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Overseas Watch: Harding and Lahiri close with T7 finish in the U.S.


Published on August 18, 2019

August 18: India’s Anirban Lahiri and South Africa’s Justin Harding closed with a one-under-par 70 and 68 respectively to end their campaign at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship in a share of seventh place on Sunday.

The duo together with Australia’s Curtis Luck and American Tom Hoge signed off with a four-day total of eight-under-par 276 total to finish four shots back of American champion Scottie Scheffler on the Korn Ferry Tour.

At the D+D Real Czech Masters, Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura, a one-time Asian Tour winner posted a 73 to end his week in Prague in tied-18th place.

American Berry Henson closed with a 69 to take a share of 23rd place while 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Gavin Green of Malaysia, who led after the first round, carded a 75 to finish in tied-58th place.

Ends.

Overseas Watch: Kawamura shines with a 65 at Czech Masters

August 17: Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura fired a flawless seven-under-par 65 to trail leader Thomas Pieters of Belgium by five shots in tied-14th place at the D+D Real Czech Masters on Saturday.

Kawamura, a one-time Asian Tour winner, returned with a perfect round highlighted by seven birdies to cap a three-day total of 11-under-par 205 at the Albatross Golf Resort.

2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit championGavin Green of Malaysia, who slipped with a second-round 75 after taking the opening round lead, bounced back with a 70 to tie in 30th place on 209.

American Berry Henson lies a further shot back in tied-39th following a 72 while his compatriots Sihwan Kim (73) and John Catlin (72) were among those bunched in 50th place on 211.

Over at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour, India’s Anirban Lahiri kept himself in contention by signing for a third-round three-under-par 68 to trail by two shots in tied-sixth place.

South African Justin Harding posted a 69 to sit a further two shots back in tied-14th place on 208 at the OSU GC – Scarlet Course.

Overseas Watch: Green slips with a 75 at Czech Masters

August 16: Overnight leader Gavin Green of Malaysia slipped to tied-33rd place after signing for a battling three-over-par 75 at the D+D Real Czech Masters on Friday.

The 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, who started the round with a one-shot lead, fell seven shots off the pace after recording a two-day total of five-under-par 139 at the Albatross Golf Resort.

American duo Berry Henson and Sihwan Kim posted matching rounds of 68s to trail leader Edoardo Molinari of Italy by six shots in tied-23rd place while compatriot John Catlin carded a 69 to grab a share of 33rd.

Over at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour, India’s Anirban Lahiri battled to an even-par to trail by four shots in eighth place.

South African Justin Harding returned with a 70 to tie in 17th place on 139 while reigning Order of Merit champion Shubhankar Sharma of and American David Lipsky unfortunately missed the halfway cut at the OSU GC – Scarlet Course.

Overseas Watch: Green lights up Czech Masters with sparkling 64

August 15: Malaysia’s Gavin Green carded a flawless opening round eight-under-par 64 at the D+D Real Czech Masters for the second successive year and moved into a one-stroke lead at the Albatross Golf Resort.

The 25-year-old Green was in a similar position at the 2018 edition of this event, when he shared the first round lead with three others on eight under, and he eventually finished in third position for his best finish of the season.

Green has been on the form of his life this summer on the European Tour with three top tens in his last five appearance, including one at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open – a Rolex Series event. 

He carried that confidence to Prague after a four-week break and the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner finished the day a shot clear of South African Erik van Rooyen and Englishman Lee Slattery.

“The first few holes today, honestly I felt like I was still in holiday mode. I had four weeks off and was just at home and really just shut down for a few weeks. It was obviously a really good opening round, I just kept everything in play and hit a lot of shots close to the pins so I didn’t have a hard putt. I gave myself a lot of looks at birdies and thankfully it turned out OK.

“I’ve been enjoying myself at home the last few weeks, eating a lot, sleeping a lot and driving my car – just being a regular person as opposed to practising all the time. I didn’t practise for two weeks so a complete shut down, just enjoying life,” said Green, who marked his card with nine birdies against a bogey.

“I don’t know what it is about this place. I think the course suits me well and it helps if you hit it a little longer and a little higher. It helps to be able to stop the ball on the greens. If you get a good drive away you just have a wedge in your hand, and you can take advantage of that,” Green added.

Over at the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship on the Korn Ferry Tour, India’s Anirban Lahiri signed for a four-under-par 67 to trail by three shots in tied-fifth place while South African Justin Harding posted a 69 to tie in 19th position.

Ends.


Published on August 17, 2019

Kuching, Sarawak, August 17: Catch up on the highlights from Round 3 of the Sarawak Championship on Saturday.


Published on

Kuching, Sarawak, August 17: Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert rode on a hot putter to post a seven-under-par 65 and grab a share of the third-round lead with Richard T. Lee of Canada and Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao at the US$300,000 Sarawak Championship on Saturday.

Pavit, a one-time Asian Tour winner, returned with a near-perfect round highlighted by eight birdies against a bogey to match the overall efforts of Lee and Hung, who signed for rounds of 64 and 68 respectively, at the Damai Golf and Country Club.

The trio snatched a one-shot advantage over Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand after they were tied at the top with matching three-day total of 18-under-par 198s in the full-field event, which is celebrating its second straight edition on the Asian Tour this week.

The round of the day goes to Thai-Japanese Kosuke Hamamoto, who fired a sizzling 10-under-par 62 to set a new course record at the Arnold Palmer-designed course.

The 20-year-old rookie made five birdies on each nine to move into a share of eighth place on 201, three behind the leading trio. His third-round 62 would also mark the lowest round to par on the Asian Tour this season.

Jazz, who started the round with a one-shot lead, traded four birdies against two bogeys to sign for a battling 70. He is chasing for a fifth victory and a third one this season which would put him in a strong position to make the International Team for the Presidents Cup in December.

The Sarawak Championship is supported by the Sarawak State government. It is also the Tour’s second stop in Malaysia this season.

Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei

Did you know?

  • Pavit Tangkamolprasert missed only one fairway in his commendable round of 65. He needed only 26 putts around the greens.
  • He is a one-time winner on the Asian Tour. He won the Macau Open in 2016.
  • Pavit is currently placed 65th on the Order of Merit. His best result this season is a tied-29th place finish at the New Zealand Open.
  • Enjoyed his career-best season yet on the Asian Tour in 2016 where he finished 12th on the Order of Merit.
  • Pavit was crowned the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit champion in 2014, after winning three titles that season.
  • He is a six-time winner on the ADT.
  • Pavit’s sister Suchaya and brother Annop are both professional golfers.
  • Richard T. Lee sits in 41st place on the Order of Merit with a current haul of US$39,005. He enjoyed a tied-10th place finish at the Kolon Korea Open in June.
  • The 28-year-old Lee is a two-time Asian Tour winner. He won his maiden title at the Solaire Open in 2014 and claimed his second victory at the Shinhan Donghae Open in 2017.
  • Earlier in April, he won The 15th DB Insurance Promy Open on the Korean PGA Tour.
  • Lee enjoyed his career-best finish on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2015 where he finished in seventh place.
  • Lee’s father Jeff is a teaching professional. He came in runner-up at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship when he was 15.
  • Lee finished as runner-up at his qualifier to earn entry to the 2007 U.S. Open, becoming the second youngest golfer in the 107-year history of the tournament. However, he did not finish the tournament as he injured his wrist in the second round. He finished at +20 and turned professional at the conclusion of the tournament.
  • Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei broke his personal 36-hole record after carding rounds of 64 and 66 to cap a two-day total of 14-under-par 130. He went on to break his personal 54-hole record after signing for a third-round 68.
  • He hasmissed two cuts in six starts so far this season. His best result is a tied-34th place finish at the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open and he sits in 64th place on the current Order of Merit.
  • The 27-year-old Hung finished tied-20th at the Sarawak Championship last year.
  • Hung has yet to win on the Asian Tour but has one Asian Development Tour (ADT) title which he won on home soil in 2013.
  • Hung won the TPGA Championship on his local circuit for the third consecutive year last month.
  • Jazz Janewattananond is bidding for a fifth Asian Tour title and a third one this season to give himself a chance of automatically qualifying for the International Team, led by Captain Ernie Els, for the Presidents Cup.
  • Currently placed 10th on the International Team standings, Jazz needs to move inside the top-eight on the rankings when the Sarawak championship concludes on Sunday. A victory at the Sarawak Championship will likely seal his move there along with an automatic spot for the match-play event which will be held in Melbourne at the end of the year.
  • Sitting in 56th position on the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), Jazz is the highest-ranked player in the 156-man field. He is also the highest-ranked Thai player in the world.
Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand

Published on

Kuching, Sarawak, August 17: Read what players have to say following the penultimate round of the Sarawak Championship on Saturday.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert (Tha) – Third round 65 (-7), Total 198 (-18)

My driver this week is quite good. I hit a lot of fairways and gave myself a lot of chances for birdies. This course is not that long. I hit a lot of wedge. I holed a long putt today on the third. It’s about a 30-footer. Gave me a lot of confidence there. On the 12th, I made the putt from about nine yards off the green.

I wasn’t thinking about winning. I stayed relaxed out there and just enjoyed the round. I know I need to try and retain my card this year but I won’t give myself any pressure.

I took a week off to spend some time with my girlfriend in the States over the summer break. It was nice to take a vacation and come back fresh. I worked out there as well. Went to see my friend who is a trainer there.

I will play my best tomorrow. The par-fives here are reachable so everyone can make birdies out there. Putting is key too. You can hit the green but if you can’t make the putts, it’s nothing.

The season’s not been good. It’s been pretty rough, missed a couple of cuts. But I have been working on my fitness a lot. Working out in the right way when I was in the States, so hopefully the efforts will pay off this week.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand

Hung Chien-yao (Tpe) – Third round 68 (-4), Total 198 (-18)

I chipped in from about 75 yards for eagle on the first. It was a great start. Gives me a lot of confidence heading into the round. I think I was lucky today too. I didn’t give myself as many birdie chances as I did the last two rounds.

Even when I hit the greens, I didn’t put the ball as close as I did the last two rounds. I think my distance control wasn’t that good today. I guess I will just take it day by day. I wasn’t thinking much out there to be honest.

I had two chip-ins today, one on the first and one on the par-three sixth from about 25 feet. My short game was really good today. I broke my personal three-day total record so it was good. My previous record was 16-under.

I think my win at home last month gave me a lot of confidence and it’s one of the reasons why I am playing well this week. I like the course here too so I am feeling really comfortable this week. I will try my best tomorrow.

Richard T. Lee (Can) – Third round 64 (-8), Total 198 (-18)

It’s been awhile since I last shot eight-under. You need to hit your driver well and make putts out there to play well. I hit a five-iron to about 10 feet and made the eagle putt on 11th. It’s my fourth eagle this week.

The week’s been good. It’s like a vacation to me this week actually. I’m rooming with my long-time friend Unho Park and I feel really comfortable this week. I am just keeping it steady out there and try to make less mistakes.

This is my first time playing in Sarawak. I am just going to try and make putts out there tomorrow and shoot six-under. I think it should be enough to seal the deal. The season’s been good for me so far. I haven’t performed that much on the Asian Tour but I have won a title in Korea.

It’s getting better for me. Last year was a bit of struggle with club changes and all. I hope it will get better from now! 18-under is my lowest 54-hole score so far on the Asian Tour. I had my thoughts on breaking the course record today too. Mindset would be to make putts, keep cool and play well tomorrow.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Third round 70 (-2), Total 199 (-17)

I was struggling on the greens a bit today, I know it’s going to hit me some days but it wasn’t too bad. I’m still hitting it good, just two bad holes today that kind of cost me but I’m still hitting it good.

Just because I had five chances for birdie before and I didn’t make any, so I just tried to be too aggressive on those holes but it’s all good. I had to lay up on the last hole. I hit it left off the tee, the wind picked up the last four holes. Made a four-footer for birdie there.

I mean one shot back in the final round is almost nothing. I can’t even predict who is going to win tomorrow since the scores are so tight, so it’s anyone’s game right now. Whoever goes out with the best putting round will win.

Ends.


Published on August 16, 2019

Jakarta, August 16: The South African trio of JC Ritchie, Daniel Van Tonder and Neil Schietekat will be hoping to emulate their compatriot Justin Harding when they tee up for the Bank BRI Indonesia Open which gets underway at the Pondok Indah Golf Course in a fortnight.

Harding, who played on a sponsor’s invitation last year, announced his arrival on the Asian Tour when he won the Bank BRI Indonesia Open in what was only his first start on the Tour.

The 2018 Bank BRI Indonesia Open champion, who will not feature in this year’s edition as he is attempting to earn his PGA TOUR card at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals in the United States, would immediately go on to win his next Asian Tour in Thailand a fortnight later and end the 2018 season in third place on the Order of Merit.

“It’s with sad regret that I’ll not be able to come back to defend my title but it’s awesome that there are four more players from the Sunshine Tour that have been invited to play at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open.

“I’m happy they will have the same opportunities that I had to showcase their skills and potentially lift the trophy so that they can compete on the Asian Tour and take the same route that I took,” said Harding.

The Indonesia Open has been credited for being the springboard to success for many of the Asian Tour’s players including past champions such as India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and Harding.

Their victories at the Indonesia Open have paved the way for them to go on and achieve greater success on the international stage.

The South African trio along with Sweden’s Philip Eriksson from the Sunshine Tour will vie for top honours with a strong Asian Tour field that features current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Jazz Janewattananond and India’s Shiv Kapur, a four-time Asian Tour winner.

Ritchie and van Tonder are placed first and second respectively on the Sunshine Tour’s Order of Merit.

Grant Wilson, Chief Operating Officer of the Sunshine Tour said: “We are delighted that the success of Justin Harding in Asia last year has inspired our members to think wider than South Africa as a competitive playground and the Asian Tour presents a number of great opportunities to play against the best players from Asia.

“The Sunshine Tour and Asian Tour have built a firm relationship based upon our desire to cooperate and provide reciprocal opportunities for our members. To become an international star you need to learn how to win on various Tours and compete with the best anywhere and this is the opportunity that Asia now presents for our young South African players.”

The Bank BRI Indonesia Open is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Indonesia Golf Association and is also supported by the following sponsors- Batik Air, Pertamina, Telkom Indonesia, Wika, PP Construction & Investment, BRI Life, BRI Agro and BRINS.

The event is the Asian Tour’s first stop in Indonesia this season and will be played from August 29 – September 1.


Published on August 14, 2019

Jakarta, August 14: The highly-anticipated Bank BRI Indonesia Open will welcome the return of the best players from the Asian Tour when it gets underway from August 29- September 1.

Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand has committed for the US$500,000 full field Asian Tour event which will be staged at the Pondok Indah Golf Course, located right in the heart of Jakarta for the fourth consecutive year.

The Bank BRI Indonesia Open will celebrate its 39th anniversary this year and its illustrious roll of honour include India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, who won the event twice in 2013 and 2016, as well as Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee.

The Indonesia Open has also been credited for being the springboard to success for many of the Asian Tour’s players including past champions such as Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat and South Africa’s Justin Harding.

Harding announced his arrival on the Asian Tour when he won the Bank BRI Indonesia Open after he receiving an invitation to the event by virtue of his brilliant form on the Sunshine Tour.

The South African would immediately go on to win his next Asian Tour in Thailand a fortnight later and end the 2018 season in third place on the Order of Merit.

Their victories at the Indonesia Open have paved the way for them to go on and achieve greater success on the international stage.

This year, four players from the Sunshine Tour- Sweden’s Philip Eriksson and the South African trio of JC Ritchie, Daniel Van Tonder and Neil Schietekat have been extended invitations to the Bank BRI Indonesia Open and expectations will be high for them to emulate the footsteps of Harding.

Mr. Suprajarto, President Director of Bank BRI said “We are delighted to be the presenting title sponsor for one of the biggest golf tournaments in Indonesia once again. We had sponsored this event for the past couple years and based on our experience, sponsoring this event has yielded some fruitful results for Bank BRI. We expect our support will encourage the development of Indonesia’s sport industry in general, especially for Indonesia’s golf players.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour said, “The Asian Tour is pleased to be back in Indonesia for the country’s most historic golf tournament as the Indonesia Open has always been one of the most popular events on our schedule.

“I am confident the 39th edition of the Bank BRI Indonesia Open will be another huge success and highlight on Asia’s sporting calendar.”

The Bank BRI Indonesia Open is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Indonesia Golf Association and is also supported by the following sponsors- Batik Air, Pertamina, Telkom Indonesia, Wika, PP Construction & Investment, BRI Life, BRI Agro and BRINS.

Ends.


Published on August 13, 2019

By :The Round Golf Podcast

What are the chances of a golfer who grew up in the India, winning one of the European Tour’s most prestigious events in the home of golf on a links layout?

Jeev Milkha Singh has been a ground-breaking golfer for India and arguably his country’s most successful.

The son of sporting internationals, Jeev tells the story of how his father overcame tragedy in the Indian partition to become one of India’s most famous athletes. And how his father’s success, known as the Flying Sikh, paved the way for his own achievements.

The first Indian to make the worlds top 50, conquering the Asian Tour and Japan and then going on to make his mark in Europe and the USA.

There’s the uncle whose generosity set him on his way and how that influenced him to lend a helping hand to some of his peers. He reveals the what he makes of his own swing, who his golfing idol is and why he still harbours following in his father’s footsteps as an Olympian.


Published on

By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional

The Tournament

The US$ 300,000 Sarawak Championship is a relatively new event on the Asian Tour schedule, with the first edition of the tournament played in July last year and providing an exciting finish.

With Thailand’s Jazz Janewattanond playing in the penultimate group having posted a 21-under-par 267 to grab the clubhouse lead, it all came down to the last group of John Catlin, Danthai Boonma and Paul Peterson to decide an outright winner or possible play-off. Catlin and Danthai were tied for the lead with Jazz playing the 18th, and Peterson one shot behind.

Danthai could only manage a par on the last to stay in a tie for the lead, and Peterson would join the leaders after converting a birdie effort from 15 feet.

Catlin was the last man with a chance to break the four-way tie for the lead, and made a clutch birdie putt from 12 feet to claim the trophy and winner’s check of US$54,000.

The Course

The Arnold Palmer Designed Damai Golf and Country Club in Kuching, Malaysia is a par-72 course playing to 6,979 yards from the tournament tees.

If the conditions are anything like last year, players should be ready for a low-scoring week. The weekend cut was set at three-under-par last year and the fourth-round average score for players who finished in the top-10 was 66.3, or 5.7-under-par.

Only one player in this group failed to shoot in the 60s on Sunday, and his score was a two-under-par 70.

The Top Contenders

While nine players from the top-20 on the Order of Merit are in the field in Kuching, it is noteworthy that this list includes the two players who have earned a combined US$ 1,265,000 so far this year.

Order of Merit leader Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand with just over US$ 738,000 in earnings has already won two titles this year- the SMBC Singapore Open and Kolon Korea Open, and is surely looking to extend his lead in the Order of Merit race.

As an added motivation for Jazz, the cut-off date for the Presidents Cup automatic selections is coming up this Sunday. He is currently 10th in the standings, 11.24 points behind C.T. Pan of Chinese Taipei in eighth place , and will need a win this week to have a chance to play his way into the top-eight to qualify on points.

Looking at the numbers behind Jazz’s stellar play this year, it’s no mystery why he has amassed 10 top-five finishes across all tours including the two wins.

If we filter the 2019 Asian Tour stats for players with eight tournament rounds or more, Jazz would be ranked first in Scoring Average (68.76) and Bogey Avoidance (1.9), second in Greens in Regulation (76.05%) and Scrambling (70.40%), third in Birdies per Round (4.72) and eight in Total Driving (Driving Distance and Driving Accuracy combined).

Add a combined All-Round category (Total Driving, GIR, Putts/GIR and Scrambling) and he would rank first in that one as well.

This year’s Maybank Championship winner Scott Hend of Australia is one of the most prolific winners on the Asian Tour, with 10 titles to his name. Currently in second place on the Order of Merit with US$527,530, Hend is also in second place in Career Earnings with US$5,061,754 in winnings during his 13 years in Asia.

Like the player he is chasing above, Hend also has some very solid stats in his 2019 campaign. Known for a long time as one of the longest drivers on Tour, he would, using the same criteria as above, be ranked third in Driving Distance (305.47 yards), fifth in Total Driving, sixth in Birdies per Round (4.53) and fifth in a combined All-Round category.

Coming off four missed cuts in a row in Asia and Europe, 2016 Order of Merit winner Hend will be keen to break this trend and make a dent in Jazz’s US$210,000 lead on the Order of Merit.

The Challengers

On a course where six out of last year’s top-10 finishers were also in the top-10 in GIR for the week, and four in the top-10 in Scrambling, Rashid Khan of India stands out as highly ranked in both of those stat categories this season.

Using the filtering criteria mentioned earlier, Khan would currently be seventh in GIR (71.5%) and first in Scrambling (73.2%).

In his only two Asian Tour starts this season, he has a third-place finish in the Bangabandhu Cup and a tied-10th in the Hero Indian Open. He is also is leading the Order of Merit on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) with two victories and five other top-10s in his eight events played this season.

It would not be surprising to see Khan return to fully exempt playing status on the Asian Tour next year, and a top finish this week would go a long way towards this goal.

Fellow Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu came very close to winning his second Asian Tour title in Bangladesh in early April, when he finished runner-up a single shot behind rookie winner Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand.

Sandhu’s stats have also been good across the board this year, he’s as of this week ranked 16th in GIR (68.4%) and 13th in Scrambling (62.2%), while he sits in 10th place in the All-Round category.

Currently in 20th place on the Order of Merit with just short of US$71,000, Sandhu’s playing rights for next season are nearly secured. A high finish this week could make that a certainty.

He has already proven he can play well on this course, finishing tied-11th last year on a score of 15-under-par, and could be a man to bet on for his second career Asian Tour win this week.

Thailand’s Prom Meesawat is enjoying a good season so far with three top-10s on the Asian Tour, with one of them, the SMBC Singapore Open, also earning him his second appearance in The Open Championship last month.

He has also won the Butra Heidelberg Cement Brunei Championships on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) and the 20th Singha Thailand Masters on the All Thailand Golf Tour in 2019.

Prom has not won on the Asian Tour since the 2014 Yeangder TPC, but a return to the winner’s circle could be imminent.

Last but not least, a player that is very much due for his first Asian Tour title is Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe. One of the most consistent high-performers in 2018, a year when nine top-10 finishes in Asia saw him finish fifth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Vincent has so far this season posted a fourth place in the ISPS Handa World Super 6 Perth as his best result, along with a tied-sixth in the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup and tied-10th in the Kolon Korea Open, and is currently ranked ninth on the Order of Merit with almost US$160,000.

In June he also claimed his first professional victory in the Landic Challenge 7 on the AbemaTV Tour in Japan.

Vincent should have good memories from last year’s Sarawak Championship when he finished tied-seventh after a final round eight-under-par 64, and could be primed for a breakthrough Asian Tour win in Kuching after six weeks away from tournament golf.


Published on August 12, 2019

Jersey City, August 12: Three hours before the leaders teed off, Kiradech Aphibarnrat  tapped in his final putt on the 18th green at THE NORTHERN TRUST. It certainly wasn’t the way he wanted to conclude a bittersweet first full season on the PGA TOUR.

A  final round of 2-under 69 left the 30-year-old Thai well down the leaderboard in a share of 71st place at Liberty National Golf Club as he failed to progress beyond the first of three FedExCup Playoff events.

Kiradech needed to finish 27th or better here but an ailing right knee, which has hampered his golf since April, prevented him from extending his American dream.

“I’m really happy that I kept my card but the season ended sooner than expected. I had hoped to get into next week (BMW Championship). Right after Augusta, it’s been a hard time playing golf and to get my best game out with the way my right knee was hurting. It’s not a bad start to my first PGA TOUR season but I’ve got a lot of work to do,” said Kiradech.

He leaves for Bangkok on Monday and will under another MRI scan on his right knee in which he suffered a partial torn Anterior Crucial Ligament (ACL) during the Masters Tournament after taking a tumble from a difficult shot.

“Hopefully it’s not any worse than before. I’ll have three or four weeks off, and I want to fix it. If it’s not better in four weeks’ time, I might have to take eight weeks off. I’m looking forward to recovering as soon as I can and enjoying the game again. It’s been a tough few months to play when I’m hurt,” he said.

“Operating the knee is the last option. If the doctor says I need to operate, then I’ll do it. Fingers crossed, I won’t have to go through that option.”

Kiradech featured in 20 tournaments during the 2018-19 PGA TOUR Season and posted three top-5 finishes. He missed seven cuts and will finish 83rd on the final FedExCup points list. The burly Thai believes he can perform better in his second season as he would know the golf courses better.

“I think I have the game to stay up here. I know I have to work on my short game, the shots from inside 80 yards and around the green can be sharper,” said Kiradech.

“Next year will be easier as I now know which courses I should play on and which ones I need to take off my schedule.”

As the first Thai to hold a full PGA TOUR card, Kiradech wants to become the first from his country to win on U.S. soil as well. “I want to win. Playing on the PGA TOUR which is the biggest Tour in the world, is great. There’s pressure to play against the top and any one can win. If I can win once, it’ll take the pressure off my shoulders. I feel I’m not very far. I’m looking forward to returning to Bangkok to see my family and friends. And also make  sure I focus on my knee. Then, I’ll get out and start hunting again.”

Depending on the situation with his knee, Kiradech is not giving up on his bid to play in the Presidents Cup for the International Team at Royal Melbourne Golf Club in Australia. He is well out of the top-8 ranking who will qualify for the team on August 19 before Captain Ernie Els makes his four picks in early November.

“The Presidents Cup is deep in my heart, always,” said Kiradech. “I’ve been close the last few times. I was like top-15 and didn’t get picked which was disappointing. This time, it’s different. I’m not fit enough and didn’t perform well. If I don’t get picked, it’s no problem. Ernie has to pick his best 12 players. I agree with everything he’s doing and it’s for the best. I will try to prove myself If I can play again before the picks are made. I want to play great until Ernie can’t ignore me.”

Ends.


Published on August 8, 2019

Shanghai, August 8: Italian star Francesco Molinari and home favourite Li Haotong are the latest stars to commit to the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions alongside reigning champion, Xander Schauffele and the world’s top four ranked players; Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose.


World ranked Number six Molinari won the WGC-HSBC Champions in 2010 and the Open Championship in 2018, while China’s Li, a two-time winner on the European Tour, will be looking to improve on his seventh place highest finish to date at’ Asia’s Major’ which takes place from October 31 to November 3, 2019 at Sheshan International Golf Club.

As HSBC approach the 15th year of their award-winning title sponsorship of Asia’s biggest tournament, tickets have seen strong demand from fans while support sponsorship sales are also exceptionally strong as everyone wants to be a part of what is anticipated to be one of the best fields ever gathered as the players compete for an increased prize fund of US10.25 million.

New apparel sponsor Descente, Official Liquor Nei Can and VOSS as the Official Water are the newest sponsors joining a notable group of premium brands that include; WeChat, Mercedes Benz, iQiyi Sports, Dell Technologies and The Yuluxe Sheshan, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel.

Italy’s first major winner, Molinari said: “With all of the Majors now over for the year, we are turning our attention to the final World Golf Championships of the year. The scheduling changes on the PGA Tour certainly have benefited the stature of the WGC-HSBC Champions and I think it is going to be a huge event for all the players as we aim to end our year on a high with a victory at ‘Asia’s Major.”

Li, making his seventh appearance in the tournament, said: “The buzz around this tournament is already pretty crazy in China. With five of the world’s top six players already confirmed, it will be one of the must attend events of the year in Shanghai. I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

Jonathan Castleman, HSBC’s Global Head of Brand Partnerships, said:
“With another major winner confirmed in Francesco Molinari and homegrown star Li Haotong joining the all-star cast of the world’s best golfers, we already have the perfect ingredients for the tournament to live up to its billing as ‘Asia’s Major. Once again, we know the eyes of the golfing world will be firmly fixed on Shanghai come October.

WGC-HSBC Champions has gained an unrivalled reputation by assembling elite fields and delivering incredible experiences for all, there is simply nothing like it in Asian golf. This tournament has been a catalyst for so many exciting developments for golf in China at all levels and we look forward to that journey continuing.”

A new wave of tickets were launched today to meet demand, offered with an early bird discount for the month of August of up to 35% off. Juniors aged 18 years and under can enter for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult with additional discounts also available for students and families.

For more details on the WGC-HSBC Champions and all ticket information, please visit https://www.hsbcgolf.com/mens or follow the official WeChat Mini Program: HSBCChampions

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