Chase Koepka still running on adrenaline after that amazing ace
By Joy Chakravarty, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour, reporting from Sentosa Golf Club, Singapore.
Chase Koepka’s hole-in-one at the ‘Watering Hole’ (the par-three 12th) on the final day of LIV Golf Adelaide, and the incredible scenes that followed, have become viral sensations.
As good as that nine iron shot was, Koepka insists he hit an even better one the day before – a seven wood from 260 yards on the par-five ninth hole, which he flushed to seven feet and made an eagle.
Golf is replete with stories of how one good shot has changed the form of a player, and the 29-year-old younger brother of four-time Major champion Brooks is hoping that’s the case with him as well as he prepares to represent Team Smash at LIV Golf Singapore, which starts today at Sentosa Golf Club.
“The funny thing is, that ace on the 12th may not have even been that exact shot,” said Koepka, a regular on the Asian Tour since last year.
“I was working on hitting a little trap draw all week. I managed to hit it exactly as I wanted on the 12th, but that one became special because it went in. But it was the seven wood on the ninth hole that gave me so much confidence. It came out perfectly and I knew the moment I hit it that it was going to be a very good shot. It rolled to six feet from the pin and I made an eagle.
Chase Koepka walks to the green after his hole in one at the 12th during day three of LIV Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Club last Sunday. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
“I was like ‘wow’ the moment I hit it. I haven’t had that feeling in a little bit. That just kind of boosted my confidence. Sometimes, all it takes is just one good swing that kind of gives you the momentum moving forward. I would have loved to have finished a little bit higher, but I wasn’t that far off from finishing inside the top-10.
“And I know this is a new week and I have to hit the re-set button, but I hope to bring the same feelings to Singapore. The good news is the game’s kind of trending in the right direction and looking forward to this week.”
The shot on the 12th is going to be etched in his memory forever.
“The crowd in Adelaide was amazing. It was not just the celebration on the 12th hole, but I was getting standing ovations on every tee I went to. Throughout the rest of the day, it was a special moment for me and my caddy. I can’t wait to get back to Adelaide next year,” explained Koepka.
“I mean, there’s always so much luck involved in something like that going in, but it could not have happened on a better hole. The cool part was different players telling me their stories of how they heard the roar all around the golf course.”
However, there is more to Koepka’s confidence than just those two shots in Adelaide. He is also taking immense pleasure and pride in the resurgence of his older brother, who won twice on LIV Golf since October last year, and was sensational in finishing tied second at this year’s Masters.
“It’s great to see Brooks back in that form. Obviously, he’s my big brother. He’s also my captain. I can lean on him a lot and pick his brain. He’s always been my biggest asset. And he’s always there for me trying to help me play better. It’s so nice to see him get back into that mindset. And you can see it in his face when he’s playing that way. He’s really locked in,” said Koepka.
Chase Koepka, Bio Kim and Travis Smyth pictured enjoying a local Korean BBQ ahead of the International Series Korea last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I wasn’t out there at the Masters, but I watch it all on TV. And I’m a nervous wreck when he’s playing. It’s way easier to play myself and not to worry about any shot that I am hitting. I now have a much greater appreciation for how my parents felt watching us play growing up.
“Brooks was a bit frustrated not getting the job done. However, at the end of the day, if he had to tell himself 18 months ago that he would have had a chance to win the Masters, he would have taken it.
“I’ve always loved watching my brother play. For me, he’s one of the best to ever pick up a golf club. And when he plays well, I do get motivated to do better myself.”
Koepka said one of his year-end objectives would be to keep his card on the Asian Tour. The other would be to finish inside the top-24 in LIV Golf and make sure he is part of the League in 2024.
“Honestly, the way that the Asian Tour events are run and, and just speaking to other players, how much better it’s gotten since Asian Tour and LIV came together, I was tempted to join the Tour. Everyone out there has nothing but positive things to say,” said Koepka.
“All the members are loving the opportunity to play their way into LIV, and also, we’re getting better purses, and playing better golf courses. The Asian Tour is starting to get noticed a lot more.
“I have a great opportunity that was given through LIV and I want to support the Asian Tour. I’m playing against some very good golfers out there, and anytime I get to compete against good golfers, I will take that opportunity.
“I am going to play at least four more Asian Tour events towards the middle and end of the season.
“I want to finish in the top 24 in LIV, which secures my place next year. I have gotten off to a slow start, but it only takes one or two good events to get right back into it. And I want to make sure I keep my card on the Asian Tour so that I can play a full schedule there too.”
By Joy Chakravarty
Anirban Lahiri has turned one of the most demanding and tragic moments of his life into a source of immense strength and inspiration.
The 35-year-old Indian, a seven-time champion on the Asian Tour, finished second on Sunday in LIV Invitational – Adelaide after starting the final round 11 shots behind eventual champion Talor Gooch and closing the gap to two at one stage.
Lahiri shot 66 and 65 over the weekend at The Grange in Adelaide, matching his 13-under par show (67-64) over the final two rounds at the International Series – Vietnam the week before. At KN Links as well, he came close, falling one short of winner Kieran Vincent.
The two performances came for the world No91 after a couple of tumultuous weeks for the family, which saw him reach Vietnam without touching his clubs for more than a fortnight.
Lahiri was in the US, getting ready for the LIV Invitational in Orlando when he received a call from India that his mother-in-law, battling cancer, had to be rushed to the hospital after her vitals crashed. He had to pull out of the tournament and rush to Pune (near Mumbai). On Monday of the International Series – Vietnam, they moved her to palliative care unit.
In Adelaide on Sunday, moments after he closed with a bogey in his 65, Lahiri switched on his phone to be notified that his mum-im-law passed away during the round.
“The last few weeks have been tough for the family. Mom was in a lot of pain the last few days. So, we’re just relieved that she is probably at peace and she’s in a better place now,” Lahiri said.
“It’s hard to wrap your head around a lot of this. So just trying to process it right now. It breaks my heart not to be there with my wife Ipsa and my children. I’m here in Adelaide, but mentally and in spirit, with them. I guess these are some of the professional hazards that we have to deal with, and I am so very proud of my wife.
“The funeral is on Monday, so there is no way I can physically reach in time. I am planning to play Singapore, though it is hard to say that I am looking forward to it. I will then be in Pune for the post-death rituals, and probably reach Tulsa (next LIV event) later than scheduled.”
ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – APRIL 23: Anirban Lahiri of the Crushers reacts to nearly holing out of a bunker on the 12th during day three of Liv Golf Adelaide at The Grange Golf Course on April 23, 2023 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
Lahiri felt that the only way he could explain his recent run of form is because of getting a new perspective in life, which has helped him play fearless golf.
“I did not have any expectations when I reached Vietnam. The family was going through a very challenging phase. We were just taking it one day at a time,” said Lahiri.
“I was forced to hit the refresh button. You have to still look at the positives and try to receive the messages that the universe is sending. What happened the last few weeks made me kind of reset and re-establish my goals, my perspectives in life.
“I think mentally I’ve managed to just get clearer, more focused, and get more involved in my processes. Honestly, I am just counting my blessings and enjoying a new perspective. Probably, I am just playing with a lot less fear and probably not trying so hard and just letting go a little bit more.
“I’ve always found that a very hard thing to do. I think all golfers find that hard. But you know, the last couple of weeks, it’s come a little easier.”
LIV Golf – Singapore is Lahiri’s next stop (starting Friday, April 28), and Lahiri said he was glad he was swinging well ahead of the trip to Sentosa Golf Club.
Sentosa Golf Club – Host venue of LIV Golf Singapore
“I am happy with the way I am playing and I am happy with the way I have been swinging my clubs,” said Lahiri, the Asian Tour Order of Merit champion in 2015.
“I have played Sentosa many times, and I know one thing for sure – you can’t be going to Sentosa playing anything less than your A-game. So, hopefully, I can continue and have another good week.”
The Indian ace, who had dropped out of the top-100 in the world ranking before moving to 91 following his result in Vietnam, was also hoping he had done enough to secure his place in the PGA Championship, the second major of the year starting May 17 at Oak Hill Country Club, in Rochester.
“I have done what I possibly could. It’s out of my hands now. Hopefully, I will remain inside the top-100 when the field is determined and I get my invitation to the PGA Championship,” said Lahiri, who finished tied fifth in the 2015 edition in Whistling Straits, which remains the best-ever finish by an Indian golfer in a major championship.
Ends.
Talor Gooch, a former member of 4Aces GC who joined Bubba Watson’s RangeGoats GC in the offseason, completed a wire-to-wire victory Sunday at LIV Golf Adelaide.
Anirban Lahiri from India followed up his brilliant second place finish in last week’s International Series Vietnam on the Asian Tour by also taking the runner-up spot in Adelaide.
Meanwhile, Gooch’s old team captured its first trophy of the 2023 LIV Golf League.
Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces, which had podium finishes in the first three events of the season, produced a sizzling final round in a tight team battle at The Grange Golf Club. With Patrick Reed shooting a seven-under-par 65, new member Peter Uihlein contributing a 66 and Johnson adding a 67 (Pat Perez shot the same score), the Aces finished with a LIV Golf-record 47 under to win by a stroke over the RangeGoats. The all-South African Stinger GC took third.
Talor Gooch of RangeGoats GC poses for a photo with his trophy after winning Liv Golf Adelaide. Picture by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images.
Last year, the all-American 4Aces won four regular-season events and the Miami Team Championship, all on home soil. Their performance in Adelaide was their most dominant, with all four members finishing in the top-10 in points.
“Obviously, it was a great week,” said Johnson, whose team increased its lead atop the season-long points standings to 44 points. “All four guys played well. To get our first win outside the U.S. was nice.”
Gooch, meanwhile, had to endure some tight moments despite entering the day with a 10-shot lead thanks to consecutive 10-under 62s. A four-hole stretch in which he suffered his first two bogeys of the week, followed by a double bogey at the par-five 10th, whittled his deficit. At one point, he led by only two shots.
But after his double bogey, he responded with birdies at the 11th and 13th holes to restore some breathing room, then parred in the rest of the way for a 73, leaving him at 19 under for the tournament. That ties the all-time LIV Golf best score for three rounds.
“Golf is just really hard,” said Gooch as he proudly cradled the LIV Golf trophy while wearing the Goat Chain, his team’s nod to winning performances. “It’s hard to put back-to-back days together like I did and even harder to do it three times in a row. I actually played fine out there today. The golf gods, I think, said, ‘We don’t want this first win to be easy on you.’
Anirban Lahiri prepares to putt on the 18th on day three of LIV Golf Adelaide. Photo by Brenton Edwards /AFP.
“Had a couple bad breaks here and there, so it made things interesting, but it was cool to kind of overcome the adversity and dig deep after I made a double on No. 10. It was kind of a point of we’re either going to dig deep and do this or you’re going to stumble coming in. It was cool to dig deep and get the job done.”
Crushers GC’s Lahiri shot a 65 to claim second place at 16 under while four players tied for third at 15 under: Reed, Perez, Cameron Tringale of HyFlyers GC and Cameron Smith, the captain of Rippers GC, the all-Australian team that were the crowd favorites this week. Reed took third in points via the tiebreaker.
“It would have taken something exceptional from the rest of the field to beat Talor after the start that he had,” said Lahiri, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour.
“So, yes, it is another second place finish for me, but I will take that and I am happy with the way I am swinging, and the way I played the whole week. I left some out there today as well, but I can’t complain about my golf over the weekend after shooting 13-under par.”
The Indian star unfortunately lost his ailing mother-in-law during the round and came to know about it only after his finish.
4Aces GC teammates Peter Uihlein, Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson and Pat Perez celebrate on the podium spraying champagne after they won the team event at LIV Golf Adelaide. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images.
He said: “The last few weeks have been tough for the family. Mom was in quite a lot of pain the last few days. So we’re just relieved that she is probably at peace and she’s in a better place now.”
LIV Golf Singapore tees off next Friday at Sentosa Golf Club.
The Indonesian Masters will be played from 16-19 November later this year, once again playing a major role in the end of season action on the Asian Tour.
The long-standing tournament, which will boast minimum prizemoney of US$1.5 million, will once again be the final event of this year’s 10-event International Series and one of the closing events on the Asian Tour’s season.
Importantly, the prestigious event will have the final say in who wins the International Series Order of Merit (OOM) and secures passage onto the 2024 LIV Golf League.
Chairman of the Asian Tour and Founder of the Indonesian Masters, Jimmy Masrin, said: “The Asian Tour and The International Series have enjoyed outstanding starts to 2023, and we are thrilled that the Indonesian Masters will once again help contribute to an exciting climax to the season. The two work hand-in-hand, with The International Series being the single most important development in the history of the Asian Tour.”
Lee Westwood won the first edition in 2011. (Photo by Khalid Redza / Asian Tour via Getty Images)
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut (main picture) triumphed at the Indonesian Masters last year, during a memorable week when the tournament brought the curtain down on both the Asian Tour and International Series seasons. American Sihwan Kim claimed the Asian Tour OOM and Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent the International Series OOM – both players have been competing on the LIV Golf League this season.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “The Indonesian Masters has always been a fitting battle ground for global trophy hunters over the last 11 years, and as it was last year, it now has the added bonus of being the clincher for a lucrative ticket to one of the world’s most exciting franchises – the LIV Golf League.”
Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour Commissioner & CEO, said: “While we continue to break ground at several new venues across the globe, events like the Indonesian Masters make up the backbone of the Asian Tour. The global nature of the event and its esteemed heritage, it is clear that the tournament is the right fit for The International Series.”
A prominent feature on the Asian Tour since its launch in 2011, the Indonesian Masters has always welcomed world-class fields and has a distinguished list of past champions including England’s Lee Westwood, a three-time champion and the winner of the inaugural edition. Other notable champions include Justin Rose, Jazz Janewattananond and Anirban Lahiri.
News on the host venue and supporting sponsors will be announced in due course.
Last Sunday saw the fourth International Series event of the season completed, with Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent, young brother of Scott Vincent, claiming the International Series Vietnam after a nail-biting finish.
The International Series Singapore will return to one of the Lion City’s most-renowned golfing venues later this year, Tanah Merah Country Club (TMCC), and will be played from October 5-8.
TMCC’s Tampines Course, the scene of Nitithorn Thippong’s dramatic victory last year in the inaugural edition of the tournament, will once again be used for the event, which will boast a total purse of US$2 million, up from US$1.5 million.
SINGAPORE- T=Nitihorn Thippong of Thailand pictured during the International Series Singapore, the US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event at Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course) August 11-14, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ronald Ong, President of Tanah Merah Country Club, said: “Tanah Merah Country Club is once again proud to play our part in helping to bring world-class golf to Singapore. The International Series Singapore was a resounding success last year and, like this year, it is an important addition to Singapore’s increasingly busy sporting calendar.
“Tanah Merah is one of the region’s foremost golfing facilities and we have always felt it important to host major international tournaments.”
The Tampines Course regularly receives rave reviews from the Asian Tour membership and in an effort to deliver even greater playability the club has made enhancements over the past five months to the fourth, sixth, ninth, 14th and 18th greens. The objective being to create more variety of pin positions on the greens.
Tanah Merah Country Club (Tampines Course)
Rahul Singh, Head of the International Series, said: “Singapore is an essential destination for The International Series as the impressive island nation boasts everything needed to stage elite-level sporting competitions.
“And with Tanah Merah Country Club again hosting the International Series Singapore we could not have asked for a better host venue. We thank everyone at the club for helping to share our vision and we look forward to returning there later in the season.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour, said: “The Asian Tour is headquartered in Singapore, so it is always special to stage tournaments on our home patch. The fact that the country is now a regular stop on the International Series adds even greater importance and is an outstanding opportunity for everyone.
“We had the pleasure of hosting two tournaments at Tanah Merah Country Club last year and it was an absolute pleasure to work with them, they are consummate professionals, and the Tour is excited to be returning in October.”
TMCC helped play an important role in the return to action on the Asian Tour in January of 2022 when it hosted The Singapore International, the penultimate event of its 2020-2022 season.
It proved to be a week of great significance as Joohyung Kim, popularly known as Tom Kim, beat Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan in a gripping sudden-death play-off on the Tampines Course. The victory helped Kim win the Asian Tour Order of Merit to mark the start of a brilliant breakthrough year by the teenager that would see him win twice on the PGA Tour.
Joohyung Kim, winner of The Singapore International which was held at the TMCC’s Tampines course in January 2022.
And when Thailand’s Nitithorn won in August it was equally as thrilling. He holed a pressure-packed 15-foot par-saving putt on the daunting par-five 18th to take the clubhouse lead on 16 under and then, because of a 40-minute weather delay, had to wait for an hour to see if anyone in the final group playing 18 could catch him.
The International Series, launched to much fanfare last year by the Asian Tour and LIV Golf, will stage 10 International Series events this year, with the winner of the International Series Order of Merit earning a place on the LIV Golf League in 2024.
Last weekend the fourth International Series event of the season was completed, with Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent, young brother of Scott Vincent, claiming the International Series Vietnam after a close finish.
Kieran Vincent made it a unique brotherly double on the Asian Tour today, when he claimed the International Series Vietnam at KN Golf Links – just 10 months after his brother Scott won the International Series England.
The Zimbabwean, in just his second year as a professional, holed a decisive 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to beat Anirban Lahiri from India and Australian Kevin Yuan by one stroke.
Vincent shot a six-under-par 66, for a four-round aggregate of 19 under, while Lahiri carded a 64 and Yuan, who missed a similar length birdie putt on the last to force a sudden-death play-off, a 68.
Japan’s Takumi Kanaya had started the day with a three-shot advantage but, unlike the International Series Oman in February where he triumphed after also holding the third-round lead, he struggled on the back nine and closed with a 73 to tie for fourth, on 16 under, with American Michael Maguire (66), Korea’s Taehee Lee (67) and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai (67), Pawin Ingkhapradit (68) and Jazz Janewattananond (70).
Kieran Vincent. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It is surreal right now,” said the 25-year-old Vincent, who won US$360,000.
“I think there are so many people I have to thank at this stage that have put so much time and effort into me that they deserve it more than myself.
“I feel like I am a lead singer in a band of people that have done so much for me. I am very appreciative. I don’t think it is going to sink in for a while.”
The Zimbabwean’s putter seemed to go cold on Saturday, but he bounced back today with six birdies and no dropped shots.
About his final putt, he said: “That is the game of golf, you win some, you lose some, some go in, some don’t, and I am just very thankful it went in at the right time, when I needed it, and so I was just lucky enough to keep giving myself opportunities. Yeah I could not have dreamed it any better.
He’s moved into second place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) and third on the International Series OOM, giving him a chance to emulate his brother Scott who won last year’s International Series merit list and is now playing on the LIV Golf League.
Kevin Yuan. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
American Andy Ogletree remains in pole position on both OOMs.
Yuan, playing in the last group, came close to spoiling the party for Vincent, in the group ahead, but narrowly missed his birdie putt on 18.
Said Yuan: “I gave it my all out there today. Left a few shots out there today and a few shots out there this week, but I’m happy with where my game is and the progression that it’s on. I think it was an awesome round by Kieran today and a huge win for him, congrats to him. But overall, I’m pretty satisfied with how my tournament went and looking for more good things to come.”
The result continued a remarkable run of form by the up-and-coming golfer from Sydney, who has made the cut in all eight events on the Asian Tour this season. His result today improved upon his previous best finish, which was fifth place at the International Series Thailand last month.
Seven-time Asian Tour winner Lahiri was attempting to win his first Asian Tour title in eight years and was a strong favourite after storming through the field in the fifth from last group making eight birdies in his first 14 holes, with no dropped shots, but he could only par the last four holes.
“I’m happy with the way I played, disappointed not to make a couple more coming in,” said Lahiri, the Asian Tour’s number one player in 2015 before embarking on a successful career on the PGA Tour.
Anirban Lahiri. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“You know I got off to a really good start. I kind of found my rhythm yesterday and today so that was nice. Yeah, a little upset not to make maybe one or two in the last four holes which are very gettable. So yeah, great week, but it’s disappointing. I’ve had so many seconds now I need to break this habit of mine.”
The Indian star heads to the LIV Golf Adelaide event next week before LIV Golf Singapore
“Excited to take this form into the next few weeks. I think it is going to be an important stretch over the next month, month and a half. You know, you get into the meat of the season. And very exciting to go to Australia. I’ve been to Adelaide and I’m hearing great things about the venue, about the people and the anticipation, the buzz is great. I’m expecting it to be one of the best events of the year actually, for LIV. So yeah, you know, we’ll be off tomorrow and the show goes on.”
The Asian Tour heads to Korea next for the GS Caltex Maekyung Open, which will be played at its regular home Nam Seoul County Club from May 4-7. Korean Bio Kim is the defending champion.
Japan’s Takumi Kanaya opened up a three-shot lead after the penultimate round of the US$2 million International Series Vietnam today, showing the skill and composure that helped him record a breakthrough victory in the International Series Oman in February.
The 24 year old from Hiroshima carded a six-under-par 66, for an impressive tournament total of 17 under, with Australian Kevin Yuan and Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand in second place, on the Greg Norman-designed championship course at KN Golf Links.
Yuan also returned a 66, while Jazz, the overnight leader, carded a 71.
Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent is in solo fourth after a 71, four behind the Japanese frontrunner.
This week is Kanaya’s first Asian Tour event since Oman, where he became the maiden player from Japan to win an International Series event and the first from his country to claim an Asian Tour event outside of Japan in 13 years.
Jazz Janewattananond. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Yeah, I’m feeling so great right now,” said Kanaya, a three-time winner on the Japan Tour, with his most recent coming in 2021 at the Token Homemate Cup.
“Today the greens were very firm and bouncy, the conditions were difficult but still my shots were good, and I was putting really well, so I’ll just keep going tomorrow.
“I’ll do my best tomorrow, just focus shot by shot and just do it.”
Yuan is in the form of his life having made the cut in all eight events on the Asian Tour this season, highlighted by a fifth place finish in the International Series Thailand.
He said: “I’d say the biggest thing would just be improving my ball striking, not shooting too many high numbers when I don’t really have my game together. You know, there’s so many good Asian Tour players, it is always very competitive. So, it gives me a lot of confidence to keep making cuts when I’m not playing my best.
“I felt good out there, like on the driving range I was hitting the shots that I wanted, seeing the ball flights that I wanted, and it continued throughout the round. So, I felt it was a pretty stress free, bogey free round today.”
Yuan has also been seeing the same coach as Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, Jonathan Wallett. Kho hit the headlines three weeks ago when he triumphed in the World City Championship in Hong Kong.
“Taichi winning has really motivated me to do better because he’s such a good player, just seeing his game and stuff like that,” said the Australian.
Kevin Yuan. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“And after Hong Kong, just going back to Australia working on a few things and it’s good to see that I’m also heading in the right direction. John’s been really helpful, like very supportive, whenever I need him he is there. You know, we talk every day, text every day, so it’s been very good.”
Jazz led with Kanaya for much of the day but a poor back nine, which he played in one over including a bogey on 18, saw him slip back.
“Just got really bad momentum on the back nine you know, just couldn’t get it back,” said the seven-time Asian Tour winner.
“But all in all, I’m still in the game, I didn’t lose it completely. I almost lost it completely but not totally out of it yet so still have a chance. Just got to go out there and get some good breaks, hopefully get that momentum going again.”
Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit (64) and Pavit Tangkamolprasert (68), Chinese amateur Ding Wenyi (67), the 2022 US Junior Amateur champion, and Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung (67) are equal fifth, five off the lead.
American Andy Ogletree, presently ahead on both the Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merits, returned a 70, to go to minus eight.
England’s Paul Casey, who fought his way into contention with a second round 64, shot a 72 today and is six under.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond shot an inspired course record 10-under-par 62 to take the lead at the halfway mark of the International Series Vietnam today at KN Golf Links, in Cam Ranh, on the south-central coast of Vietnam.
Eight birdies, an eagle, and his second successive bogey-free round saw him move to 13 under par for the US$2 million event, which gave him a one-shot advantage over Kieran Vincent from Zimbabwe.
Vincent, younger brother of Scott Vincent, last year’s International Series Order of Merit winner returned a 65, while Japan’s Takumi Kanaya (64), Chapchai Nirat (65) from Thailand, Filipino Miguel Tabuena (67), Korea’s Taehee Lee (68), and overnight leader Bai Zhengkai (69) from China are one shot further back.
Kieran Vincent. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
England’s Paul Casey, the event’s marquee player, shot a 64, 10 shots better than his frst round, to get back in contention on six under for the tournament.
“I mean, it passes by pretty quick when you’re playing good,” said Jazz, who won the International Series Morocco last November for his first Asian Tour win in three years.
“I hit most of the fairways, most of the greens and holed some putts, that’s about it. I mean, this golf course is a risk and reward golf course, right? If you don’t miss the fairways, it’s not gonna punish you that bad. I only missed a couple of so far, so that’s why the score reflects that. I had a couple of close calls with the bogeys but managed to have some good putts and hole some big pars.”
The 27 year old’s performance is yet further evidence that his best form is returning, especially coming off the back of two joint sixth place finishes in the previous two Asian Tour events.
He said: “I mean, it’s close, right? Like finishing sixth or anywhere in the top 10 is so close to breaking through to the win. It’s just a very fine line to just jump across, so hopefully this is the week I jump across.”
Takumi Kanaya. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The seven-time Asian Tour winner started his round on the 10th and caught fire starting from the 14th making three birdies and then an eagle, before also touring the front nine in 31 with five birdies.
Vincent, in only his second year in the professional game, was also bogey free, and after beginning on the first he made the turn in three under before a fantastic finish saw him birdie four of his last five holes, including 17 and 18.
He said: “It was good. It was enjoyable, had a good group out there. Just remained patient and just enjoyed my time, so it was a great day. Love being out here in Vietnam, first time here so just soaking it in.
“Obviously, you know, you look to start off fast but it’s all about the finish. And you know, that’s kind of the way I try and picture it, you know, a good strong start can get you in position but it’s the way you finish is how you’re going to actually finish up there on the leaderboard. So, I was just thankful that we had some good numbers, and we were able to kind of hit the targets that we aimed at, so lucky for that.”
The Zimbabwean made a brilliant birdie on par four last, getting up and down from a bunker 50 yards from the putting surface.
Paul Casey. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It came out a little bit better than I expected,” he said.
“The ball was a little bit below the feet but lucky enough that it just kind of checked up on the green there, and actually ended up lipping out. So got a little lucky with the way it kind of panned out. But, you know, luckily, we were able to practice those. The green near the practice bunker here is about 40 yards, so I was lucky enough to get a decent amount of practice in before this.”
Takumi is making his first appearance on the Asian Tour since winning the International Series Oman in February – which saw him become the first player from his country to win on the Asian Tour.
“From playing in Oman and coming into this week, my overall game has felt great,” said the Japanese star.
“I’m really happy with my play over the last couple of days. Playing on the Asian Tour has been a fantastic experience, and I’m really looking forward to the weekend.
“Winning in Oman was the spark that gave me the confidence coming into this week, so winning again with a field as strong as this week’s will give me a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season.”
American Andy Ogletree, the current leader of the Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merit, carded a 68 and, like Casey, is six under, in a tie for 25th, with the tournament wide open heading into what will be an exciting weekend.
China’s Bai Zhengkai, a graduate from this year’s Asian Tour Qualifying School, made a flying start on the opening day of the inaugural International Series Vietnam today shooting an unblemished eight-under-par 64.
Korean Taehee Lee, helped by two dazzling eagles in his last five holes, India’s Honey Baisoya and Lee Chieh-po from Chinese-Taipei also began brightly carding 65s to sit in second place – in what is the Asian Tour’s first event in Vietnam for seven years.
Filipino Miguel Tabuena, still in fine form after an outstanding start to the season highlighted by victory in The DGC Open presented by Mastercard last month, carded a 66, along with Jaco Ahlers from South Africa, Thai Gunn Charoenkul, China’s Chen Guxin, American Michael Maguire and Douglas Klein from Australia.
The US$2 million event is being played on a Greg Norman-designed links-style layout at KN Golf Links, in Cam Ranh, Khanh Hoa Province, in the south-central coast region of Vietnam.
Lee Taehee finished with two eagles in his last five holes. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Feels nice, had a good round today,” said Bai, whose 64 set a new course record.
“Off the tee was great. I had a lot of wedges into the greens, so I was able to attack a lot of the pins. Made a few putts, it was pretty good.
“The course is kind of open, so I was able to hit some drivers off the tee.”
He was in danger of dropping a shot on his last hole, a par four, and had to lay up with his second but managed to get up and down for what he described as his best hole of the day.
Taehee Lee has won once before on the Asian Tour, having claimed the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in 2019 on home soil.
But any chance of contending this week appeared highly likely for the Korean at the start of the week.
He said: “Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, wind was strong, I played bad, very bad, but today the wind is nothing. Course was easy today, many players low score.”
Two birdies on the front nine and another birdie on 10 laid the foundation for what was to come, as he eagled the par-five 14th, dropped his only shot of the day on 16, before another eagle followed on the par-five 17th. He then signed off in the perfect manner with a birdie on the last.
“I didn’t make any mistakes, there was no wind, so the course played easy,” he added.
Honey Baisoya is making a habit of shooting low rounds. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Baisoya’s round will come as no surprise to many as the Indian has shot some stunning low rounds so far this season. A 62 at the International Series Thailand and a 65 at The DGC Open put him in the running in both events, although he was unable to keep that going. He tied for 34th in Thailand and equal sixth at The DGC Open.
“It was a very good round,” said Baisoya, who impressively made nine birdies, including four in a row from the sixth, but recorded two bogeys.
“I hit my ball well off the tee, my approach shots were good, and I made many putts but then I missed a lot of putts so it could have been better, but I’ll take it.”
The Indian sensationally holed out from a greenside bunker on 18 for a birdie three.
Lee Chieh-po had the distinction of going bogey free, with five of his birdies coming on the back nine.
“The course is very similar to my home course in Taiwan, the design, the green speed. I am feeling great, very comfortable,” said the Chinese-Taipei golfer, who finished second behind Australian Travis Smyth in the Yeangder TPC last year for his best Asian Tour result.
India’s Anirban Lahiri, the Asian Tour number one in 2015 and a seven-time winner on the Tour, carded a 69, current Asian Tour and International Series Order of Merit leader Andy Ogletree from the United States returned a 70 while Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, the Tour’s top player in 2013, fired a 71.
Lee Chieh-po had the distinction of going bogey free. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, winner of the World City Championship last month, came in with a 72, England’s Paul Casey a 74.
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