Jazz Janewattananond’s revitalised confidence continues to show no respite as he took a share of the clubhouse lead at the Saudi Open presented by PIF today.

He carded a four-under-par 68 in at Dirab Golf & Country Club, just outside of the capital Riyadh, for a two-round total of 10 under.

India’s Saptak Talwar, the first-round leader with a course record 64, shares top spot after shooting 70, following the morning session.

Japan’s Kazuki Higa, the Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, took a huge stride forward to finishing the year ranked number one by carding a 66 to sit one back of the leaders. It means Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, in second place on the Merit list and five under for the tournament after a 69 today, when he played with Higa, needs to either win the tournament or finish second to overtake the Japanese star.

Jazz is looking more and more like the golfer who claimed the Merit title in 2019, after four victories, and says he has rediscovered his swing after years of torment.

Saptak Talwar.

“In the end of 2023 I was in a very bad spot in my golf swing,” he said.

“Just couldn’t really find the fairways, couldn’t really find the greens, and I just didn’t understand what I was doing with my swing. So I went out and asked a lot of specialists, and a lot of friends, a lot of people who know the golf swing better than me.

“There’s a lot of stuff that I did in 2019 that I didn’t do in 2023, and I just tried to implement a lot of that.”

Swaying away from the ball and not returning to the correct position, plus club and wrist position at the top of the swing are just a few things he has worked on to get his old, successful swing back

“There’s a lot of that I didn’t understand. In 2019 I just know I’m playing. I’m playing well, I aim there and the ball goes there. I feel like what happened to me in 2023, where I lost my swing, now I’m coming back to getting my swing back. I understand a bit more of like, okay, this fits me more.”

He also continues to work hard with his coach Dana Dahlquist, who he also texts regularly.

Adds Jazz: “I literally don’t pay him enough because I text him to wait way too much.”

Kazuki Higa.

After yesterday’s record-breaking round Talwar admitted today was a ‘little quiet day’.

He said: “I felt like I hit some good shots in the front, but the flags I thought were a little tricky, they had some more break around the hole. Didn’t make anything and then missed a short one on nine but bounced back pretty solid on the back. So, pleased with the day, couple more days to go.”

Pictures by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

India’s Saptak Talwar, playing in the last group of the day, birdied his final hole in fading light, at Dirab Golf & Country Club, to shoot a course record eight-under-par 64 for the first-round lead in the Saudi Open presented by PIF today.

The 26-year-old from Delhi has played in only a handful of Asian Tour events since turning professional in 2021 but embraced the opportunity today making four birdies on each nine, in a bogey-free round.

American John Catlin, the defending champion and reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, and Jack Thompson from Australia are tied for second following 65s – in the season-ending event on the Asian Tour.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong and Jazz Janewattananond, Bjorn Hellgren from Sweden, Charles Porter from the United States and Moroccan amateur Adam Bresnu are next best placed after 66s.

Chinese-Taipei’s Chang Wei-lun, playing in the last group with Talwar, was seven under playing his final hole – which was the ninth as they started on 10. However, he made a bogey after failing to get up and down from the edge of the green.

John Catlin.

Japan’s Kazuki Higa shot a 69, and is in a tie for 24^th, to start well in his bid to wrap up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title. Making the cut tomorrow will put him within touching distance and require Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, in second place, to record a top four finish to have any chance of catching him. Vincent, who won The International Series Rankings three weeks ago, returned a 70.

Talwar won for the first time as a professional this year, at the Adani Invitational Golf Championship on the Professional Golf Tour of India. It was played on his home course, Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort, and he showed some of that winning form today.

“I was honestly anticipating some wind today,” said the Talwar, who played college golf at Sacred Heart University in NCAA Division 1.

“Yeah, so when I came in this morning and it was pretty quiet, I was just hoping it stays like it, because the guys in the morning were kind of making some birdies. Yeah, happy to get off to a good start. Take advantage of the calmer conditions. I think it’ll get windy at some point.”

He has been playing on the European Challenge Tour this year, as well as his home circuit.

He added: “I’ve played a lot of golf this year. Some good, some bad, but struggled putting four rounds together, yeah. So, yeah, one down, hopefully I can put three more.”

The Indian, who tied for sixth in the Mandiri Indonesia Open last year for his best result on the Asian Tour, hit a gap wedge to 12 feet on the ninth and drained the birdie putt.

Jack Thompson.

Catlin has made the perfect start to end a disappointing season, admitting after that a few setbacks have been on his mind this year that affected his form.

This time last year Catlin was being crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion for the first time after an inspired season. He won twice, came second twice – after two play-off loses – plus became the first player on the Tour to shoot a 59. He was also voted the Player’s Player of the Year, for the second time in his career.

However, he says events at the end of 2024 had a profound impact on him, and it’s taken time to heal. His mother passing away in October was far and away the most significant of those.

He said: “You know, I wouldn’t be a pro golfer if it wasn’t for all the support she gave me when I was a really little kid and junior golfer, and she took me to all the tournaments.

“She was a big part of the process, and a big supporter of what I do, and just a loving person. And so, you know, last year it actually happened on the Wednesday of Jakarta, but I found out from my dad after the final round.”

Catlin explained she had been stable for a while and there was a huge emotional shock when she passed, the week of the Indonesian Masters.

In addition, narrowly failing to earn a place on the LIV Golf League after just missing out on winning The International Series Rankings, also hit him hard – he said.

Kazuki Higa.

“You know, there was a lot of other things – including not earning my spot on LIV. I wish I would have handled that thing a little bit better. You know, those things happen.

“I think mentally, internally I mean, I wish I would have just handled it a little bit better.”

Catlin is currently in 46^th place on the Merit list – well below par for a six-time winner on the Tour.

Today’s round, bogey-free, with seven birdies, shows he is on the road to recovery.

“I feel much stronger now. I feel like I’ve processed through a lot of it. I feel as good as I ever have. I’ve been really enjoying this week,” he said.

He heads home to Florida after this week, where he will prepare for the LIV Golf Promotions event in January – where two paces are up for grabs on the LIV Golf League.

Thompson is in 62^nd position on the Merit list and in need of a good week to secure his card for next year by finishing in the top 65.

He is comfortably on course for that after making an eagle and five birdies and not dropped a shot.

His playing status for next year is definitely on his mind, but says sessions with sports psychologist Jonah Oliver, who works with his compatriot Cam Smith, have been a huge help in dealing with such situations.

“I’m human, so definitely think about it. The thoughts are there. I do a lot of work with my psychologist Jonah. I mean, you can’t really avoid that sort of stuff,” said Thompson.

“I think that’s huge speaking to him. It’s great to be able to lean on him a bit more sometimes. I think we’re all a little bit stubborn in the sense that maybe we don’t need help. I’ve got a good support team there that helps me with that.”

Pictured by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

American John Catlin made the perfect start to end a disappointing season after taking a share of the clubhouse lead at the Saudi Open presented by PIF today – admitting after that a few setbacks have been on his mind this year that have affected his form.

He fired a first round seven-under-par 65 here at Dirab Golf & Country Club, just outside the capital Riyadh, along with Australian Jack Thompson – in the season-ending event on the Asian Tour.

Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong and Bjorn Hellgren from Sweden are next best placed after 66s.

This time last year Catlin was being crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion for the first time after an inspired season. He won twice, including the Saudi Open presented by PIF, came second twice – after two play-off loses – plus became the first player on the Tour to shoot a 59. He was also voted the Player’s Player of the Year, for the second time in his career.

However, he says events at the end of 2024 had a profound impact on him, and it’s taken time to heal. His mother passing away in October was far and away the most significant of those.

He said: “You know, I wouldn’t be a pro golfer if it wasn’t for all the support she gave me when I was a really little kid and junior golfer, and she took me to all the tournaments.

John Catlin.

“She was a big part of the process, and a big supporter of what I do, and just a loving person. And so, you know, last year it actually happened on the Wednesday of Jakarta, but I found out from my dad after the final round.”

Catlin explained she had been stable for a while and there was a huge emotional shock when she passed, the week of the Indonesian Masters.

In addition, narrowly failing to earn a place on the LIV Golf League after just missing out on winning The International Series Rankings, also hit him hard – he said.

“You know, there was a lot of other things – including not earning my spot on LIV. I wish I would have handled that thing a little bit better. You know, those things happen.

“I think mentally, internally I mean, I wish I would have just handled it a little bit better.”

Catlin is currently in 46^th place on the Merit list – well below par for a six-time winner on the Tour.

Today’s round, bogey-free, with seven birdies, shows he is on the road to recovery.

“I feel much stronger now. I feel like I’ve processed through a lot of it. I feel as good as I ever have. I’ve been really enjoying this week,” he said.

Jack Thompson.

He heads home to Florida after this week, where he will prepare for the LIV Golf Promotions event in January – where two places are up for grabs on the LIV Golf League.

But first up is the Saudi Open presented by PIF where win number seven on the Asian Tour would confirm the return of John Catlin.

Pictures by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

Another first awaits the Asian Tour this week at the season-ending Saudi Open presented by PIF. For the first time in its history a player from either Japan or Zimbabwe will claim the Order of Merit title.

Kazuki Higa is the hot favourite as the Japanese star has a healthy lead while Zimbabwean Scott Vincent has an outside chance, sitting in second place.

They are the only two players who can claim the coveted title with Higa needing to make the cut to stay ahead, provided Vincent finishes outside the top-four.

Both players are laser focused on finishing the year in first place and succeeding American John Catlin as the Order of Merit champion.

They have been paired together for the first two rounds here at Dirab Golf & Country Club, along with Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – the 2019 Merit champion.

Said Higa: “I chose to start playing the Asian Tour for the first time last year, in order to achieve success overseas. So, to be in this position now is like a dream. There is still work to be done though.”

He leads the Merit list with 1,958.59 points and controls his own destiny, with Vincent 142.47 points behind.

Kazuki Higa.

The 30-year-old from Okinawa should be able to see it through following an outstanding season.

He stormed out of the gates in the beginning of the season with three straight top 10’s, posting a T8 at the season-opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open, a T5 at the International Series India presented by DLF and a T2 at the 104th New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

It was as in September that he stepped on the gas recording back-to-back wins in the Shinhan Donghae Open and Yeangder TPC.

And late in October he added a T2 at the International Series Philippines to regain top spot from Vincent, and he’s held it ever since.

“It’s taken a lot of had work to get to this point. I was really happy to play well last year on the Asian Tour. I finished 32^nd on the Order of Merit and was third in the Hong Kong Open – it gave me a lot of confidence,” he added.

His success overseas has been built on a fine record at home.

He won the Japan Tour money list in 2022, thanks to four victories – including the Shinhan Donghae Open, an event, like this year, jointly sanctioned with Asia, Japan and Korea. Now an eight-time winner in Japan, he will become the first player to win both the Japan and Asian Tour rankings should he be successful this week.

An incredible work ethic and level of commitment over the past two years, that has seen him become super fit and hit the ball considerably further, have also been behind his success.

It is of no surprise that one of the other players known for such discipline is the man hot on his heels Vincent.

Scott Vincent.

The Zimbabwean wrapped up The International Series Rankings three weeks ago to secure his return to the LIV Golf League next year.

He’ll also be hoping to play on the multi-million dollar franchise as the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

A relaxed Vincent has arrived in Riyadh, ready for the challenge.

“I am very refresh,” said Vincent, who won the International Series Morocco in July.

“I had two weeks off. That was so welcomed. Time with family in Zimbabwe, so really looking forward to this week. Thankful to be here, what a great spot for us to close out the year.

“It’s been an incredible season and lots to be thankful for. One more event to decided, the Order of Merit spot. I am looking forward to it, and I know Kazuki is as well. We are teeing it up on Wednesday and we are going to give it our best.”

He admitted he put a lot of pressure on himself in order to win The International Series Rankings, probably more than he needed

“There is a little bit of relief but now I am just trying to re-prioritise things. Just use this week to learn something more to get ready for next season,” he explained.

This year marks the 10^th staging of Saudi’s National Open, and the third time it has been part of the Asian Tour. Catlin is the defending champion.

Pictures by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

The Saudi Open presented by PIF returns to the Asian Tour this week for the third successive season, back in the prestigious season-ending position.

When it debuted on the Asian Tour in 2023, it also brought the year to a close. On that occasion, Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub claimed the title at Riyadh Golf Club.

The following year it returned to the same venue, where American John Catlin stole the show with a commanding start-to-finish victory. It was played in April but this week makes a popular return as the season finale at a new venue- Dirab Golf & Country Club, just outside Riyadh.

The country’s National Open was first played in 2015 as a local event before being elevated to the Asian Development Tour in 2022, when Naraajie Ramadhan Putra from Indonesia triumphed at Rolling Hills Golf Course.

This year’s marks the 10^th staging of the tournament.

Jazz Janewattananond.

Tournament Information

• Tournament: Saudi Open presented by PIF
• Date: 10th – 13th December 2025
• Venue: Dirab Golf & Country Club, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Par/Yards: 72/7,280 yards
• Purse: US$1million
• Asian Tour leg: 21st
• Previous winner: John Catlin (USA)
• Edition of tournament: 10th (Asian Tour 2024, 2023, Asian Development Tour 2022)
• Total number of players: 110
• Format: Stroke play tournament over four rounds of 18 holes with a cut after 36 holes to leading 65 pros plus ties.
• Social media hashtags: #TimeToRise, #thesaudiopen, #DirabGolfCountryClub, #golf_saudi

Julien Sale.

Field Breakdown

• Order of Merit winners: John Catlin (2024), Jazz Janewattananond (2019)
• Nationalities: 35
• Top contenders: Kazuki Higa (JPN), Scott Vincent (ZIM), Jazz Janewattananond (THA), Wang wei-hsuan (TPE), Poosit Supupramai (THA), Jeunghun Wang (KOR)
• Highest ranked player on OWGR: Kazuki Higa (JPN) #113
• Highest ranked player on 2025 Asian Tour Order of Merit: Kazuki Higa (JPN) #1
• No. of amateurs in the field: 16
• No. of Saudi players in the field: 9

Dirab Golf & Country Club.

Tournament Notes

• Kazuki Higa from Japan leads the Order of Merit after a brilliant season that included back-to-back wins in the Shinhan Donghae Open and Yeangder TPC in September. The 30-year-old also stormed out of the gates in the beginning of the season with three straight top 10’s, posting a T8 at the season-opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open, a T5 at the International Series India presented by DLF and a T2 at the 104th New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport. He also added a T2 at the International Series Philippines in late October to regain the top spot from Scott Vincent, and he’s held it ever since.
• Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, who won The International Series Rankings that concluded at the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers three weeks ago, earned his ticket back to the LIV Golf League and is in second place, 142.47 points behind Higa. The two-time Asian Tour winner has been impressive all season, and in addition to his win at the International Series Morocco in July, he has collected five other top-10’s including runner-up finishes at the Shinhan Donghae Open and Jakarta International Championship. To win the Order of Merit he needs at least a solo-fifth to surpass the leader in the unlikely scenario that Higa misses the cut.
• The 2019 Order of Merit winner Jazz Janewattananond came close to winning the Bharath Classic two weeks ago in India, eventually finishing in a tie for third place. The seven-time Asian Tour winner has collected five top-10’s this season with the best being a T2 at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in early May. If Jazz gets his putter working this week, he will be a threat to win his first title since the 2022 International Series Morocco.
• Wang Wei-hsuan from Chinese Taipei has enjoyed a great second half of the season racking up three top-three finishes in a span of a month, finishing T2 at the Yeangder TPC, third at Mercuries Taiwan Masters and losing a play-off at the SJM Macaco Open. He has also won three events on his local Taiwan PGA Tour, and has clinched that Order of Merit with one event remaining.
• Asian Tour’s latest winner Poosit Supupramai of Thailand got his breakthrough victory in India two weeks ago, taking the title at the inaugural Bharath Classic. He had also posted a T6 in his previous event, the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open.
• Korean Jeunghun Wang is a one-time Asian Tour winner, having won the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open that was co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour. This season his best result came in the Moutai Singapore Open where he lost a play-off to eventual winner Yosuke Asaji, and he also had a T9 at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. In addition to the Mauritius victory Wang has two other DP World Tour titles on his resume, the 2016 Trophee Hassan II and the 2017 Commercial Bank Qatar Mastes, and was at his peak in 2017 ranked 39^th on the OWGR.
• Only two players are still able to win the 2025 Asian Tour Order of Merit title, Kazuki Higa and Scott Vincent. They would both be the first from their respective countries to do so.
• Much of the drama will likely centre around those trying to secure playing rights for next year by finishing in the top 65. Currently holding the 65th spot on the Merit list is Sean Ramos from the Philippines with 227.58 points, with Argentina’s Miguel Carballo just outside in 66th, a mere 2.54 behind with 225.04.
• Dirab Golf & Country Club is nestled amidst the scenic vistas of Dirab, just a short 45-minute drive from the bustling heart of Riyadh and lies within Tawfiq Valley. Opened in 1994 it has the distinction of being the first all-grass golf course in the Kingdom.
  It is a premier leisure property with an 18-hole championship course, a nine-hole academy course, which is floodlit, while it also boasts an equestrian centre.

Pictures by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.

At this week’s season-ending Saudi Open presented by PIF all eyes will be on the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Japan’s Kazuki Higa is aiming to hold on to first place from Scott Vincent in second. The Zimbabwean has an outside chance of adding the Merit title to The International Rankings he secured a few weeks ago.

However, the battle at the bottom of the list, will be equally as exciting with players attempting to keep their cards for next year. In this instance, the bottom means position 65 as it’s the cut off mark for retaining privileges for next year.

Filipino Sean Ramos is currently in 65^th place and the last guy in but that could all change when this week’s US$1million event commences on Wednesday at Dirab Golf & Country Club.

He is one of a number of players on the bubble – in the unenviable ‘bubble boys’ category.

As ever, there are some famous names in need of a good week to ensure they are back playing with full rights next year.

Nitithorn Thippong pictured with the Mandiri Indonesia Open trophy in 2023. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

One of those is Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, who just three years ago triumphed twice in one season, and won again the following year.

He is in 95^th place following a hugely disappointing season. He’s missed nine cuts in 18 starts, with a best finish of joint 23^rd in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

It’s been an astonishing turnaround in fortunes for a player who won The DGC Open and International Series Singapore in 2022. Two wins in one year granted him a three-year exemption but that runs out this year, as does his win at the 2023 Mandiri Indonesia Open, which had a one-year exemption.

He currently has 116.69 points and needs a top-five result this week to keep his card. However, the ever-smiling 29-year-old is showing little sign of the difficult task that confronts him, and is focusing on a more positive outlook to help him work his way back.

“I mean, it’s quite okay right now,” he explains.

“It’s getting better every day. And you know when I go back to Thailand and practice, it’s always good. But I just have, like, some problems with my mentality, on the course, but now it’s getting better and better. So, I think this way is going to be good.

“I just lost my confidence a bit, because the way I was thinking and the way I am swinging the club is not going like I thought. And because of that kind I was thinking too much. But now, I am stopping that and trying to have fun on the course. I have got out of the bad thoughts.”

Nitihorn Thippong’s first win on the Asian Tour came at The DGC Open presented by Mastercard in 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

He has also been working on transferring his positive approach from practice rounds to tournaments.

He says: “Especially tournament rounds. I play really, really good when I practice, but when it’s a tournament round, I am like thinking bad too much.”

The break in the schedule following the International Series Morocco in July also could not come at a better time.

“It’s good that we had a gap after Morocco, so I had time to talk to myself and think about how to improve.

“I worked on my swing, which was already in process. So that gap, gave me a lot of time to do that and also work on my mentality. I just talked to myself, and said ‘why are you still playing golf, how do I feel when I play well,’ things like that to try to get back in zone.”

Nicknamed “Fever” he will be aiming to turn up the temperature this week and return to the forefront of the Asian Tour, as one it’s most exciting young golfers.

The Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) race reaches its conclusion at the Saudi Open presented by PIF this week.

The US$1million season-ending tournament will tee-off at Dirab Golf & Country Club, outside of Riyadh, on Wednesday.

The OOM battle will not only determine who wins the crown – and the five-year exemption that goes along with it – but also, importantly, it will decide who keeps their card for next year by finishing in the top 65.

TWO HORSE RACE

Even with an elevated points breakdown and 787.5 points going to the winner this week, compared to the normal 525 points for a win in a US$1million event, it is a very short list of players that can walk away with the OOM trophy on Saturday: Japan’s Kazuki Higa [main picture], presently ranked first, and second-placed Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe. Both players would be the first from their respective countries to win the title.

Filipino Miguel Tabuena, Rattanon Wannasrichan from Thailand and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji would also have had a mathematical chance to top the list, in second, third and fourth respectively, but are not here this week. A heavy flu has ruled out Tabuena.

Scott Vincent. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.

Higa currently leads the rankings with 1,958.59 points and controls his own destiny, after a brilliant season that included back-to-back wins in the Shinhan Donghae Open and Yeangder TPC in September.

The 30-year-old, who started the season with three straight top 10’s, tied for second at the International Series Philippines in late October to take the top spot from Vincent, and he’s held it ever since.

Vincent, who wrapped up The International Series Rankings title three weeks ago to book his place back on the LIV Golf League, is in second place with 1,816.12 points – 142.47 points behind Higa.

The Zimbabwean has also been impressive all season, and in addition to his win at the International Series Morocco in July, he has collected five other top-10s, including finishing runners-up at the Shinhan Donghae Open and Jakarta International Championship.

The 32-year-old Denver, Colorado, resident, needs at least a solo-fifth to surpass the leader in the unlikely scenario that Higa misses the cut.

Higa needs only to make the cut to stay ahead – provided Vincent finishes outside the top-four.

BOYS ON THE BUBBLE

Much of the drama will likely centre around those trying to secure playing rights for next year by finishing in the top 65. Those just inside and those hovering closely outside are on the bubble and aptly named, the “bubble boys”.

Sean Ramos. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.

Currently holding the precarious 65^th spot on the Merit list is Sean Ramos from the Philippines with 227.58 points, with Argentina’s Miguel Carballo just outside in 66^th, a mere 2.54 behind with 225.04. Just behind, of those playing this week are Korea’s Bio Kim (67), Ahmad Baig (68) from Pakistan and Australian Brett Rankin (70) with 222.64, 217.65 and 213.73 respectively.

On the right side of the cut-off line, but still very much in the danger zone, we find Sarut Vongchaisit from Thailand in 60^th position on 262.68 points, with Australian Jed Morgan a fraction behind with 262.56 points and in 61^st place.

These two players can likely secure their status for next season by making the cut, with a top-40 finish should guarantee it.

Australian Jack Thompson sits in 62^nd with 254.11 and Thailand’s Charng-Tai Sudsom a further point behind 253.14 in 63^rd. Filipino Justin Quiban is in 64^th place with 242.67 points and starting his week fifteen points clear of the last position that keeps their cards.

This last group of Thompson, Sudsom and Quiban will likely all need to at least make the cut, and perhaps quite a bit better than that, to finish their season inside the top-65.

In a scenario where the magic number would be 265 points to keep the card, Thompson would need to finish 52^nd, Sudsom 50^th and Quiban 40^th.

ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

Some notable tournament winners, and multiple tournament winners, also finding themselves on the outside looking in, starting with Chan Shih-chang from Chinese Taipei and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, who both won twice in 2022 and have been playing on a Multiple Tournament Winner category the last three years. Nitithorn also won in 2023, but that event only carried a one-year exemption.

Chan Shih-chang.

Chan is a five-time Asian Tour winner and is currently in 74^th place on 204.73 points and needs something like a top-20 or better to retain his playing rights.

Nitithorn, a three-time champion, is further down the list in 95^th position with 116.69 points and likely needs a top-five to keep his card after a poor season.

Ajeetesh Sandhu from India, with one Asian Tour win from 2017 on his resume, is currently 72^nd on 210.22 points could be safe with a finish around top-25.

Bangladeshi Siddikur Rahman, with two Asian Tour wins, has been playing on a Country Exemption category this season. Ranked 88^th with 126.70 points he would likely need a top-five result to get back into the top-65.

American Berry Henson, winner of the 2011 ICTSI Philippine Open, is ranked number 103 on 98.92 points after playing eight Asian Tour events this season. He probably needs a solo-fourth or possibly a T4 with one other player to earn his card for next year.

Todd Sinnott from Australia won the 2017 Leopalace21 Myanmar Open but has had a difficult last two years. Sitting in 106^th place with 94.59 points he is in a similar position as Henson above.

Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat is a four-time Asian Tour champion but in 110^th on the OOM with 84.82 points, a solo-fourth could likely be required. Currently 13^th on the Career Earnings list with over US$3 million made, he would still have this category to fall back on next year for playing privileges should he not finish inside the top-65.

Khalin Joshi from India, winner of the 2018 Panasonic Open India, is in 131^st place with 53.38 points and probably needs a T3 with one other player to secure his playing rights.

Spaniard Carlos Pigem won the Yeangder TPC back in 2016 and finished a career best 13^th on the Merit list that season. After playing sparingly on sponsors invites in 2025, he is 139^th in the rankings on 44.48 points and would also require a T3 with only one other player to earn his card back.

So, what on earth do you do for an encore after you’ve shot a 59 and won your previous tournament in a play-off? It’s a pretty daunting scenario, unless your name happens to be John Catlin and you’re enjoying the form of your life. Story from the 2024 Asian Tour Yearbook.

It was on the third Sunday in March, that 33-year-old American Catlin bettered Spaniard David Puig in a sudden-death play-off at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn in what was the fourth leg of the 2024 Asian Tour schedule.

Following a five-week break, the Tour resumed at the Riyadh Golf Club for the US$1 million Saudi Open presented by PIF, in April.

However, the lay-off did nothing to halt the momentum that had catapulted Catlin into the international spotlight.

“I rested for a bit after Macau. I gave myself about a week off and then I got right back to grinding. There were some things I wanted to improve upon. I was able to do it, and I feel like I am getting there. It’s a never-ending process … there are always things we can do better,” he said, offering a glimpse into his mindset and pursuit of excellence.

If his victory in Macau had been a tense nail-biter, Catlin’s wire-to-wire win in the Saudi Arabian capital was simply emphatic.

John Catlin pictured with the winner’s trophy last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

He blew away his rivals with a stunning seven-stroke triumph that served to underline his status as one of the hottest golfers on the planet at this point in time.

“I’m tired, but very, very happy,” said Catlin, after clinching his sixth victory on the Asian Tour and became the first player to win successive events on the circuit since Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond in 2019.

“I’ve never gone back-to-back. It’s pretty special to finish back-to-back events holding the hardware. It was just a special week, and I feel very lucky to be the champion,” said Catlin, who posted a four-day aggregate of 24-under-par 260.

The outcome was pretty much decided by the end of the third round at which stage Catlin held an eight-stroke advantage following rounds of 65, 67 and a course record nine-under-par 62.

A stress-free final-round of 66 completed his Riyadh romp. The numbers were just staggering, finishing seven shots clear of Australian Wade Ormsby, the runner-up, and no fewer than 15 strokes in front of those who shared 10th place.

If there was one slight cause for regret for Catlin it was the fact that he came mighty close to becoming the first player in Asian Tour history to complete a 72-hole tournament without a solitary blemish.

Such was his dominance of the Riyadh Golf Club course that he navigated the first 67 holes without a bogey on his card.

Along with the galleries, even his rivals were pulling for him to complete what is a rare feat. But it was not to be, a seven-foot par putt failing to disappear below ground on the 14th – his 68th hole of the week. It proved to be his only dropped shot.

Not that it took any gloss off a supremely commanding performance, highlighted by a sublime week on and around the greens. As well as ranking second in Putts per Round with 26.5, or 1.47 per hole, he was third in Putts per Greens in Regulation with 1.625.

John Catlin after holing the winning putter. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Furthermore, he ranked first for the week in scrambling, managing to get the ball up and down 93.75% of the time when not hitting the green in regulation.

Catlin also had a good week with his all-round game, ranking tied sixth in Greens in Regulation with 77.78% and seventh in Driving Accuracy with 60.71%.

The combination of all these stats made him unbeatable.

Yet, with such a large lead he also needed to guard against complacency and be strong mentally to stop his mind from wandering.

He said: “I just kept telling myself to stay in the present. The brain always wants to think about what might happen, or what could happen, and you just keep hitting the shot in front of you. I just kept doing that, kept telling myself over and over again, just keep in the present, keep executing this golf shot. I was able to do it.”

With the first-place cheque for US$180,000, Catlin overhauled Puig at the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM). Puig closed with a 67 to finish in sole possession of fifth, 10 back from Catlin.

With two early-season wins under his belt, the 2024 OOM crown was clearly on Catlin’s radar. “It will definitely be on my mind. It would be a nice feather to add to the cap. There have been a lot of great Order of Merit champions, and I would be honoured to be among them,” he added.

Thai amateur Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat, playing in his final Asian Tour event before heading off to start his first year at Stanford University, tied for 33rd.

Japanese star Yosuke Asaji [main picture] is still coming to terms with the reality of officially becoming a LIV Golf League player for the 2026 season – describing the achievement as something he might only truly feel after teeing off in his first event.

Securing a place on the LIV Golf League is one of the ultimate goals for every player competing on The International Series this year, yet only two have made it a reality: The International Series Rankings champion Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe, and Asaji by finishing second on the Rankings.

The Japanese golfer’s journey to this milestone has been remarkable. Following his first International Series victory at the Moutai Singapore Open, he earned his LIV Golf card just two weeks later at the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, the Series’ season ending event, despite missing the cut.

Even now, Asaji admits the moment still feels surreal. “It still doesn’t feel real yet. It’s hard to fully grasp at the moment, but I’ve received so many congratulations. I suppose I’ll understand it better when the time comes.”

Yosuke Asaji with the Moutai Singapore Open trophy.

He is already looking ahead to the next chapter of his career, focusing on key areas of his game that will allow him to compete at the highest level. Putting, in particular, will be an area of attention. “I’ll be practising especially within seven feet to sharpen my short-game skills, and I also plan to work on speaking better English so I can communicate more effectively on tour,” he said.

The opportunity to compete alongside the world’s best players and Major champions excites him most. “I’m really looking forward to testing myself on a weekly basis against the top players in the world. It’s an incredible opportunity and a challenge I’m ready to embrace.”

Asaji’s breakthrough has also delighted those closest to him, including his best friend Jinichiro Kozuma, a member of Iron Heads GC on LIV Golf League.

Kozuma shared how inspiring it has been to watch Asaji’s late-season surge, especially after a challenging stretch on the Japan Tour. He explained: “Towards the end he wasn’t playing well back home, but coming out to these events and performing the way he did really motivated me. I’m thrilled to see him making such a big move in his career.”

Scott Vincent and Yosuke Asaji with the gold coins they received for finishing first and second on The International Series Rankings.

Reflecting on his season across The International Series and Asian Tour, Asaji says he is proud of what he has accomplished. “I never expected to earn a spot in LIV Golf, so I feel very fortunate. I see this as a reward for giving my best at each tournament.

“I also plan to continue playing on the Asian Tour and International Series as much as possible next year.”

With Asaji and Vincent securing the two LIV Golf places from The International Series Rankings, the focus now shifts to the upcoming LIV Promotions event from 8–11 January 2026 at Black Diamond Ranch GC in Florida, where two more coveted spots will be decided.

The leading 10 available players from top 20 of the final 2025 International Series Rankings will receive a bye into round two, while the next 25 available players within the top 40, who are not already exempt, will earn entry into round one of the event.

Thailand’s Poosit Supupramai [main picture] secured his first Asian Tour title at the Bharath Classic last Sunday with a final round three-under-par 69. He made a fine birdie on the last at Kensville Golf Resort to hold off the fast-charging Korean Wooyoung Cho by one shot.

The Thai trio of Jazz Janewattananond, Panuphol Pittayarat and Ekpharit Wu, plus Sachin Baisoya from India finished a further three shots back in a tie for third.

Poosit posted solid stats on and around the greens, ranking T7 in Putts per Round and 15^th in Putts per GIR with 26.75 and 1.673 respectively, and his Scrambling percentage of 85% was second only to Panuphol who led the field with 87.5%.

The brilliant scrambling was crucial to avoiding dropped shots and Poosit topped the Fewest Bogies or Worse category together with Panuphol, with only three bogies during the week. He also had four hole-outs from off the green during the tournament, including a hole-in-one on the 16^th hole on Saturday, which tied the high mark with fellow Thai Chonlatit Chuenboonngam and William Harrold from England.

Panuphol Pittayarat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

The winner’s other stats for the week: GIR 72.22% (T19), Driving Distance 295.75 yards (47^th), Fairways Hit 50% (T59).

Cho, who closed with a final round of 65 that included birdies on three out of his last four holes, had an excellent week on the greens and was third in Putts per Round with 26 and fourth in Putts per GIR with 1.571. His skills with the putter produced 23 birdies for the tournament, third best after Baisoya with 27 and Shaurya Bharathan with 24.

Cho’s other stats: Driving Distance 312.25 yards (14^th), Fairways Hit 64.29% (T22), GIR 68.06% (T34).

Statistics Categories leaders at the Bharath Classic (of players making the cut):

• Putts per Round – Shaurya Bharathan (IND): 25
• Putts per GIR – Shaurya Bharathan (IND): 1.512
• GIR – Runchanapong Youprayong (THA): 86.11%
• Fairways Hit – Ajeetesh Sandhu (IND): 82.14%
• Driving Distance – Sudhir Sharma (IND): 324 yards
• Most Eagles – Justin Quiban (PHI), Heemin Chang (KOR): 2
• Most Birdies – Sachin Baisoya (IND): 27
• Fewest Bogies or Worse – Panuphol Pittayarat (THA), Poosit Supupramai (THA): 3
• Scrambling – Panuphol Pittayarat (THA): 87.5%
• Bounce back – Kosuke Hamamoto (THA): 62.50%