Casey wary of the Asian threat at the SMBC Singapore Open
Sentosa, Singapore, January 15: England’s Paul Casey knows he has to overcome the strong Asian challenge to stand a chance of winning the SMBC Singapore Open which starts at the Sentosa Golf Club on Thursday.
The world number 24 is the highest ranked player in the elite 156-man field and knows that Asia’s best players will pose a significant threat to his bid of winning Singapore’s National Open, which is the season-opening event for the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO).
The 41-year-old Englishman may hold 18 professional victories worldwide but having witnessed the rise in Asian golf over the last decade, he is under no illusions that it will be a stroll in the park at this week’s US$1 million event.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia is relishing the opportunity to defend his SMBC Singapore Open title. He lived up to his star billing when he cruised to a five-shot victory last year and enjoyed a rich vein of form towards the end of 2018 where he secured one win and four top-10s in his last five starts.
England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick is hoping to shine in his maiden appearance at the SMBC Singapore Open.
Fitzpatrick first came to Singapore as a nine-year-old on a family holiday and is back after more than a decade, hoping to challenge for his first win on Asian soil this week.
Thailand’s Danthai Boonma also returns to the Lion City which has brought him much success over the years. He earned his Asian Tour breakthrough in Singapore in 2015 and was also rewarded with a ticket to The Open after finishing tied for fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year.
Did you know?
- Paul Casey was one of the world’s most consistent players in 2018, achieving 12 top-20 finishes, including five top-10s in addition to his victory at the Valspar Championship. He has also remained a regular fixture inside the world’s top-25 since 2016.
- Casey is no stranger to winning in Asia having claimed the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea in 2011 and the Volvo China Open and TCL Classic, also in China, both in 2005.
- He holds 13 titles on the European Tour and returned to the winner’s circle last year after triumphing at the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour.
- Matthew Fitzpatrick is the youngest Englishman to get up to five European Tour victories after successfully defending his European Masters title in September last year.
- Sergio Garcia is a multiple winner in the United States, Europe and Asia.
- He is widely regarded as something of an Asian specialist, having tasted victory in the Kolon Cup Korea Open (2002), the Champions Tournament, Shanghai (2008), the Iskandar Johor Open (2012), the Thailand Golf Championship (2013), and the Ho Tram Open, Vietnam (2015).
- Garcia finished 2018 on a high by playing a leading role in Europe’s Ryder Cup victory over the United States in Paris and retaining his title at the Andalucia Valderrama Masters.
- Fitzpatrick has won in every season since making it through Europe’s Qualifying School in 2014 and his victory in the European Masters in Switzerland saw him become the first player since Spain’s Seve Ballesteros (40 years ago) to successfully defend that title.
- The young Englishman shone in his rookie season in 2015, claiming his maiden title after going wire-to-wire at the British Masters.
- He then triumphed twice in 2016 at the Nordea Masters and DP World Tour Championship, Dubai en route to a career-best sixth place finish in the Race to Dubai
- Danthai ended his 2018 season in 23rd place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
- He earned his prized ticket to The Open after finishing tied-fourth at the SMBC Singapore Open last year.
- The SMBC Singapore Open continues to be part of The Open Qualifying Series for the third consecutive year with the leading four players (not otherwise exempt) who finish in the top 12 and ties earning their places at the 148th Open in July.
Players’ Quotes:
Paul Casey (Eng)
I believe there has been a constant kind of curve on the way up in terms of how many guys we see playing world class golf from Asia now. It feels like it used to be just a number you could count on one hand, sort of key names. But its dozens of guys, and guys I’ve never heard of right behind them who are about to take our place. I’d love to see the numbers on it but it’s certainly been a swell, and it’s something the world has taken notice of. They’ competing all over now – there are multiple winners on the PGA tour, European Tour and Asian Tour so that’s why when the three of us come over here this week, we know how tough this is going to be this week. The depth of field, I think that certain thing you see. You see the great players playing world golf but it’s now very deep as well. I don’t think we could honestly say that a decade ago. The depth wasn’t there but it is now. I was not quite as sharp as I would like to have been. But that does not have much bearing on what this week is going to bring. This is a golf course that I remember really thoroughly enjoying playing and (has) the types of grass I like to play on. I recall it being very windy so touch wood it is not going to be that way this week.
Sergio Garcia (Esp)
It feels good to be back. It is a course I love playing, a wonderful golf course, and to be here as champion is always special. It was a good off season. A little bit of rest – which was nice after a very hectic year – and I started practicing a couple of weeks ago. There is still a little bit of rust in there but hopefully I will get it off in this heat. We’ve been talking about it for a while now. Every year, you see more and more great Asian players coming out. Youngsters are coming out to play at the highest level and they’re doing well. I think probably one of the biggest ones right now is Li Haotong. There’s a good group of young Asian players out there, such as Hideki [Matsuyama] and some Koreans. So you can see that the level is growing every year. Things are being done the right way here in this part of the world and when it comes to golf, you can see the effects.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng)
The course is in fantastic condition and I am really looking forward to the week. I got back to work after the off season and have been practicing for five weeks straight trying to get into shape so I can compete with these guys (Garcia and Casey) a little bit more. I have not played too much in Asia but I have played two EurAsia Cups. The first year we went with a really strong team and we played really well, that was in 2016. We won fairly convincingly. Two years later, I would say we went with a stronger team and we almost got beaten. That shows as well -we had some of the 10 best players in Asia against 10 in Europe, and it was certainly tough at the start last year and that definitely shows that the standard is coming up.
Danthai Boonma (Tha)
I like this golf course a lot and I like Singapore too. I’m hoping to repeat what I’ve done from last year and maybe do even better. I know what is needed to improve my flaws and my game in general. Putting will be the key for me this week and I’ve been working hard on that. I have a house in Hua Hin and that was where I spent most of my time with my friends and family during the short break we had. My goal for this year is to finish inside the top-10 on the Order of Merit.
Ends.
Singapore, January 7: The hugely popular Ryo Ishikawa, nicknamed the “Bashful Prince”, will compete in next week’s SMBC Singapore Open after organisers announced the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) entry list today.
Japan’s Shugo Imahira, winner of last year’s JGTO Money List, has also confirmed he will head to the US$1 million event.
Yuta Ikeda of Japan
South African Shaun Norris, who came in tied-second last year, as well as Japan’s Yuki Inamori, Kodai Ichihara, and Yuta Ikeda, ranked second, third, fourth and fifth respectively on the JGTO Money List have all entered the tournament.
The SMBC Singapore Open will be played on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club from January 17 to 20 and is jointly-sanctioned by the JGTO and the Asian Tour.
Ishikawa finished 22nd on the Money List but is one of the standout names competing from Japan. He was joint 16th last year in Singapore and will return this year bidding to become the first player from Japan to claim the title since Kesahiko Uchida’s triumph in 1976.
A sensation in his teens, the now 27 year old is playing full time again on the Japan Tour after a serious back injury in 2016 interrupted his career.
While not adding to his 14 JGTO titles last year, his revival continued with a runner up finish at the Token Homemate Cup and three other top-10 finishes.
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Ishikawa shot to fame in May 2007 when he became the youngest winner on the Japanese circuit at 15 years and eight months with victory at the Munsingwear Open KSB Cup. The event was his first on the Japan Tour. He turned professional in 2008 and won eight tournaments in a two-year spell.
Imahira arrives at the SMBC Singapore Open as the Money List champion, thanks to earnings of ¥139,119,332 (approx. US$1,234,545).
He claimed the title for the first time thanks to victory in the Bridgestone Open, and six other top-five placings.
Other notable JGTO member heading to Singapore are Japan’s Yusaku Miyazato, the 2017 Money List winner and elder brother of former women’s star Ai Miyazato, China’s Liang Wenchong, Thailand’s Thanyakon Khrongpha, and Filipinos Angelo Que and Juvic Pagunsan ― who famously lost in a sudden-death play-off against Spain’s Gonzalo Fernández-Castaño at the 2011 Singapore Open following a Monday finish.
Tickets for the US$1 million event are on sale via APACTix. Children below the age of 12 can access the event for free access – a move aimed at encouraging more juniors to come and watch the golf.
For more information please visit: www.smbcsingaporeopen.com.
Hua Hin, Thailand, December 28: Australia’s Zach Murray edged closer to another dream start in his early professional career by carding a four-under-par 67 to head into the weekend rounds in prime position together with Thailand’s Poom Pattaropong at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Friday.
The 21-year-old Australian turned professional only last month and is already enjoying an early boost to his fledgeling career as he leads the field with his three-day total of 14-under-par 199 at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club.
China’s Xiao Bowen, who was among the leading 140 players and ties to progress after the first two rounds, remained firmly in control of regaining his playing rights on the Asian Tour when he returned with a 66 to take fifth place.
Xiao Bowen of China
Having made to make the early exit at Qualifying School earlier this year, American Jeremy Wendelken will get another shot of securing his Tour card as he heads into the next round in a share of seventh place with his 203 total.
A further cut for the final round will be made after the fourth round where only the leading 70 players and ties will feature on Sunday.
At the conclusion of 90 holes, the leading 35 players and ties will be ranked accordingly for the 2019 season.
Did you know?
- Zach Murray won the Nexus Risk TSA Group WA Open (an event on the PGA Tour of Australasia) as an amateur golfer.
- He made his professional debut at the Australian Open in November 2018.
- Murray was ranked as high as 19th on the World Amateur Golf Ranking.
- Xiao Bowen is the third Chinese golfer to win on the Asian Tour after Zhang Lianwei and Liang Wenchong.
- He won the Asian Golf Championship in 2017 after beating Australian Bryden Macpherson on the second playoff hole.
- Hailing from Shandong, Xiao, a self-taught golfer, found himself teaching golf in Beijing at the age of 20 in 2010. He turned professional in 2012.
- After failing to make the grade at the 2018 Qualifying School, Jeremy Wendelken remained in Asia and played on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
- He qualified for the Final Stage, but could not progress to the fifth round.
- Wendelken had two top-10s in 14 starts on the ADT this year. He was eighth at the PGM Sabah Championship and tied-eighth at the PGM UMW Championship.
Players’ Quotes
Zach Murray (Aus) – Third round 67 (-4), Total 199 (-14)
I’m playing solid for the last three days. I came into this event with a pretty steady form, as I was playing well in Australia. I’ve got my best mate on my bag. We often joked around, and that made playing here quite stress-free. I got a bit tired towards the end of the day today and hit a couple of bad shots, but I got away with it. Everything is running smoothly at the moment. I only turned professional a month ago. I had a few good results this year. I got into the round of 16 at the U.S. Amateur Championship and two months ago, I won a professional event as an amateur – the Western Australia Open. I turned professional for the Australian Open. Earning a Tour card for the 2019 season will be fantastic. I’m pleased to be leading the event after three rounds. There are two more rounds to go, so let’s see how it goes. I’m thoroughly enjoying my time here.
Jeremy Wendelken (Usa) – Third round 70 (-1), Total 203 (-10)
I was solid from tee to green. My wedge play is very sharp right now. I qualified for the Final Stage after playing in Stage 1 last week. It’s mentally and physically tiring, but I have to keep going. I played in the ADT this year and I like it here, which was I’ve decided to stay here and try to earn a Tour card. I turned professional and moved down to Scottsdale, Arizona. I didn’t do too well in the United States. One of my college teammates, Jarin Todd, recommended me to come over here and give it a try. I made it to the Final Stage at the 2018 Qualifying School, but couldn’t progress to the final round. I’m in a decent position now, so I’m just going to keep doing what I’ve been doing.
Xiao Bowen (Chn) – Third round 66 (-5), Total 201 (-12)
There are still two more rounds to go and anything can happen. I’m just trying to stay grounded and be patient. It will mean a lot to me if I can regain my Tour card on the Asian Tour. I have many good memories of the Tour and I’ve gained a lot of experience. I really want to go back and play on the Tour again and that’s why I’m very determined to do well this week. My putting has been very good today and hopefully, I will continue to putt well tomorrow.
Hua Hin, Thailand, December 26: Thai-Japanese Kosuke Hamamoto overcame his early nerves by signing for an opening seven-under-par 64 to enjoy a flying start at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old traded eight birdies against one bogey to take his place atop the leaderboard together with six other players that include compatriot Kwanchai Tannin, China’s Xiao Bowen, Sweden’s Christoffer Baumann, Korea’s Taewoo Kim, Jaewoong Eom and Japan’s Daisuke Yasumoto.
Born to a Japanese father and Thai mother, Kosuke was feeling the pressure of earning his Asian Tour card ahead of his Qualifying School campaign this week. But after hitting his first tee shot on the back-nine 10, he managed to stay composed and was duly rewarded with a birdie on the next hole.
Hamamoto’s only blemish came on the 14th hole when he three-putted for a bogey-four. He turned in 33 before completing a flawless inward-nine with five birdies for a 64.
Xiao is meanwhile hoping to make his quick return to the Asian Tour having missed out on his card when he finished in 113th place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings. The Chinese claimed his stunning breakthrough on home soil at the Asian Golf Championship last year but found little success this season, having missed the cut in 14 of his 22 starts.
Baumann is determined to make his fifth trip to Qualifying School a successful one having missed out on securing his Tour card in his last four attempts while Choo, who first earned his Tour card in 2013 when he finished tied-31st, is optimistic of turning his season around by regaining his card this week.
American Austen Truslow, who counts playing on the Asian Tour as his number one goal, set himself well for the next four rounds after returning with a 67 at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club.
After making his safe passage from the first stage, Truslow will be hoping to be one of the leading 140 players and ties to progress again after tomorrow’s round.
The field will be cut to the leading 70 players and ties after 72 holes who will then play the final round. At the conclusion of 90 holes, the leading 35 players (+ ties) will be ranked accordingly for the 2019 season.
Christoff Baumann of Sweden
Did you know?
- Kosuke Hamamoto started playing golf at the age of eight. He is a former Thai Amateur star, South East Asia (SEA) Games individual gold medallist and was part of the first Thai team to win the Nomura Cup in Malaysia in 2017.
- He was also part of Team Thailand that finished second in the Team event at the SEA Games last year.
- Christoffer Baumann picked up golf when he was 16. His father owns a restaurant at a golf course in Sweden. He borrowed golf clubs and balls from the pro shop while his father was at work and started to develop a keen interest in the sport.
- Baumann has entered the Asian Tour Qualifying School four times. He has never finished inside the top-35 and ties in all four attempts.
- Out of five Asian Tour events that he has played in 2018, Baumann has only made the cut only once, at the 2018 UMA CNS Open Golf Championship.
- Xiao Bowen is the third Chinese golfer to win on the Asian Tour after Zhang Lian-wei and Liang Wen-chong.
- He won the Asian Golf Championship in 2017 after beating Australian Bryden Macpherson on the second playoff hole.
- Hailing from Shandong, Xiao, a self-taught golfer, found himself teaching golf in Beijing at the age of 20 in 2010. He turned professional in 2012.
- Choo enjoyed a glittering amateur career before turning professional in 2011. He won medals at the SEA Games, as well as team and individual titles at the prestigious Putra Cup.
- Choo Tze Huang last played in Qualifying School in 2017, when he finished tied-53rd.
- Choo has one top-10 on the Asian Tour to his name. He was tied-sixth at the 2014 Queen’s Cup.
- He also has seven top-10s on the Asian Development Tour.
- The Singaporean notched his first professional win at the 2012 SPGA President’s Cup, a tournament on his local circuit.
- He finished 119th on the 2018 Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.
- The highest he has ever finished on the Asian Tour Order of Merit was 99th, in 2014.
- Under the influence of his father, Austen Truslow got interested in golf when he was four and he lives in Florida.
Players’ Quotes
Kosuke Hamamoto (Tha) First round 64 (-7)
It was a really solid and stress free round for me today. I played really well from tee to green. I three-putted 14 but apart from that, everything was great. I did not really do anything wrong. I settled down after hitting my first tee shot. I was really in the zone today and I hope to keep my focus for the next four rounds as it’s going to be a marathon week. It’s not a sprint and it’s a five-day tournament. I’m trying to stay in the present as far as possible and focus on my own process. I spent three and a half years with the national team and played in some pretty big events, which probably gave me some advantage as there’s always pressure in big tournaments like that. It has calmed me down a lot this week.
Christoffer Baumann (Swe) First round 64 (-7)
I actually started quite bad as I was one-over after eight holes but I steadied myself and I told myself there would be birdie opportunities in my back-nine. I came back nicely with eight birdies in my last 10 holes. So it feels really good. I’m going to take it easy as it’s going to be a long week and there’s going to be a lot of golf. I came close to earning my Tour card on several occasions and obviously I hope to make it this year. I turned pro when I was 24 and one of the highlights in my professional was winning the Swedish championship. I like food, people and the weather in Asia. It’s hot and you don’t have to worry about bringing a sweater whenever you go.
Xiao Bowen (Chn) First round 64 (-7)
I’m disappointed at missing out on my Tour card this season. But I cannot really dwell on it too much and coming to Qualifying School will hopefully give me another chance to play my way back to the Asian Tour. It has been a steep learning curve for me since I won my first Asian Tour title last year. Hopefully I can get the chance to continue playing regularly on the Tour and become better. It was a good round and I cannot ask for more. There are still four days to go and I must be patient.
Choo Tze-huang (Sgp) First round 65 (-6)
It’s good to get off to a good start as it gave myself a little bit of cushion. But I’m not thinking too far ahead as there are still four more days to go. We got a bit lucky today. It was not that windy so it was a little easier for us. But it’ll be challenging when the wind picks up. Having an Asian Tour card gives you the playing rights and you have somewhere to play. It’s really important to us as professionals as that’s our rice bowl. We’ll have a schedule to play and that will be something we can work towards and achieve. I got off to a good start at the Singapore Open this year and finished tied-16th there. But it has been up and down. I decided I have to make some changes to the swing to get better in my game as I’ve been stagnant and erratic for a while. I’m starting to see some results.
Austen Truslow (Usa) First round 67 (-4)
I could have gone even lower as I missed a lot of short putts. But I’m happy with what I shot. I’m just going to take one day at a time and stay in the present. I stayed patient today and I’m going to continue doing so. I could have got a little frustrated in the beginning but I decided not to. My number one goal is to play on the Asian Tour. I got off to a good start during the first stage and hopefully I can continue doing so. I’m 22, I’m single, I don’t have kids and I can travel. I’ve got family in the Philippines and in Singapore and I know it’ll be a great opportunity if I can play on the Asian Tour. I turned pro three years and I hope to make my breakthrough there. I’ve seen the success of several Americans on the Asian Tour and how the Tour has jump start their careers and given them the opportunities that maybe they didn’t have back in the States. I hope I can be like one of them one day.
Hua Hin, Thailand, December 25: Indian teenager Aadil Bedi is ready to make an early impact in his professional career as he prepares to earn his Tour card at the Asian Tour Qualifying School Final Stage which starts on Wednesday.
At 17, Bedi is the youngest player to be teeing up at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club where he will be among the 242 players vying to finish inside the top-35 and ties in the five-round final stage.
The Indian, who turned professional in September, believes his youth will put him in good stead for life on the Asian Tour as he starts to make his transition from the amateur ranks to professional.
Bedi hopes to signal his arrival on the big stage with a performance he can be proud and pass this week’s gruelling test with flying colours.
Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto also harbours hopes of making the grade and join the growing legion of Thai greats.
Born to a Japanese father and Thai mother, Kosuke finished tied-11th at Queen’s Cup hosted by Jaidee Foundation earlier this month and believes that result has given him the much-needed confidence to excel this week.
Hamza Amin of Pakistan
Pakistan’s Hamza Amin, who came agonisingly close to regaining his Tour card in his last two occasions at Qualifying School, is determined to make amends and end his year on a high note by regaining his Tour card on Sunday.
Hamza first earned his Tour card through Qualifying School in 2014 but subsequently lost it when he ended that year in 165th place on the Order of Merit.
Did you know?
- Aadil Bedi started practising and learning the initial strokes of golf when he was just four years old.
- Throughout his 13-year amateur career, Bedi has won 171 Medals and trophies. He has also represented India in all the Elite and Major Amateur matches of the world including Asian games, British Amateur, Australian Masters of Amateur, Singapore Amateur and Eisenhower Cup, Ireland.
- Bedi represented India as an amateur at the 2018 Asian Games. He led the field for the first three days but eventually missed out on a podium finish on the final day, finishing in 13th place.
- He got an invitation to play at the Asian Development Tour (ADT) season-ender last month where he finished tied-12th at the PGM Maybank ADT Championship.
- Bedi’s best result as a professional came at the Bengaluru Open on the PGTI where he finished third a fortnight ago.
- Kosuke Hamamoto started playing golf at the age of eight.
- He is a former Thai Amateur star, South East Asia (SEA) Games gold medallist and was part of the first Thai team to win the Nomura Cup in Malaysia in 2017.
- Hamza Amin earned his first Asian Tour card in 2014 after making the mark at the Qualifying School. However, he failed to retain his playing status that year.
- He was placed tied-sixth at the PGM MNRB Championship, an event on the Asian Development Tour in September.
Players’ Quotes
Aadil Bedi (Ind)
It’s very exciting times for me. I’ve recently turned professional and things are moving along very fast for me. A lot of people told me before I turned pro that I’ll take some time before I’ll settle down in my professional ranks as the golf is different. But I don’t feel that way because at the end of the day, it’s golf and you just have to put the ball into the hole. It’s not about the money too as I’ve been playing since I was 14 and it’s all about my love for the game. I’m now feeling very comfortable playing with the pros and I’m looking forward to earning my card this week. I’ve been playing a lot of golf with Shubhankar (Sharma) and Viraj (Madappa). I’ve played junior and amateur golf with them and I’ve seen them grow into such great athletes. I’ve learnt a lot from them and they have been giving me lots of advice on how I can play well on the Asian Tour. I played the Take Solutions as an amateur and I got an insight into how wonderful the Asian Tour is and obviously, I would love to get my Tour card this week.
Kosuke Hamamoto (Tha)
I’m actually feeling quite nervous, to be honest as I’ve been thinking about this event for a long time now. I really want to get my card this week so that I can get some playing rights on the Asian Tour. My result at Queen’s Cup definitely gave me lots of confidence and it sort of gave me a reminder that I can play against the Asian Tour pros. There are so many good Thai players on the Asian Tour and hopefully I can follow their footsteps.
Hamza Amin (Pak)
I’m pretty excited about this week. There have been a few heartbreaks for me in the past and I’m really looking forward to playing and getting out there tomorrow. I remember being in second place with nine holes left to play but eventually missed the cut by one shot. And I remember the first time I was at Q school, I was right up there on the leaderboard but didn’t manage to get the card. So the emotions are always there and I guess I just have to go and grind it out again. I hope to inspire more people from my country to take up the sport and come out here to play in Asia.
The Asian Tour is at the coastal town of Hua Hin, Thailand for the Final Stage of the Qualifying School this week. As aspiring professionals from all over the world prepare for their final gruelling examination, we look back and find out why the Qualifying School has been the springboard to success for some of our past graduates.
Sentosa, Singapore, December 24: Young foreign golfers typically struggle when they venture to Asia in their first year. American Kurt Kitayama, on the other hand, proved that it is also possible to take the fast track to stardom.
Kitayama first entered the scene in January when he impressed at the Asian Tour Qualifying School with a tied-third finish to earn his Tour card on his very first attempt.
Spurred by his success from Qualifying School, the Japanese-American went on to secure one of three spots up for grabs when he topped the field by a single shot at the SMBC Singapore Open Qualifying Tournament the week after.
Riding high on confidence in his birth month, the 25-year-old Kitayama carried forward his form to the Asian Development Tour (ADT) where he put on a stunning display to claim a wire-to-wire victory in Malaysia.
That win was his very first since turning professional in 2015, and he quickly turned his focus back to the region’s premier Tour, hoping to ignite on the big stage.
“It has been a great year playing in Asia. It was tough at first because I wasn’t getting many starts, but I was fortunate enough to play well in the events that I did get into which helped me get into some bigger events later in the year,” said Kitayama, who enjoyed a commendable tied-fourth finish in his first start in New Zealand.
Residing in Las Vegas, Nevada, Kitayama who played two years on the Web.com Tour, admitted he experienced a slight culture shock when he took the leap to pursue more playing opportunities in Asia.
“When I first came to Asia, there was a little bit of a culture shock. Adjusting to that, and the different foods was a little bit of a struggle. I gained more experience along the way and now it has been easy to adapt to the new cultures,” said Kitayama.
Throughout his rookie year, the young American has displayed a steady rate of improvement where he did not miss a single cut in his first 11 starts, including three top-five finishes.
Soaking up the experience of playing amongst the best in Asia, he finally entered the winner’s circle in Mauritius before wrapping up an incredible season in South Africa.
It is a bonus that Kitayama, who’s only five feet, seven inches tall, topped the season statistics in the driving distance category with his booming average of 315 yards. There is no doubt that the big-hitting golfer is primed for the top echelons of the game with all his achievements this season.
“Having my maiden victory in my rookie year is great. I think it might be a little early to tell if it is a turning point but it was a huge step in my career and has opened up opportunities for the next two years.
“Asia has great players. Putting myself in contention throughout the year and competing with them played a big role in helping me make a breakthrough in Mauritius. I was able to learn from those experiences, get better, and win a tournament,” said Kitayama.
John Catlin of the United States
Underlining the success of Qualifying School graduates is fellow countryman John Catlin, who marked his name in the Asian Tour history books by becoming the 10th golfer in Tour history to win three times in a single season.
“Any time you can get into the winner’s circle it is going to be a good year. To do it multiple times is just amazing. If you told me at the start that I was going to win three times and end up in sixth place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, I wouldn’t have believed it,” said Catlin, who first came through Qualifying School in 2015.
Stressing that the key to his success has been hard work, the 2018 Player’s Player of the Year recipient has inspired his peers with his dogged work ethic.
“For as long as I have been a professional golfer, I believe that the only confidence I’ve found when I step on to face these world-class golfers is knowing that I’ve hit these shots thousands of times. And that’s never going to change.
“I am very excited for next year. To be able to play in all the biggest events is going to be awesome. Winning a co-sanctioned event is my highest priority, and that’s my goal next year,” added Catlin.
Jakarta, December 16: Thailand’s Poom Saksansin showed why he is a class act when he fended off the challenges from his more illustrious rivals and fast-charging compatriots by closing with a four-under-par 68 to win the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri on Sunday.
Despite being ranked 239th in the world, Poom showed he would not be cowed into submission against two of the world’s highest ranked players Justin Rose (2) and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson (27) and a host of Asian Tour champions who had assembled at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club for the Asian Tour season-finale.
Like his first Indonesian Masters victory in 2016, Poom had his uncle, Pratya Ployprapai, on his bag again. Together, they forged another formidable partnership to win the last event on the Asian Tour by three shots with a four-day total of 20-under-par 268.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, who started the day six shots back of Poom in third place, went on an amazing run by storming out in 32. He birdied 10 and eagled 12 to give himself a glimmer of hope of winning his third Asian Tour title.
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Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand
However, two dropped shots on 15 and 17 put paid to all hopes. An eagle-three on his closing 18 brought the smiles back as it saw him end his Asian Tour season with seven top-10s and one victory.
Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat, who won his National open in June, claimed his third top-10 result of the season by finishing third with a bogey-free final round 66 at the US$750,000 event.
The charge by Stenson to deny Poom his day of glory did not materialise as the Swede could not find his putting touch on the day that matters most at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung, who has only made the cut once his five previous attempts at the Indonesian Masters, wrapped up his year in spectacular fashion by signing off with a 62 to finish tied for ninth.
Defending champion Justin Rose had to finish tied-16th or better to move back to world number one but posted a disappointing 75 to finish tied-17th.
Did you know?
- Poom Saksansin broke his previous lowest round (65) at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club with a 63 during the second round on Friday.
- Poom claimed his breakthrough at the Indonesian Masters in 2016. He went on to claim a wire-to-wire victory for his second Asian Tour title in India last year.
- Poom is the second player following Lee Westwood to win the Indonesian Masters more than once.
- He has only dropped three shots all week and missed only one fairway in his final round 68.
- The Thais dominated the final round of the BNI Indonesian Masters with four Thais (Poom Saksansin, Jazz Janewattananond, Panuphol Pittayarat, Thitiphun Chuayprakong) finishing inside the top-five on the final leaderboard.
- Jazz Janewattananond won his first Asian Tour title at the 2017 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open and claimed his second win at the Queen’s Cup on home soil in June.
- His breakthrough victory in Bangladesh was especially sweet as he had finished outside the top-60 on the 2016 Order of Merit and missed the grade at the 2017 Qualifying School.
- He sits in a career-high 11th place on the current Habitat for Humanity Standings where he finished 13th last year.
- In 2018, he came in tied-fourth at the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open and earned a coveted spot at The Open where he made his Major debut.
- Jazz first played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour in 2010 when he became the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days.
- Panuphol Pittayarat is playing in his eighth season on the Asian Tour and has won twice.
- He finished in tied-51st place at the Indonesian Masters last year.
- He broke into the world’s top-200 for the first time in his career after claiming a one-shot victory on his home course at the Thai Country Club.
- That win was his second victory on the Asian Tour after his breakthrough at the Indonesia in 2017.
- Panuphol turned professional in 2007 at a young age of 14 and was nicknamed ‘Coconut’ by his parents.
- Henrik Stenson last won on the Asian Tour at the 2006 Qatar Masters.
- The 42-year-old Stenson is playing for the time in Indonesia. He is the first male Swedish Major champion, having won the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon with a major championship record score of 264.
- In his 20-year professional career, Stenson has won more than 20 titles worldwide.
- Stenson is a natural left-hander but he learned to play golf right-handed.
- Nicholas Fung’s closing 62 is the lowest 18-hole score recorded this week. He broke his personal best of a 63 which was he carded in the Philippines three years ago.
- Starting from the 10th hole, Fung fired two birdies in his opening four holes before reeling in four straight birdies and an eagle on the 18 to turn in 28. He would match the Tour’s nine-hole score record if not for the preferred lies ruling in play.
Players’ Quotes
Poom Saksansin (Tha) – Final round 68 (-4), Total 268 (-20)
The course is very long for me. But I have won here before so I love coming back here. The greens are very nice this week and the course is in great conditions. I always enjoy coming back to Royale Jakarta and Indonesia.I really look up to Henrik (Stenson). I was really happy when I saw his name in the field this week. I was hoping to play with him in the first two rounds actually. I was very happy when I finally get to play with him in the final round.
I wasn’t even thinking about winning or losing. I was just thinking about playing alongside Henrik. I am very excited right now and I look forward to a better season next year. I can’t wait to come back and defend my title. I came into the week with no expectations. It depends on the conditions each day. Like on the second day, I putted very well for a 63 but today, I left some putts out there. I think the only thing me and Henrik spoke about today was ‘good luck’ on the first tee. That’s the only thing I can remember right now.
Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Final round 65 (-7), Total 271 (-17)
It was a very long putt for eagle on the last! I saw Panuphol in second place on the leaderboard coming down the 18th. I knew I couldn’t catch Poom already. I made some hiccups down the stretch but I kept myself in the grind. I told myself if I can make two putts for birdie, I will finish second on my own. I wasn’t thinking about anything else really. To eagle that hole was really a surprise. I haven’t had two eagles in one round in a while so I am very happy with that. Everything went well for me today. I just made some silly mistakes. But shooting seven-under, I can’t complain. After the first eagle on the 12th, I thought if I can make another birdie, I might have a chance to chase Poom down. But I dropped some shots there so I didn’t think I had a chance then. Poom played great this week. It’s hard to beat him in Indonesia. This is my first time playing alongside Stenson. We actually share the same coach – Pete Cowan. I spoke to him on the 18th coming up and told him I felt really happy to play with him and I have always looked up to him. And then he told me he actually saw the swing that I sent to my coach earlier this week. I spoke to him quite a bit out there but didn’t tell him that we have the same coach until the last hole. I think I should be back inside top-10 on the final Order of Merit. It has been a great season. I was hoping to get another win before the season ends but next year will be better!
Panuphol Pittayarat (Tha) – Final round 66 (-6), Total 273 (-15)
Playing with Justin Rose was the first great thing for me today. I played well. I made some putts and missed some but I’ll take it. I made a long putt for birdie on the third. I grinded it out today. I actually kept the ball nicely in play. It was a lot calmer out there today. Only the last hole, the wind started gusting. But overall, it has been a great week. I actually came out from an ankle injury. I had to get help from the Physio. It’s just too much golf. It’s much better now with the tapes and all.
Henrik Stenson (Swe) – Final 71 (-1), Total 274 (-14)
I didn’t bring much game today. I feel like I have been fighting a little bit with the long game today. It was certainly not good. I got a little frustrated with myself. I missed a lot of fairways and greens. That is normally not what we are doing. I have been putting good all week but unfortunately today I didn’t make the putts. I had a couple of really close calls. Bit like Justin yesterday I kept on shaving the edges. It was a bit of a grind to keep it together and to finish off with a respectable score because I was playing quite poorly. I needed a fast start today but Poom came fast out of the blocks with a couple of birdies. I was four behind and needed to get going but I certainly did not have the game to go out today and shoot six or seven under. A little disappointed with that but all in all a pretty decent week.
Nicholas Fung (Mas) – Final round 62 (-10), Total 280 (-8)
It’s great to end the season with a final round of 62. Obviously, I am very happy. I didn’t expect myself to shoot 62. I have been playing well recently. I played well in Japan earlier and I was feeling confident about my game coming to this week. All was good here except the third round. Conditions were just so tough yesterday. I am still very happy with my week overall. This is the lowest round that I have ever shot. I was trying to go to 61 though. This is my first time making the cut here in this tournament. It’s nice to cap a good result here. I am sure it will remain as a good memory for me. I hope to continue this good form into the 2019 season.
Leading scores after round 4 of the BNI Indonesian Masters being played at the par 72, 7361 Yards Royale Jakarta GC course (am – denotes amateur):
268 – Poom Saksansin (THA) 67-63-70-68.
271 – Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 68-69-69-65.
273 – Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 71-66-70-66.
274 – Henrik Stenson (SWE) 67-68-68-71.
275 – Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 67-70-74-64.
277 – Shiv Kapur (IND) 71-66-71-69.
279 – Sihwan Kim (USA) 69-69-70-71, Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 68-65-74-72.
280 – Nicholas Fung (MAS) 69-71-78-62, Viraj Madappa (IND) 73-69-72-66, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 67-66-75-72.
281 – Shugo Imahira (JPN) 71-70-73-67, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 69-67-76-69, Sungho Lee (KOR) 66-71-74-70, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 69-70-72-70, Jarin Todd (USA) 68-70-72-71.
282 – John Catlin (USA) 66-72-75-69, Steven Jeffress (AUS) 69-71-73-69, Justin Rose (ENG) 68-68-71-75.
Jakarta, December 15: Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, dubbed the ‘assassin’ by Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, will have another chance to take down the Major winner when they are paired together in the final group of the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN), PT.Lautan Luas.Tbk and Bank Mandiri on Sunday.
Poom caused one of the one of the biggest upsets early in the year when he defeated Stenson at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia at the start of the year.
The 25-year-old Thai is looking for another repeat after he held on to his overnight lead by posting a two-under-par 70 to take a three-shot advantage over his idol, Stenson.
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Playing in Indonesia for the first time, Stenson carded the lowest round of the day with a 68 to take second place with his three-day total of 13-under-par 203 at the Asian Tour season-ending event.
The Major winner is ready to put up another gallant fight to deny Poom of having bragging rights over him again at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond snatched the outright third place after returning with a 69 to put himself within sights of ending his year inside the top-10 on the Habitat for Humanity standings.
Panuphol, who earned his Asian Tour breakthrough in Indonesia last year, was pleased with his third round efforts after signing for a 70 that placed him in a share of fourth place with defending champion Justin Rose and compatriot Jakraphan Premsirigorn.
With seven shots separating him and Poom heading into the final 18 holes, Panuphol is aware of the challenges ahead and is determined to surmount a late charge.
Did you know?
- Poom Saksansin met his golf idol Henrik Stenson at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia in January this year. Together with his teammate Sunghoon Kang of Korea, they caused one of the biggest upsets of the week by defeating the Swede and Alexander Levy 5&4 in the opening fourball match.
- He broke his previous lowest round (65) at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club with a 63 during the second round on Friday.
- Poom claimed his breakthrough at the Indonesian Masters in 2016. He went on to claim a wire-to-wire victory for his second Asian Tour title in India last year.
- Poom is ranked the second-best putter in the field so far this week. He averaged 1.42 putts per greens in regulations.
- Poom is chasing to become the second player following Lee Westwood to win the Indonesian Masters more than once.
- Poom won by five strokes with a winning total of 18-under-par 270 two years ago.
- Henrik Stenson last won on the Asian Tour at the 2006 Qatar Masters.
- The 42-year-old Stenson is playing for the time in Indonesia. His third round 68 is the lowest 18-hole score of the day.
- Stenson is the first male Swedish Major champion, having won the 2016 Open Championship at Royal Troon with a major championship record score of 264.
- In his 20-year professional career, Stenson has won more than 20 titles worldwide.
- Stenson is a natural left-hander but he learned to play golf right-handed.
- Jazz Janewattananond won his first Asian Tour title at the 2017 Bashundhara Bangladesh Open and claimed his second win at the Queen’s Cup on home soil in June.
- His breakthrough victory in Bangladesh was especially sweet as he had finished outside the top-60 on the 2016 Order of Merit and missed the grade at the 2017 Qualifying School.
- He sits in a career-high 11th place on the current Habitat for Humanity Standings where he finished 13th last year.
- In 2018, he came in tied-fourth at the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open and earned a coveted spot at The Open where he made his Major debut.
- Jazz first played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour in 2010 when he became the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days.
- Panuphol Pittayarat is playing in his eighth season on the Asian Tour and has won twice.
- He finished in tied-51st place at the Indonesian Masters last year.
- He broke into the world’s top-200 for the first time in his career after claiming a one-shot victory on his home course at the Thai Country Club.
- That win was his second victory on the Asian Tour after his breakthrough at the Indonesia in 2017.
- Panuphol turned professional in 2007 at a young age of 14 and was nicknamed ‘Coconut’ by his parents.
- Only 12 players broke par on a wind-swept day at the BNI Indonesian Masters.
Players’ Quotes
Poom Saksansin (Tha) – Third round 70 (-2), Total 200 (-16)
I am happy with the way I played today. It was really windy and very difficult out there. I tried my best to keep the ball in play. I think I played good today. I have been playing this course for the past five years and I have won here in 2016. I think I know this golf course pretty well. That will give me the advantage tomorrow. I think it’s good enough that I am playing with Henrik Stenson tomorrow. I am happy to be able to play with him again. He gave me an autographed shirt earlier this year when we met in Malaysia and I still keep that properly at home.
Henrik Stenson (Swe) – Third round 68 (-4), Total 203 (-13)
I had a good practice yesterday afternoon. It was very similar conditions to what I played the last seven or eight holes in yesterday so I guess when the breeze came up at the middle of the front nine today I was kind of used to it. I tried to make the right decisions and hit committed shots. I left myself some good birdie chances and holed some lovely putts on seven and eight to grab a couple of birdies there. And on the back nine there was a lot of fighting and a lot of par saves. It was nice to finish with a good up and down on the last. We (Justin Rose and I) had a good day out there. You still focus hard on your own game but it was certainly a bit more relaxed. We had a bit more conversation than you would with someone you don’t know well. He obviously has a lot to play for tomorrow to regain that world number one title. Not at all, not if I have a chance. We will see if he can go easy on the old guy instead. He played fantastic in our first match at the EurAsia Cup, him and his partner put up a string of eight straight birdies and we did not have chance. I know he is a very capable player and he has shown that for the first three days here.
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Jazz Janewattananond (Tha) – Third round 69 (-2), Total 206 (-10)
I gave myself a good chance for eagle on the last. I tried to go for it but fell short. It was a tough round today. Everyone struggled. You see only a couple of good scores, like Stenson. He is playing pretty good. Poom still got the big lead as well. Overall, I am pretty happy with myself. Tough day today. Poom is dropping putts out there. If he continues to do that tomorrow, I don’t think anyone can catch him. But having said that, it’s a brand-new day tomorrow and we’ll see how it goes. I would say this year is pretty similar to last year. I had one win each. I am hoping for a good finish this week as that would help me break into top-10 on the final Habitat for Humanity Standings.
Panuphol Pittayarat (Tha) – Third round 70 (-2), Total 207 (-9)
It was a windy day. I managed to keep the ball under the wind for most of the round. You gonna make some and missed some. I dropped one shot today which was caused by the wind I think but I am happy to put myself in a great position heading into the final day.
I’m really happy to see Poom up on the leaderboard. I am happy to see someone from my country flying our flag up there. I won my first Asian Tour win in Indonesia two years ago. Feels great to be great here, although it’s a different course. The weather and environment are different. It’s been an on and off season for me actually. I played a little bit in Japan as well. It’s great to have a win at my National Open earlier. I really like my game.
Leading Scores after round 3 of the BNI Indonesian Masters being played at the par 72, 7361 Yards Royale Jakarta GC course (am – denotes amateur):
200 – Poom Saksansin (THA) 67-63-70.
203 – Henrik Stenson (SWE) 67-68-68.
206 – Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 68-69-69.
207 – Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 71-66-70, Justin Rose (ENG) 68-68-71, Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 68-65-74.
208 – Sihwan Kim (USA) 69-69-70, Shiv Kapur (IND) 71-66-71, Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 67-66-75.
210 – Jarin Todd (USA) 68-70-72.
211 – Anirban Lahiri (IND) 68-72-71, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 69-70-72, Sungho Lee (KOR) 66-71-74, Thitiphun Chuayprakong (THA) 67-70-74.
212 – Jarryd Felton (AUS) 67-76-69, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 69-67-76.
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