapple with injuries and limited playing opportunities on the Asian Tour, the 46-year-old is still clinging on to hope that he can find his lucky charm again at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club where he won his second Tour title in 2015.
Chia ended his 13-year title drought with a two-shot victory then. However, he has yet to conjure any winning formula again since that triumph four years ago.
Brazil’s Adilson Da Silva also returns to the scene of his historic breakthrough last year, ready for another shot at glory.
With a proud track record at the Mercuries Taiwan, the Brazilian believes the favourable playing conditions at the oldest golf course in Chinese Taipei will be advantageous to him.
Australia’s Scott Hend is also relishing the opportunity to contend again in the longest-running full-field event on the Asian Tour, having etched his name in the roll of honour in 2013.
The Australian won his 10th Asian Tour title in Malaysia earlier this year and was atop the Order of Merit for 13 weeks. A win again at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters for the big-hitting Hend will allow him to close the gap between him and current leader, Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand.
Backed by the Mercuries Group, the Mercuries Taiwan Masters is last qualifying event for the lucrative CJ Cup and WGC-HSBC Champions in Korea and China respectively.
The Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which was inaugurated in 1987, has been held annually on the region’s premier Tour since 2004. The event offers an all-time high US$900,000 of prize money in 2019, US$50,000 increase from last year.
Did you know?
- Danny Chia ended his 13-year title drought on the Asian Tour when won the 2015 Mercuries Taiwan Masters by two shots in 2015.
- He has started the round with a one-shot deficit but fired three birdies in his opening five holes to take over the lead and remained in top spot before winning with a tap-in par save on the 18th hole.
- Chia’s maiden Asian Tour win also came in Chinese Taipei when he won the 2002 Taiwan Open. With that breakthrough, Chia also became the first Malaysian to win on the Asian Tour.
- He also represented his country at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
- Adilson Da Silva became the first Brazilian to win on the Asian Tour following his victory at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last year.
- The Brazilian has a proud track record at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. Before that victory, Da Silva has never finished outside top-three in his last three starts in the event. In his debut appearance in 2012, he also enjoyed a tied-ninth place finish.
- Da Silva enjoyed a career high in 2016 when he was given the honour of striking the first tee shot at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when golf made a return into the programme after 112 years.
- Scott Hend won his 10th Asian Tour title at the Maybank Championship in March.
- He is the first Australian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2016
- All of Hend’s wins have come in Asia.
- Hend is the fourth player after Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng to obtain 10 wins or more on the Asian Tour.
- Hend held the number one spot on the Order of Merit for 13 weeks before being dislodged by Jazz Janewattananond after the Thai won the Kolon Korea Open in June
Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha)
My good friend Lu Wen-teh was asking me to come back here and play. And I thought to myself, why not? It has been some time since I last played an Asian Tour event and it’ll be nice to come back and show all my friends, both young and old that I still got the game to compete and even win! Never write off an old man. I enjoy playing on this golf course and I feel it suits my playing style as it’s also not that long, which obviously gives me a chance. I’ve been away playing mostly on the Senior Tour in Japan and Europe. Golf is my life and it’s something which I enjoy. I’ll not give it up for anything else.
Lu Wei-chih (Tpe)
I’m really looking forward to play at home this week. This is a course which I’ve won before and I know I can do well if I play true to form. I’m comfortable here and have lots of support. My fitness has improved over the years and so has my mental strength. I just need to work on my putting which has not been very good lately. But having said that, I will take it as just another tournament for me. No targets, no expectations. I am taking one week and one tournament at a time right now and not thinking too far ahead.
Berry Henson (Usa)
This is the sort of week where you expect yourself to play well. It’s a fun venue and the layouts are actually quite good. You just have to play a different style of golf here to compete and last year, I figured it out and hopefully this year, I can continue that. I think I’ve probably over traveled a little bit and I’ve got a little tired. I’ve a bit of a cold now. I feel like I’ve managed my year pretty well until the last month and a half where I was going back and forth to Europe a couple times. So, the travel was taking a bit of toll on me. But I’ve played in some good tournaments and I had a nice summer break at home. I’ll have another nice break after this week to finish off the year and I feel like I’m close to winning. It’s just making sure I’m 100% physically ready to go every week and that has been a little bit difficult for me.
Danny Chia (Mas)
It’s good to be back here at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. I didn’t play last year because I was playing the Qualifying School in Japan. But fortunately, the Qualifying School didn’t clash this year so I’m very happy to be here. I haven’t been physically fit this year. I’ve been doing a lot of recovery and rehabilitation work. In fact, I’ve just recovered from a shoulder injury and I’m just very pleased that I’m still able to play. I haven’t been playing a lot of events this year, mainly local events and this is one of the few Asian Tour events that I’m playing. I know this golf course well and I feel I have the luck here in this country. Both of my wins on the Asian Tour have come from Taiwan and hopefully miracles can happen again.
Adilson Da Silva (Bra)
The win last year was absolutely stunning. Especially when I wasn’t really playing well before that. I was practicing really hard and nothing was coming along. So, I was doubting myself and I just told myself to try my best as I know the course suits me. On the last day, I kept telling myself to stay in the present and play one shot at the time and just don’t get too ahead of myself. Over the years, I’ve found a way of playing this course. There’s going to be lots of swirling winds and you just have to trust what you are doing. It does swirl a lot between the trees and you have keep the ball low. If you hit it too high, you’re probably going to mess up and hitting these kind of low balls suits me.
Scott Hend (Aus)
It should be a fun week. The greens are always very grainy here and it’s going to be interesting. I remembered when I won in 2013, the winds were so strong and the branches were cracking off trees. This is the kind of golf course where you got to be mentally strong, and if you can move inside the top-20 on the final day, get a little lucky, you might have that chance to win. It’s an exciting period now with many big events coming up and will be interesting to see how things shape up.
Sentosa, Singapore, September 30: Young Thai talent Jazz Janewattananond extended his advantage at the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit after capping a commendable fourth-place finish at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
The 23-year-old picked up a cheque of US$64,227 to take his season’s earnings to US$833,524 from 13 events, increasing his lead to more than US$300,000 over second-placed Scott Hend of Australia, who missed the halfway cut at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club.
Jazz, who has already claimed two victories and six top-10 finishes, made his season even sweeter by winning the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing series following his commendable performance at the ¥150,000,000 (approx. US$1,338,067) event.
Starting the week in third place on the rankings, Jazz needed at least a tied-fourth place result to top the Panasonic Swing after compatriots Poom Saksansin and Panuphol Pittayarat, previously ranked first and second respectively, failed to make the weekend rounds.
Jazz battled with a cold putter on the final day but a crucial birdie on the 17th hole saw him close with a one-under-par 71 to take fourth place, eight shots back of winner Toshinori Muto of Japan on 13-under-par 271 total.
The young Thai took home a top bonus prize of US$70,000 after winning the second edition of the Panasonic Swing series with a total of 3,021 points from four of the five selected events, where he had all finished inside top-10.
“It’s an honor to win the Panasonic Swing. I didn’t even know I had a chance to win until the last minute. I think it’s a nice to see sponsors like Panasonic so committed to grow the game of golf. Their support has such a big impact on the Asian golf community,” said Jazz.
“The game is almost back on track. I wanted to finish better but I just couldn’t get the ball in the hole. You can’t really force the win if you are not putting well but overall, I’m happy with my result. A couple of big events coming up for me so this result will definitely help,” added the four-time Asian Tour winner.
Thai duo Poom Saksansin and Panuphol Pittayarat would secure second and third places on the final Panasonic Swing rankings, earning US$50,000 and US$30,000 respectively from the reward scheme.
The Panasonic Swing is based on an aggregate point ranking earned by players at the following five tournaments – 2018 Thailand Open, 2018 Panasonic Open India, 2018 Indonesian Masters, 2019 Maybank Championship (Malaysia) and 2019 Panasonic Open Golf Championship (Japan).
The Asian Tour returns to Chinese Taipei this week for the storied Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which will be held once again at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club from October 3 to 6. The prestigious tournament will offer an increased prize money of US$900,000 this year.
Top-20 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings
Pos Player Order of Merit (US$)
1. Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) $833,524.71
2. Scott HEND (AUS) $528,160.94
3. Yosuke ASAJI (JPN) $300,957.19
4. Taehee LEE (KOR) $284,661.95
5. Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) $260,100.96
6. Jbe KRUGER (RSA) $257,289.40
7. Scott VINCENT (ZIM) $242,216.34
8. Zach MURRAY (AUS) $221,011.92
9. Yikeun CHANG (KOR) $187,563.01
10. Micah Lauren SHIN (USA) $187,218.98
11. Johannes VEERMAN (USA) $177,288.30
12. Sanghyun PARK (KOR) $167,502.45
13. David LIPSKY (USA) $137,309.79
14. Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) $125,615.96
15. Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $123,386.86
16. Sadom KAEWKANJANA (THA) $118,336.53
17. Janne KASKE (FIN) $114,708.67
18. Berry HENSON (USA) $106,792.21
19. Dongkyu JANG (KOR) $104,405.57
20. Richard T. LEE (CAN) $98,972.88
Catch up on all the highlights from the final round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship.
Kobe, Japan, September 29: Japan’s Toshinori Muto collected his first Asian Tour title in style after closing with a second straight seven-under-par 64 to win by four shots at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
The 41-year-old Muto halted a winless streak of four years after firing eight birdies against a bogey to cap a winning total of 21-under-par 263, setting a record lowest 72-hole score in the tournament that is celebrating its 10th edition this week.
Starting the day with a one-shot edge, Muto rode on his fine form to pull away from the chasing pack at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club. His four-shot triumph would also match the largest winning margin record in the tournament set earlier by Daisuke Maruyama in 2009.
Shugo Imahira, who entered the week as the second highest-ranked Japanese on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), came in runner-up after closing with three straight birdies for a 67. Home favourite Ryo Ishikawa carded a commendable 66 to finish one shot back in third.
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand battled to a 71 to finish in fourth place on 271. The result was enough to help him win the second edition of the Panasonic Swing series with 3,021 points and take home a top bonus prize of US$70,000.
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.
The ¥150,000,000 (approx. US$1,338,067) event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), is the concluding leg of the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing.
The Panasonic Swing is based on an aggregate point ranking earned by players at the following five tournaments – 2018 Thailand Open, 2018 Panasonic Open India, 2018 Indonesian Masters, 2019 Maybank Championship (Malaysia) and 2019 Panasonic Open Golf Championship (Japan).
Did you know?
- Toshinori Muto started playing golf when he was a kid. His family from his mother side owned a driving range back then.
- The 41-year-old Muto turned professional in 2001. With this victory at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship, Muto is now a seven-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour. His last victory was the 2015 ISPS HANDA Global Cup.
- Muto would take home a winner’s prize purse of ¥30,000,000 (approx. US$267,613), thanks to his victory at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club.
- He is the second Japanese, following Yosuke Asaji, to win on the Asian Tour this season.
- Muto successfully recaptured the trophy on home soil after India’s Rahil Gangjee became only the second foreign player to win the tournament last year.
- Prior to this week, Muto was ranked 519th on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). His career-best position was 102nd at the end of 2012.
- Muto needed only 25 putts in his solid rounds of 64 today.
- Shugo Imahira topped the Merit rankings on the Japan Golf Tour in 2018. He was a former member of the Asian Tour in 2016 and 2017.
- He entered the week in 72nd place on the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as the second highest-ranked Japanese in the world. The 26-year-old, who hails from Saitama, is the highest-ranked Japanese in the 132-man field this week.
- Imahira’s runner-up finish would mark his fourth consecutive top-10 finish on the Japan Golf Tour and second straight one on the Asian Tour.
- Ryo Ishikawa won his first Japan Golf Tour event, the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup, when he was only 15 years 8 months and 3 days old.
- The 28-year-old Ishikawa was playing that event as an amateur in his first Japan Golf Tour start, and winning the tournament made him the youngest winner ever on the Japan Golf Tour.
- Ishikawa turned professional in 2008 and by the end of the year he had become the youngest ever player to reach the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), ending the year ranked 60th.
- After a few years on the PGA Tour, Ishikawa returned to play full time on the Japan Golf Tour in 2018.
- Ishikawa won this year’s Japan PGA Championship and Shigeo Nagashima Invitational SEGASAMMY Cup in consecutive starts on the Japan Golf Tour.
- Jazz Janewattananond is the only player to have won more than once on the Asian Tour so far this season. He claimed his third title at the season-opening Singapore Open in January and secured his fourth victory at the Kolon Korea Open in June.
- At the age of 23 years 6 months and 27 days, Jazz becomes the youngest ever player to achieve four wins on Tour. India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar held the record previously after he won his fourth title in 2012 at the age of 24.
- Jazz entered the week in 60th position on the OWGR and he was the highest-ranked player in the talented field this week.
- Apart from the two victories, Jazz has now notched six top-10 finishes on the Asian Tour this season, following his solo fourth result at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship. He would extend his lead on the Order of Merit with a season’s haul of US$833,524.
- Jazz also enjoyed a tied-14th place finish at the PGA Championship in June which was the best-ever result achieved by a Thai player at the PGA Championship.
Kobe, Japan, September 29: Read what players have to say following the final round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
Toshinori Muto (Jpn) – Final round 64 (-7), Total 263 (-21)
I am really glad that I played well today. It has been four years. It is a really long time. After opening with two birdies, I started to play a little less aggressive. I felt my swing was loose. So I talked to my caddy and we discussed about what to do.
If I continue to play like that, with a loose swing, other players will be able to spot my weakness. So starting from the sixth hole, we decided to just go for the pins and try to make birdies.
I have been working with my caddy, Oda, for 12 years. He knows what I am thinking. He knows it when my mental game is not there or when I am losing concentration. He kept me focused and I did that on the back nine to win the tournament.
I know Ryo Ishikawa was chasing, by listening to the spectators’ cheers. But I told myself to just play my game. Some players tell me that I am too aggressive sometimes, always aiming the pins, but this is my style and I am glad that I am here right now with the trophy.
Shugo Imahira (Jpn) – Final round 67 (-4), Total 267 (-17)
I tried to catch up today but I made a mistake on the seventh hole where i pulled the shot. That was something I should not have done. But other than that, I played my best. Muto was just too aggressive making birdies, I couldn’t stop him.
Score wise, I am happy. But I am not satisfied with my shots today. Before Muto makes mistake, I made mistake with on the seventh and ended up with a double-bogey. I was playing against the wind, tried hitting an eight-iron from 143 yards but pulled that shot.
It was a difficult approach, there was a small mound behind the ball. I have to hit the ball high, but hit the club a little too strong. It was a good finish with three straight birdies. I hope this result will boost my game and I can do better in the next tournament.
Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) – Final round 66 (-5), Total 268 (-16)
Whether I can win the tournament or not really depends on how Muto plays today. I played good and scored a 66 but he played even better. I tried my best and that is what you need to do. It has been a good week and I am sure this result will help me in my game in future.
This is a course that I have difficulties playing in the past. So I am really pleased with how I finished on this course this week.
Muto played well. I was actually aiming for 20-under. But I know now that even if I made it to 20-under, I won’t be able to catch up. He shot another seven-under again today. That’s really impressive. I know Muto’s game. When he gets into the zone, no one can stop him.
Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Final round 70 (-1), Total 271 (-13)
It’s an honor to win the Panasonic Swing. I didn’t even know I had a chance to win until the last minute. I think it’s a nice to see sponsors like Panasonic trying to grow the game of golf. Their support has such a big impact on the Asian golf community.
The game is almost back on track. You know I haven’t posted a good finish in a while, but today it seems like I almost got it. I just couldn’t get the round I wanted, couldn’t get the ball in the hole. You can’t really force the win if you are not putting well but overall, I’m pretty happy with my result.
I have been trying to get my game back on track before the three big tournaments coming up – the CJ Cup, the ZOZO Championship and the WGC-HSBC Champions. I feel it’s coming back and I am happy to post a good result this week before these big events.
Kobe, Japan, September 28: Read what players have to say following the penultimate round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Saturday.
Toshinori Muto (Jpn) – Third round 64 (-7), Total 199 (-14)
I started off really well. I had some chances on the back nine as well but couldn’t convert. I won’t complain with the score today. I made a good par on the 17th hole. I was too aggressive on the sixth, left myself a long putt to make and ended up three-putting for bogey.
I was trying for an eagle on the last. I hit a good stroke but didn’t make the putt. I a still satisfied with birdie. I want to play like this again tomorrow. If I can do that, I will have a good chance. Unless someone came up and shoot like a nine-under.
My tee shots have been good and my putting too. I just need to make sure I read the correct lines on the greens. I will try to play cautiously but confidently tomorrow. My daughter came to cheer me on today. It was good motivation.
I am glad I was able to play my ‘A’ game today. I am looking forward to the final test tomorrow. I have to try harder. I am only leading by one shot but it’s better than nothing. I will try not to think about the score and about the win. I just want to keep making birdies. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.
Shugo Imahira (Jpn) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 200 (-13)
I hit a perfect second shot. I was riding on a good momentum out there. I was hoping to birdie the last hole but to get that eagle was great. I bogeyed the first but made a good birdie right after. That calmed me down. My shots were pretty good all week and I putted well today.
I am looking forward to play in the final group tomorrow and to put myself in a good position and give myself a chance to win tomorrow. I have struggled in the final rounds recently so I will need to make a lot of birdies tomorrow to have a chance.
I will try not to think about winning. Just keep playing my game. The aim is to shoot my best round this week tomorrow. If I can play my own game, I will have a chance.
Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 201 (-12)
I started off really shaky today and managed to get it back again. I had some lucky shots out there. I made a couple of long putts. I probably had two long putts that I wouldn’t make usually, but they came at the right time. I would say the birdie on 10 got my round going.
I couldn’t hit anything to the green. I kept missing greens. Couldn’t give myself a chance out there. But after the front nine, I kind of figured out what I needed to do and then I kind of fixed it, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow.
Miguel Carballo (Arg) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 201 (-12)
I played very well today. It was a perfect day. I gave myself a lot of opportunities to make birdies. The wind was swirling on the last, I had like 86 yards to the pin and I hit to the edge of the green. Had an uphill putt about five yards from there and made it. It was a good finish.
I had a good chip-in for par today as well. It was pretty similar to the last two rounds, just that the winds were picking on the last three holes. But the course is still in a good condition. I thought it was important for me to play under-par today because it will put me in a good position for tomorrow. I managed to do that.
My game is feeling good. I feel very confident right now. This is a difficult course. You can’t really hit it into the rough. I putted well today. Didn’t play my driver well on a few holes but overall, it was alright because I still got a good position in the rough.
It’s my first time in Japan. I am loving it here. The course condition is perfect. I really enjoy playing here. This is my second year playing on the Asian Tour. I have played four years on the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA TOUR before. I have also played in Europe as well.
I think I have played on eight different Tours throughout my career. Those were great experiences for me. But I feel it’s the same everywhere, it’s just you playing against the course. If your game is good, it doesn’t matter where you are. You worked hard everywhere you are.
I just want to stay relaxed for tomorrow. The goal is to try and play under-par. But the most important thing is to stay focused and not think about the results.
Tour Insider: Mercuries Taiwan Masters
By - Olle Norberg
[addtoany]
A look ahead to this week’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters at Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
The Tournament
The Mercuries Taiwan Masters is the longest consecutively running full-field event on the Asian Tour, having been part of the schedule since 2004. Inaugurated in 1987 the tournament has seen many winners that are well known to Asian golf-fans, such as Thaworn Wiratchant, Boonchu Ruangkit, Lu Wen-teh, Scott Hend, Gerry Norquist and Hsieh Min-nan.
Hsieh Min-nan, or “Tony Hsieh” as he is also known, is one of the true legends of golf in Chinese Taipei. He won this event in 1992 at the age of 52, and incredibly also made the cut in 2010 at the age of 70 when he finished tied for 47th. A remarkable feat against a field where many players were less than half his age!
Tournament host Mr. George Wong is graciously offering up prize money of US$900,000 this year, an increase of US$50,000 from last year, of which US$180,000 will go to the champion.
Last year’s event was won by first-time winner Adilson Da Silva of Brazil who held off Berry Henson and Lin Wen-tang to win by a shot on seven-under-par 281.
The Course
The Taiwan Golf and Country Club, or “Tamsui” as most of the players call it, is an old-school Asian course with tree-lined fairways requiring precision off the tee. An ability to work the ball both ways also helps since there are some doglegs to navigate.
The greens are also notoriously difficult to read, as the strong grain as well as the slope has to be taken into consideration. This will give players with past experience on these putting-surfaces an advantage over first timers and players used to bent grass greens.
The course plays to a par of 72 at 6,923 yards, so it’s not necessarily a course where power off the tee will be a big factor. Keeping the ball in the fairway however will be, as proven by famously accurate driver of the ball Da Silva last year.
The Contenders
Adilson Da Silva
Defending champion Da Silva will likely be a tough guy to beat this week, as his record from the last few years of the tournament has been outstanding. In addition to wining last year, he also finished tied-second in 2017 and tied-third in 2015.
Although he is yet to record a top-10 finish on the Asian Tour this season, a driving accuracy percentage of 84.10% so far this season should give Da Silva a great chance to excel on this course once again.
Yikeun Chang
One of the most in-form players recently on the Asian Tour with a win at Yeangder TPC and a runner-up the week before, Chang also has a lot to play for this week.
Currently in seventh place in the WGC-HSBC Champions qualification standings that end this week, he needs at least a solo-third finish this week to surpass Masahiro Kawamura who currently holds the last spot.
Not an easy task, but he’s certainly playing well enough to be up to the challenge.
Scott Vincent
One of the top contenders every week he tees it up, Vincent came close to getting his breakthrough Asian Tour win at the Shinhan Donghae Open two weeks ago after finishing third.
Vincent is in good form and has had good results at this course the last two years with a tied-seventh in 2018 and a tied-second in 2017.
Add a win on the AbemaTV Tour in Japan earlier this year and six other top-10s this season, and the case for the Zimbabwean gets even more solid.
As with Chang above, Vincent also needs to finish no worse than third for a chance to qualify for the WGC-HSBC Champions.
Lu Wei-chih
With a tied-eight in the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup as his best result so far in 2019, Lu came close to a top finish again last week in the Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan.
In tied-second after two rounds and only one shot out of the lead, Lu was looking for another top finish until a poor round on Sunday derailed his bid.
Having won this event in 2016 and a tied-ninth in 2018 after coming back from brain surgery, Lu will have all the necessary experience to challenge for this title again this year.
Rashid Khan
With three top-10s this year on the Asian Tour and two wins at home on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), Khan is getting back to the form that saw him become a two-time winner on the Asian Tour in 2014.
Currently 27th on the Order of Merit with US$83,467 Khan has already regained his Tour card that he lost last year, and the tied-second in his last event could mean he is ready to come back into the winner’s circle once again.
Lin Wen-tang
The winner of this event in 2009 and with three top-10s here the last three years, Lin certainly has all the necessary local knowledge to do well again.
He was the leader after 54 holes at last month’s Yeangder TPC outside of Taipei and had his best tournament of the season finishing fourth. Always a threat playing on home soil.
Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant returns for his first event on the Asian Tour this season, ever ready to show he can still rule the fairways when the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
Tamsui, Chinese Taipei, October 2: Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant returns for his first event on the Asian Tour this season, ever ready to show he can still rule the fairways when the Mercuries Taiwan Masters begins on Thursday.
At 52, the Thai veteran holds the distinction of having the most number of Asian Tour victories with a total of 18 wins.
While he plays predominately on the Senior Tour in Japan and Europe nowadays, Thaworn knows he can still give his younger rivals a run for their money especially with his vast experience and mental toughness.
Chinese Taipei’s Lu Wei-chih, who has won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters three times in 2005, 2011 and 2016, is confident of emerging victorious again at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Lu showed glimpses of his best form when he finished tied-eighth in Japan earlier this year and is pleased to have his career back on track again after undergoing a brain surgery in 2012.
American Berry Henson is also back and hoping to make up for the disappointment of last year when he finished just one shot back of eventual champion Adilson Da Silva of Brazil.
Did you know?
- Thaworn came close to winning the Mercuries Taiwan Masters twice in 2008 and 2011 when he finished second on both occasions.
- The 52-year-old holds the record for the most number of Asian Tour victories with a 18 total wins.
- Thaworn is a two-time winner on the Japan Senior Tour with his latest victory coming in September at the Komatsu Open.
- Thaworn’s last win on the Asian Tour came in 2014 when he won the King’s Cup on home soil.
- In 2012, Lu underwent brain surgery to remove a non-malignant tumour which put him out of action for close to a year.
- All of Lu’s four victories on the Asian Tour have come from home soil in Chinese Taipei.
- Lu won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2005, 2011 and 2016.
- Berry Henson is a one-time winner on both the Asian Tour and the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2011.
- The American has notched two top-10s in Bangladesh and Korea this year.
- He finished tied-second together with Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang, one shot back of Adilson Da Silva at last year’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
Malaysia’s Danny Chia is hoping to pull off a miracle win as he seeks a hat-trick of victories in Chinese Taipei when he returns for the Mercuries Taiwan Masters
Tamsui, Chinese Taipei, October 1: Malaysia’s Danny Chia is hoping to pull off a miracle as he seeks a hat-trick of victories in Chinese Taipei when he returns for the Mercuries Taiwan Masters which starts on Thursday.
Despite having to grapple with injuries and limited playing opportunities on the Asian Tour, the 46-year-old is still clinging on to hope that he can find his lucky charm again at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club where he won his second Tour title in 2015.
Chia ended his 13-year title drought with a two-shot victory then. However, he has yet to conjure any winning formula again since that triumph four years ago.
Brazil’s Adilson Da Silva also returns to the scene of his historic breakthrough last year, ready for another shot at glory.
With a proud track record at the Mercuries Taiwan, the Brazilian believes the favourable playing conditions at the oldest golf course in Chinese Taipei will be advantageous to him.
Australia’s Scott Hend is also relishing the opportunity to contend again in the longest-running full-field event on the Asian Tour, having etched his name in the roll of honour in 2013.
The Australian won his 10th Asian Tour title in Malaysia earlier this year and was atop the Order of Merit for 13 weeks. A win again at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters for the big-hitting Hend will allow him to close the gap between him and current leader, Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand.
Backed by the Mercuries Group, the Mercuries Taiwan Masters is last qualifying event for the lucrative CJ Cup and WGC-HSBC Champions in Korea and China respectively.
The Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which was inaugurated in 1987, has been held annually on the region’s premier Tour since 2004. The event offers an all-time high US$900,000 of prize money in 2019, US$50,000 increase from last year.
Did you know?
- Danny Chia ended his 13-year title drought on the Asian Tour when won the 2015 Mercuries Taiwan Masters by two shots in 2015.
- He has started the round with a one-shot deficit but fired three birdies in his opening five holes to take over the lead and remained in top spot before winning with a tap-in par save on the 18th hole.
- Chia’s maiden Asian Tour win also came in Chinese Taipei when he won the 2002 Taiwan Open. With that breakthrough, Chia also became the first Malaysian to win on the Asian Tour.
- He also represented his country at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
- Adilson Da Silva became the first Brazilian to win on the Asian Tour following his victory at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters last year.
- The Brazilian has a proud track record at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. Before that victory, Da Silva has never finished outside top-three in his last three starts in the event. In his debut appearance in 2012, he also enjoyed a tied-ninth place finish.
- Da Silva enjoyed a career high in 2016 when he was given the honour of striking the first tee shot at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro when golf made a return into the programme after 112 years.
- Scott Hend won his 10th Asian Tour title at the Maybank Championship in March.
- He is the first Australian to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2016
- All of Hend’s wins have come in Asia.
- Hend is the fourth player after Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng to obtain 10 wins or more on the Asian Tour.
- Hend held the number one spot on the Order of Merit for 13 weeks before being dislodged by Jazz Janewattananond after the Thai won the Kolon Korea Open in June
Read what leading contenders and past champions of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters have to say ahead of their challenge again this week.
Thaworn Wiratchant (Tha)
My good friend Lu Wen-teh was asking me to come back here and play. And I thought to myself, why not? It has been some time since I last played an Asian Tour event and it’ll be nice to come back and show all my friends, both young and old that I still got the game to compete and even win! Never write off an old man. I enjoy playing on this golf course and I feel it suits my playing style as it’s also not that long, which obviously gives me a chance. I’ve been away playing mostly on the Senior Tour in Japan and Europe. Golf is my life and it’s something which I enjoy. I’ll not give it up for anything else.
Lu Wei-chih (Tpe)
I’m really looking forward to play at home this week. This is a course which I’ve won before and I know I can do well if I play true to form. I’m comfortable here and have lots of support. My fitness has improved over the years and so has my mental strength. I just need to work on my putting which has not been very good lately. But having said that, I will take it as just another tournament for me. No targets, no expectations. I am taking one week and one tournament at a time right now and not thinking too far ahead.
Berry Henson (Usa)
This is the sort of week where you expect yourself to play well. It’s a fun venue and the layouts are actually quite good. You just have to play a different style of golf here to compete and last year, I figured it out and hopefully this year, I can continue that. I think I’ve probably over traveled a little bit and I’ve got a little tired. I’ve a bit of a cold now. I feel like I’ve managed my year pretty well until the last month and a half where I was going back and forth to Europe a couple times. So, the travel was taking a bit of toll on me. But I’ve played in some good tournaments and I had a nice summer break at home. I’ll have another nice break after this week to finish off the year and I feel like I’m close to winning. It’s just making sure I’m 100% physically ready to go every week and that has been a little bit difficult for me.
Danny Chia (Mas)
It’s good to be back here at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. I didn’t play last year because I was playing the Qualifying School in Japan. But fortunately, the Qualifying School didn’t clash this year so I’m very happy to be here. I haven’t been physically fit this year. I’ve been doing a lot of recovery and rehabilitation work. In fact, I’ve just recovered from a shoulder injury and I’m just very pleased that I’m still able to play. I haven’t been playing a lot of events this year, mainly local events and this is one of the few Asian Tour events that I’m playing. I know this golf course well and I feel I have the luck here in this country. Both of my wins on the Asian Tour have come from Taiwan and hopefully miracles can happen again.
Adilson Da Silva (Bra)
The win last year was absolutely stunning. Especially when I wasn’t really playing well before that. I was practicing really hard and nothing was coming along. So, I was doubting myself and I just told myself to try my best as I know the course suits me. On the last day, I kept telling myself to stay in the present and play one shot at the time and just don’t get too ahead of myself. Over the years, I’ve found a way of playing this course. There’s going to be lots of swirling winds and you just have to trust what you are doing. It does swirl a lot between the trees and you have keep the ball low. If you hit it too high, you’re probably going to mess up and hitting these kind of low balls suits me.
Scott Hend (Aus)
It should be a fun week. The greens are always very grainy here and it’s going to be interesting. I remembered when I won in 2013, the winds were so strong and the branches were cracking off trees. This is the kind of golf course where you got to be mentally strong, and if you can move inside the top-20 on the final day, get a little lucky, you might have that chance to win. It’s an exciting period now with many big events coming up and will be interesting to see how things shape up.
Young Thai talent Jazz Janewattananond extended his advantage at the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit after capping a commendable fourth-place finish at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
Sentosa, Singapore, September 30: Young Thai talent Jazz Janewattananond extended his advantage at the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit after capping a commendable fourth-place finish at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
The 23-year-old picked up a cheque of US$64,227 to take his season’s earnings to US$833,524 from 13 events, increasing his lead to more than US$300,000 over second-placed Scott Hend of Australia, who missed the halfway cut at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club.
Jazz, who has already claimed two victories and six top-10 finishes, made his season even sweeter by winning the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing series following his commendable performance at the ¥150,000,000 (approx. US$1,338,067) event.
Starting the week in third place on the rankings, Jazz needed at least a tied-fourth place result to top the Panasonic Swing after compatriots Poom Saksansin and Panuphol Pittayarat, previously ranked first and second respectively, failed to make the weekend rounds.
Jazz battled with a cold putter on the final day but a crucial birdie on the 17th hole saw him close with a one-under-par 71 to take fourth place, eight shots back of winner Toshinori Muto of Japan on 13-under-par 271 total.
The young Thai took home a top bonus prize of US$70,000 after winning the second edition of the Panasonic Swing series with a total of 3,021 points from four of the five selected events, where he had all finished inside top-10.
“It’s an honor to win the Panasonic Swing. I didn’t even know I had a chance to win until the last minute. I think it’s a nice to see sponsors like Panasonic so committed to grow the game of golf. Their support has such a big impact on the Asian golf community,” said Jazz.
“The game is almost back on track. I wanted to finish better but I just couldn’t get the ball in the hole. You can’t really force the win if you are not putting well but overall, I’m happy with my result. A couple of big events coming up for me so this result will definitely help,” added the four-time Asian Tour winner.
Thai duo Poom Saksansin and Panuphol Pittayarat would secure second and third places on the final Panasonic Swing rankings, earning US$50,000 and US$30,000 respectively from the reward scheme.
The Panasonic Swing is based on an aggregate point ranking earned by players at the following five tournaments – 2018 Thailand Open, 2018 Panasonic Open India, 2018 Indonesian Masters, 2019 Maybank Championship (Malaysia) and 2019 Panasonic Open Golf Championship (Japan).
The Asian Tour returns to Chinese Taipei this week for the storied Mercuries Taiwan Masters, which will be held once again at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club from October 3 to 6. The prestigious tournament will offer an increased prize money of US$900,000 this year.
Top-20 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings
Pos Player Order of Merit (US$)
1. Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) $833,524.71
2. Scott HEND (AUS) $528,160.94
3. Yosuke ASAJI (JPN) $300,957.19
4. Taehee LEE (KOR) $284,661.95
5. Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) $260,100.96
6. Jbe KRUGER (RSA) $257,289.40
7. Scott VINCENT (ZIM) $242,216.34
8. Zach MURRAY (AUS) $221,011.92
9. Yikeun CHANG (KOR) $187,563.01
10. Micah Lauren SHIN (USA) $187,218.98
11. Johannes VEERMAN (USA) $177,288.30
12. Sanghyun PARK (KOR) $167,502.45
13. David LIPSKY (USA) $137,309.79
14. Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) $125,615.96
15. Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $123,386.86
16. Sadom KAEWKANJANA (THA) $118,336.53
17. Janne KASKE (FIN) $114,708.67
18. Berry HENSON (USA) $106,792.21
19. Dongkyu JANG (KOR) $104,405.57
20. Richard T. LEE (CAN) $98,972.88
Catch up on all the highlights from the final round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship.
Catch up on all the highlights from the final round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship.
Japan’s Toshinori Muto collected his first Asian Tour title in style after closing with a second straight seven-under-par 64 to win by four shots at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
Kobe, Japan, September 29: Japan’s Toshinori Muto collected his first Asian Tour title in style after closing with a second straight seven-under-par 64 to win by four shots at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
The 41-year-old Muto halted a winless streak of four years after firing eight birdies against a bogey to cap a winning total of 21-under-par 263, setting a record lowest 72-hole score in the tournament that is celebrating its 10th edition this week.
Starting the day with a one-shot edge, Muto rode on his fine form to pull away from the chasing pack at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club. His four-shot triumph would also match the largest winning margin record in the tournament set earlier by Daisuke Maruyama in 2009.
Shugo Imahira, who entered the week as the second highest-ranked Japanese on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), came in runner-up after closing with three straight birdies for a 67. Home favourite Ryo Ishikawa carded a commendable 66 to finish one shot back in third.
Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand battled to a 71 to finish in fourth place on 271. The result was enough to help him win the second edition of the Panasonic Swing series with 3,021 points and take home a top bonus prize of US$70,000.
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.
The ¥150,000,000 (approx. US$1,338,067) event, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO), is the concluding leg of the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing.
The Panasonic Swing is based on an aggregate point ranking earned by players at the following five tournaments – 2018 Thailand Open, 2018 Panasonic Open India, 2018 Indonesian Masters, 2019 Maybank Championship (Malaysia) and 2019 Panasonic Open Golf Championship (Japan).
Did you know?
- Toshinori Muto started playing golf when he was a kid. His family from his mother side owned a driving range back then.
- The 41-year-old Muto turned professional in 2001. With this victory at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship, Muto is now a seven-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour. His last victory was the 2015 ISPS HANDA Global Cup.
- Muto would take home a winner’s prize purse of ¥30,000,000 (approx. US$267,613), thanks to his victory at the Higashi Hirono Golf Club.
- He is the second Japanese, following Yosuke Asaji, to win on the Asian Tour this season.
- Muto successfully recaptured the trophy on home soil after India’s Rahil Gangjee became only the second foreign player to win the tournament last year.
- Prior to this week, Muto was ranked 519th on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). His career-best position was 102nd at the end of 2012.
- Muto needed only 25 putts in his solid rounds of 64 today.
- Shugo Imahira topped the Merit rankings on the Japan Golf Tour in 2018. He was a former member of the Asian Tour in 2016 and 2017.
- He entered the week in 72nd place on the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) as the second highest-ranked Japanese in the world. The 26-year-old, who hails from Saitama, is the highest-ranked Japanese in the 132-man field this week.
- Imahira’s runner-up finish would mark his fourth consecutive top-10 finish on the Japan Golf Tour and second straight one on the Asian Tour.
- Ryo Ishikawa won his first Japan Golf Tour event, the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup, when he was only 15 years 8 months and 3 days old.
- The 28-year-old Ishikawa was playing that event as an amateur in his first Japan Golf Tour start, and winning the tournament made him the youngest winner ever on the Japan Golf Tour.
- Ishikawa turned professional in 2008 and by the end of the year he had become the youngest ever player to reach the top 100 of the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR), ending the year ranked 60th.
- After a few years on the PGA Tour, Ishikawa returned to play full time on the Japan Golf Tour in 2018.
- Ishikawa won this year’s Japan PGA Championship and Shigeo Nagashima Invitational SEGASAMMY Cup in consecutive starts on the Japan Golf Tour.
- Jazz Janewattananond is the only player to have won more than once on the Asian Tour so far this season. He claimed his third title at the season-opening Singapore Open in January and secured his fourth victory at the Kolon Korea Open in June.
- At the age of 23 years 6 months and 27 days, Jazz becomes the youngest ever player to achieve four wins on Tour. India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar held the record previously after he won his fourth title in 2012 at the age of 24.
- Jazz entered the week in 60th position on the OWGR and he was the highest-ranked player in the talented field this week.
- Apart from the two victories, Jazz has now notched six top-10 finishes on the Asian Tour this season, following his solo fourth result at the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship. He would extend his lead on the Order of Merit with a season’s haul of US$833,524.
- Jazz also enjoyed a tied-14th place finish at the PGA Championship in June which was the best-ever result achieved by a Thai player at the PGA Championship.
Read what players have to say following the final round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
Kobe, Japan, September 29: Read what players have to say following the final round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Sunday.
Toshinori Muto (Jpn) – Final round 64 (-7), Total 263 (-21)
I am really glad that I played well today. It has been four years. It is a really long time. After opening with two birdies, I started to play a little less aggressive. I felt my swing was loose. So I talked to my caddy and we discussed about what to do.
If I continue to play like that, with a loose swing, other players will be able to spot my weakness. So starting from the sixth hole, we decided to just go for the pins and try to make birdies.
I have been working with my caddy, Oda, for 12 years. He knows what I am thinking. He knows it when my mental game is not there or when I am losing concentration. He kept me focused and I did that on the back nine to win the tournament.
I know Ryo Ishikawa was chasing, by listening to the spectators’ cheers. But I told myself to just play my game. Some players tell me that I am too aggressive sometimes, always aiming the pins, but this is my style and I am glad that I am here right now with the trophy.
Shugo Imahira (Jpn) – Final round 67 (-4), Total 267 (-17)
I tried to catch up today but I made a mistake on the seventh hole where i pulled the shot. That was something I should not have done. But other than that, I played my best. Muto was just too aggressive making birdies, I couldn’t stop him.
Score wise, I am happy. But I am not satisfied with my shots today. Before Muto makes mistake, I made mistake with on the seventh and ended up with a double-bogey. I was playing against the wind, tried hitting an eight-iron from 143 yards but pulled that shot.
It was a difficult approach, there was a small mound behind the ball. I have to hit the ball high, but hit the club a little too strong. It was a good finish with three straight birdies. I hope this result will boost my game and I can do better in the next tournament.
Ryo Ishikawa (Jpn) – Final round 66 (-5), Total 268 (-16)
Whether I can win the tournament or not really depends on how Muto plays today. I played good and scored a 66 but he played even better. I tried my best and that is what you need to do. It has been a good week and I am sure this result will help me in my game in future.
This is a course that I have difficulties playing in the past. So I am really pleased with how I finished on this course this week.
Muto played well. I was actually aiming for 20-under. But I know now that even if I made it to 20-under, I won’t be able to catch up. He shot another seven-under again today. That’s really impressive. I know Muto’s game. When he gets into the zone, no one can stop him.
Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Final round 70 (-1), Total 271 (-13)
It’s an honor to win the Panasonic Swing. I didn’t even know I had a chance to win until the last minute. I think it’s a nice to see sponsors like Panasonic trying to grow the game of golf. Their support has such a big impact on the Asian golf community.
The game is almost back on track. You know I haven’t posted a good finish in a while, but today it seems like I almost got it. I just couldn’t get the round I wanted, couldn’t get the ball in the hole. You can’t really force the win if you are not putting well but overall, I’m pretty happy with my result.
I have been trying to get my game back on track before the three big tournaments coming up – the CJ Cup, the ZOZO Championship and the WGC-HSBC Champions. I feel it’s coming back and I am happy to post a good result this week before these big events.
Catch up on all the highlights from round 3 of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship.
Read what players have to say following the penultimate round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Saturday.
Kobe, Japan, September 28: Read what players have to say following the penultimate round of the Panasonic OPEN Golf Championship on Saturday.
Toshinori Muto (Jpn) – Third round 64 (-7), Total 199 (-14)
I started off really well. I had some chances on the back nine as well but couldn’t convert. I won’t complain with the score today. I made a good par on the 17th hole. I was too aggressive on the sixth, left myself a long putt to make and ended up three-putting for bogey.
I was trying for an eagle on the last. I hit a good stroke but didn’t make the putt. I a still satisfied with birdie. I want to play like this again tomorrow. If I can do that, I will have a good chance. Unless someone came up and shoot like a nine-under.
My tee shots have been good and my putting too. I just need to make sure I read the correct lines on the greens. I will try to play cautiously but confidently tomorrow. My daughter came to cheer me on today. It was good motivation.
I am glad I was able to play my ‘A’ game today. I am looking forward to the final test tomorrow. I have to try harder. I am only leading by one shot but it’s better than nothing. I will try not to think about the score and about the win. I just want to keep making birdies. We’ll see how it goes tomorrow.
Shugo Imahira (Jpn) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 200 (-13)
I hit a perfect second shot. I was riding on a good momentum out there. I was hoping to birdie the last hole but to get that eagle was great. I bogeyed the first but made a good birdie right after. That calmed me down. My shots were pretty good all week and I putted well today.
I am looking forward to play in the final group tomorrow and to put myself in a good position and give myself a chance to win tomorrow. I have struggled in the final rounds recently so I will need to make a lot of birdies tomorrow to have a chance.
I will try not to think about winning. Just keep playing my game. The aim is to shoot my best round this week tomorrow. If I can play my own game, I will have a chance.
Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 201 (-12)
I started off really shaky today and managed to get it back again. I had some lucky shots out there. I made a couple of long putts. I probably had two long putts that I wouldn’t make usually, but they came at the right time. I would say the birdie on 10 got my round going.
I couldn’t hit anything to the green. I kept missing greens. Couldn’t give myself a chance out there. But after the front nine, I kind of figured out what I needed to do and then I kind of fixed it, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow.
Miguel Carballo (Arg) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 201 (-12)
I played very well today. It was a perfect day. I gave myself a lot of opportunities to make birdies. The wind was swirling on the last, I had like 86 yards to the pin and I hit to the edge of the green. Had an uphill putt about five yards from there and made it. It was a good finish.
I had a good chip-in for par today as well. It was pretty similar to the last two rounds, just that the winds were picking on the last three holes. But the course is still in a good condition. I thought it was important for me to play under-par today because it will put me in a good position for tomorrow. I managed to do that.
My game is feeling good. I feel very confident right now. This is a difficult course. You can’t really hit it into the rough. I putted well today. Didn’t play my driver well on a few holes but overall, it was alright because I still got a good position in the rough.
It’s my first time in Japan. I am loving it here. The course condition is perfect. I really enjoy playing here. This is my second year playing on the Asian Tour. I have played four years on the Korn Ferry Tour and the PGA TOUR before. I have also played in Europe as well.
I think I have played on eight different Tours throughout my career. Those were great experiences for me. But I feel it’s the same everywhere, it’s just you playing against the course. If your game is good, it doesn’t matter where you are. You worked hard everywhere you are.
I just want to stay relaxed for tomorrow. The goal is to try and play under-par. But the most important thing is to stay focused and not think about the results.
Headlines at a glance
- Class of ’26: The new faces to look out for from Qualifying School
- Singapore Open receives two places in The Open as part of OQS
- International Series Japan launches 2026 pathway to LIV Golf
- International Series calendar heralds next phase of global expansion
- Yeangder Group revives Taiwan Open refreshing Chinese-Taipei calendar
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