Vanchai leads trio of Thai stars to the top of leaderboard in Jakarta
Aug 28: Vanchai Luangnitikul led a group of Thai stars on top of the leaderboard on the opening day of the US$500,000 Mandiri Indonesia Open, making the most of calm morning conditions at Jakarta’s Pondok Indah Golf Course on Thursday.
The 23-year-old from Phuket, who has been playing mainly on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) the past two seasons, showed he was not afraid to challenge the big boys with a seven-under-par 65. The round included just one bogey, on the par-three eighth (his 17th), but he bounced back in style with a closing birdie on the par-five ninth.
Trailing Vanchai in tied second place were compatriots Suteepat Prateeptienchai and Tanapat Pichaikool, who were both bogey-free in their rounds of 66.
Eight players were tied for fourth place on 67, a group that included India’s Viraj Madappa, who is making a comeback after a long injury layoff.
Tanapat Pichaikool of Thailand. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Tied alongside Madappa were a quartet of Americans, Micah Shin, MJ Maguire, Austen Truslow and Charles Porter. Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho and Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin also shot rounds of 67.
Vanchai, who finished tied second in the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament on the ADT last year, nearly 26 kilometers down the road at Damai Indah Golf, showed his love for Indonesian courses once again with a solid round.
“My tee shots were really good all day. I kept finding the fairways and giving myself birdie chances. I made a lot of good putts early in the round and kept the momentum going,” said Vanchai, who is playing only his second Asian Tour event since his two starts in Thailand in 2022.
“I have been playing on the ADT and it has been a great training ground for me. I think I have improved a lot and am bringing all that experience into this week.”
The bogey on the eighth was because of a “bad tee shot”, but Vanchai was particularly pleased with a three-wood second shot from 305 yards on the ninth, which led to the bounce-back birdie.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Tanapat’s round was the lowest among the second half of the draw as the wind picked up around the golf course. That made his bogey-free effort even more commendable.
After making six birdies – three on either half of the golf course – the 25-year-old Tanapat said: “The wind picked up when I was around the eighth hole, and then dropped and picked up again.
“The last couple of holes were interesting because I did not hit good tee shots but still managed to save my par and made a birdie on the last.
“Just did the standard stuff that we golfers do in the wind – tried to keep it low. But really happy to have finished the round without a bogey.”
The highlight of Suteepat’s round was the eagle on the first, but also important was that he finished the round without a bogey.
“I felt great today. Everything in my game seemed perfect,” said the highest-ranked OWGR player in the field. “Obviously, played early in the morning when the wind was low.
“The golf course is in fantastic condition. It’s so much better than when we played here a couple of years ago. Hopefully, I can do the same tomorrow.”
Viraj Madappa of India. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour
Madappa, the 27-year-old from Kolkata, is playing on a medical exemption after missing out on nearly two years of action because of a lower disc injury in the back. He impressed everyone when he won a domestic tournament in India in his first start after the injury earlier this year.
Winner of the 2018 Take Solutions Masters on the Asian Tour at the age of 20, Madappa said the long time spent recuperating changed his perspective about golf.
“I did not play at all for almost 15-16 months. I got back to swinging the club properly only in March this year. And it has led to a big change in perspective and how I view my game.
“Just before I injured myself, I was really hard on myself, putting a lot of unnecessary pressure in terms of what I was expecting from myself. I had stopped enjoying the game. However, it was difficult and frustrating to stay out of the game for so long and it made me realise how much I missed golf and how much I actually loved it.
“So, I am coming back with that thought and the feeling of just playing with gratitude and joy. I am hitting shots like it’s fun to hit. I think that has helped a lot.”
Defending champion Steve Lewton was left frustrated by a late triple bogey on the par-four 16th hole, which saw him slip to tied 75th place at even-par.
Aug 28: Thailand’s Vanchai Luangnitikul and India’s Viraj Madappa were determined to make up for their long absence from the Asian Tour as they moved up the leaderboard of the US$500,000 Mandiri Indonesia Open with solid opening rounds on Thursday morning.
The 23-year-old Vanchai, a resident of Phuket, has been playing mainly on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) these past two seasons, but showed he was not afraid to challenge the big boys with a seven-under-par 65 at Jakarta’s Pondok Indah Golf Course. The round included just one bogey, on the par-three eighth (his 17th), but he bounced back in style with a closing birdie on the par-five ninth.
Madappa, hailing from the eastern Indian town of Kolkata, is playing on a medical exemption after missing out on nearly two years of action because of a lower disc injury in the back. He started from the first with 10 straight pars, before unleashing six birdies and a bogey in his last eight holes to finish on 67 and in tied third place.
Another Thai player, Suteepat Prateeptienchai, started with a 66 effort to place himself in solo second place in the clubhouse. The three-time Asian Tour champion’s round included an eagle two on the par-four first hole (his 10th), when he holed his wedge shot from 78 yards.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai. Picture by Graham Uden, Asian Tour.
Tied alongside Madappa at 67 were a pair of Americans, Micah Shin and MJ Maguire, and Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin.
Vanchai, who finished tied second in the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament on the ADT last year, nearly 26 kilometers down the road at Damai Indah Golf, showed his love for Indonesian courses once again with a solid round.
“My tee shots were really good all day. I kept finding the fairways and giving myself birdie chances. I made a lot of good putts early in the round and kept the momentum going,” said Vanchai, who is playing only his second Asian Tour event since his two starts in Thailand in 2022.
“I have been playing on the ADT and it has been a great training ground for me. I think I have improved a lot and am bringing all that experience into this week.”
The bogey on the eighth was because of a “bad tee shot”, but Vanchai was particularly pleased with a three-wood second shot from 305 yards on the ninth, which led to the bounce-back birdie.
Viraj Madappa of India. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
The highlight of Suteepat’s round was the eagle on the first, but also important was that he finished the round without a bogey.
“I felt great today. Everything in my game seemed perfect,” said the highest-ranked OWGR player in the field. “Obviously, played early in the morning when the wind was low.
“The golf course is in fantastic condition. It’s so much better than when we played here a couple of years ago. Hopefully, I can do the same tomorrow.”
Madappa gave himself plenty of birdie chances in his first 10 holes, but it needed a birdie putt on the 12th hole from as close as two feet to kickstart his scoring.
The 27-year-old has hardly played any events since his missed cut at the SJM Macao Open in October 2023, and impressed everyone when he won a domestic tournament in India on his comeback earlier this year.
Winner of the 2018 Take Solutions Masters on the Asian Tour at the age of 20, Madappa said the long time spent recuperating changed his perspective about golf, and that he is reaping the rewards.
“I kept giving myself chances on the front nine, but did not convert anything. Just to see something going in on the 11th hole, even if it was from two feet, got me going after that.
“I have had some lower back disc issues and did not play at all for almost 15-16 months. I got back to swinging the club properly only in March this year. And it has led to a big change in perspective and how I view things through the game.
“Just before I injured myself, I was really hard on myself, putting a lot of unnecessary pressure in terms of what I was expecting from myself. I had stopped enjoying the game. It was difficult and frustrating to stay out of the game for so long and it made me realise how much I missed golf and how much I actually loved the sport.
“So, I am coming back with that thought and the feeling of just playing with gratitude and joy. I am hitting shots like it’s fun to hit. I think that has helped a lot.”
Two-time Asian Tour winner Steve Lewton is in need of some inspiration to help claim his third title and should get a big dose of that at this week’s Mandiri Indonesia Open.
That’s because he is the defending champion – having recorded an emotional victory in the event 12 months ago.
It’s a different venue this time round, as the event is being played at Pondok Indah Golf Course, but that is a plus as he was runner-up in Indonesia’s national open in 2022 and 2023 when it was played at the famous Jakarta venue.
“Oh, it was massive to win last year,” said Lewton.
“I felt the previous two years I had played really solid most of the year but just could not quite got over the line. So to finish off an event and win was nice.
“A lot of hard work went into that win and even before that obviously. It was nice to see it come to fruition. People don’t see the work you put in behind closed doors.”
Steve Lewton pictured at Wednesday’s press conference. Picture by Graham Uden, Asian Tour.
Last year, at Damai Indah Golf – PIK Course, it looked like he would just miss out on victory for the third year in-a-row when he finished with a double bogey on the 72nd hole in regulation play to fall back into a tie with China’s Sampson Zheng and Australian Aaron Wilkin. However, a birdie on the second play-off hole ensured him a second Asian Tour title – one that came after an anxious 10-year wait from his maiden win at the 2014 Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
It was just reward for a player who finished two behind Gaganjeet Bhullar from India in 2022, and two back of Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong the following year.
Surprisingly, Lewton has not pushed on as expected since last year’s victory.
He explains: “My form was a bit indifferent after I won. I had some good results but not as consistent as I wanted, so maybe I just need to try and get more consistency into the game.”
He finished 2024 ranked 16th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit while at the moment he is in 83rd place. His best performance this year came at the season-opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open, where he tied for 24th.
He has work to do to get back to his best but that began last week when he tied for fifth at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament – an Asian Development Tour event, also played in Jakarta. An opening 61 was particularly encouraging.
Steve Lewton has finished second at this week’s venue on two occasions at the Mandiri Indonesia Open. Picture by Graham Uden, Asian Tour.
“Really happy with my game after a long break,” he said.
“It was good to get some competition reps under my belt as I have not played much over the past couple of months. Playing at home is different to playing in a competition. So, it was good to see the work I have done is working.
“My game is decent but you never know. You try and get a game plan, stick with it and play well.”
He had a sniff of a 59 at the Ciputra event. He needed an eagle on the 18th for that but having already made two eagles and seven birdies he could only manage a par to take the first-round lead.
Similar scoring will be needed if he is to contend this week at Pondok Indah Golf Course. Bhullar was 20-under when he won and Nitithorn 18 under.
Lewton said: “There are a lot of birdie opportunities but the key is not to get frustrated. So, stay patient all week and try and hit as many greens as possible.”
The Link Hong Kong Open, one of the Asian Tour’s signature tournaments, is no stranger to receiving awards.
However, it has now received one of its ultimate accolades following a joint announcement by Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A yesterday.
As a result of ‘plans to align aspects of the qualification criteria for the Masters Tournament and The Open’, the winner of the Link Hong Kong Open will receive an invitation to play in both Majors.
This begins immediately and also applies to the National Opens of Australia, Japan, Scotland, Spain and South Africa.
Said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour: “This is a phenomenal announcement which is tremendously important to our members and the Asian region.
“The Link Hong Kong Open has been one of the pillars of the Asian Tour over many decades. The recognition from Augusta National Golf Club and The R&A naming them as a gateway event to their illustrious Major Championships acknowledges the heritage and stature of the tournament in Asia.
Rory McIlroy celebrates winning this year’s Masters to complete the career Grand Slam. Picture by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.
“We are extremely thankful the two bodies recognise the rising level of talent of professional golf in Asia by providing this incredibly important pathway.”
The news is also a tremendous development for The International Series as the Link Hong Kong Open, won last year by American Patrick Reed, is part of the Series.
The development adds to The R&A’s enormously successful Open Qualifying Series, which began in 2013, and ensures strong international pathways into both Majors from several professional tours, recognising the global strength of elite professional golf.
“The Masters Tournament has long recognised the significance of having international representation among its invitees,” said Fred Ridley, Chairman of Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament. “We, along with The R&A, have a shared commitment to the global game and are proud to work together. Today’s announcement strengthens our organisations’ collective vision of rewarding top talent around the world who rise to the top of historic national open championships. We hope this formal recognition shines a bright light on these players and the events they will represent at the Masters and The Open, beginning next year.”
The qualification criteria for the 2026 Masters Tournament can be found here. The schedule for The Open Qualifying Series and the list of exemptions for The 154th Open will be announced in September. Qualifying starts later this year through 15 events in 13 countries.
Mark Darbon, Chief Executive of The R&A said, “We take great pride in the range of qualification routes we offer to players around the world through The Open Qualifying Series. We share the same goal as Augusta National to offer places in both The Open and the Masters to players competing in national opens and by doing so to help to showcase and strengthen our sport in those regions. This creates an outstanding opportunity for players in all parts of the world to qualify and we firmly believe this will continue to enrich the quality of the fields in both major championships.”
Next year’s Masters will be played from 9-12 April, while The 154th Open will be held from 16-19 July at Royal Birkdale.
The Mandiri Indonesia Open commences on Thursday at Pondok Indah Golf Course in Jakarta – providing the perfect event to start what will be a thrilling second half to the season on the Asian Tour.
England’s Steve Lewton starts as the defending champion in an event packed with talent. Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, Australian Ryan Peake, and Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho are all competing.
The tournament, always a popular event, is the ninth leg of the season on the Asian Tour. It will be followed by 13 more tournaments, from September to December, offering over US$20million in prizemoney.
Tournament Information
- Tournament: Mandiri Indonesia Open
- Date: August 28-31, 2025
- Venue: Pondok Indah Golf Course, Jakarta
- Par/Yards: 72 / 7,243 yards
- Purse: US$500,000 (winner US$90,000)
- Defending champion: Steve Lewton (ENG)
- Asian Tour leg: Ninth
- Edition of tournament: 41st
- Total number of players: 150
- Format: Stroke play tournament over four rounds of 18 holes with a cut made after 36 holes. The leading 65 professionals plus ties progress.
- Social media hashtags: #TimeToRise
Last year’s champion Steve Lewton. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Field Breakdown
- Order of Merit winners: Sihwan Kim (2022), Jazz Janewattananond (2019)
- Nationalities: 26
- Top contenders: Danthai Boonma (THA), Ryan Peake (AUS), Poom Saksansin (THA), Kevin Yuan (AUS), Steve Lewton (ENG), Taichi Kho (HKG), Jazz Janewattananond (THA)
- Highest ranked player on OWGR: Danthai Boonma# 401
- Highest ranked player on 2025 Asian Tour Order of Merit: Danthai Boonma (THA) #6
- of amateurs: 14
- of Indonesian players in the field: 33
Tournament Notes
- Defending champion Steve Lewton from England has not had his best season on the Asian Tour and will be looking at his fond memories from last year’s win to boost his confidence. The two-time Asian Tour winner has a T24 as his best finish on the Asian Tour this season but during a tune up at last week’s Asian Development Tour event in Indonesia he finished T5 so he might be trending back into form.
- Danthai Boonma from Thailand is the highest ranked player on the Order of Merit in sixth place after a runner-up at the International Series Morocco in July and a T8 at the season opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open in January. He has also recorded a win on All Thailand Tour’s Singha Championship in early August as well as a runner up on the same tour two weeks earlier.
- New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport champion Ryan Peake from Australia has not had the easiest time transitioning to the Asian Tour since his win in Queenstown, earning him a start in the Open Championship at Royal Portrush, with a T33 in Morocco as his best result since. Still, the number seven on the Order of Merit will have plenty of time to make amends with the heavy part of the schedule coming up starting this week in Jakarta.
- Fellow Australian Kevin Yuan has enjoyed a consistently good 2025 season on the Asian Tour having started out with a fourth-place finish in the Smart Infinity Philippine Open and a T8 at the International Series India presented by DLF. Since then, he has posted a T10 at the International Series Morrocco and a T15 at the Kolon Korea Open, as well as a T3 on the China Tour in Shandong. He is 12th on the Order of Merit.
- Thai player Poom Saksansin was runner up to his countryman Sadom Kaewkanjana at the Kolon Korea Open after coming up two shots short and also recorded another top five at the Smart Infinity Philippine Open where he finished T5. Although not one of the longer players off the tee, Poom is known for his grittiness and accuracy and will always be dangerous when the putter gets hot.
- Taichi Kho from Hong Kong had a good start to his 2025 Asian Tour campaign with a T8 at the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport, a T6 at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn and a T4 at the Kolon Korea Open. He also posted a T10 at the International Series Morocco in July. The winner of the 2023 World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club looks ready to notch his second Asian Tour victory soon. He is one place behind Yuan on the Merit list.
- An Order of Merit winner in 2019, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond has been out of the winner’s circle, since the 2022 International Series Morocco, way too long for his caliber of player. But with a T2 at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in May and a T8 at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn in March during the first half of the year, the seven-time Asian Tour winner looks like he’s back on the right track with his swing and ready to win again.
Steve Lewton, one of the most liked players on the Asian Tour, was third-time lucky as he carved out a popular victory at the Mandiri Indonesia Open 12 months ago. Story from the 2024 Asian Tour Yearbook.
The 41-year-old from England was tied second in the tournament the last previous years – finishing two shots behind India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar in 2022 and again two adrift of Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong the following year. It seemed he would miss out once again when he finished with a double bogey on the 72nd hole in regulation play in 2024, but a birdie on the second play-off hole ensured him a second Asian Tour title – one that came after a 10-year wait from his maiden win at the 2014 Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
At Damai Indah Golf – PIK Course, Lewton started the final round one shot behind third-round leader Australian Aaron Wilkin, who had set a stunning course record 10-under 61 in the first round.
Lewton started Sunday with four straight pars before a terrific stretch of five birdies in the next six holes steered him clear of the field at 18-under par. Wilkin had begun with a bogey and was one-under par for the day after 10 holes, trailing Lewton by three shots, while promising Chinese rookie Sampson Zheng had moved to 16-under par with four birdies and a bogey.
And then it all started unravelling for Lewton. Bogeys on the 13th and 14th holes pulled him back to 16-under par. He then knuckled down to make successive birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to go ahead by two shots once again, before the disaster on the 18th. He pulled his tee shot on the par-four final hole for the double bogey. He closed with a 68 to tie at the top with Zheng (68) and Wilkin (69).
Steve Lewton celebrates his victory last year. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
The first play-off, on the 18th hole, was halved with all three making bogies, but Lewton was the one closest with his par putt, which he missed from four feet. His heart was in his mouth moments later as his tee shot veered left towards the hazard on the second play-off hole, again on 18, but stopped on the cart path. From there, he hit a brilliant shot to eight feet and made the birdie putt.
A relieved Lewton said: “It’s just been a long, long time, and I feel like in the last three years, I’ve been playing quite good. So, it’s just nice to get over the line and win a tournament again, because it’s been a long time since I had that feeling.
“I thought when I got through 10 holes, I felt like I was coasting. And then I made it difficult again through 14, and then I birdied 16 and 17, and then I had a mini disaster on 18. I was just very happy to get it done the second time of asking in the play-off.
“I am very happy not to finish second again.”
Wilkin, who graduated from the 2023 Asian Development Tour, was disappointed not to have completed the job.
“I just didn’t play well enough to be fair, but I thought I handled myself pretty well,” said Wilkin. “I controlled my emotions until probably the play-off, but I reckon those were just poor swings.
“I still felt pretty good. It’s all good. I mean, I would have loved to win. It would have wrapped up my card for a couple of years, but I feel like the game is going in the right direction.”
Sampson Zheng just fell short of his first win last year in Indonesia. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Without doubt, Wilkin owned the opening day after his 61, when he broke Frank Nobilo’s 30-year course record.
“It was one of those days. I hit it close on four or five holes. I had a couple of easy tap-ins, then holed a few nice putts and didn’t make any mistakes. I will take that for sure. There was some lucky stuff, which I am going to take and run with it,” Wilkin said after Thursday’s round.
Zheng, who finished runner-up at the 2023 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship, showed his class once again with rounds of 65 and 63 on the first two days. A double bogey on the par-four eighth hole on Saturday was his only big mistake as he posted his best finish on the Asian Tour, bettering the tied fourth at International Series England.
“I kept myself in it the entire day. There were a couple of putts that just didn’t quite fall my way on the back nine. I gave myself opportunities all day, and that’s what I wanted to do, and I did that. So overall, happy with the performance,” the University of California, Berkeley graduate said.
Australia’s Travis Smyth (67) and China’s Liu Yanwei (68) were one shot adrift of the play-off, finishing tied fourth at 15-under-par total.
International Series Philippines is set to make a spectacular debut in Manila with a marquee field headlined by Major champions Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen.
The quartet will tee it up at Sta. Elena Golf Club from 23 – 26 October as The International Series lands in the Philippines for the first time, bringing world-class golf and the pathway to the LIV Golf League to one of Southeast Asia’s most passionate golf communities.
Paired with an elite playing field, the event will offer dynamic entertainment, from a headline concert and exclusive hospitality to atmospheric live music, gourmet dining, and immersive fan activities.
Two-time Masters champion and RangeGoats GC captain Watson brings hot form to the Philippines. The American finished T14 at this year’s Masters and posted a runner-up finish at LIV Golf UK among three top-10s on the League this season.
The left-hander, who memorably made a hole in one on his International Series debut at last year’s BNI Indonesian Masters, said: “This will be my first time playing in the Philippines and I’m really looking forward to it. Golf is global so getting to be involved when it is reaching new places is really cool to see. Meeting fans that are new to golf, and excited about it, is always inspiring to me. I really hope we can spark something special here and maybe even inspire the next generation of golfers.”
Ryder Cup star and 2018 Masters champion Reed comes into the tournament in good form, having notched up his first LIV Golf League victory in Dallas earlier this year.
In the Philippines Patrick Reed will be looking to win his second International Series title. Picture by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images.
The 4Aces GC player is no stranger to The International Series. The 35-year-old is defending champion at the Link Hong Kong Open, which takes place the following week.
He also finished runner-up to Carlos Ortiz at International Series Macau presented by Wynn earlier this season, and as the tournament was an official Open Qualifying event, the performance earned him a place in the field for The Open in Royal Portrush.
Reed said: “The International Series has given me an incredible opportunity to travel and immerse myself in new cultures around the world. It has also allowed me to compete against players from across Asia, who continue to raise their game through the experience gained at these high-profile events. I’m looking forward to playing in front of a new audience of golf and sports fans in the Philippines.”
Teeing off alongside Reed will be 2011 Masters champion Schwartzel. The South African also has momentum, highlighted by a recent T10 finish at International Series Morocco and five top-15 performances on LIV Golf, including a runner-up finish in Miami.
Joining him is Stinger GC teammate and compatriot Oosthuizen. The 2010 Open champion has also been in fine form on the LIV Golf League with two top-five finishes including a second place in Dallas. Last season he also recorded a runner-up finish at International Series Oman and a T3 at International Series Qatar.
Carrying the hopes of the nation is Miguel Tabuena, the highest-ranked Filipino golfer on the Asian Tour. Tabuena ranked second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2023 and seventh in 2024. He is sure to attract a large following on course.
“It’s an honour to represent my country at the first-ever International Series event here,” said Tabuena. “I am very excited that The International Series is coming to Manila. I know how much this tournament can do for golf in the Philippines, and I’m proud to be part of it.”
International Series Philippines represents a significant milestone for the LIV Golf-backed series.
“Bringing The International Series to the Philippines is a moment of great pride,” said Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series. “We’re not only delivering a world-class field, but we’re also laying the foundation for long-term growth of the game here. With major champions like Bubba, Patrick, Louis, and Charl competing alongside local heroes like Miguel, fans are in for a truly special week of golf.”
The tournament marks the seventh of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar that provide players with a direct pathway to the LIV Golf League through its season-long rankings.
Tickets for International Series Philippines are available here.
Lee Westwood and Sungjae Im have been unveiled as two of the star attractions at this year’s SJM Macao Open – which will take place at Macau Golf & Country Club, 16-19 October.
The announcement came at a press conference in Macau yesterday, when SJM also announced they will extend their title sponsorship for two more years.
Westwood claimed the title in 1999, a year after the event was launched, and will be bidding to win his 10th title in Asia.
Said the Englishman: “I am thrilled to be playing at the SJM Macao Open this October. I have fond memories from my win 26 years ago. The course always brings out the best in me, and I am looking forward to performing well this year and hopefully bringing home a second Macao Open crown.”
The former world number one beat American Andrew Pitts in a sudden-death play-off to win in Macau and also played in the event two years later. His most recent victory in Asia came at the Indonesian Masters in 2015 – an event he has won on three occasions.
Ms. See Lei, Acting Vice President of the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (right), and Mr. David Shum, Director of SJM Resorts, S.A., pictured at the press conference.
Korean Im, a two-time champion on the PGA Tour who has made three Presidents Cup appearances, will be making his debut in the Macau event.
He said: “I am excited to be part of a very competitive field at the SJM Macao Open this year. I have heard excellent things about the SJM Macao Open and the city. Fellow players have told me about the beautiful but challenging course at Macau Golf & Country Club and I cannot wait to make my first trip to Macau a successful and enjoyable one.”
The tournament is jointly organised by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (MSB), SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and IMG. It is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Macau Golf Association.
Ms. See Lei, Acting Vice President of the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, said: “Since its inception in 1998, the Macao Open has grown to become a hallmark championship on the Asian Tour, and an event that has come to epitomise Macau’s capability to host major international sporting events.
“The Sports Bureau will continue its mission to advance the development of Macau’s sports culture, and to ensure that visitors from around the world who come to watch some of the world’s top golfers receive the best experiences both on and off the course. Leveraging the unique synergy between sports and tourism, we aim to attract athletes and tourists to Macau through this sporting platform, and to bolster Macau’s reputation as a global centre of tourism and leisure.”
Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, added: “SJM has long been a dedicated supporter of both national and local sports development, and we remain firmly committed to advancing the integration of ‘Sports + Tourism’ in Macau.
“In 2023, we proudly assumed the title sponsorship of the Macao Open, supporting its revival through a three-year partnership. Over the past two editions, we have worked closely with the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, IMG, the Asian Tour, and the Macau Golf Association to elevate the tournament and bring new vitality. Today, we are pleased to announce that, building on this strong foundation, we will be extending our collaboration for two further additions, continuing our shared efforts to support the long-term development of golf in Macau.”
Sungjae Im will be making his debut in the SJM Macao Open. Picture by Getty Images.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, added: “The SJM Macao Open is one of the premier events on the Asian Tour – boasting an outstanding reputation. The tournament was launched in the late 1990s and has been ever present on our schedule since. Our relationship is now set to continue further following today’s wonderful news that SJM has extended the partnership for two more years. We are truly grateful to them, the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Macau Golf Association, IMG, and all the event partners.”
Joining Westwood and Im in the 144-player field to challenge for the coveted title will be defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan, who delivered a wire-to-wire victory in 2024 to claim his second Asian Tour title. The 30-year-old Thai will look to emulate the achievement of Chinese golf pioneer Zhang Lianwei by successfully defending his title.
“I am delighted to announce my return to the SJM Macao Open. The tournament is one of my favorite weeks on the golfing calendar, and I am even more excited to be returning as the defending champion and to perform in front of the fans in Macau in October,” said Rattanon.
The Moutai Singapore Open will make its long-awaited return from 6 to 9 November 2025, marking a bold new chapter for one of Asia’s most historic golf tournaments. Held at The Singapore Island Country Club (SICC), where the event first teed off in 1961, the event perfectly blends cherished tradition with fresh momentum.
Now part of the Asian Tour’s elite International Series and co-sanctioned by the Singapore Golf Association (SGA), the tournament boasts a US$2 million prize purse and is set to feature the very best Asian Tour stars, players from the LIV Golf League and top local talent.
It is the ninth of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour calendar that ultimately offer a pathway onto the LIV Golf League for the end-of-season International Series Rankings champion.
This year also marks the debut of Kweichow Moutai as title sponsor – a partnership that aligns the tournament’s rich heritage with the brand’s global prestige and cultural resonance.
“The Singapore Open has long been one of the most iconic events on the Asian Tour calendar, and we are thrilled to see it return with renewed purpose and global appeal,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour.
Sadom Kaewkanjana celebrates after winning in 2022. Picture by Tharm Sook Wai/SPORTFIVE.
“With Kweichow Moutai’s support and the historic setting of SICC, we’re looking forward to delivering a tournament that honours the event’s storied past while embracing its exciting future.”
“We are proud to support the return of such a prestigious event that shares heritage and excellence. The Singapore Open is a natural fit for us, and we are delighted to help elevate the tournament for players and fans alike,” added the spokesperson of Kweichow Moutai.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “The Moutai Singapore Open is a welcome addition to The International Series schedule, and this return to the Asian golfing heartland of Singapore is another important statement as we continue to grow our brand across established and emerging golf markets.
“Like all our tournaments, the Moutai Singapore Open offers playing opportunities to the best in the region, as well as emerging talent, and this can only help to strengthen the growing global golf ecosystem by further enabling the development of the game within this key market and important region for the future of golf.”
Sadom Kaewkanjana Returns to Defend His Crown
Leading the international charge is Sadom Kaewkanjana [main picture], who won the last edition of the Singapore Open in 2022. Since then, the Thai star has continued to grow on the global stage and also made headlines with a personal detour into monkhood in his home country.
Earlier this season, Sadom claimed a victory at the Kolon Korea Open – his third Asian Tour title and first in three years – which earned him a spot at the Open Championship. At Royal Portrush, he carded an impressive first-round 68, highlighted by an eagle and a 40-foot birdie putt. He currently sits third on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Singapore’s Best to Take on the World
Ten of Singapore’s top golfers, including both seasoned professionals and promising amateurs, will compete in this year’s field. Their inclusion is based on Order of Merit standings, global rankings, and national nominations. One spot has also been reserved for Harry Takis, the 2025 Singapore Open Amateur Championship winner.
For the amateurs, competing in the Moutai Singapore Open serves as crucial preparation ahead of the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand in December, providing competitive exposure on home soil.
“The return of the Singapore Open after three years is a significant development for the sport in Singapore. It gives our local professionals and amateurs a chance to test themselves against the best and provides the perfect build-up to the Southeast Asia Games later this year,” said Tan Chong Huat, President of the SGA.
“The Singapore Open also reinforces the appeal of golf in Singapore as it continues to play host to several high-profile golf tournaments, including the HSBC Women’s World Championship, LIV GOLF, Porsche Singapore Classic and World Amateur Team Championships.”
Matt Kuchar was the champion in 2020. Picture by Paul Lakatos/SPORTFIVE.
The Return of ‘Beat the Pro’
Adding to the tournament buzz is the return of the popular ‘Beat the Pro’ challenge – an interactive par-3 experience during the tournament where amateurs test their skills against the professionals.
In past editions, young local stars like Brayden Lee and Troy Storm stepped up to thrill crowds and showcase Singapore’s emerging talent. This year’s challenge, played on one of the signature par-3 holes on The New Course (Millennium & Peirce), promises more unforgettable moments and an exciting connection between fans and the game.
“We are honoured to welcome the return of the Singapore Open to The Singapore Island Country Club, this time at our The New Course. While the championship’s legacy with SICC began at our Bukit Course in 1961, this exciting new chapter reaffirms our long-standing partnership with one of Asia’s most prestigious tournaments. With a world-class course set-up and engaging fan experiences, we look forward to delivering an unforgettable event for both players and spectators,” said Ian Roberts, General Manager of The Singapore Island Country Club.
More Than a Tournament
In the lead-up to the event, fans can expect a rich calendar of community engagement activities, including lifestyle events and public activations. These are designed to bring the spirit of the Moutai Singapore Open into the city and build excitement across Singapore.
“This year, we’ve placed a strong focus on deepening our connection with the community, not just through elite golf, but by creating experiences that make the Singapore Open accessible and enjoyable for everyone. We want this tournament to be a true celebration of sport, culture, and community,” added Cho.
As the tournament returns to its roots at SICC, the Moutai Singapore Open stands as a celebration of history, homegrown talent, and elite competition, where the past meets the future.
The Moutai Singapore Open will be open to the public, free of charge. More details on ticket registration and spectator activities will be shared in the coming weeks.
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