2024 review: Catlin fires 59 in Macanese masterclass
John Catlin’s career has been sprinkled with notable successes. But he’d never experienced anything quite like the week of the inaugural International Series Macau presented by Wynn last year. Indeed, only a handful of elite players can say they ever have. Story from the 2024 Asian Tour Yearbook.
At the Macau Golf and Country Club not only did the 33-year-old American record his fifth victory on the Asian Tour, and his first since the 2019 Thailand Open. It was also his maiden triumph on The International Series.
But it wasn’t just those statistics that made his dramatic sudden-death play-off defeat of Spaniard David Puig so memorable.
Some 24 hours before his victory was confirmed, Catlin ensured his name was etched into Asian Tour folklore after posting an 11-under-par 59 in round three. It was the first sub-60 return in the history of the Asian Tour.
“I’m pretty much speechless,” said Catlin, who holed an eight-footer for birdie at the 239-yard, par-three 17th and snared a left-to-right breaking 20-footer for eagle at the par-five 18th to seal the deal. Prior to that, he made six birdies on the front side and three on the back nine.
“Wow! It’s crazy. The emotions are hitting me. After everything I’ve been through over the last two years, to be here is pretty special,” said the Californian, who won on the Asian Development Tour in 2016 and 2017 before graduating to the main Tour where he won three times in 2018 and once in 2019.
Three victories followed in Europe before a loss of form resulted in him forfeiting his card there. He opted to return to the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, finishing 19th and regaining his playing privileges in the region.
In the wake of the euphoria that followed his 59 and gave him a two-stroke advantage at the top of the leaderboard, Catlin needed to re-focus ahead of the final round.
He did just that, covering the opening nine in four-under 30 and extending his lead to five shots after gaining another stroke at the 10th.
However, he dropped a shot on 11 before Puig, playing four groups ahead, emerged from the chasing pack with a birdie at 12 and an eagle at 13 to reduce the deficit to two.
Further birdies at 15 and 16 saw Puig draw level, before Catlin holed from eight feet for birdie on 14 to regain top spot. But Puig squared things up again when he got up-and-down for a birdie on 18, signing for a closing 60.
For Catlin, a considerable measure of good fortune was then needed at the first play-off hole when his fairway wood approach to the par-five 18th looked to be heading out of bounds.
To Catlin’s relief, his ball came to rest on the road behind the main hospitality marquee from there he was able to take a free drop. While he was sizing up his options, Puig hit the pin with a sensational 20-yard bunker shot that left him with a tap-in birdie.
With little green to work with, Catlin did well to chip to within six feet of the cup from where he holed to extend the play-off.
The next time round, Puig again appeared to hold the ascendancy when he reached the putting surface in two, while Catlin’s second shot again missed the green on the right, leaving another awkward chip.
After seeing Puig’s long range eagle attempt come up short, Catlin sensed an opportunity, taking out the pin and almost holing his third. When Puig missed his birdie putt, the stage was clear for Catlin to tap-in for an epic victory.
Reflecting on his latest win, Catlin said: “That was one heck of a battle. If you’d told me I’d finish at minus 23 and still have to be in a play-off, I’d be like: ‘You’re kidding’. I fought really hard. I was battling all week long. To come out on top is really special.”
Catlin reserved special praise for Noah Montgomery, his coach for the past 10 years. “Being a professional golfer, you sacrifice a lot. I don’t know where I’d be if I didn’t have Noah in my corner,” he said.
A fortnight after his success in the season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open, Puig was not too disheartened.
He said: “I played well. I had a good back nine and I’m happy that I got into the play-off and had a chance. I’m pretty tired, this being the seventh week in a row. I’m glad I finished on a good note and am ready for what’s next.”
LIV Golf League’s Fireballs GC will be out in full force at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn this week, and their captain Sergio Garcia emphasised the importance of the tournament for the quartet.
The LIV Golf Hong Kong winner, plus five-time champion on the Asian Tour, and his three teammates are coming into the event at Macau Golf and Country Club in fantastic form after LIV Golf Singapore at the weekend. Spain’s David Puig finished fourth, Abraham Ancer from Mexico was T10, youngster Luis Masaveu from Spain T14, and Garcia in T32 – resulting in a third successive Team Championship win.
Fireballs GC are the first team to win three times on the spin since the league expanded to a full 14-tournament schedule in 2023.
The team’s timing couldn’t be better, with three qualifying spots available this week for The Open at Royal Portrush in July, as the event is part of the Open Qualifying Series.
Spain’s Garcia said: “The next thing for us and for me is a little bit of rest the next couple of days, and then we play International Series in Macau. It is an important tournament for all four of us because if we play well, we have the possibility of not only winning on the International Series but also qualifying for The Open. It is another big week.
David Puig. Photo by Jason Butler/Getty Images.
Then a week’s rest and get back on the horse in Miami and just give it everything we have to perform as well as we are performing and give ourselves a shot at winning four in a row. Hopefully we will keep it going. To see the performance that my teammates put in to be able to get this win was pretty impressive.
“Obviously super proud to achieve something like that. It is not easy to do. Even though it looks like we made it look easy, it is definitely not. So many things have to go right with all of us playing well at the same time on tough conditions.”
John Catlin will return to Macau Golf and Country Club as the reigning champion having beat Puig in a thrilling play-off. It was a victory that kicked off his dominant 2024 season, culminating in the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.
Said the American: “I have loved playing there. I think the first Macau Open I did was 2015, I am very familiar with the golf course, it suits my game and has some good vibes, good memories, I think it is going to be a mega week again.
“Anytime you return to a place you enjoy it makes a big difference. Knowing the surroundings and having your favourite spots to eat always makes a big, big impact.”
This week’s 156-man field boasts a wealth of talent, including Major champions Patrick Reed from the United States, the 2018 Masters winner, and Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell – the 2010 US Open winner.
Other proven contenders include seven-time Asian Tour winner Anirban Lahiri from India, 11-time winner Gaganjeet Bhullar from India and Scott Hend, the Australian who is a 10-time champion.
Sergio Garcia. Picture by Thananuwat Srirasant/Getty Images.
All three have enjoyed success here in Macau, with Bhullar and Hend boasting two wins apiece and Lahiri one.
Eighteen LIV Golf players are also competing this week.
Graeme McDowell believes he has extra incentive to perform well at next week’s International Series Macau presented by Wynn – with three spots up for grabs at The Open on his home course at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland this summer.
The US$2million Macau event tees-off next Thursday at Macau Golf and Country Club and in-form McDowell, who plays for Smash GC on LIV Golf, is relishing the prospect of teeing it up.
Speaking on the sidelines of LIV Golf Singapore this week, the 2010 US Open winner said: “Obviously it is a great opportunity next week in Macau to have three Open Championship spots. Especially for me with it being Royal Portrush, my hometown, there is a little bit of extra motivation there.
Graeme McDowell. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Obviously the focus is on this weekend. It is a very, very important weekend and then we will turn our attention to Macau next week. But for me, I feel like I am starting to feel more comfortable with what I am trying to do out here. I feel like the first couple of seasons I really did not have a purpose. I did not really know what my purpose was.
“I am really starting to kind of see the light again as pathways to these majors start to emerge. Small, but there is light at the end of the tunnel for sure.
“To me, I feel my purpose – the bigger picture, I guess. I feel like the first couple seasons you were so focused every week on just the ‘now’, when I felt like most of my career there was always something else out there that you were working towards, which helped nearly numb the present and get you cranking and pushing forward.
“I love being in a team like this (Smash GC) where I feel like there’s a bigger purpose, something bigger to play for, and obviously looking to try and get back into a couple of the majors would be amazing.”
The 45-year-old tied for 12th at LIV Golf Hong Hong last week.
The International Series continues its globe-trotting 2025 schedule with the announcement of International Series Japan – adding another exciting destination to its dynamic line-up of new territories and established golf markets.
The US$2million tournament marks LIV Golf’s debut in Japan via The International Series and is scheduled to take place from May 8-11 at the Caledonian Golf Club in Chiba, the week after the LIV Golf League holds the inaugural LIV Golf Korea in Incheon.
A 156-man field will comprise a strong Asian Tour contingent, Japanese players and golfers from around the world trying to earn a lucrative place on the LIV Golf League next season, as well as established names from LIV Golf, demonstrating the significance of Japan as a destination in the global golf landscape.
4Aces GC player Harold Varner III is one of the LIV Golf stars already confirmed for Caledonian Golf Club.
Lucas Herbert. Picture by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.
The 2023 LIV Golf Washington DC champion and winner of the 2022 PIF Saudi International said: “The International Series offers great opportunities to LIV golfers to compete in some incredible golf destinations beyond LIV Golf League events. Japan is a place I’ve always wanted to visit, so I’m excited for the opportunity and can’t wait to tee it up.”
Lucas Herbert, the Ripper GC star who finished third in last season’s International Series Macau presented by Wynn said: “As an Australian, I love playing events in Asia, and The International Series provides a lot of opportunity to play in different territories in the region. Japan is going to be incredible and I’m looking forward to the experience both on and off the course.”
International Series Japan will be the third of 10 LIV Golf-backed events on the 2025 Asian Tour calendar.
Ross Hallett, EVP Head of Events, LIV Golf, said: “Japan is one of the most dynamic golf markets in the world and International Series Japan will be a true milestone, marking our first event in this exciting new territory and a significant step for the LIV Golf ecosystem.
“This historic debut in Japan showcases our commitment to expanding the reach of LIV Golf and The International Series and offering top-tier golf to new audiences. The 2025 calendar is shaping up to be a thrilling mix of new and established markets, and Japan’s inclusion is a key highlight of that global expansion.”
The tournament marks the Asian Tour’s return to Japan for the first time since 2022.
Ollie Schniederjans after winning the International Series India presented by DLF – the first event on The International Series this year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour added: “We are excited about our return to Japan and delighted to welcome Japan as a new destination on The International Series.
“There is no doubt that Japan plays a key role in the global golf ecosystem, and we are confident that this new event will not only exhibit world class golf in front of Japanese fans, but also showcase Japan to our global audience.”
“We are extremely pleased to see The International Series growing and helping expand the Tour’s reach, offering opportunities to showcase world-class golf across Asia and beyond.”
The International Series Japan will be the sixth leg of the season on the Asian Tour, and it is the eighth tournament announced so far on The International Series, with two remaining events to be revealed soon.
Main picture: Harold Varner III.
Sergio Garcia savoured more success in Asia by winning both the individual and team titles at LIV Golf Hong Kong at the weekend.
In front of huge crowds at Hong Kong Golf Club, home of the Link Hong Kong Open on the Asian Tour, he recorded a three-stroke victory over South African Dean Burmester. American Phil Mickelson was one stroke further back in third – his best finish on the LIV Golf League.
Garcia shot a closing seven-under-par 63 to finish the three-round event on 18 under. It is his sixth victory on the region, having won five times on the Asian Tour. The Spaniard, who finished third in the season-long Individual Championship race last season, moved atop the points standings after the first three events in 2025.
Fireballs GC after winning in Hong Kong. Picture by Zhizhao Wu/Getty Images.
It was a captain’s performance for his Fireballs GC team – made up of Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, winner of LIV Golf Hong Kong last year, and Spain’s David Puig and Luis Masaveu – as they captured the team title by one from Stingers GC.
Fireballs GC have now won back-to-back tournaments, having claimed LIV Golf Adelaide last month. They will head to this week’s LIV Golf Singapore presented by Aramco seeking to become the first LIV Golf team to win three consecutive tournaments since the league expanded to a full 14-tournament schedule in 2023.
They will fancy their chance as Garcia won the 2018 Singapore Open on the Serapong Course at Sentosa Golf Club, which is the venue for LIV Golf Singapore. He also nearly claimed LIV Golf Singapore in 2023, played on the same course, but was denied in a play-off by American Talor Gooch.
The 45-year-old Garcia played the final hole Sunday with a comfortable individual lead but needed to make par to avoid dropping into a team play-off with Burmester’s Stinger GC. Facing a lengthy birdie putt, he rolled it to within tap-in range to seal the Fireballs’ sixth LIV Golf team title in club history. They climbed atop the season-long team standings by 10 points over Legion XIII.
Sergio Garcia plays an approach shot in the final round of LIV Golf Hong Kong. Picture by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images.
“It was nice to see not only that I was doing well and leading the tournament, but my teammates were playing great,” said Garcia, who started the day sharing the lead. “They were keeping us there with a chance to win. Obviously when you can pull the double, it’s a lot sweeter than if it’s just one of them. Very proud of them.”
The Fireballs and Stingers appeared headed for a play-off until Masaveu, the 22-year-old signed by Garcia in the off-season, birdied his final hole, the short par-four 10th. “It feels incredible,” said Masaveu. “… Very happy for the team to be able to hole that putt and help them.”
LIV Golf Singapore tees-off on Friday.
Ryan Peake triumphed in the New Zealand Open presented Sky Sport today to complete a remarkable Hollywood-style comeback story.
The Australian lefthander dramatically holed a 10-foot par putt on the par-three 18th to edge it by one and avoid a play-off with three Asian Tour regulars: his compatriot Jack Thompson, Japan’s Kazuki Higa, and South African Ian Snyman.
Peake’s brave putt, the final shot of the tournament, saw him fire a final round five-under-par 66 to finish on 23-under at Millbrook Golf Resort, in scenically spectacular Queenstown.
Thompson carded a 63, while Higa and Snyman both returned 66s – in an event jointly sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia, and the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.
Ryan Peake. Picture by Steve McArthur/www.photosport.nz.
Korea’s Guntaek Koh, the leader by four at the start of the day, carded a disappointing 72 to end in fifth place.
Both Thompson and Snyman, playing ahead of Peake, missed makeable birdie putts on the last, from 15 and six feet respectively, which would have seen them reach 23 under.
Peake had only just made it to that total after a birdie on the par-five 17th, following a brilliant lag putt from 30 feet from the back of the green.
Ten years ago, at the age of 21, he was jailed for five years for assault. He was a member of the Rebels bike gang, having earlier been a promising amateur golfer. It was while he was in prison that renowned coach Ritchie Smith reached out and asked him whether he wanted to play competitive golf again. It was an offer he wisely accepted. His criminal record gave him visa issues entering New Zealand this week, and he only arrived on Tuesday evening.
“I’ve just changed my life,” said Peake.
“This is what I do. I want to be here and just play golf. The story is what it is but I’m just out here playing golf.
“I always knew I could do it. It was just a matter of time of when I was going to do it.”
Ryan Peake receives his Open flag from Ian Baker-Finch. Picture by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport.
He becomes the first lefthander to win New Zealand’s National Open since Sir Bob Charles in 1973, and he earned a place in this year’s Open Championship at Royal Portrush, as the event is part of the Open Qualifying Series.
Remarkably, he went bogey-free for his final 55 holes, having dropped his only two shots of the week on the eighth and 15th in the first round.
He was paired in the final group today with Koh, who was three shots clear by the eighth. However, Peake made birdies on nine and 12 to join Koh in a tie for the lead. The Korean then crashed out of contention with three bogeys in-a-row from the 13th hole, while soon after Peake shared top spot with Thompson, Snyman and Higa with two holes to play before the lefthander held his nerve to lift the Brodie Breeze Trophy. On the 18th he missed the green to the right off the tee and faced a testing chip which he left 10 feet short.
China’s Bai Zhengkai closed with a 68 to finish solo sixth while last year’s Asian Tour Order of Merit champion John Catlin from the United States was outright seventh after a 64.
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho tied for eighth after also shooting 64 – meaning seven Asian Tour members finished in the top eight.
The next event on the Asian Tour is the International Series Macau presented by Wynn in three weeks time.
Korean Guntaek Koh increased his overnight lead from three to four today after shooting a third-round five-under-par 66 to race ahead on 22-under at the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
Koh, who is chasing his first victory outside of Korea, leads from Australian Ryan Peake, who is in second, after a 64 on the Millbrook course – a composite layout the features the best holes of the Coronet and Remarkables courses.
Three other Asian Tour players are in hot pursuit of Koh. Japan’s Kazuki Higa (62), South African Ian Snyman (65) and China’s Bai Zhengkai (67) are tied for third, five behind.
Last year Takahiro Hataji became the first player from Japan to win New Zealand’s National Open, and tomorrow Koh will attempt to follow that by becoming the first Korean.
Ryan Peake. Picture by Michael Thomas/Photosport.
For the second day in-a-row he birdied the first three holes and made the turn in three under for his round, after another two birdies off-set two bogeys. The back nine was less frenetic. He made eight pars and holed his second for an eagle two on the 12th.
It wasn’t as explosive as yesterday’s 61, which matched the course record on the Remarkables, but it was enough to give him a nice cushion going into the biggest day of his four-year professional career tomorrow.
“I did well to handle the pressure today,” said the 25-year-old.
“After a 61 and trying to stay in front there was a lot of pressure, but I am proud of what I achieved. I am taking it shot by shot, not thinking too far ahead. That will be the same tomorrow.”
The Korean may not be well known outside of Korea but he is a proven winner on home soil. Most noticeably he claimed the Shinhan Donghae Open, an Asian Tour event, two years ago in Korea and two Korean PGA Tour events that same season. He also triumphed on his home circuit last year.
Kazuki Higa. Picture by Michael Thomas/Photosport.
He holed a blind wedge shot from 66 metres on 12 that took two bounces before spinning back into the cup.
“I was concerned about how much backspin I’m going to have after the shot, but it just went perfectly,” said Koh, whose girlfriend is caddying for him.
“It’s great that I have a four-shot lead, but this course itself is very scoreable. I need to keep focused on what I’m doing and just make sure I just stay consistent to what I’m doing.”
Lefthander Peake will fancy his chances tomorrow as he is on a streak of 39 holes without a bogey. He only hit three fairways out of 14 today though and will need to get his driver under control if he is to win his first pro event.
“It’s not the flight I want. I’m not getting the distance that I want and I’m just not finding a lot of these fairways,” said the Australian.
“When you get in some of this long rough, it’s hard to get it close and give yourself reasonable birdie opportunities.
“I’m doing well to make a score from where I am. I just need to start hitting some fairways.”
Ian Snyman. Picture by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport.
Higa, winner of the money list in Japan in 2022 when he won four times, carded the second lowest round of the day making two eagles on the first and the 17th, both par fives, seven birdies and two dropped shots.
“Playing very well. Excited about tomorrow and can’t wait to start,” said the Japan golfer, who played his first full season on the Asian Tour last year.
“It’s my goal win outside of Japan. I hope to follow in Hataji-san’s footsteps tomorrow.”
Elvis Smylie from Australia, winner of the Australian PGA Championship last year, carded a 65 and is in sixth place six behind the leader.
American John Catlin, who claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title last year, came in with a 70, which saw him slip down the leaderboard. He is in a tie for 16th, 10 adrift of Koh.
The 104th edition of the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport is being co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.
Korean Guntaek Koh shot the finest round of his career, a course-record equalling 10-under-par 61 on the Remarkables course at Millbrook, to take the halfway lead in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport today.
His breathtaking performance – made up of an eagle, nine birdies and a solitary bogey – propelled him into a three-shot lead over Australian James Marchesani, who fired a 65, also on Remarkables.
Koh, who is 17-under, was joined by three other Asian Tour members at the top of the leaderboard.
China’s Bai Zhengkai, a graduate from this year’s Qualifying School, carded a 64 on Remarkables to slide into solo third, four behind Koh, while one shot further back are reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, American John Catlin, and South Africa’s Ian Snyman. Catlin returned a 64 on the Coronet course, and Snyman 65 on Remarkables.
Overnight leader Harrison Crowe from Australia carded a 71 and is in joint 12th, six off top spot.
Bai Zhengkai. Picture by Andrew Cornaga/Photosport.
Koh is a proven winner on home soil. His one win on the Asian Tour came in 2023 at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea, where he defeated Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai in a sudden-death play-off, and he’s also a three-time champion on the Korean PGA Tour.
He’s made no secret of his desire to make a name for himself in the international arena and today’s round will help start the process.
Said the 25-year-old: “My iron play was really good, it helped me attack the greens. That’s what got me into this position. I have been working very hard on that part of my game.
“For the next two rounds I will focus on positive thinking. I played very well today. I want to carry this momentum into the weekend.”
He admitted he was too focused to realise he matched the course record.
“It’s very meaningful. I didn’t even know I shot the course record. I didn’t even look at the scores. I am really proud of myself,” he added.
His 61 was built on eight birdies in his first 11 holes. His only dropped shot came on 13 before he birdied 15 and made an eagle two on the last.
John Caitlin. Picture by Michael Thomas/Photosport.
Bai made eight birdies and one bogey for his best opening two rounds in an Asian Tour event. He was second at Qualifying School in 2023 but failed to keep his card and was fourth this year, looking to capitalise on his second opportunity.
“Putting was my weakness before but now I am able to make some putts,” said the Chinese golfer.
“I got the putter going today. Ball striking was pretty good. Made a couple of mistakes on the front. Missed a couple of greens but was able to get up and down. I just enjoy playing out here. The greens are great, a little bit soft so I was able to attack the pins.
“I have been playing all over the world. After college I played two years on Korn Ferry, lost my card, played in Europe, DP and Challenge Tour for a year, lost my card, played on Asian Tour for a year and lost my card. Got through Q School this year and finished fourth so I am happy to be here.”
Snyman was of the form players last year and continues to impress. He tied for sixth last year and is loving being in Queenstown.
Said the South African: “I am staying with a host family. I have for the past two years. The Aitken family and they cook me steak every night and lamb chops and it almost feels a bit like South Africa in a sense, and we share a lot of the same sports, so it makes it feel a little homey. You can say this is my New Zealand family. They make special for me.”
Harrison Crowe rumbled the Remarkables Course at Millbrook Golf Resort today with a brilliant nine-under-par 62 to take the first-round lead in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.
The Australian leads from countryman James Marchesani who returned a 63 while Asian Tour regulars Kevin Yuan from Australia and Korea’s Guntaek Koh are next best with 64s. They all played on the Coronet Course, as did LIV Golf star Lucas Herbert from Australia who also carded a 64.
Crowe [main picture] made nine birdies and an eagle with his only blemish coming on the par-four 13th, where his tee shot flew out of bounds, resulting in a double-bogey.
He won the NSW Open as an amateur in 2022 but is still chasing a first win as a professional.
“I definitely had a lot of things going my way today, and I think to shoot those rounds you have to,” said the 23-year-old from Sydney.
James Marchesani. Picture by Chris Symes/www.photosport.nz.
“I had the putter going, so it was nice to keep the momentum going after that one mistake.”
Herbert, who plays for Ripper GC on LIV, was happy with the new putter in his bag, although he missed from three metres on his final hole.
“I felt like I’d struggled with the putter for a while and I felt like I putted okay today without being amazing, but it wasn’t bad either,” he said.
“I hit a lot of good putts and just couldn’t get as many to go in as I would’ve liked. But look, it’s probably going to be a week of low scoring, so it was good to get off to a hot start and not feel like we’re chasing from a long way back.”
Australian Travis Smyth, Japan’s Kazuki Higa and Bai Zhengkai from China also helped put the Asian Tour on the map, with rounds of 65s on Coronet to tie for sixth.
Reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion John Catlin from the United States fired a 67 and is in a tie for 23rd, along with New Zealand’s Ben Campbell – second on last year’s Merit list, who is based at Millbrook Golf Resort.
Kevin Yuan. Picture by Chris Symes/www.photosport.nz.
Josh Geary and Michael Hendry ended the day as the leading Kiwis. They are tied for ninth following 66s on the Remarkables.
Defending champion Takahiro Hataji from Japan opened his account with a 69.
Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig, winner of the ADT Rumanza Open Pakistan last week on the Asian Development Tour, fired a 71 on Remarkables.
New Zealand’s Nick Voke, also coming off a win last weekend in Australia at the Webex Players Series Sydney came in with a 73.
The NZ$2million event is co-sanctioned by the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia and the Asian Tour, in partnership with the Japan Golf Tour.
It’s the third stop of the season on the Asian Tour.
Nick Voke will try and join an elite group of New Zealanders who have won their National Open, when he competes in the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport this week.
A total of 20 Kiwis have claimed the title, most notably Bob Charles – the famous lefthander and arguably the nation’s greatest player who won the tournament four times – and Michael Campbell.
Voke has had several attempts since turning professional in 2018, the year he finished a career-best seventh.
This year though is perhaps his best opportunity to claim The Brodie Breeze Trophy thanks to a much-needed return to form, which saw him win the Webex Players Series Sydney last weekend on the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia.
“It meant so much to win,” said the 30-year-old from Auckland, ahead of this week’s event which starts tomorrow at Millbrook Golf Resort, Queenstown.
Nick Voke. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
“It’s been quite the journey, the last six months. You know golf is hard. Professional golf can beat you down. It’s really difficult.”
The victory was his first success since three wins on the China PGA Tour during a standout rookie season. It also came off the back of a fine season on the Asian Tour last year, when he ended 50th on the Merit list – helped by back-to-back joint seventh placed finishes in the Black Mountain Championship and the International Series Thailand.
Voke attended the two events, first as a player, but also as a YouTuber and as an influencer manager, as two of his clients, Luke Kwon and Taco Golf, also competed.
And it is his work in the online golfing world that he feels has helped get his game back on track.
He explained: “I was at the point of thinking about doing other things. I got a bit of a lifeline with Luke Kwon and Taco Golf. I have been playing well for about a year now. The game is in good shape. The issue is I wasn’t optimising the game I had. I was getting in my own way. Bad stuff was happening, and I wasn’t able to handle the moment.
Nick Voke. Picture by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Asian Tour.
“If you ask me what’s changed. I am playing closer to my potential more often because of a change in my mindset. I kind of attribute that to some of the YouTube stuff. I have never played poorly when I played with the guys.”
In essence, his return to the winners’ circle has been the result of not trying so hard.
“It is crazy. The less pressure you put on playing well, the less wanting to win you have, the less you try to be perfect – the better things are,” he said.
“It’s almost like my chances are better by not trying too much. By not trying to be perfect. Not trying to be someone I am not.”
He tees-off at 12.47am tomorrow on the Remarkables Course with American Berry Henson, plus their amateur partners – as since 2014 the tournament has featured a popular Pro-Am format.
Michael Hendry was the most recent New Zealander to raise the trophy back in 2017, after beating compatriot Ben Campbell and Australian Brad Kennedy in a play-off, and the trending Voke will be looking to make it another week for the country to remember.
“If I play for the next six months like I have for the last six months I am going to be in contention again,” he said.
“By keeping going on the same path I have been on, there’s nothing to say I can’t get a few more trophies.”
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