Vincent’s ready while Noh makes comeback at the 35th Shinhan Donghae Open
Incheon, Korea, September 17: Zimbabwean Scott Vincent is hopeful of another good showing at The 35th Shinhan Donghae Open as he returns to one of his favourite golf courses where he has never finished outside the top-three.
Korea’s Seungyul Noh is also resuming action for the first time after completing his mandatory two-year military service in Korea.
It will be the 2010 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion’s first competitive start since he fulfilled his military commitments a fortnight ago.
With a proud track record at the Bear’s Best Cheongna Golf Club and a consistent run of form, Vincent is optimistic of his breakthrough on the Asian Tour since earning his Tour card at Qualifying School in 2016.
Vincent believes his work ethics and affinity for the course will give him the added advantage at the event which is the first in Korea to be tri-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, Korean PGA and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
Meanwhile, Noh will be hoping to calm his own nerve as he steps up to the tee again after almost two years. While the 28-year-old is excited about making his comeback to professional golf, he also conceded he is feeling the pressure ahead of the event which starts on Thursday.
Korea’s Yikuen Chang, who lifted his maiden Asian Tour title in Chinese Taipei a fortnight ago, is determined to repay the faith with another winning performance.
Chang is the second Korean to win on the Asian Tour this season and hopes he can achieve similar glory at the 35th Shinhan Dongahe Open which is backed by his sponsor.
Did you know?
- Scott Vincent, the only Zimbabwean member on Tour, has never finished outside the top-three in his last three outings at the Shinhan Donghae Open.
- He finished tied-second in 2016, tied-third in 2017 and second last year.
- Vincent claimed his first international win at the Landic Challenge 7 held on the Japan Challenge Tour in June.
- He notched four top-10s in Australia, Japan, Korea and Malaysia to sit in ninth place on the latest Asian Tour Order of Merit. He has not missed a single cut in eight starts so far this season.
- Vincent was crowned the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year in 2016 after ending his season in 28th place on the Order of Merit.
- Since securing his Asian Tour card in his first attempt at the Qualifying School in 2016, Vincent has come close to claiming his maiden win on multiple occasions.
- In 2018, Vincent secured a total of nine top-10 finishes, including three runner-up results, to finish in a career-high fifth place on the money list.
- Vincent also represented Zimbabwe alongside compatriot Benjamin Follett-Smith for the first time at the ISPS HANDA Melbourne World Cup of Golf the same year.
- He sits in 177th place on the latest OWGR and is currently the highest ranked player from Zimbabwe.
- Seungyul Noh is the youngest player to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2010.
- The Korea is also the third youngest player to win on the Asian Tour after Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil and Korea’s Kim Dae-sub when he won the Midea China Classic in 2008 at 17 years and 143 days.
- In 2014, he won the 2014 Zurich Classic of New Orleans on the PGA TOUR.
- Yikeun Chang is the second Korean after Taehee Lee, to win on the Asian Tour this season.
- Prior to his breakthrough victory at the Yeangder TPC a fortnight ago, Chang enjoyed runner-up finishes at the 2017 Yeangder Heritage tournament in Chinese Taipei, the 2018 GS Caltex Maekyung Open and the 2019 Bank BRI Indonesia Open.
- Chang won twice on his domestic circuit in 2017, including his National Open, which earned him a coveted spot at The Open at Royal Birkdale, where he made his Major debut that year.
- He topped the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2016 in his second attempt. He missed the mark in his first attempt in 2014. Chang, however, did not manage to keep his card for 2017 as he finished 101st on the 2016 Order of Merit.
- The Korean regained his card at the 2017 Qualifying School after finishing tied-eighth. He ended the season in 48th place on the Merit rankings and kept his card for 2018.
Sanghyun Park (Kor)
It’s obviously great to be back in a tournament which I’ve won before and returning as the defending champion. felt I was lucky with my low winning score last year. Everything worked in my favour then. As a tri-sanctioned event with the Asian Tour, KPGA and JGTO, all the best players from the region will be here and that makes my title defence tougher. Over the years, I’ve grown in confidence and maturity. It’s not just about my golf skills anymore, but also all of these attributes that make me a better player. It was a good win in Japan a fortnight ago and I’m feeling very good about my game. My ball control is good and I’m confident. Having said that, I’m not taking anything for granted as this golf course is very challenging and I believe it’ll be a level playing field for everyone. Nobody will have an advantage and all of us will start off equal.
Jazz Janewattanond (Tha)
I haven’t had much success at this tournament in the past. My best finish was tied-31st last year but I’ve returned as a better player now. My ball striking has been better and that is important especially when we are playing such a long course like this. I probably have to ask Scott Vincent for advice on how to do well here. (laughs) It’s nice to know that this event is being tri-sanctioned as we’re able to benchmark ourselves against the best players from the three different Tours and ultimately improve as a region together. Like K.J. Choi and Y.E. Yang who have been the role models for the younger generation of Korean golfers, we have players like Thongchai Jaidee in Thailand to look up to as well. Every country needs players like them so that they can guide the younger generation and continuously develop the game in the country.
Shugo Imahira (Jpn)
This is my first time playing in Japan and from what I’ve seen so far, this golf course is very challenging. I’ll just have to do my best. Lots of Koreans play on the Japan Golf Tour so I see many familiar faces here which makes me feel very comfortable here. It’s good that the Shinhan Donghae Open is a tri-sanctioned event as this will make it very competitive.
Scott Vincent (Zim)
I’ve some great results from this tournament and I’ve always played well here. From what I’ve seen, the course looks similar and is in great shape. Hopefully my form is still there and I can go even better than what I did in the past. Hard work , more than anything has contributed to this great form that I’m having now. I’m getting more comfortable with my game and where I’m at with it at the moment. My wife plays a great part in that and makes me feel as comfortable as I can, have little distractions so that I can perform well on the golf course. And obviously as you get older and more mature, you understand your game a lot more and that shows in your results. There’s no guarantee this week but I’m hoping for a good one and putting together four good rounds. I’m very comfortable with the layout of this course as it suits my game. I’ve done really well on the greens in the past and I’m hoping to make more good putts like what I’ve done.
Seungyul Noh (Kor)
It’s an interesting situation because I’ve never been in a position like this where I had such a long break away from competitive golf. I miss playing professional game having been in the military for the last two years. Physically, I’m good but I’m feeling nervous and the pressure that comes with it. I still had the chance to practise my golf every day as I was in a non-combat position and that allowed me to go home where I can leave the camp at 6pm, have my dinner at home and go to the gym and driving range. But it’s different from playing competitive golf. Military life is different from life on Tour but it was a good experience. This is my first competitive event since being discharged from army and to be honest, I’m feeling the pressure. Hopefully, it will be okay as the week goes on.
Yikuen Chang (Kor)
I wanted to regain my feel of the game and that’s why I decided to play in Jakarta and Taiwan. I did so well, finishing second in Jakarta and then winning my first Asian Tour title in Taiwan the next week. This week is very important too as Shinhan is my sponsor and I want to play well to justify their faith in me. As a tri-sanctioned event, a win this week would also do wonders as you get to play on three different Tour after that. I’ve prepared for this tournament, the same way as what I did the last two tournaments. I finished tied-19th last year and hopefully I can do better this week. I took two days off after my win in Taiwan but began practising for this tournament after that.
Photo credit: JGTO
September 16: Japan’s Yosuke Asaji prevailed in a five-way playoff to claim his second victory on the Japan Golf Tour at the ANA Open held at the Sapporo Golf Club’s Wattsu Course on Sunday.
The 26-year-old Asaji overturned a five-shot deficit by closing with a seven-under-par 65 to force extra time with compatriots Terumichi Kakazu and Ryuko Tokimatsu, as well as American Seungsu Han and Shaun Norris of South Africa.
The quintet ended their campaigns two shots ahead of Japan’s Ryo Ishikarawa, China’s Liang Wen-chong and Gunn Charoenkul of Thailand after they returned with matching 16-under-par 272s in regulation play.
It did not take long for Asaji to seal the deal as he was the only player to birdie the first playoff hole, held on the par-four 18th, after sinking a three-foot putt.
“I couldn’t decide whether it would be an eight-iron or nine-iron actually. I took the eight-iron and darted to within one metre of the pin. The line was just about the same as the par saving putt that I made in regulation play. It was an uphill left to right break,” said the father-to-be.
Asaji, who broke through on the Asian Tour at the Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup Golf in May, joined the play-for-pay ranks at the age of 18. His wife is due to give birth to their first child this December.
Over in China, Singapore’s Quincy Quek rode on his superb form to win his first title on the PGA TOUR Series – China at the Haikou Classic. The victory came shortly after he captured his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) win and first in seven years in Malaysia last month.
Quek, who held a six-shot lead heading into the final round, closed with a two-over-par 73 to win by two shots over China’s Bai Zhengkai with a four-day total of 16-under-par 268 at Mission Hills Haikou. He is the first ever Singaporean to win on the PGA TOUR Series – China.
Sharma leads Asian challenge in The Netherlands
September 15: Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Shubhankar Sharma of India emerged as the leading player from Asia after the third round of the KLM Open by signing for a two-under-par 70 on Saturday.
Sharma marked his card with five birdies and two bogeys to trail Spain’s Sergio Garcia and England’s Callum Shinkwin by seven shots in tied-15th with his three day total of eight-under-par 208 at The International.
Malaysia’s Gavin Green, who started the week promisingly by taking second place after the opening round, carded a 72 to take a share of 48th place as he heads into the final round at the European Tour event.
At the ANA Open on the Japan Golf Tour, Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul posted a 66 to remain two shots off the lead in a share of third place with his 204 total.
South Africa’s Shaun Norris slipped to a share of 11th place after signing for a 71 while China’s Liang Wen-chong returned with a 72 for tied-16th place, six shots behind the leaders- Ryuko Tokimatsu of Japan and South Africa’s Peter Karmis.
Liang and Norris stay in the hunt in Japan
September 14: China’s Liang Wen-chong and South Africa’s Shaun Norris stayed in the hunt as they trailed Japanese leader Ryuko Tokimatsu by three shots going into the weekend rounds at the ANA Open on Friday.
Liang, the first mainland Chinese to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2007, posted a five-under-par 67 while Norris, a two-time Asian Tour winner, returned with a 69 to be among the five players bunched in third place.
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent, together with Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul compiled a two-day total of six-under-par 138 to stay five shots off the pace in a share of 11th place.
At the KLM Open, India’s Shubhankar Sharma put up an improved performance by signing for a 68 to move to a share of 17th place while Malaysia’s Gavin Green slipped to tied-34th place after a 73.
Green takes flight at KLM Open
September 13: Malaysia’s Gavin Green continued his good form in Europe by opening with another strong performance at the KLM Open on Thursday.
The 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner posted a five-under-par 67 to be among of seven players bunched in a share of second place, one shot back of English leader, Callum Shinkwin at The International.
Defending champion Wu Ashun of China was one of 10 players that included Asian Tour winner Kurt Kitayama of the United States who signed for a 69, three shots off the pace.
At the ANA Open in Japan, South Africa’s Shaun Norris signed for a 67 to trail the quartet of Japanese leaders by one while Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent returned with a 69 to share ninth place with Korea’s Y.E. Yang and China’s Liang Wen-chong.
Ends.
Gurgaon, India, September 15: Rory Hie became the first Indonesian to win on the Asian Tour after he carded a flawless four-under-par 68 to win the inaugural Classic Golf and Country Club International Championship by two shots on Sunday.
Hie, who has never lost the lead since the first round, was determined to seal his maiden win and demonstrated that resolve with an opening birdie on the first hole.
Despite playing under intense pressure from the chasing pack, the 31-year-old maintained his composure by marking his card with 11 straight pars before a hat-trick of birdies from the 13th hole confirmed his place in the winner’s circle.
Hie paid an emotional tribute to the late Arie Irwan, who passed away in April as he knew his close friend was watching over him when he signed off with a winning total of 21-under-par 267 at the Classic Golf and Country Club.
Korea’s Byungjun Kim tried to surmount a charge, going even a shot clear of Hie after making his fourth birdie of the day on the par-four 12th.
However, that birdie would be the last he was able to make as he closed out his last six holes with straight pars to finish in a share of second place with India’s Rashid Khan on 269 total.
Did you know?
- Rory Hie is the first Indonesian to win a title on the Asian Tour, and he did so in sterling fashion by winning wire-to-wire.
- The 31-year-old Hie’s previous best Asian Tour finish came in the 2017 TAKE Solutions Masters in Bangalore where he finished tied-fourth.
- His best finish in 2019 had been a tied-fifth at the OB Golf Invitational on the Asian Development Tour (ADT). He was poised for a top-10 finish at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open two weeks ago being tied-fourth after 54 holes, but a final round 74 dropped Hie to tied-22nd.
- After earning First Team All American golf honors at Cerritos High in California, Hie played college golf as a freshman and sophomore at University of Southern California 2006-2008 before turning pro in 2009.
- Hie was ranked as high as sixth as an amateur before he turned professional.
- In his four Asian Tour events played in 2019, Byungjun Kim’s best result has been a tied-33rd at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open.
- The Korean is currently playing on a Country Exemption spot and has limited access to events on the schedule.
- The 37-year-old Kim has had eight career top-10 finishes on the Korean PGA Tour (KPGA), including a win at the Daishin Securities KPGA Championship in 2011.
- This top-five finish will give Kim an exemption into next month’s Mercuries Taiwan Masters, an event he otherwise would not be able to play.
- Having lost his card in 2018, this tied-second place finish has secured Rashid Khan’s Asian Tour playing rights for the 2020 season.
- Rashid Khan won twice on the Asian Tour in 2014, the Chiangmai Golf Classic and the SAIL-SBI Open, on his way to a career best 11th on the Order of Merit with US$243,600 in earnings.
- Between 2013-2017 Khan never finished lower than 42nd on the Order of Merit and has career earnings of almost US$860,000.
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