Jakarta, Indonesia, July 13: Natipong Srithong of Thailand shot a second-round seven-under-par 65 to grab a share of the lead with South Africa’s Justin Harding at the US$500,000 Bank BRI Indonesia Open on Friday.

The one-time Asian Tour champion, who had just recovered from an illness, traded eight birdies against a lone bogey for an 11-under-par 133 total at the Pondok Indah Golf Course.

Harding continued his outstanding form as he signed for a 66 following a 67 yesterday. The 32-year-old was bogey-free and he missed only two fairways on Friday.

Matthew Millar of Australia is one shot behind the leaders in lone third place after carding a 68. He has missed only two fairways in the second round and sunk birdies on the holes two, three, 11 and 14.

Rattanon Wannasrichan rode on a hot putter to sign for a 65, which is tied with compatriot Natipong for the lowest score of the round. He shared fourth place with Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent (66), as well as Indians Udayan Mane (68) and Khalin Joshi (68).

Chapchai Nirat of Thailand, Sihwan Kim of the United States and two-time Indonesia Open champion Gaganjeet Bhullar shot matchings 67s and are in tied-eighth.

The cut line of the Bank BRI Indonesia Open was set at one-over-par and 76 players progressed to the weekend. 

Did you know?

• Natipong Srithong is a one-time Asian Tour champion. He was playing on the 2015 Resorts World Manila Masters on a sponsor’s invitation and went on to win the event.
• The 24-year-old is a law graduate after completing six years of study as an undergrad.
• Natipong posted three top-10 finishes, including a tied-second at the Asia-Pacific Classic, in his last five starts on the Asian Tour.
• Justin Harding has finished in the top-10 five times in his last six starts on the Sunshine Tour, including two victories in May.
• He is playing in the Indonesia Open on an invitation from the tournament organisers.
• Harding has only missed one green in regulation in the second round. He hit 12 out of 14 fairways and took 29 putts.
• Matthew Millar posted a four-shot victory at the Rebel Sport Masters, an event on the PGA Tour of Australasia in January.
• Millar has missed only three fairways over the last two rounds.
• Rattanon Wannasrichan took 25 putts, the second-lowest in the second round. Benita Kasiadi took 22 putts.
• Rattanon’s best finish in 2018 is tied-fourth at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship
• In addition to his 2017 Thailand Open title, he has also won the 2015 Taifong Open, a tournament on the Asian Development Tour.
• Khalin Joshi missed the cut in his opening two tournaments on the Asian Tour this year. However, he bounced back by finishing tied-fifth at the Maybank Championship.
• He learned how to golf at the age of four and turned professional in 2013.
• He came close to winning his maiden Asian Tour title at the 2017 TAKE Solutions Masters. He was second and three shots behind the eventual champion, Poom Saksansin.
• This is the second time Udayan Mane has made the cut on the Asian Tour in 2018. Previously, he finished 52nd at the Hero Indian Open.
• Last year, he carded a record 20-under-par 268 total at a professional event that was held at the Karnataka Golf Association Golf Course in India.
• Scott Vincent posted five top-10 finishes on the Asian Tour in 2018 and he is 11th on the Habitat for Humanity Standings.
• He earned his Tour card by making the grade at the 2016 Asian Tour Qualifying School and went on to retain his card by finishing in 28th place on the Order of Merit.
• In 2017, he finished in the top-10 four times enroute to a 17th place finish on the money list.

Players’ quotes:

Natipong Srithong (Tha) – Second Round 65 (-7), Total 133 (-11)

I am not feeling well this week, so I’m very happy to be able to be in a good position and I’m feeling a lot better now compared to Monday. In fact, I had to withdraw from the pro-am game because of my fever.

However, this is something that I have experienced before. I’ve learned to stick to my game plan regardless of how I feel and play shot by shot. If you think too much, it’ll lead to bad holes.

I adjusted to the greens, which were a lot faster compared to the ones I played on last week. I putted well today. The conditions were quite windy today, but that’s fine as I have no problems hitting low balls.

I’ll just keep it simple for the rest of the tournament, which is to hit fairways and greens.

Justin Harding (Rsa) – Second Round 66 (-6), Total 133 (-11)

I had a good day. I was battling with the heat because I came from Cape Town, where it has constantly been raining over the past couple of weeks. I didn’t acclimatise very well.

It’s a matter of me getting through one hole at a time and drinking a lot of water. My game has been pretty solid since the turn of the year. I’ve won twice on the Sunshine Tour. I try to minimise mistakes here. It’s a great golf course and it is quite testing from the tee. I’m always trying to figure out as to what clubs to hit, where and when. I thought I managed my game nicely. I hit a fair number of fairways and hit a few good putts.

My round could have been a lot better though. I burned a couple of edges, just like yesterday. Overall, I’m happy and I couldn’t really complain.

The greens are pure. So, if you read them correctly, they are going to go in. I’ll be working on my wedges and getting my ball into the 10-foot range. It has to do with the grass and the grain. Sometimes you pitch one with the down grain and the ball doesn’t spin as much.

Matthew Millar (Aus) – Second Round 68 (-4), Total 134 (-10)

I’m one shot off the lead but I would have loved to be in the lead. I had a couple of chances and a couple of poor shots too. So that balanced things out. I’ve played quite solid all day and I’m bogey-free. I’ve been hitting the fairways, and if you do that, you give yourself chances for birdies.

At hole three, I hit it to one foot so I tapped it in, which was nice. I had good chances at four, five and six but I didn’t take them, which was a little disappointing since I birdied them yesterday. After the turn, I was trying to be patient. I hit a nice an approach into the 11th and made a birdie there, although I hit a bad shot at the following hole.

Overall, I’m quite happy with where I’m sitting. I don’t think I’m chasing the leader’s score and I thought to myself, let’s be patient and see if I can get as close to the score at the end of the day. I don’t hit it as far as the young guys, so my plan is again, to be patient and keep the ball on the fairways.

Rattanon Wannasrichan (Tha) – Second Round 65 (-7), Total 135 (-9)

I like coming back here. I like the golf course and the weather is just like home. The key is to hit the fairways. I found it 11 times today. I also putted quite well, only 25 times. I managed to hit the ball close to the hole because I kept the ball on the fairway.

I would like to win on the Asian Tour this year. I’m always working hard and I’m confident. I’m happy with my all-round game and I’m comfortable here. So, I’m confident heading into the weekend.

Khalin Joshi (Ind) – Second Round 68 (-4), Total 135 (-9)

I’m happy with my position but I could have played better today. I missed a lot of putts. All my birdies came within five feet. The only long putt that I made for birdie was at five, about 20 feet. I’ve been hitting good shots today, off the tee and on the fairway. I wish I could have holed more putts. I was just not rolling the ball as much as I want to.

I missed an easy up-and-down on 17, missing a three-footer for par. Then at 18, from the centre of the fairway, I didn’t birdie it. But, I have plenty of positives to take to the weekend. Hopefully, I can put on a good show.

I’ve been in this position (in contention going into the weekend). I still wished I made more putts. There is still a lot of golf to be played on the weekend.

Udayan Mane (Ind) – Second Round 68 (-4), Total 135 (-9)

I’m starting to get back that winning feeling that I’ve experienced while playing on the PGTI (Professional Golf Tour of India). I’m heading in the right direction for sure. I didn’t hit the ball too well today, but the ones I did I hit it close to the hole.

I had three bogeys – one from a missed up-and-down, one from a three-putt and one from a missed fairway. But I came back strong with seven birdies. This shows that my game is going in the right direction.

I holed a long putt for birdie on 17, about 25 feet. The other birdies that I’ve made were shorter. Some were one foot and some were four to five feet. I drove well, which allowed me to set up easy birdie chances. At four for instance, I had forty yards to the flag while my playing partners had a hundred yards. At six, I blasted a three-iron to eight feet, but the putt lipped out, but I was pretty pleased on how I played that hole.

I need to play the par-fives and par-threes better. I also need to be more aware of the wind. At eight, it was dead calm, but the wind was gusting from the right as I hit the ball and I missed it into the left bunker. If I’m more aware of the situation, I should be able to better my score.

I’m not trying to think about winning or earning my card. I’m just glad that my game is improving and I’m going to do everything I can to keep going.

Scott Vincent (Zim) – Second Round 66 (-6), Total 135 (-9)

I just played great starting the day. I saved a few pars and it held me together. I birdied both par fives. I went on my second nine (holes one to nine) and made a few putts. Before I knew it, my momentum picked up and I was six-under-par. It was a steady day. I’m in a good spot for tomorrow.

Always on a Friday when you are trying to make the cut, a few par saves will help set the mood. You’ll get into pressure if it goes the other way. So par saves are important. Then, you can start chasing the numbers and push up the leaderboard. I was able to free up and play golf today.

My wife has played a huge role in helping me improve my game. She’s added a comfort level and confidence. She picked me up when I dip my head. All in all, my game is getting more consistent. If I can always head in this direction, I’ll be in a good position every week. I feel like I’m able to play well on different courses.

Chapchai Nirat (Tha) – Second Round 66 (-5), Total 136 (-8)

The round was very good for me. I missed the cut last week and the week before. Before heading here, I went home and worked on my swing. I’ve also spoken with a sports psychologist.

I was hitting everywhere and my confidence was low. Now, I have learned to focus on the task at hand, which is to hit the ball and it has helped in the scoring. I wasn’t even thinking about my scores today. Quite simply, I hit the ball. With this mindset, my drives got more accurate and I’m putting better.

Here, you have to hit the fairways. If not, you’ll have little chances for birdie. So that’s my strategy this week.

Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind) – Second Round 67 (-5), Total 136 (-8)

I played well today. To be honest, the only happy part about my round is the fact that I was bogey-free. I didn’t make any mistake. I could have gone low today. I missed a lot of birdie opportunities, but there are still 36 holes to go. There is plenty of golf to be played.

I was giving myself a lot of approach opportunities from the fairway and from those fairways, I was hitting it pretty close. I hit it within 10 feet on my first four holes, but I didn’t make those putts. I only birdied on the fifth hole. It’s OK. That’s golf.

The greens are tricky and quick. It’s not an excuse, with my experience I should have putter better today. I’ll be spending some time on the putting green and work on my speed.

I’m just going to try what I’ve been doing the last two days. The goal is to hit fairways, and from the fairways to the greens. And of course, to hole the putts.

Scores after round 2 of the Bank BRI Indonesia Open 2018 being played at the par 72, 7243 Yards Pondok Indah GC course (am – denotes amateur):

133 – Justin HARDING (RSA) 67-66, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 68-65.

134 – Matthew MILLAR (AUS) 66-68.

135 – Scott VINCENT (ZIM) 69-66, Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 70-65, Khalin JOSHI (IND) 67-68, Udayan MANE (IND) 67-68.

136 – Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 69-67, Sihwan KIM (USA) 69-67, Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 69-67.

137 – LIU Yanwei (CHN) 68-69, Angelo QUE (PHI) 69-68.

138 – Dodge KEMMER (USA) 67-71, Berry HENSON (USA) 69-69, Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 69-69, Johannes VEERMAN (USA) 66-72.

139 – Kevin LEE (KOR) 68-71, Ben CAMPBELL (NZL) 70-69, Maverick ANTCLIFF (AUS) 68-71, Gareth PADDISON (NZL) 70-69, Simon YATES (SCO) 68-71.

140 – Jack HARRISON (ENG) 72-68, Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 72-68, Javi COLOMO (ESP) 69-71, LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 72-68, Jbe KRUGER (RSA) 68-72, Travis SMYTH (AUS) 70-70, Doyeob MUN (KOR) 69-71, Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) 67-73, Masaru TAKAHASHI (JPN) 68-72, Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 72-68.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Jakarta, Indonesia, July 13: Justin Harding of South Africa shot a six-under-par 66 to grab the clubhouse lead at the ongoing US$500,000 Bank BRI Indonesia Open on Friday

The 32-year-old Harding, who is playing in the tournament via an invite from the organisers, was bogey-free as he carded six birdies for a 11-under-par 133 total at the Pondok Indah Golf Course.

Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand carded a 67, the lowest score from the morning session. He is just two shots behind Harding. Rattanon, as well as Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent (66) and India’s Khalin Joshi (68) will progress to Saturday on 135.

Chapchai Nirat of Thailand

Four-time Asian Tour champion Chapchai Nirat has bounced back from two-consecutive missed cuts on the Asian Tour by carding 69 and 67 in the first and second round respectively. He is well above the cut line on a 136 total, along with Sihwan Kim of United States.

The top-65 golfers and ties will progress to the third round of the Bank BRI Indonesia Open.

Jakarta, Indonesia, July 12: Johannes Veerman of the United States returned to familiar grounds as he carded a six-under-par 66 to share the first-round lead at the US$500,000 Bank BRI Indonesia Open on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Veerman, who started his round on the 10th tee box, swung into high gear after shooting three consecutive birdies from holes 16 to 18. The only blemish on his scorecard was a bogey on the par-three fifth hole of the Pondok Indah Golf Course.

Veerman credited his excellent round to his intimate knowledge of the golf course as well as the calming effect that his wife, who is caddying for him this week, has on him. Australia’s Matthew Millar, who sunk four consecutive birdies from holes four to seven, is also in tied-first.

Paul Peterson of the United States maintained his good form at the Indonesia Open as he signed for a 67 to finish one shot behind the leaders. He ended the day in tied-third with compatriots Kurt Kitayama and Dodge Kemmer, Indians Udayan Mane and Khalin Joshi, and South Africa’s Justin Harding.

2018 Asian Tour Qualifying School winner Seungtaek Lee sits in tied-ninth along with nine other golfers. The list includes Liu Yanwei of China, Natipong Srithong of Thailand and Jbe Kruger of South Africa.

Defending champion Panuphol Pittayarat carded a 70 to finish in tied-32nd.

The Indonesia Open received a title sponsorship from Bank BRI last week and has its prize money increased from US$300,000 in 2017 to US$500,000 this year. The co-sponsors for the Bank BRI Indonesia Open are PLN, PERTAMINA, TELKOM Indonesia, Batik Air, WIKA, BRILife, BRIAgro, BRISyariah and BRINS.

Paul Peterson 

Did you know?

• Johannes Veerman was close to winning his maiden Asian Tour title at the 2016 Indonesia Open. He finished tied-second and three shots behind the eventual champion, Gaganjeet Bhullar.
• Veerman only missed one green in regulation in the first round.
• He finished in the top-10 twice at his previous two starts on the Asian Tour. He was tied-10th at the Queen’s Cup and tied-seventh at the Sarawak Championship last week.
• Matthew Millar missed only one fairway the entire round.
• He is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour of Australasia.
• Millar qualified for The Open in 2011 and finished in tied-63rd.
• Paul Peterson made a career breakthrough this year by winning his maiden Asian Tour title at the LeoPalace21 Myanmar Open.
• The American topped the stroke average category on the Asian Tour in 2017. Last year, he posted a stroke average of 69.48.
• Peterson has never finished beyond tied-23rd in the six tournaments he has made the cut this year.
• Seungtaek Lee won the 2018 Asian Tour Qualifying School by one shot and with that, earned a Tour card for the 2018 season.
• His best finish on the Asian Tour this year is tied-12th at the Kolon Korea Open.
• Jbe Kruger has played on the Asian Tour since 2009. He has one victory (2012 Avantha Masters) and 24 top-10 finishes.
• He had a very commendable 2017 season. Kruger posted three top-10 finishes last year, including second place at the SMBC Singapore Open that earned a spot in The Open.

Players’ quotes:

Johannes Veerman (Usa) – First round 66 (-6)

It was a morning round, so the conditions were perfect and the wind was not blowing. My goal for the day was to be patient because with the way the course conditions were, everyone is going to make birdies. So, you’ll have to stay patient. The greens are fast, so you don’t want to get too aggressive and be in the rough for your second shot.

I birdied 16, 17 and 18 and all of a sudden, I made the turn at four-under-par. When it looked like I’m going to shoot one or two-under-par, I shot a four, so I thought, whoa, let’s stay patient and see where this will lead us.

I played a lot of good golf here (at Pondok Indah Golf Course). I told myself to remember the good shots that I’ve hit as well as the good vibes from playing on the course.

Having my wife on my bag really helps me in my game. She’s a professional athlete as well and she helps me stay competitive on the golf. Mentally, she reminds me not to get too frustrated or too negative and be focused.

Matthew Millar (Aus) – First round 66 (-6)

I started on the 10th, where I hit a poor second shot. I came up short in the bunker and ended up with a bogey start. I birdied the next hole but bogeyed the par-five 14th. I hit a good one on 17th and sunk a birdie there.

I felt that I was doing OK at that stage, then I made the turn and hit it to two feet on the first, six feet on the second, 10 feet on the fourth, 15 feet on the fifth, about seven on the sixth and about eight feet on the seventh. After I made that one, I thought, wow, I could be in the 20s on this side. It was a really nice nine holes of golf. I’m very happy with my score.

I was on the fairways the whole day, so that gave me chances to hit good shots. All in all, it was a combination effort; my driving, and everything was decent.

Paul Peterson (Usa) – First round 67 (-5)

My game felt solid. I have been feeling good coming off last week, when I played 72 holes but couldn’t just get over the line. I felt like I had a good day off on Monday and I really like this course. It’s in great shape and it sets up well for me. The number of fairways and greens I hit is going to be really critical this week. I’ve been able to roll in a few putts and that felt pretty good as well.

I had one bad yardage on 14, where I hit one over the water and beyond the green but I felt that based on the number I had and the club I should be hitting for that, it shouldn’t have gone as far as it did. Apart from that, I felt that I had a flawless round.

I’m in the right place mentally. I’m not too thrown off by my bad holes and I am able to focus on my next shot, which is always good. This is one of the most important things when it comes to playing good golf. I feel that I’m in the present at the moment. Hitting shots and not get worried about what might happen or what has already happened.

I learned from the experience last week; being in the lead and knowing every single shot count. Hopefully, I can take some of those lessons into this week. I played 21-under-par over four rounds, probably the lowest in my professional career, so you can’t be too upset with that.

Udayan Mane (Ind) – First round 67 (-5)

The great thing about today was that I was bogey-free. That was a big thing for me. Not only that, I drove really well. I hit about 10 fairways and if I didn’t hit the fairway, my ball was in the first cut. Hitting approach shots and predicting what the greens would do became a lot simpler. I hit some really good putts that caught the lip and didn’t go in, but I’ll take an opening five-under-par any time.

This is my second time playing on this course. I played well last year but I hope to better my result this year. I’m still new on the Asian Tour. A lot of bad scores were from the fact that I am intimidated by the field and I wasn’t sure about myself. Whereas back in India on the PGTI, I won six times over three years. I have to carry that mindset into these tournaments. It’s a gradual process and it is going to get better.

Khalin Joshi (Ind) – First round 67 (-5)

Finally, things are working out for me. I’m getting used to the speed today. After last week, I had to adjust because the greens are faster here. I left a few putts on the line and on the hole. Overall, I’m pretty happy with my game. I holed some good putts and had a par save. I made bogey on five, where I hit a poor shot. But, five-under-par to start is pretty good.

The wind picked up in the afternoon, during my back nine at least. It’s not as calm as the morning. You’re always in between clubs because of the wind. The key is to hit the fairways. The lines on the greens are hard to read as well. I’m going to work on hitting the ball better off the tee.  

The pitch marks on the greens can affect the scoring as well. On some holes, there were five pitch marks on my line. The greens also got firmer towards the end of the round. You have to cater for three to five yards for the roll. The key is still to keep the ball on the fairways.

Jbe Kruger (Rsa) – First round 68 (-4)

I started well but, in the end, I lost it a little bit at the end there. I would say I’m playing about 50 to 60 per cent compared to what I should be performing at. It is 100 per cent better than last week, but still below average on my part.

I hit about 80 per cent of the fairways. At the second hole where I missed the fairway, I hit the ball 30m using a full swing, so that was how bad the rough was today. You need to hit the fairways on this golf course.

My whole front nine stood out for me. I hit many good shots which I haven’t been able to hit recently. I’m slowly rediscovery my game.

Seungtaek Lee (Kor) – First round 68 (-4)

My ball striking was very good today and I managed to read the greens quite accurately today. I used a three-wood the entire round as it is very important to keep the ball on the fairway on this golf course. In Korea, the courses have a lot of OBs (out-of-bounds), but not so much here. So with that, I drove the ball with a lot more confidence.

Natipong Srithong (Tha) – First round 68 (-4)

The greens are really fast this week. I three-putted once today, which led to the only bogey of my round. The key to a good score this week is definitely putting and good wedge play. It has been pretty smooth for me today, as I hit the ball onto fairways and greens.

Liu Yanwei (Chn) – First round 68 (-4)

I played solidly all around. The greens here are fantastic. I drove it pretty well today. The rough has grown longer so it’s important to keep it on the fairways so that you can control the spin. I was in the rough three or four times in the round, but my lies are pretty decent. I hit it one close at hole three, where I birdied. The rest are putts around 10 feet. The putts are rolling fantastically on the greens and it was good that I was able to sink a few of them.

Scores after round 1 of the Bank BRI Indonesia Open 2018 being played at the par 72, 7243 Yards Pondok Indah GC course (am – denotes amateur):
66 – Johannes VEERMAN (USA), Matthew MILLAR (AUS).
67 – Udayan MANE (IND), PaulPETERSON (USA), Kurt KITAYAMA (USA), Dodge KEMMER (USA), Khalin JOSHI (IND), Justin HARDING (RSA).
68 – LIU Yanwei (CHN), Natipong SRITHONG (THA), Seungtaek LEE (KOR), Jbe KRUGER (RSA), SimonYATES (SCO), Masaru TAKAHASHI (JPN), Kevin LEE (KOR), Pasavee LERTVILAI (THA), Maverick ANTCLIFF (AUS).
69 – Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND), Poom SAKSANSIN (THA), Doyeob MUN (KOR), Daniel FOX (AUS), Angelo QUE (PHI), HUNG Chien-yao (TPE), Pannakorn UTHAIPAS (THA), Chapchai NIRAT (THA), Scott VINCENT (ZIM), Javi COLOMO (ESP), Berry HENSON (USA), Sihwan KIM (USA), Casey O’TOOLE (USA), Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND).
70 – Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA), Travis SMYTH (AUS), Shiv KAPUR (IND), Panuphol PITTAYARAT (THA), Jake MCLEOD (AUS), Michael TRAN (VNM), Jake HIGGINBOTTOM (AUS), Miguel CARBALLO (ARG), Jarryd FELTON (AUS), Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA), BenCAMPBELL (NZL), Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA), Gareth PADDISON (NZL).
71 -Heungchol JOO (KOR), Chiragh KUMAR (IND), Ben LEONG (MAS), WANG Wei-lun (TPE), John CATLIN (USA), Marcus BOTH (AUS), Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND), Andrew MARTIN (AUS), Arnond VONGVANIJ (THA), Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN), CHAN Shih-chang (TPE), Nicholas FUNG (MAS), Kevin C. AKBAR (am, INA), Lyle ROWE (RSA), Honey BAISOYA (IND).
72 – Steven JEFFRESS (AUS), JordanIRAWAN (INA), Anura ROHANA (SRI), Mark BROWN (NZL), Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA), HARDJITO  (INA), Kieran MUIR (NZL), Rizky SUBAKTI (am, INA), Michael LONG (NZL), Jack HARRISON (ENG), Prom MEESAWAT (THA), LIN Wen-tang (TPE), LU Wei-chih (TPE), Jonathan WIJONO (am, INA).

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Sentosa, Singapore, July 12: Thai rising star Danthai Boonma is proud to represent his country when he makes his Major debut at The 147th Open at Carnoustie next week.

The 22-year-old Danthai earned a spot in golf’s oldest Major championship after finishing tied-fourth at the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open in January, which was part of The Open Qualifying Series.

He will be flying the Thailand flag alongside Jazz Janewattananond and Kiradech Aphibarnrat in the year’s third Major at the Carnoustie Golf Links from July 19 to 22.

Danthai, who won his first Asian Tour title in 2015, is delighted to be part of the elite field. He is among the eight Asian Tour debutants playing at The Open.

“Ever since I started playing golf, I have seen Thai players representing our country at The Open every year. Whenever I see the Thailand flag flying at the event on television, I will hope that I can also represent my country at The Open one day. I feel proud to be able to fulfill that dream this year.

“Playing in a Major championship is the dream of many players, including myself. The experience will help a lot in my game. It’s a great opportunity as I get to play alongside the top golfers in the world. There are a lot of things for me to learn so I am very excited about that,” said Danthai, a double gold medalist at the 2012 South East Asia (SEA) Games.

He missed out on his second Asian Tour victory at the Sarawak Championship last week but Danthai was pleased to secure back-to-back top-10 results before playing at The Open.

“Winning in 2015 has given me a lot of confidence. My mental game has improved a lot. I can manage my expectations better and have fun on the golf course at the same time now. I tend to play better when I don’t put so much pressure on myself.

“I heard a few things about the course from Prom Meesawat, who has played there before in 2016. He told me that the bunkers and the winds will make it really tough so I have been practising hard, working on shots which might be helpful on a links course. No matter what happens, it will be a good experience for sure," added the cheerful Thai.

Danthai, who turned professional in 2014, will also have his family for support at Carnoustie next week.

“I will arrive in Edinburgh on Saturday and my parents will fly over the next day. I’m happy my parents can watch me play in my first ever Major championship. They will be proud of me,” said the young Thai.

Malaysia’s Gavin Green, who sealed his place at The Open by winning the prestigious Merit title last season, will spearhead the Asian Tour charge alongside two-time winner Shubhankar Sharma of India, who leads the current Habitat for Humanity Standings.

2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Anirban Lahiri of India will also feature in The 147th Open at Carnoustie alongside England’s Matt Wallace, Korea’s Sanghyun Park and Minchel Choi, South African Shaun Norris as well as Japan’s Yuta Ikeda, Masahiro Kawamura, Kodai Ichihara, Masanori Kobayashi and Hideto Tanihara, all members of the Asian Tour.

Ends.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Jakarta, Indonesia, July 12: Johannes Veerman of the United States and Matthew Millar of Australia shot six-under-par 66 to give themselves a brilliant start at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open on Thursday.

Veerman, whose wife is on the bag this week, used his course knowledge to great effect as he made seven birdies against a lone bogey. Millar, who started from the 10th hole, had a resplendent back nine as he sunk six birdies, including four consecutive ones from holes four to seven.

Udayan Mane of India

India’s Udayan Mane, as well as Americans Paul Peterson and Kurt Kitayama, are one shot behind the leaders in tied-third.

Six players, including Liu Yanwei of China, 2018 Asian Tour Qualifying School winner Seungtaek Lee and South Africa’s Jbe Kruger shot matching 68s to share sixth place at the ongoing tournament.

Defending champion Panuphol Pittayarat is in tied-19th place on 70.

Jakarta, Indonesia, July 11: John Catlin of the United States, who is arguably the most in-form player at the moment, will be gunning for this third victory on the Asian Tour this year at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open which tees off tomorrow.

The 27-year-old is the winner of the Asia-Pacific Classic in May and the Sarawak Championship last week. He is taking his recent success in his stride and he will be adopting a neutral mindset, which has worked very well for him so far, going into the US$500,000 event at the Pondok Indah Golf Course from July 12 to 15.

At world number 150, Catlin will be entering the Bank BRI Indonesia Open as the highest-ranked player on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) list. He will be up against an elite field that features six other players in the top-200.

Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand

Defending champion Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand has grown immensely as a golfer following his win in Indonesia last year. He has learned to be calmer as well as more patient on the golf course, which has rewarded him with a second victory on Tour in June 2018.

The experienced George Gandranata will be leading the local charge. He participated in his first Indonesia Open in 2013 and the following year, the 32-year-old finished tied-15th, his best result at his National Open so far. Other notable Indonesians in the field include Danny Masrin and Rory Hie and Benita Kasiadi, whose father Kasiadi remains the only local golfer to win the Indonesia Open.

The Indonesia Open, which hails as the longest running golf tournament in the country, received a prize boost of US$200,000 for the 2018 edition. The co-sponsors for the Bank BRI Indonesia Open are PLN, PERTAMINA, TELKOM Indonesia, Batik Air, WIKA, BRILife, BRIAgro, BRISyariah and BRINS.

Did you know?

• John Catlin secured two Asian Tour titles over the last two months. He won his maiden Tour title at the Asia-Pacific Classic in May this year, and last week, he was victorious at the Sarawak Championship.
• Including his two victories, Catlin has finished in the top-10 five times in his last seven starts on the Asian Tour.
• Catlin earned his first Asian Tour card via the 2015 Qualifying School.
• Last year, he finished third on the 2017 Asian Tour Development (ADT) Order of Merit.  Catlin is also a two-time ADT champion.
• He currently sits in 10th place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.
• Panuphol Pittayarat won the Thailand Open last month and broke into the top-200 of the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) list for the first time in his career. He is currently ranked 198th.
• Panuphol, also known as ‘Coconut’, won his maiden Asian Tour title at last year’s Indonesia Open. He secured a dominant five-shot victory.
• 2018 marked the eighth season on the Asian Tour for Panuphol. Before his win in Thailand, he came closest to securing his maiden Tour title at the 2011 World Selangor Masters, where he finished in second place.
• George Gandranata won the 2016 PGM LADA Langkawi Championship, a tournament on the ADT.
• His best result on the Indonesia Open was in 2014 when he finished in tied-15th.
• Gandranata is a prolific winner on the Indonesia Golf Tour. He won his fifth title on the local circuit in February this year.

Players’ Quotes:

John Catlin (Usa)

I’m feeling OK (despite playing in the last three consecutive weeks). I’ve got some practice in, hitting it well and putting it well. Just another week in the office, I guess. I got to do what I love. So, it’s pretty good.

On my two victories on Tour, it’s an accumulation of all the efforts on all parts of my game. I’m always trying to be better. I’m also being honest with myself, asking questions like, “is this good enough to compete?”, “is this good enough to win?”. If it wasn’t, I’d hit more shots until it is good enough. Knowing that you are not good enough is a difficult reality to face. So, I have to keep pushing myself because I’m not there yet.

Winning the Sarawak Championship last week is not going to put pressure on me. The Indonesia Open just another tournament week. There will always be people watching, but I appreciate that. That’s what makes tournaments possible. Nothing is going to change.

This is a great golf course and it is a lot better compared to 2016. The rough is definitely a challenge and the greens are really fast. I’m just going to keep plodding on. One shot at a time. Nothing is going to change.

Panuphol Pittayarat (Tha)

It (his win at the Indonesia Open last year) was my first time winning on the Asian Tour. It was a real breakthrough for me. What every golfer work for is to win. The victory obviously taught me how it is like to win and hopefully, I will go on to win the second, third, fourth title and so on. Golf is a great teacher; it even teaches you lessons about life.

For one, it taught me to be patient on the golf course. You have to wait for the right opportunity to come and grab it. I adopted that mindset at my National Open and was rewarded with another win on the Asian Tour.

I always like the look, the layout and the entire set up of the golf course here. It feels like home – the grass, the weather, the greens. I feel very comfortable here. It is very important to keep the ball on the fairway so that you can attack the pin. You need a good all-round game in order to get a good score.

I don’t really feel the pressure as the defending champion. It is another tournament where I come and try to win. No pressure, I’m just going to go out there and play my game.

George Gandranata (Ina)

The local golf fans will be keeping an eye on us, but really, there’s no pressure. I’m taking it like any other tournament. Whether you win or lose, it’s still golf. Good players can play anywhere in the world. This is the same field I saw last week or even three years ago. Although, it has gotten stronger. I have to take this opportunity to learn from the best. We keep learning from mistakes and from others. In golf, there’s always something to improve your game.

The golf course is great. The rough is taller; the greens are faster. It’s the best condition that it has been. Hopefully, we’ll have an enjoyable week.

I remember hearing the name of past heroes like Kasiadi, who won the Indonesia Open in 1989, which is very impressive. My best memory of the tournament was from the 2014 edition. I enjoyed the company of my flight mates, and perhaps because of that, I played very well. That was my best year so far. Hopefully, I can replicate or better my result (tied-15th) this week.

Shiv Kapur (Ind)

This is my first tournament after recovering from my foot injury. I’m glad to return and play on a fantastic golf course. I’ve played many times in Indonesia but this is the first time I’m playing on this golf course. After playing on it, I feel that you need to be accurate off the tee. The greens are undulating and they have subtle slopes. You will have to be firing on all cylinders. It’ll be an overall test of golf. You are going to see the cream rise to the top.

The first thing after injury is to get back into a ‘tournament’ mode. But having said that, I won’t enter a tournament unless I have a chance to win. I took some time off because I feel that I wasn’t in a position to play and win. Now I’ve come back, I’m confident and I feel that I have a chance to do so. My goal number one this week is to get four rounds under my belt and get into a competitive state of mind. There’s no doubt in my mind that I can win if I play well.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Sentosa, Singapore, July 10: The Asian Tour has announced details for its 2019 Qualifying School, which will be held in Thailand in November and December this year.

The Qualifying School comprises of two stages – the First Qualifying Stage and the Final Qualifying Stage. The Windsor Park & Golf Club continues to host the event, while the Lake View Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin will return as a host venue for the first time in two years.

The First Qualifying Stage will be played over two different weeks. Players have the option of entering the First Qualifying Stage on the week commencing November 26, or the week commencing December 17. The top-placed players from the First Qualifying Stage will progress to the Final Qualifying Stage.

The Final Qualifying Stage will be held at the Lake View Resort & Golf Club from December 26 to 30. The event will be played over five rounds. The top 70 players (and ties) will play in the pivotal final round, which will be held on December 30. At the conclusion of the Qualifying School, the top-35 players (and ties) will earn their Tour cards for the 2019 season.

Aspiring Qualifying School applicants can either email to [email protected] to receive an entry form or download it from  www.wp-asiantour.ocs-sport.com/qschool.

The Asian Tour Qualifying School has been the springboard to success for many graduates not only on the Asian Tour but internationally too.

The illustrious alumni include Thongchai Jaidee and Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, Korea’s Noh Seung-yul, United States’ David Lipsky and Australian Scott Hend, who are all Asian Tour Order of Merit champions.

More recently, Australian Todd Sinnott won his maiden Asian Tour title in Myanmar two weeks after finishing second at the 2017 Qualifying School. American John Catlin, who earned his first Tour card via the 2015 Qualifying School, achieved a career breakthrough by capturing the Asia-Pacific Classic title in May and continued his winning run by capturing the Sarawak Championship last week.

Other Qualifying School graduates who have gone on to become champions include recently-crowned Panasonic Swing champion Shiv Kapur, two-time Asian Tour winner, rising global star Shubhankar Sharma as well as 2017 Asian Tour Rookie of the Year Micah Lauren Shin of the United States.

Graduates from the 2018 Qualifying School have benefited from the numerous playing opportunities on the Asian Tour this year, as more than 32 events have been planned on the growing schedule, including 15 full-field tournaments.

In addition, players who played in the Qualifying School are eligible to compete on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) which is the feeder circuit to the main Tour. The ADT, which offers Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) point, will sanction more than 22 events in 2018 with the leading seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit earning their Asian Tour card.

Asian Tour Chief Operating Officer, Cho Minn Thant said: “With the Asian Tour growing from strength to strength, we are expecting an enthusiastic response from international and regional golfers for the 2019 Qualifying School.”

“Evident from the success of its graduates, the Qualifying School has provided the ultimate platform for golfers to become champions both on the Asian Tour and the international stage. We look forward to welcoming more talented golfers to the Tour at our Qualifying School this December.”

Ends.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Jakarta, Indonesia, July 10:  In-form Gaganjeet Bhullar of India will aim to lift the Bank BRI Indonesia Open trophy for an unprecedented third time when he tees off for the US$500,000 event on Thursday.

Bhullar, who won the prestigious tournament twice in 2013 and 2016, is looking to bank on his recent run of good form to contend for the title at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open, which will be held for the third consecutive year at the Pondok Indah Golf Course this week

The 30-year-old Bhullar has enjoyed a hot streak of late, finishing second twice in his last six starts on Tour this season. Having claimed three of his eight Asian Tour titles in Indonesia, Bhullar is hopeful of putting up another title run on his favourite hunting ground.

Sihwan Kim of the United States

Compatriot Chikkarangappa S., who marked his best result so far this season with a tied-11th place finish in Malaysia last week, will continue his chase for a breakthrough win on the Asian Tour when he makes his second appearance at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open. Sihwan Kim of the United States, the highest-ranked player in the 150-man field, will also continue to hunt for his maiden victory on the Asian Tour.

The 29-year-old American sits in seventh place on the latest Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, thanks to three top-five results in India, Japan and Thailand.

The Indonesia Open, which hails as the longest running golf tournament in the country, received a prize boost of US$200,000 for the 2018 edition. The co-sponsors for Bank BRI Indonesia Open are PLN, PERTAMINA, TELKOM Indonesia, Batik Air, WIKA, BRILife, BRIAgro, BRISyariah and BRINS.

Did You Know?

• Gaganjeet Bhullar became the youngest player, at the age of 29, to win eight Asian Tour titles when he emerged victorious at the Macao Open last year
• He claimed his Asian Tour breakthrough at the 2009 Indonesia President Invitational. Out of his eight victories, three were claimed in Indonesia, including the Indonesia Open in 2013 and 2016.
• Chikkarangappa S. is a two-time Asian Development Tour (ADT) champion.
• Placed 68th on the money list, Chikkarangappa needs a good showing to break into top-60 and secure his playing rights for the 2019 season.
• Sihwan Kim is the highest-ranked player on the Habitat for Humanity Standings at the Bank BRI Indonesia Open. He sits in seventh place with earnings of US$251,374 this year.
• Kim finished in the top-10 three times this season. He was third at the Hero Indian Open, tied-fourth at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship and tied-third at the Queen’s Cup presented by Bangchak.
• He came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2017 and kept his card for the 2018 season by finishing within the top-61 of the Order of Merit list last year.

Players’ quotes:

Gaganjeet Bhullar (Ind)

The Pondok Indah Golf Course is one of my favourite venues and it has one of the best layouts on the Asian Tour. I clearly remember the win at the Indonesia Open back in 2016. It would be nice to win the tournament for the third time.

Indonesia is close to my heart. I’ve always been successful in the country as I’ve won here a total of three times. My first international win was in Indonesia back in 2009 and it seems that there’s something there in this country that attracts me.

Hopes are high this year. I’m playing well. I’m going to spend some time on the putting greens and read them properly today. Overall, I’m feeling comfortable playing golf.

In terms of my form, I’m striking the ball pretty well. I’m working on some technical parts of my swing and because of this, I’m delivering a lot of good results from the tee box and fairways to give myself a lot of good putts on the green. That was part of the plan, which is to hit the ball closer to the hole and hole lots of putts. I’m always trying to get better so that I can compete with these guys on Tour! It’s all in the process and I’m working hard. I’ve adapted to some changes but there’s more to do. I’m happy with my ball striking at the moment and the goal is to repeat what I’ve been doing.

This is definitely one of the best layouts on Tour. This course makes you think off the tee. Not every hole is ‘driveable’ and you have to use almost every club in your bag. Depending on how you play at that moment, you have to capitalise the opportunity.

Chikkarangappa S. (Ind)

I’ve played at the Pondok Indah Golf Course in 2016. It’s a very beautiful course. You need to have all the shots there. It’s not easy, but I’m looking forward to it.

I played well then, but I couldn’t compete in the Indonesia Open last year because of the hectic schedule and I needed to take a break. I’m glad to be here this year; even more so now that the prize purse has increased to US$500,000. Besides, it’s always good to play on a golf course where you get rewarded for good golf shots.

It’s a great event to start the second half of the year. I’m getting better every week. Now, you can see me playing with a smile on my face, as I convert those even-pars to under-pars. I’ve always done well in Indonesia. I retained my Asian Tour card for 2018 at the season-ender that was held in this country.

Sihwan Kim (Usa)

I’m feeling good about this tournament. I’ve been playing pretty well lately, although I need a little more work on my putting. I just need to sort that out and play with the confidence that I’ve been playing with. That will lead to a victory at some point in time I’m sure.

I consider myself a good putter, but not so much over the last month and a half. I’m hitting the ball very well, but I’m just not producing on the greens. I have to read the lines and control the speed better, and I’ll need to adapt to the conditions that differ at almost every Asian Tour event. I will have to make some putts and get my confidence back.

It’s my first time playing here at the Pondok Indah Golf Course. Hopefully, it’ll fit my eyes.

My season has gone pretty well so far and now that I’m in my second year, I’ve settled quite well on the Asian Tour. Beyond a victory on Tour which is my main goal, I hope to get a spot at the WGC-HSBC Champions as well the CIMB Classic. Being in the top-10 of the money list (Habitat for Humanity Standings) is great, but of course, everything can be better.

About Asian Tour

As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), Panasonic (Official Consumer Electronics), Habitat for Humanity (Official Sustainable Development Partner), ECCO (Official Footwear Sponsor), Titleist and FootJoy (Official Web Partner), Bloomberg TV (Official International Media Partner), Bloomberg Businessweek Chinese (Official International Media Partner), Wall Street Journal (Official International Media Partner) and Sentosa in Singapore which is the Home of the Asian Tour which also has an office in Kuala Lumpur.

Fiji, July 9: Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent will add to the strong international flavor when the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways gets underway at the Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course next month. 

Vincent is the only Zimbabwean player on the Asian Tour and with the Fiji International being tri-sanctioned with the Asian Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and European Tour again, the 26-year-old cannot wait to tee off against the breathtaking views of the Coral Coast.

“I’ve very good memories of Fiji and I absolutely love the place. You just feel a lot more relaxed when you go to a beautiful spot and that helps with your golf game. It’s like a vacation spot and a nice place to take the wife,” said Vincent, who will have his wife Kelsey on his bag in Fiji.

Vincent finished tied-ninth at the Fiji International last year and is hopeful of a better result this time around.

“I was able to put together some good rounds last year. Hopefully I can go and do the same again next month. I’ve been very consistent with my game. I’m trying to tighten up on a few things with my game and it’s starting to show a little bit now. It has given me the opportunity to be in position and have a chance on Sunday,” said Vincent.

 Vincent signalled his arrival in Asia when he came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2016.

He was named the Rookie of the Year after ending his 2016 season in 28th position. The Zimbabwean finished 17th on the money list in 2017 to retain his card for 2018.

“The Asian Tour has played a huge role in my career and in the years to come, this is the Tour I would call home because this is where I started and has taken me places. I wouldn’t want to lose my Asian Tour card for anything,” said Vincent.

While Vincent has yet to secure his breakthrough, he has enjoyed five top-10s since the start of the year.

“It has been frustrating not being able to get over the finishing line so far. But I’m more excited about where my game’s heading. Obviously you would like to have that win taken care of. But as long as the game is moving in the right direction, I think I’m okay,” said Vincent.

The Fiji International will be headlined by former World Number one and one of Fiji’s greatest sportsmen Vijay Singh as well as four-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa.

About the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways

To be held from 2-5 August 2018 the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways will be played at Natadola Bay Championship Golf Course which boasts breathtaking views of the Coral Coast and is home to the Natadola Beach Land Estate.

Enticed by the tropical destination, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways has attracted some of the world’s best golfers since its inaugural staging in 2014 including Fijian hero and three-time Major champion Vijay Singh, 2017 champion Jason Norris, 2016 champion Brandt Snedeker, 2015 champion Matt Kuchar, 2014 champion Steven Jeffress, Steven Bowditch, Boo Weekley and Nick Price. 

This year’s tournament is set to feature four-time Major champion and Captain of the International Team for the 2019 Presidents Cup, Ernie Els.

In 2018, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways continues to have a global presence confirming its position as an integral tournament in the South Pacific region, with the tournament being tri-sanctioned by the European Tour, ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia and Asian Tour.

A Pacific paradise, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways also boasts some of the most unique hospitality options in world golf with the par-3 8th hole providing the perfect vantage point to watch the golf, whilst socialising on the beach.

More than just a golf tournament, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways aims to leave a lasting legacy for golf in the Pacific region, with the PGA of Australia supporting initiatives to introduce and grow the game in Fiji.

Owned by SEL and the PGA of Australia, the Fiji International presented by Fiji Airways is proudly supported by the Fijian Government, Tourism Fiji and the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa as the official resort of the tournament.

Sentosa, Singapore, July 9: American John Catlin first set foot on the Asian Tour in 2015, armed only with copious amount of talent and a dream.

A dream to become the best golfer that he can be and win on the Asian Tour.

“It is crazy where life will take you. I remember landing in Bangkok and I don’t know where I’m going and I don’t even know where Hua Hin is but now I live there. It is pretty crazy,” said Catlin.

It was an arduous journey but a fulfilling one which would see Catlin win not once but twice on the Asian Tour this season.

The Sarawak Championship was the 27-year-old’s second Asian Tour victory in two months which catapulted him to 10th place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings.

“I always wanted to do great things ever since I was a little kid. Both my victories are equally awesome. You can’t really put one above the other,” said Catlin, who earned his maiden breakthrough at the Asia-Pacific Classic in China in May.

Life as an aspiring professional looking for his big break meant tightening the purse strings as he only made three cuts in eight starts on the Asian Tour in 2016 and had to switch his focus to the Asian Development Tour (ADT).

“I had to save a lot on the ADT because I didn’t have money to spend. We get like four of us with four golf bags in cab and would pack ourselves in the car just to save like five or 10 dollars.

“Sometimes four of us would be living in a room. It makes you work extra harder instead of going through that every week. You don’t want to stay there. That’s where you start and you want to work your way up from there. It has always spurred me on,” said Catlin.

Catlin found success on the ADT at the Combiphar Golf Invitational in Indonesia in November 2016. But having missed the grade at the 2017 Qualifying School, he would soldier on and eventually found his way back onto the main Tour with a second win and five other top-10s to finish third on the ADT money list.

The American’s sojourn on the Asian Tour has taken him to the length and breadth of the continent, each with a fascinating tale to tell.

“I’ve been to Dhaka, I never thought I would go and play four tournaments there. Going to India was pretty awesome and eye opening. I’ve also been to Pakistan, never did I think I would ever go to Pakistan but I had to for the ADT to finish inside the top-five on the Order of Merit and get my Asian Tour card,” said Catlin.

“In Pakistan I was a bit nervous. Coming out of the airport I was scared. I got through customs and everything fine. Then we saw 20 people and they were the nicest people we’ve ever met and I see this convoy with four or five armed vehicles.

“It was like the president is coming to town and we were in a bus and these vehicles escorted us to the hotel. That was pretty amazing, I’ve never been treated like that before in my life,” recalled Catlin, who is targeting another win at this week’s Bank BRI Indonesia Open.

India’s Shubhankar Sharma continues to take pole position on the Habitat for Humanity Standings with England’s Matt Wallace and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat occupying second and third place respectively.

Top-20 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings

Pos       Player   Order of Merit (US$)

1            Shubhankar SHARMA   (IND)                $589,575.00

2            Matt WALLACE   (ENG)                            $446,660.00

3            Kiradech APHIBARNRAT   (THA)           $360,737.14

4            Sanghyun PARK   (KOR)                           $295,660.39

5            Rahil GANGJEE   (IND)                             $290,425.53

6            Minchel CHOI   (KOR)                              $271,340.97

7            Sihwan KIM   (USA)                                  $251,373.77

8            Paul PETERSON   (USA)                           $241,148.57

9            Jazz JANEWATTANANOND   (THA)      $199,324.39

10          John CATLIN   (USA)                                 $183,191.66

11          Scott VINCENT   (ZIM)                             $176,289.85

12          Gaganjeet BHULLAR   (IND)                   $174,472.30

13          Berry HENSON   (USA)                             $155,033.66

14          Daniel NISBET   (AUS)                              $151,883.64

15          Panuphol PITTAYARAT   (THA)              $135,949.11

16          Khalin JOSHI   (IND)                                 $123,931.97

17          Hideto TANIHARA   (JPN)                       $123,306.08

18          Danthai BOONMA   (THA)                      $122,021.50

19          Prom MEESAWAT   (THA)                       $121,605.91

20          Shaun NORRIS   (RSA)                             $118,284.91