Ye holds clubhouse lead at SJM Macao Open on day two
Wocheng Ye fired a second-round four-under-par 66 to edge ahead of a packed leaderboard at the SJM Macao Open today at Macau Golf & Country Club.
The Chinese golfer has the clubhouse lead in the Asian Tour event on nine-under by a shot from compatriot and former college mate Bobby Bai (67), Australians Jack Thompson (68) and Brett Rankin (66), and Siddikur Rahman (66) from Bangladesh.
First-round leaders Gunn Charoenkul from Thailand and China’s Ding Wenyi are playing in the afternoon session.
Thirteen years ago Ye made headlines when at the age of 12 he became the youngest player to compete in the Volvo China Open.
Bobby Bai.
Birdies on the last three holes, as well as three on the trot from the sixth, saw him steal the spotlight today and take the lead in an Asian Tour event for the first time in his career.
“I made a double on a par-five, the 13th, so to make birdies on the last three was a great comeback,” said the 24-year-old, whose English name is Aden.
“It will be good momentum going into the next two rounds. I think all the clubs are working pretty well, and especially my putting, so hopefully I can keep going.”
Ye turned professional five years ago and has been playing on both the China and Canadian Tours, winning twice on the former in 2021.
He went to Eagles Dream Golf Academy in Orlando with Bai in the late 2010s.
Bai finished joint fourth in a Challenge Tour event in China last week and moved up the leaderboard this morning with four birdies in a row from the third.
Siddikur Rahman.
“I got my iron shots back,” he said. “My ball striking is pretty good this week and last week as well. Tee shots are getting much better from last month, and this week my putting is going pretty well.”
Veteran Rahman, aged 40 and a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, was equally as delighted with his round – on a short course that suits his accurate play.
He said: “Overall it was a great round, especially I give credit to my short game. I’m doing great, especially with my putting, and my shots are also quite okay, I’m not complaining. Overall, it was a very good first two days.
“This is a narrow course. Honestly, I like this course because it’s not that long. It’s just a placing golf course, so I just try to stay on the fairway and hit the greens. That’s what I’ve been doing.”
Thompson made his move, helped by working with an ‘in-form’ caddie, Adrian Verroca – who was on the bag for Australian Wade Ormsby when he claimed the Jakarta International Championship, two weeks ago.
Jack Thompson.
“Really good to have him here,” said Thompson. “Obviously, he’s a proven from two weeks ago. He just kept me pretty level. I think we’re pretty similar in personalities. We never get to up or down. So, yeah, just helping me out. And I’m, you know, doing really well, considering it’s just been a week that we’ve met. So, yeah, happy.”
Pictures by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul [main picture], helped by a touch of inspiration from PGA Tour star Tom Kim, and Ding Wenyi from China, made fine starts at the US$1million SJM Macao Open today – taking a share of the lead following first-round seven-under-par 63s.
They are in front by a shot from Germany’s Dominic Foos and Australian Jack Thompson, on 64s, here at Macau Golf & Country Club – in the 22nd staging of the Asian Tour event.
Korean Sungjae Im, Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, Indian Pukhraj Singh Gill, plus Ye Wocheng and Bobby Bai from China are a stroke further back following 65s.
Gunn’s round was impeccable: he was bogey-free, made an eagle, and recorded five birdies.
He finished second here last year, and after an indifferent season to date, he got the pick me up he needed by going on social media this morning.
“Very happy with today. Started the day by stumbling on a clip on Instagram from Tom Kim,” said the 33-year-old, who is looking for his first victory on the Asian Tour, having finished runner-up four times.
Ding Wenyi.
“I think it kind of summarised what he’s been doing the whole of this year. And, you know, practicing a lot does not mean the results are good. So that kind of unlocked something in me, I guess.
“I’ve been grinding really hard, harder than last year, you know, expecting better results, but it’s not coming. So, I let it all go today, relaxed and then had some lucky breaks out there. I think my mind was more free out there, so I think that’s why I played better golf.”
He is presently in 49th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. His best finish is joint 12th in the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in Korea in May.
Despite his performance today and runner-up finish 12 months ago, Macau Golf & Country Club has not always been his favourite venue
He added: “Prior to last year, I probably made two cuts, and none of them were above 50th place. I mean, I’m very fond of Macau, and I have some great friends out here, but maybe the course has been not very friendly to me. But since last year, I think probably something has changed, and I’ve come to like the course more and more. So, yeah, finished second last year. Hopefully I can do one better.”
Ding did well to perform at such a high level having flown in from the Spanish Open, managing only three hours sleep last night.
Dominic Foos.
“Honestly, it’s been physically demanding,” he said.
“I only slept three hours last night. I woke up at 4:50 this morning. I tried to sleep around 9 p.m. yesterday but couldn’t fall asleep until about 1 a.m.”
Like Gunn, he started on the back nine, and also made an eagle, as well as six birdies and one just one dropped shot.
The 20-year-old turned professional at the end of last year and has been playing on the DP World Tour. This week marks is first start of the season on the Asian Tour.
He said: “Great to be back here. I always play better in my home country. I didn’t do really well this year. The young generation over there are very strong and the courses are hard.
“I was a little bit off after I’ve been to Europe, but I will keep my card.”
He eagled the famous par-five 18th today, his ninth, after hitting a four-iron 240-yards to 20 feet. He also birdied his final hole, the par-fourth ninth, following a wedge to 25 feet.
Ding last played on the Asian Tour at the Indonesian Masters last year. He tied for 13th in one of his first events in the professional game.
Lee Westwood.
During an outstanding amateur career he won the China Amateur Open in 2019, 2020, and 2021, claimed the U.S. Junior Amateur the following year and won a hat-trick of the titles in 2024: the Asia-Pacific Amateur, Amer Ari Invitational, and Southern Amateur. He also tied for seventh as an amateur in the Volvo China Open in 2023.
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho came in with a 67, while defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan from Thailand returned a 68. China’s Haotong Li carded a 70.
England’s Lee Westwood, winner of this event back in 1999, has work to do.
The 52-year-old shot a 74 – two more than his 24-year-old son Samuel.
Pictures by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Since its inception in 1998, the SJM Macao Open has grown to become a hallmark championship on the Asian Tour and one of its longest running events.
Satoshi Oide was the first winner in 1998, with Lee Westwood (1999) and Colin Montgomerie (2003) two of the more notable past champions.
Rattanon Wannasrichan is the defending champion while Zhang Lianwei is the only player to successfully defend his title in 2002 after winning in 2001.
The SJM Macao Open is jointly organised by the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government, title sponsor SJM Resorts, S.A (SJM) and IMG. It is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Macau Golf Association.
Tournament Information
- Tournament: SJM Macao Open
- Date: 16th – 19th October 2025
- Venue: Macau Golf & Country Club, Macao, China
- Par/Yards: 70 / 6,713 yards
- Purse: US$1million (US$180,000)
- Asian Tour leg: 14th
- Edition of tournament: 22nd
- Previous winner: Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA)
- Previous winning score: 260 (-20)
- Total number of players: 144
- 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 #SJMMacaoOpen
Field Breakdown
- Order of Merit winners: John Catlin (2024), Sihwan Kim (2022), Liang Wenchong (2007)
- Nationalities: 29
- Top contenders: Sungjae Im (KOR), Lee Westwood (ENG), Haotong Li (CHN), Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA), Poom Saksansin (THA), Taichi Kho (HKG), Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA), Wang Wei-hsuan (TPE)
- Highest ranked player on OWGR: Sungjae Im (KOR) #35
- Highest ranked player on 2025 Asian Tour Order of Merit: Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) #6
- Number of amateurs: 8
- Number of Macau players in the field: 6
(L-R) – David Rollo, COO, Asian Tour, Daisy Ho Managing Director of SJM Resorts S.A., Mok Chi Hang, Acting President of MSB, Grant Slack, Executive Vice President & MD, IMG Golf, and Johnny Senna Fernandes, President, Macau Golf Association.
Tournament Notes
- Korean star Sungjae Im is making his debut in the SJM Macao Open and he is the highest ranked player on the OWGR in the field this week at number 35. The 27-year-old has won two tournaments on the PGA Tour, the 2021 Shriners Children’s Open and the 2020 Honda Classic, as well as two events on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2018. Im has four top 10s in Majors on his resume, three of them coming at the Masters Tournament where he was T2 in 2020, T5 in 2025 and T8 in 2022. He also was also T7 at the 2024 Open Championship. He has represented the International Team at the Presidents Cup in 2019, 2022 and 2024.
- Legendary English player Lee Westwood is no stranger to the Asian Tour where he has won eight tournaments, including the second edition of this one back in 1999. He has also won 25 titles on the DP World Tour, two on the PGA Tour and four on the Japan Tour. Westwood has amassed 19 top 10s in Majors during his career and has three runners-up as his highest finishes. He is second on the Career Money List on the DP World Tour with 38,825,014 Euros, behind only Rory McIlroy with 66,248,322 Euros, and topped the Race to Dubai Rankings in 2000, 2009 and 2020. Westwood reached number one in the world on the OWGR in late October of 2010 and held the top spot for 17 weeks. He would regain the position in 2011 after winning the Indonesian Masters in April of 2011. He represented Europe in the Ryder Cup 11 times between 1997 and 2021, which together with only Nick Faldo is one short of Phil Mickelson’s record 12 appearances. Currently plays for the Majestics GC on the LIV Golf League.
- China’s number one Haotong Li is having his best season since 2018 on the DP World Tour, that was the year he won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic by one shot over Rory McIlroy and finished ninth in the race to Dubai Rankings. Currently again in ninth place in the DP World Tour rankings after a win at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters and four other top-fives, including a T4 at this year’s Open Championship, he is at the moment in line for a promotion to the PGA Tour for 2026. During his career on the DP World Tour Li has won four titles and has two top results in The Open – a third in 2017 being his highest finish. OWGR #79.
- Recent Mercuries Taiwan Masters winner Rattanon Wannasrichan from Thailand is the highest ranked player on the Order of Merit this week at number six, after having won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters three weeks ago, finished T2 at the Yeangder TPC the previous week and T7 at the Mandiri Indonesia Open in late August. The three-time Asian Tour champion is the defending champion this week after having won the title last year by two shots over countryman Gunn Charoenkul.
- Fellow Thai Poom Saksansin has been playing very well lately with a T3, T7 and T15 in his last three events, the Jakarta International Championship, Mercuries Taiwan Masters and Yeangder TPC. Earlier in the season he finished runner-up to countryman Sadom Kaewkanjana in the Kolon Korea Open and T5 at the season opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open. The four-time Asian Tour winner was runner-up to Minwoo Lee in this tournament in 2023. Order of Merit (OoM) #10.
- Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho has posted six top-10 finishes this season, with a runner-up at the Mandiri Indonesia Open as his best result. He also finished T4 at the Shinhan Donghae Open and the Kolon Korea Open, T6 at the International Series Macau Presented by Wynn, T8 at the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport and T10 at the International Series Morocco. OOM #13.
- Four-time Asian Tour winner Suteepat Prateeptienchai from Thailand is entering this week with three straight top-10s, as well as a win at the Mandiri Indonesia Open in late August in his last five events. He is #11 on OOM .
- Wang Wei-hsuan from Chinese Taipei is very much in form this season, and recently finished third and T2 in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters and Yeangder TPC respectively in his home country. He has also had a great season on the local tour at home, racking up three wins and a runner-up to lead the TPGA Order of Merit. He is #9 on the OOM.
- China’s Zhang Lianwei is the only player in the field that has won the SJM Macau Open on more than one occasion, taking the title in back-to-back years in 2001 and the year after.
- Other previous champions in the field this week are Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert (2016) and David Gleeson from Australia (2008).
Pictures by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Lee Westwood is back at the SJM Macao Open – 26 years after he raised the trophy – and credits playing in the region regularly with helping him to become one of his country’s greatest players.
“Asia tested me,” said the Englishman today, two-days before the US$1million events tees-off at Macau Golf & Country Club.
“I needed to adapt – to the grass and heat. It made me improve quickly. It’s nice to be back. A lot has changed, I have changed, the city has changed.”
He is part of an elite line-up of marquee names competing that includes China’s Haotong Li, Sungjae Im from Korea, Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho and the defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan from Thailand.
He added: “I didn’t get a chance to defend my title after 1999, although played in 2001. My form is good; I am starting to play really well.
Lee Westwood.
“I have been putting in some low scores, shooting some mid-60 rounds. I am looking forward to the week.”
His performances of late, particularly on the LIV Golf League, suggest he may be a threat this week.
At LIV Golf Virginia, in June, he returned a stunning final round nine-under-par 62 to tie for 10th.
The following month in The Open at Royal Portrush he caught fire on the back nine shooting a six-under-par 29 to become only the second player to do so in the 153-year history of the game’s oldest Major. He eventually finished tied 34th, in an event he has finished in the top-five on five occasions, including second in 2010.
And at LIV Golf Indianapolis he closed with rounds of 65 and 66 over the weekend for a top-20 finish.
It is impressive for a player aged 52 and just the right preparation as he attempts to win his 10th event in Asia at the SJM Macao Open. His most recent win on the Tour was at the Indonesian Masters 10 years ago – an event he has won three times.
“I pride myself in the fact that in my career I have won in more countries than anybody else and Macau is a very special tournament to have won,” he said.
Lee Westwood.
“It was at the start of my career. I was amassing a lot of wins back then; in ‘98 and ‘99 and 2000 I won 20 tournaments. It was a very special time.”
He beat American Andrew Pitts, now part of the events team at the Asian Tour, in a sudden-death play-off to win in 1999. The total purse that year was US$200,000 and he picked up a cheque for US$32,300. This week the champion will win slightly more: US$180,000.
“The game of golf, certainly professional golf, has always been an adventure to me. I have got to play the best courses in the world, against the best players and I wanted to do it all over the world. I didn’t want to stick to one country. I wanted to play all around the world. I enjoy travelling, getting to know different cultures. I have embraced it,” he explained.
It will also be a family affair this week for the former world number as his wife Helen will be caddying for him, and his son Sam has received an invitation to play.
It will be a tournament within a tournament for the Westwoods, with Westwood senior up for a challenge, saying: “Dads dont like losing to sons.”
Pictures by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
In the various world-class casinos in glitzy Macao, a fluke turn of luck on the tables can make you a winner. Or you can play golf like ‘Fluke’ did in the SJM Macao Open! Story from the 2024 Asian Tour Yearbook.
There was no element of luck involved as Thailand’s Rattanon ‘Fluke’ Wannasrichan secured his second Asian Tour title with a dominant wire-to-wire win at the Macau Golf & Country Club.
The 29-year-old Thai [main picture] made a late bogey on the 17th hole on Sunday, but he had the luxury of a four-shot lead at that point. A four-under-par 66 helped him finish on 20-under, two ahead of compatriot Gunn Charoenkul (67) and four clear of third-placed Poosit Supupramai (64) – completing a clean sweep of the podium for Thailand.
After making three pars on the opening day, Rattanon stepped on the gas and never took his foot off. Four straight birdies from the 13th hole, followed by an eagle on the par-five 18th saw him make the turn at six-under. He added three more birdies on his back nine to post a round of 61 – the best card of the day by two shots and eventually the lowest round of the tournament. As ‘preferred lies’ where in play it could not feature among the Tour’s records.
Rattanon, whose previous win on the Asian Tour was the 2017 Thailand Open, shot rounds of 66 and 67 to move to 16-under par and one ahead of Gunn going into the final round.
Manuschaya Zee makron, girlfriend/caddie of Thailand and Rattanon Wannasrichan last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
On Sunday he quickly pulled ahead with four birdies on his front nine, while his playing partner could only muster a one-under par score in that stretch with two bogeys.
Meanwhile, Poosit was putting on some pressure with plenty of birdies but having started the day six shots behind the leader, it was going to take a spectacular collapse by Rattanon for him to get a chance of winning his maiden Asian Tour title. That never happened.
After a promising 2018, when he also finished third in the ISPS Handa Match Play in Japan, Rattanon endured a horrible 2019 when he missed 23 cuts despite playing 37 events.
When he collected his winning cheque of US$180,000 he said: “I’m so happy. I didn’t think I could win again, because I had a very tough year in 2019. I played really badly that year, but I told myself to not give up. That’s why I could improve my game and win again.”
The Thai star felt he was trending in the right direction when he finished fourth in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters the week before. Having his girlfriend Manuschaya Zeemakorn, a Thai LPGA Tour player, on the bag also clearly helped.
Gunn Charoenkul.
“She’s helped me a lot about life and golf. In life we stay together, we eat together, and we enjoy that life. That’s why it’s made it fun for me to play golf,” Rattanon added.
The first round was clearly key for the champion. And he wielded a hot putter through the week, averaging 25.75 putts to complete his rounds on the smallish greens of Macau Golf & Country Club.
Playing the tournament for the 10th time, Rattanon said of his opening round: “I was just hoping to shoot a couple under. Did not expect to go so low. But I do like this golf course. There are a lot of chances to shoot birdies.”
Gunn, who had been struggling with his game, with his previous top-10 coming way back in February 2023 at the 103rd New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport, showed a welcome return to form with rounds of 65, 64 and 66 in the first three days with just one bogey to show on his cards.
Despite rising to a career-best 126th in the Official World Golf Rankings, Gunn is yet to win on the elite level tours and the Macau event was another near miss. He now has four second place finishes on the Asian Tour.
The 32-year-old, who came to the tournament after missed cuts in Mercuries Taiwan Masters and Yeangder TPC, seemed happy with the result.
“With three par-fives on the back nine, I thought I might have a chance of catching Rattanon but it wasn’t to be. But this is great. It’s another second place and not a win. I am fine with it,” said Gunn.
“I found a lot more confidence this week especially after missing the cut the last two weeks. Just tried to keep things simple and I holed some great putts.”
Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena (63) celebrated his 30th birthday in style, making an eagle on the 72nd hole to catch up with the Order of Merit leader John Catlin (65) from the United States in tied fourth place at 15-under par total.
Poosit Supupramai.
Defending champion, Min Woo Lee of Australia and 151st Open champion Brian Harman of the US were also part of the quality field.
Lee, who won the title on a rain-soaked course with a four-round total of 26-under par in 2023, finished tied 9th, while Harman was one shot behind at 270, tied 13th.
Pictures by Paul Lakatos/IMG.
Thirty-one LIV Golf players have signed up for the Link Hong Kong Open – the Asian Tour tournament that is the seventh event of the season on The International Series, with ranking points and ‘Major’ places on the line.
A legion of LIV golfers will descend on the famous tournament this month, bringing an array of talent and titles to its 64th edition, ensuring one of the most competitive fields ever seen at the Hong Kong Golf Club, Fanling.
Alongside the likes of Major winners and LIV stars Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Louis Oosthuizen, Charl Schwartzel and Martin Kaymer, will be four-time LIV Golf champion Talor Gooch, Harold Varner III, Thomas Pieters, Dean Burmester, Tom McKibbin, and Peter Uihlein.
Past Hong Kong Open champion Ben Campbell and two-time winner Wade Ormsby, who claimed the Jakarta International Championship title at the weekend, are also in the field for the Fanling showpiece, which has the distinction of being Hong Kong’s oldest professional sporting event.
Harold Varner III. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
As well as vital ranking points available for those aiming to win a coveted spot on next year’s LIV Golf roster at the end of the season, the winner will also earn a place at the 2026 Masters and 154th Open Championship.
For Gooch, it will also be an opportunity to add a second win in Asia to the LIV Golf Singapore title he won in 2023.
The American is no stranger to Fanling, having played in the 2023 edition of the tournament, and at LIV Golf Hong Kong for the past two years, where his best finish was a tie for 21st in 2024.
“It’s not my first time in Hong Kong, but I’m excited to be coming back to such a great course and such a great tournament,” Gooch said. “Of course, the Masters and Open places are a motivation too, but I love Hong Kong, the food, the culture, all of it.”
Varner III, meanwhile, returns to The International Series again after finishing 22nd in the 2025 LIV Golf standings. The American has only made one appearance on the series this year, at International Series India presented by DLF.
Varner III, who finished in a tie for eighth at the 2023 Hong Kong Open, called the city “a special place with great golf and better people”.
Wade Ormsby. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
“I’m excited for the challenge against a lot of good players, a lot of good friends, and on a course I love,” he said. “The International Series is a great opportunity for players to earn their way into LIV Golf, and the level of competition will be outstanding with so many great players coming over.”
With The International Series heading to the Philippines and Hong Kong this October, the chase is on for the rest of the field to catch rankings leader Scott Vincent, whose runner-up finish in Jakarta gave him a narrow lead over Lucas Herbert and Carlos Ortiz.
In keeping with the event theme of the Link Hong Kong Open – Open For All – admission is free for the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday. Season passes, including the final two days on Saturday and Sunday, cost HK$300 for a weekend pass or HK$200 per day.
Fans aged 18 and under will enjoy free entry across all four days when accompanied by a ticketed adult or by providing a photo ID showing the date of birth. Purchase tickets from https://www.ticketflap.com/lhko2025.
Australian Wade Ormsby [main picture] won the Jakarta International Championship for his fifth Asian Tour victory and second International Series title, thanks to a razor-sharp short game while admittedly not having his best game on Sunday.
His putting was magnificent all week, at Damai Indah Golf – PIK Course, and he made several key par-saves in the final round. The most notable one was from eight-feet on the 72nd hole to get into a play-off with Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent.
Ormsby started the week needing only 23 putts in his first round of six-under-par 64, and it was the fewest number of putts for one round of anyone in the field during the week. For tournament he averaged 27.25 Putts per Round which placed him sixth in that statistics category.
Scrambling was another category he ranked highly in, and his 81.82% was fourth of players making the cut. With this combination of putting and short game skills, it was no surprise to also see him near the top of the Fewest Bogies or Worse category. He was T2 with only five dropped shots for the week, two more than category leader Poom Saksansin from Thailand – who was one of the five players that finished in joint-third place in the tournament.
Poom Saksansin. Picture by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Ormsby’s other stats for the week: Putts per Greens in Regulation (GIR) 1.7 (T14), Fairways Hit 69.64 (T32), GIR 69.44 (T45), and Driving Distance 286 yards (58th).
Runner-up Vincent fired a 62 in the third round matching Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool’s second round for low round of the tournament. Statistically the best part of the Zimbabwean’s game in Jakarta was his iron play, posting a GIR average of 81.94% and ranking fifth on the list. His other weekly stats: Putts per GIR 1.712 (19th), Driving Distance 302.63 yards (20th), Fairways Hit 66.07% (T41), and Putts per Round 29.5 (T38).
Five players tied for third place, Thailand’s Poom, Sadom Kaewkanjana, and Pavit Tangkamolprasert, Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent and Doyeob Mun from Korea.
Poom and Pavit, in particular, stood out. They tied for first in Putts per Round with 27, while Poom also topped two other categories and was second in one: first in Scrambling and Fewest Bogies or Worse with 87.50% and three bogies made respectively, and second in Fairways Hit with 85.71%.
Pavit was also second in both the Putts per GIR category with 1.64 and in Most Birdies with 20.
Statistics Categories leaders at the Jakarta International Championship (of players making the cut):
- Putts per Round – Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA), Poom Saksansin (THA), Sampson Zheng (CHN), Prom Meesawat (THA), Lawry Flynn (AUS): 27
- Putts per GIR – Sampson Zheng (CHN): 1.571
- GIR – Kazuki Higa (JPN): 87.5%
- Fairways Hit – Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND): 87.5%
- Driving Distance – Miguel Tabuena (PHI): 322.25 yards
- Most Eagles – Sampson Zheng (CHN), Liu, Yung-hua (TPE), Bjorn Hellgren (SWE), Danthai Boonma (THA), Mardan Mamat (SIN), Luke Schniederjans (USA), Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND), Micah Shin (USA): 1
- Most Birdies – Tanapat Pichaikool (THA): 21
- Fewest Bogies or Worse – Poom Saksansin (THA): 3
- Scrambling: Poom Saksansin (THA): 87.50%
- Bounce back: Prom Meesawat (THA): 44.44%
Australian Wade Ormsby defeated Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off today to win the Jakarta International Championship – following one of the closest finishes seen on the Asian Tour this season.
He triumphed after making a routine par on the par-four 18th, where Vincent found water with his second shot.
Ormsby trailed the frontrunner and playing partner Vincent all day, with a stacked leaderboard meaning the tournament could have been won by a whole host of players.
A crucial eight-footer for par on the 18th by Ormsby in regulation play forced the event into overtime. Vincent had left the door open when he made a bogey on 16 and missed a six-foot birdie putt on 17.
Both Ormsby and Vincent shot one-under-par 69s to finished tied on 12-under.
Vincent’s brother Kieran (67), and Doyeob Mun (67) from Korea tied for third along with Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert (68), Poom Saksansin (69) and Sadom Kaewkanjana (69), missing the play-off by one shot.
Wade Ormsby is congratulated by Scott Vincent.
Kieran Vincent came agonisingly close to making the play-off but also found water on 18 and made a bogey.
It’s Ormsby’s fifth victory on the Asian Tour and second on The International Series. His last win came at the International Series Thailand in 2023.
The victory also made up for being penalised one shot after his round yesterday when he was judged to have accidentally moved his ball when he addressed it on the fourth. He’s also been enduring a poor season with his best being tied 21st at the International Series India.
“It was a bit of a grind,” said Ormsby, who hung in there by making nine straight pars on the back nine.
“Probably didn’t have my best stuff out there today, but I was just hanging in there. Feel bad for Scotty, you know, he kind of let a couple slip at the end there. But I hit a couple of great shots in that play-off hole, so that makes me feel better about the whole thing.”
On yesterday’s penalty shot, he said: “It was disappointing, you know, it is what it is. Decided to take a shot and, yeah. Anyway, I did reset last night, and I felt fine about it. I was happy to be in the last group, so that didn’t change. So no, I just had to go out there and put it to the back of my head and use it as a bit of a drive to get the job done today.
“It’s a special one for me this one. Haven’t been playing my best golf, had a few months off and worked hard the last week. I flew up and saw my coach, Grant Field, so a massive thank you to him. Flew up there, did the hard yards, and we had a day of grinding to try and get me back on track. And even though I didn’t play my best golf this week, I putted great early on in the tournament. And yeah, thanks to all my family obviously, lost my dad two years ago, so this one is for him.”
Wade Ormsby and his caddie celebrate the win.
Ormsby moves into fifth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and third on The International Series Rankings. Vincent regained the lead over Japan’s Kazuki Higa on the Merit list – who finished in a tie for 33rd this week. He also goes top of The International Series Rankings, leapfrogging Lucas Herbert from Australia.
Vincent was attempting to become the first player to win back-to-back events on The International Series having won the International Series Morocco in July.
It means he has now finished runner-up in his last two Asian Tour events as he was joint second in the Shinhan Donghae Open last month.
He said: “I don’t see it as disappointing at all. Wade played great golf, he hung in there and is a well-deserved champion. I had my chances to win, but I don’t think it’s ever fully in my control. I was struggling just to make the cut on day two, and to then have a chance to win on Sunday, I can’t ask for much more than that.”
The Asian Tour has a week off now before the SJM Macao Open and a run of eight successive events to close out the season.
Pictured by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Scott Vincent has finished first and joint second in his last two events on the Asian Tour and is in the hunt once again after taking a share of the third-round lead in the Jakarta International Championship today.
The Zimbabwean, whose impressive season has seen him move into second place on both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings, shot a brilliant bogey-free eight-under-par 62.
He leads on 11-under with India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Australian Wade Ormsby at Damai Indah Golf – PIK Course.
Bhullar returned a 69 while Ormsby at 67.
Ormsby looked set to finish the day with a one-shot lead but after finishing his round officials informed him he would receive a one-shot penalty because his ball moved when he addressed it on the fourth.
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana (64) and Poom Saksansin (66) are next best placed one shot back.
Gaganjeet Bhullar.
Overnight leader Pavit Tangkamolprasert (72) from Thailand, Italian Stefano Mazzoli (66) and England’s Steve Lewton (71) are tied for sixth another stroke behind.
This week’s US$2million event is part of The International Series – a set of upper-tier events on the Asian Tour that offer a pathway to the LIV Golf League.
Winning The International Rankings brings with it a place on the LIV Golf League. Vincent did just that in 2022, during the inaugural season on The International Series, and after another fine round today is edging closer to a return to the multi-million dollar franchise.
“It was amazing, what a blessing,” said Vincent, who registered eight birdies today – including three in a row from the first, and another hat-trick from the 12th.
“Man, you know, when you have a picture of what you’re trying to do, today I was able to execute that more times than I have the whole week. So, it’s always fun when you can kind of see the picture and pull it off. And yeah, just was able to do that a few more times today.”
The 33-year-old won the International Series Morocco in July and was runner-up at the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea last month.
Asked what is behind his fine form, he said: “Oh man, good question, I don’t know. You know, we’ve spoken about this a bit, and it’s like, what? What is it, what are you doing? And it’s like, I’m just running my process, you know, I’m just trying to do the things that I think that are going to help. And it’s like, that’s what I did last year, and it was not a great year. But this year, for some reason, it seems to be clicking a little bit. And that’s all I draw it down to, it’s like such a gift, and I’m just grateful for how it’s been going so far.”
Bhullar will attempt to win his sixth Asian Tour event in Indonesia tomorrow, and his 12th title in total.
A double-bogey six on the ninth knocked him off top spot but he got back into contention with back-to-back birdies on 12 and 13 and a bogey-free back nine.
Wade Ormsby.
The cream of the Asian Tour rose to the top today to set up a thrilling final round tomorrow.
Sadom, winner of the Kolon Korea Open in May, is one of those who will fancy his chances tomorrow.
“I feel I played pretty solid,” he said.
“I played in the morning, the second group, so it was lucky to play without wind. On the last four or five holes it was very windy, so I think it was going to be tough.
“My game is getting better than the first half of the year. I’m trying to practice harder and do everything harder, and it’s getting better. So I think my feeling is very good this week too.”
Kazuki Higa, looking to become the first player in the history of the Asian Tour to win three tournaments in a row following back-to-back wins in September, shot a 67 to give himself a chance on Sunday. He’s four off the lead.
Pictures courtesy of Graham Uden/Asian Tour
Pavit Tangkamolprasert served up another birdie feast at the Jakarta International Championship today, making four birdies in a row enroute to taking the halfway lead – a day after making six on the trot.
A second-round five-under-par 65 to add to his opening 64 – and an incredible 13 birdies over two days – saw him reach 11-under for the US$2million event, being played at Damai Indah Golf – PIK Course, in North Jakarta.
He has a one-shot advantage over India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar and Steve Lewton from England.
Bhullar, the Indonesia connoisseur with five victories in the country, also shot a 65 while Lewton, winner of the Mandiri Indonesia Open last year at this week’s venue, fired a 64.
Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool unleashed a 62 and is one stroke further back, in the 13th event of the season on the Asian Tour and the fifth stop on The International Series.
Pavit Tangkamolprasert.
Pavit birdied four on the trot from the fourth after making six successive birdies from his eighth in round one. He did not drop a shot on the front half today and made the turn in four under. The second half was less spectacular, as he traded three birdies with two bogeys.
It’s all a far cry from three weeks ago when he retired after the second round of the Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea with a bad back.
Explained the 36-year-old: “Yeah, it happened in Shinhan after the second round. I hurt my back. I made the cut but decided to pull out, because I wanted to save my back. I could not even address my ball, so I went back to Thailand, saw my physio, and got some mobility.”
He returned to play in the following week’s Yeangder TPC and then the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, tying for 20th in the first but then missing the cut.
“It got better in Yeangder and Mercuries and then this week it’s like almost 100% okay. Today was just like yesterday, you know, when I rolled in the first putt, it felt good, and then it just continued.”
Pavit last won on the Asian Tour in 2019 at the Sabah Masters, although he did win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) last year at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open. With eight titles on the ADT he has won more times than anyone else on the Asian Tour’s feeder circuit.
Gaganjeet Bhullar.
Bhullar was equally prolific firing off seven birdies and dropping two shots.
He’s tracking yet again for a title on Indonesian soil. A brilliant performance in 2023 saw him win the BNI Indonesian Masters, his most recent victory.
He also won the Indonesia Open at this week’s course in 2013.
The 11-time Asian Tour winner said: “It feels good to be back. I first played this golf course in 2008, again in 2009, and then won here in 2013. Coming back brings a lot of positive memories. Walking down the stairs and seeing my picture as one of the past champions is motivating – it really reminds me of the success I’ve had here.
“Indonesia has been very kind to me. That always stays in the back of your mind when you’re playing in this part of the world. The goal is to stay positive and try to build on what I did over the last 36 holes.”
Lewton won last year’s Indonesia Open in a sudden-death play-off after a four-day total of 16-under and is clearly enjoying being back here.
He said: “So far, I’d probably say I’ve played slightly better this year than when I started last year. It’s a course that suits my eye, and I like playing golf in Indonesia, don’t know why, not even sure.”
Steve Lewton.
Australia’s Wade Ormsby shot a 68 and is in solo fifth place, three behind the leader.
Japan’s Kazuki Higa, the leader of the Asian Tour Order of Merit following back-to-back wins in September, carded a 69 and is four under.
Pictures courtesy Graham Uden/Asian Tour.
Recent Comments