Bhullar makes hot eight-under start to BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar struck again on Indonesian soil today, firing a sizzling bogey-free eight-under-par 63 for the first-round lead in the US$1.5 million BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE.
He has the lead here at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, ahead of second-placed Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand, American Paul Peterson and Honey Baisoya from India, all in with 65s.
American Patrick Reed, Canada’s Richard T. Lee, Australians Wade Ormsby and Travis Smyth plus Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the winner here in 2019, and Gunn Charoenkul are next best placed following 66s – in the final International Series event of the season.
(Left to right) Peter Uihlein congratulates Phachara Khongwatmai for holing his second shot for an eagle on hole five on Thursday. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Bhullar is the most successful player from his country on the Asian Tour with 10 victories, but he is winless this year and searching for a solution.
“The whole year I have been feeling strong mentally and physically,” said the Indian.
“Thought I have been playing well but not really delivering. This is golf. I am sure my subconscious mind will figure it out.”
The 35-year-old has a phenomenal record in Indonesia having won on four occasions – three Indonesian Opens and the Indonesian President Invitational – while he has come close many other times.
An adjustment to his putting helped to trigger today’s windfall of birdies.
He said: “I figured out something with my stroke on the first few holes and kept on repeating the same action. In the end the result was eight under par.
“It was more to do with the way I was looking at the lines. I just changed the way I was visualising the putt. Nothing changed in my stroke, just the ability to change reading the lines from a different point of view.”
Paul Peterson. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Starting on hole 10 he made three birdies going out and five on the back, including the last two.
Phachara came close to winning the Hong Kong Open last week, finishing in third, and despite nursing a bad back, he is in the frame again this week.
He said: “Yesterday, I hurt my back and thought I might have to withdraw. I could not take the club back so had to withdraw from the Pro-Am after one and a half holes.
“I have had this a couple of times, it’s not a huge problem. The physio helped yesterday.”
His round reached a crescendo when he holed his second on the par-four fifth, with a seven-iron from just over 200 yards.
Asked if he was disappointed about last week’s result, where he made a costly double bogey on 16 and three-putted 18, he said: “Not really disappointed because golf is like that. I’ll take the third place. I am playing great right now, that’s why I’m always go, top, top, top.”
This is only the third appearance of the season by Peterson on the Asian Tour as he has been playing on the Korn Ferry Tour, where he retained his playing privileges for 2024.
“I thought we hit a lot of our boxes today. There were a couple of tough pins out there which were tough to get at,” said the American, who claimed the Myanmar Open in 2018.
The 35-year-old lefthander admitted he is happy to back in the region.
“Familiar faces, gotta be the friendliest Tour in the world. It is nice to be back,” said Peterson. “There’s no place hotter in the world of course but it’s fun to be out here and see guys you have not seen for a while, and just have a good time.”
Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat put together an astonishing run of seven birdies in a row and was on track to match the record of nine – set by Austrian Bernd Wiesberger at the Malaysian Championship in 2017 – before dropping a shot on 17. He did manage to bounce back with a birdie 18 for a 67.
New Zealand’s Ben Campbell, who won the Hong Kong Open on Sunday, and Anirban Lahiri from India carded 73s.
Honey Baisoya. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Defending champion Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand returned a 74, as did American Andy Ogletree, who wrapped up The International Series Order of Merit title at the Hong Kong Open last Sunday to secure his place on next year’s LIV Golf League.
Play was stopped for the day at 5.05pm local time due to inclement weather. Eighteen players, none of who are in the running today, will return to complete their rounds tomorrow morning.
The BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, since its launch in 2011, has lit up the Asian Tour schedule every year, helped through its ability to attract international stars and the cream of the Asian Tour.
The tournament has produced a veritable treasure trove of dramatic stories at its permanent home Royale Jakarta Golf Club, with former world number ones clinching the trophy, while providing breakthrough wins for some of today’s hottest Asian Tour players and deciding Order of Merit crowns that changed careers.
This week will be no exception, with the event returning as the final event on The International Series featuring some of the stars of the LIV Golf League including Patrick Reed, Graeme McDowell and Thomas Pieters.
Indeed, the tournament, which was conceived by Indonesian businessman Jimmy Masrin, the current chairman of the Asian Tour, has come a long way since Ryder Cup legend and eight-time Asian Tour winner Lee Westwood from England won the first edition in 2011 by three shots over Thai star Thongchai Jaidee.
The victory meant he regained the world number one status he had previously held for 17 weeks from late October 2010, notably ending Tiger Woods reign on top of the Official World Golf Ranking.
Anirban Lahiri screams in delight with his caddie, Rajiv Sharma, after winning his first title outside India, the 2014 Indonesian Masters. Picture by Khalid Redza/Asian Tour/Asian Tour via Getty Images.
Westwood would return in 2012 to successfully defend his title winning by two strokes over Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, and he would add to his trophy collection again in 2015 when he beat Chapchai Nirat, also from Thailand, in a play-off.
In 2013 Austrian Bernd Wiesberger won a tightly contested battle against four-time Major winner Ernie Els of South Africa. Having been tied after three rounds a stroke behind Japan’s Daisuke Kataoka, Wiesberger’s final round of 67 was good enough to beat Els by a single stroke after Kataoka could only manage a 70 to finish a shot further back. The victory was Wiesberger’s second Asian Tour win, having won the DP World Tour co-sanctioned Ballantine’s Championship in April of 2012.
The 2015 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Anirban Lahiri of India was already a three-time Asian Tour champion coming into the Indonesian Masters in 2014, but all his previous wins had come in his home country. Starting the final round one shot behind the leader Cameron Smith of Australia, Lahiri fired a 68 on Sunday to finish one ahead of the 2022 Open Championship winner Smith and Korea’s Seukhyun Baek for his first international win.
The 2016 edition of the tournament would prove to be the breakthrough victory for Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, who prior to the victory had a runner-up at the 2014 Queen’s Cup as his best Asian Tour result. In the lead by two shots going into the final round Poom cruised to a five-shot win over compatriots Phachara Khongwatmai, Suradit Yongcharoenchai and Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura. Poom would also go on to claim the trophy in 2018 when he won by three shots over fellow Thai Jazz Janewattananond.
When Justin Rose won the event in 2017, he did so with the blistering score of 29-under-par and set a new tournament scoring record in the process. With scores of 62, 69, 66 and 62, the Englishman finished eight shots clear of Phachara, the runner-up for the second time in two years.
Rose returned to the tournament in 2018 as the number two ranked golfer in the world and had a chance to move back to world number one if he could finish tied 16th with one other player, and if he finished tied 12th or better, he would have been guaranteed the number one spot at the end of the year.
Entering the final round in tied-fourth and seven shots behind eventual winner Poom, Rose could only manage a 75 after a rough start and agonizingly finished in a tie for 17th place.
Jazz would get his hands on the trophy the following year, when in his Order of Merit winning season he triumphed by five shots over countryman Gunn Charoenkul.
Jazz Janewattannond of Thailand pictured celebrating with the trophy after winning of the BNI Indonesian Masters in 2019. Picture by Khalid Redza.
It was Jazz’s third win of the season, having won the SMBC Singapore Open and the Kolon Korea Open earlier in the year, but perhaps the most significant as it would guarantee the young Thai a top-50 in the world ranking at the end of the year, punching his ticket to the Masters Tournament in 2020. Amazingly he would also follow it up with another win the very next week at the Thailand Masters for his fourth win of the season.
Due to the global pandemic the tournament was not held in 2020 and 2021, but when it returned to the schedule in 2022 it was another Thai who had his breakthrough Asian Tour victory – Sarit Suwannarut who won by four over Lahiri. After a solid season with two previous top-10s the Qualifying School graduate was already assured of keeping his tour card for the following season, but the win meant he would finish the year ranked 10th on the Order of Merit.
His victory saw him become the 10th winner of Indonesia’s biggest and best golf tournament.
Anirban Lahiri is ready to relive some fond memories this week at the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, with the Indian former champion describing the host country as “a little piece of home away from home”.
Lahiri clinched the title in 2014, for a maiden victory away from Indian soil. He then followed that up with victory in the Venetian Macau Open in the same season, before winning the Maybank Malaysian Open and the Asian Tour Order of Merit the following season.
The 36-year-old, who has secured his spot in the LIV Golf League next year following a solid year in Crushers GC colours, also finished runner-up in the 2022 edition of the event, four shots behind Thai star Sarit Suwannarut, and he aims to go one better this week.
“It’s always fun to be back here, I really enjoy coming back. I enjoy this golf course. I think it sets up nice for me and I’ve done well over the years and yeah, it’s always fun to come here,” said Lahiri.
Anirban Lahiri. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Over the years, Indonesia was one of my favourite stops when I was playing on the Asian Tour because there was a massive Indian expat community. There still is but I remember coming here in my early days, 2008, 2009, 2010 and there would be a massive community of Indians, we would go to their homes for dinner and it felt like a little piece of home away from home. I’m going back 15 or 16 years and ever since then, it was like a love affair just to come here and enjoy the hospitality.”
Lahiri hopes to get the W he feels his form merits this week. His final-day seven-under in Miami last month was instrumental in Crushers GC winning the season-ending team tournament.
He said: “I’ve been playing really well but haven’t had a win to show for it. So, that’s going be the focus this week – to just keep doing what I’m doing because obviously I’m doing some things right but come Sunday, try and get into the same mindset that I found in Miami (LIV Golf Team Championship Miami) week and stay locked in and hopefully get over the line.
“Royale Jakarta in 2014 was my first international win outside of India and even before that, I had contended here and even since I’ve come close, on numerous occasions, so obviously, I enjoy playing here and looking forward to going one better than last year.”
The BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE is the final event on the 2023 International Series schedule, and a last chance for the players to secure crucial positions on the Order of Merit which could potentially secure entry into the LIV Golf Promotions event in Abu Dhabi come December.
“When you look at the last stretch, these three events can be significant in determining who wins it. Well, obviously, Andy’s (Andy Ogletree) run away with it, but there is still the opportunity to get on the LIV Golf Promotions event. Just the fact that you’re going to be playing in a quality field with a lot of us here. You’re playing for you know, one a half, two million dollars, sometimes more. I think it’s phenomenal!”
Lahiri is joined in the field by International Series Order of Merit champion Ogletree, reigning Indonesian Masters winner Sarit, 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell and 2018 Masters victor Patrick Reed.
Former Masters champion Patrick Reed visits Indonesia this week for the first time in his career to compete in the US$1.5 million BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, and clearly means business after saying today: “The biggest thing is to get a ‘W’, a win.”
The American has enjoyed enormous success on the LIV Golf League for the past two seasons playing for the 4AcesGC team, who have won the team title both occasions, but has not tasted victory individually since claiming the Farmers Insurance Open on the PGA Tour in 2021.
He has finished runner-up twice individually on the LIV Golf League, in Bangkok last year, and London in July.
“I feel like the game has improved this year,” said the American.
“When I look back at previous years, when I first turned pro, the game feels just as good, if not better. For golf, everything has to be on. You have to hit the ball well, you have to be there mentally. Your short game has to shine.”
Patrick Reed. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 33-year-old Texan played well in the Hong Kong Open last week, finishing in a tie for 15th and starts as one of the favourites this week in a tournament that includes defending champion Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand, American Andy Ogletree, Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, and former champion Anirban Lahiri from India.
“Last week was probably the best I have hit the ball in a long time, but the putter was flat, it disappeared, I think it was still jet-lagged,” he added.
“I feel like it will be here with me this week and with that being said I hope to close off the ‘W’.”
He hit global headlines when he won the Masters in 2018 and is a nine-time winner on the PGA Tour. He has also claimed two WGC events during his stellar 12-year professional career, at the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship and WGC-Mexico Championship in 2020.
He has also competed in three Ryder Cups, with his fine performances in the Match Play event earning him the nickname “Captain America”.
“My ambition has always been to travel and play globally. Being here in Indonesia, and Hong Kong last week, is an example of that and the same goes for LIV Golf,” he said.
“And you know one of the many things I am always impressed with when I come out here to Asia is all the hidden gems. Guys we have never heard of but when you come over here and watch them play you see the talent. And it is amazing they now have this vehicle on The International Series to play and take their game to the next level.
This week’s event is the final leg of this year’s 10-tournament International Series, while two more events remain on the Asian Tour schedule.
For someone who claims to be a good math student in school, Sarit Suwannarut has very strong opinion on numbers. Story by Joy Chakravarty.
“I hate them. I hate calculating numbers,” said the Thai, recent winner of the Volvo China Open in sensational fashion by six shots and the defending champion at this week’s BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE.
No wonder Sarit is a rare species in modern professional golf, one of the very few elite-level players who have shunned the use of launch monitors like Trackman or GCQuad. He even does not like using the lasers much, letting his caddie Guna do all the necessary calculations.
“I am a very ‘feel’ player. I don’t like using devices. In fact, I don’t even like going to the driving range much. If someone gives me the choice of hitting a thousand golf balls on the range and playing 36 holes in the heat and humidity, I will always go for the latter,” said Sarit, a two-time champion on Asian Tour and currently ranked 380th in the world.
“In most ranges, the balls are not that good. And sometimes, you are not even hitting off the grass. So why not go on the course and see the real result?
Sarit Suwannarut. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I always tell my coach that if he wants to set up the Trackman or GCQuad, I only need him to give me the results. Just tell me what I need to resolve. Just tell me what to do. I don’t want to look at any numbers. I have seen some players getting all worked up because they are hitting one degree left or a degree right. How can you fix one degree?
“With my coach and with Guna, I just ask them to tell me what I need to do. I don’t even like looking at the yardage book much. My caddie does all the calculations and I trust him 100 per cent. Give me how long you want me to hit the shot, and if you want a cut or draw and an idea of the wind. After that, if I am not close to the flag, it’s all Guna’s fault!”
It took Sarit almost a full year to win his second title on the Asian Tour, even though he has been in contention several times.
“I have been playing ok, but I haven’t putted well all year. I have not been very good in reading the greens. I started using AimPoint recently and it has helped me a lot. It’s again a feel thing. I can get the feel of the slopes better that way, just by standing on the greens,” added Sarit, who is currently 12th in The International Series Order of Merit and ninth in the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Sarit feels his four-shot win in the BNI Indonesian Masters over India’s Anirban Lahiri in Jakarta last year was a big moment of his career.
“I think the biggest thing was just me being able to hold myself together because it was the first time I found myself in situation where I had a chance to win. It was an awesome experience and I almost started crying walking up the 18th hole. I felt relief when I got it done,” said Sarit.
“Any time you win, it just makes you feel confident. I had my doubts before that. Will I ever be able to win on the Asian Tour? But after that, it changed my mindset in a good way. I have said this before, but if I did not win the Indonesian Masters last year, I don’t think I could have pulled off the win in China.”
However, Sarit is not taking anything for granted as he returns to Royale Jakarta Golf Club this week.
“I won last year and it’s already in the past. This week is a new event. It’s going to be a new course, and I will face the challenge of new players. So, I’m just going to focus on what I can do and try not to make any big mistakes,” said Sarit.
“I am playing well and I’ve been in good form. I will have a little more expectation to win another trophy. But it’s golf. You never know what’s going to happen. I will just try my best.”
The International Series has announced a new partnership with Wynn, the world’s leading luxury integrated resort developer and operator, that will bring elite-level golf to the region with the International Series Macau presented by Wynn set to be hosted at the Macau Golf & Country Club from 14-17 March 2024.
The four-day tournament marks the region of Macau’s debut on The International Series, a set of 10 elevated events introduced on the Asian Tour through a landmark $300m investment with LIV Golf.
The high-profile tournament raises the stakes for golf in Macau and the region, drawing leading LIV Golf players and Major winners alike and signifying the Asian Tour’s increasing prestige on the global stage.
Golfing superstars including five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka, 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year Cam Smith, and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia have graced The International Series stage throughout the season, an example of the significant star power regularly competing with the cream of the Asian Tour in high-profile events across Asia, Middle East, and UK.
A special press conference to announce the partnership and date was held at the Wynn Macau, with 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell and Andy Ogletree, The International Series 2023 Order of Merit champion all in attendance after a fun activation where they targeted a floating green from an elevated tee box on the Wynn Macau rooftop.
Patrick Reed, Graeme McDowell and Andy Ogletree attended the press conference.
Ms. Linda Chen, President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Wynn Macau Limited, said: “We are proud to sponsor the very first International Series Macau, part of a new elite tier of sporting events and entertaining offerings in Asia. This world-class golf tournament underscores our commitment to supporting the Macao SAR Government’s ‘1+4’ diversification development strategy, growing the sports industry, and strengthening the city’s position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “The International Series offers a dynamic platform with a proven track record for attracting big names. I would like to express my gratitude to Wynn Macau for allowing us to break new ground here, helping the Asian Tour and LIV Golf continue to develop what is now becoming the highest-level golf tournament series in Asia.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, warmly welcomed the tournament to Macau, and said: “We are truly excited The International Series will visit Macau for the first time in 2024. The Tour has visited Macau with regularity over the past two decades and today’s announcement is a tremendous development for golf in Macau’s burgeoning Greater Bay Area. The Asian Tour looks forward to working with Wynn Macau in helping to bring world-class golf to the area.”
International Series Macau is set to be an integral part of The International Series’ third season and ranks among one of the most elite international sporting events to take place in Macau. This top-tier golf tournament is a true testament of Wynn’s continued commitment toward elevating Macau’s position in the global sports arena and offering diversified experiences to visitors from around the world on an unprecedented level.
Reed said: “Being a worldwide player is something that has always been important to me. It is one of the reasons I joined LIV Golf and why I enjoy playing The International Series events on the Asian Tour. It’s exciting to come to new places to grow the game and to make golf a truly global sport.
“Macau is a stunning setting and an ideal destination for the International Series. From a player perspective it is a great addition to the calendar where you get to play world-class golf against a quality field while staying at the Wynn Palace, one of the finest luxury resort hotels in Macau.”
McDowell, who currently plays on the LIV Golf League and regularly participates in events on The International Series, said: “I’ve always enjoyed coming to this part of the world, and I think Macau has all the makings of a wonderful tournament venue.
“The hotel is exceptional, and I look forward to playing tournament golf in front of the knowledgeable golf fans of the region. The International Series is a perfect fit for Macau as golf in China continues to develop.”
Ogletree, a two-time winner on The International Series already this season with victories in Qatar and England, said: “I have played in many wonderful venues already on The International Series, and from my experience at the Wynn Macau, this is going to be a must-attend tournament next season.
“There is obviously real demand and great golf here, and this is a market that is only going to grow. Bringing some of the world’s best players next season can only help to cement Macau’s place on the international golfing market.”
Andy Ogletree has been confirmed as The International Series Order of Merit champion for the 2023 season, after his final round at the Hong Kong Open secured the finish needed to wrap up the season-long race with one event to play, and claim that coveted place on next season’s LIV Golf League.
The impressive American golfer held a significant lead over nearest challengers David Puig of Spain and Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent going into the Hong Kong Open, and the 25-year-old knew the title would be secured barring any disasters, with one of his rivals realistically having to win outright at the Hong Kong Golf Club to stand any chance.
In the end, Ogletree carded a final-round 69 for a -12 total, level with International Series Singapore champion Puig who shot a final round 68, while Vincent ultimately finished five strokes further back on seven under after a five-under round of 65.
Andy Ogletree, right, celebrates with his caddie Michael Pisciotta. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ogletree, a winner of The International Series events in Qatar and England this season, has now secured a spot on the lucrative LIV Golf League next season as Order of Merit champion, following in the footsteps of Scott Vincent, last year’s overall champion.
He said: “It’s awesome! I am so excited to win the Order of Merit. It’s been a lot of hard work this year and a lot of great golf has gone into this. I just want to thank everyone that’s gotten me to this point: the Asian Tour for all that they’ve done, and my team back home for allowing me to play the way I’ve played this year. I couldn’t be more excited, and I can’t wait to play LIV next year.
“I’ll definitely play a few events on The International Series along with all the LIV events that I’m going to play, so next year should be a great year and I just can’t wait to get started.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour said: “Andy has played some outstanding golf this year and has been head and shoulders above his peers on The International Series. The way he has worked his way back to the top after some injuries has been very admirable and it’s a testament to his hard work and determination. It can’t have been easy for him to travel halfway across the world to play the Asian Tour and we are glad to have him as our International Series Order of Merit Champion.”
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Andy is a worthy champion and an outstanding ambassador for The International Series. As an emerging young international player, competing in this series of marquee Asian Tour events and wonderful venues around the world, he has exemplified what The International Series is all about.
“His example shows the pathway that is open and available to top golfing talent from all over the world, an opportunity we are committed to delivering on The International Series, and we look forward to seeing him play in the LIV Golf League as well as future events on The International Series.”
This year’s Hong Kong Open was won in thrilling style by Ben Campbell. The International Series, a set of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour, now heads to Jakarta for the final event on the schedule, the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by Tunas Niaga Energi from 16-19 November. For more information about The International Series, the Asian Tour’s series of 10 elevated events per season, please follow the link here to the Asian Tour website
New Zealand’s Ben Campbell drained a 15-foot birdie putt on the famous par-four 18th hole to win the US$2 million Hong Kong Open today after gripping battle over the closing stages with playing-partners Cam Smith from Australia and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai.
Campbell, who had not led at any stage of the tournament until that brilliant last putt, shot a four-under-par 66 to finish on 19-under-par and beat Smith by one and Phacahara by two.
Smith returned a 68 and Phachara a 69 here at the Hong Kong Golf Club, while Canadian Richard T. Lee came in with a 64 to tie for third.
All three players, playing in the final pairing, were tied playing the last with the chance of a sudden-death play-off very high.
Ben Campbell. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
However, Campbell won it in normal time after Smith had to lay up with his second shot and nearly holed his third before making a four, while Phachara missed his birdie putt from 25-feet and three putted after missing a three footer.
For Campbell, who also birdied the 17th, this is his maiden win on the Asian Tour, with his only other win in the professional game coming at the New Zealand PGA Championship in 2018.
“It’s good to finally get the monkey off the back and yeah, sort of just battling away all day,” said Campbell.
“Sort of didn’t get off to the greatest of starts and swing wasn’t feeling that great. Sort of went back to a few close losses and wrote a few notes down in my yardage book last night, and really used them on those last four or five holes.
“It was getting a bit tight in the swing and just from those past experiences managed to, I think, you know, put a couple of nice swings coming down the stretch which really helped.”
The victory is also just reward for a player who has struggled with injuries and missed six months last year due to a back issue which required surgery.
Cameron Smith. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He said: “Even probably four months ago I was sort of battling with the body. I’ve had quite a few operations, and bulged discs in the back and things like that, so had to change the swing quite a bit especially in the last two or three years. So yeah, great to put that behind me now and the monkey’s off the back which is good.”
The most recent Kiwi winner of the Hong Kong Open was Frank Nobilo in 1997, while the only other was Walter Godfrey 1972.
Smith and Phachara had started the day sharing the lead with Campbell one back.
Phachara looked to be heading for the win when he birdied three in a row from 11 and led by one from Smith and two from Campbell with three to go.
However, drama unfolded on the par-four 16th when he hooked his tee into the trees. He chose to try and hit his ball back into play from a treacherous lie but failed to get it out before just being able to advance his ball to the edge of the fairway with the next. He ended up making a costly double. He also birdied the next hole before his disappointing finish on 18.
“Today my putting was not so good like the last three days, but I played well since the beginning until the 16th hole,” said Phachara.
“I was in a very difficult situation at that moment that I couldn’t do anything. Also, there were broken trees which was an obstacle so I couldn’t step backwards to drop the ball. I had to keep trying to hit it. However, I’m satisfied with my overall performance that I can make under-par for today.
“Playing with world class players like Cameron was an honour, and I did well until the last. However, it’s just not my time yet.”
Smith struggled with his driver and long irons over the weekend and was disappointed not to win for the first time in Asia.
“Pretty poor over the weekend I guess but I hung in there so lots of positives,” said the Australian
“Definitely wasn’t the nicest golf to be played over last couple of days, still lots to work on.”
Phachara Khongwatmai. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
American Andy Ogletree was the other big winner today after he was confirmed as the winner of The International Series Order of Merit, which hands him a ‘golden ticket’ onto next year’s multi-million dollar LIV Golf League.
He finished in joint 15th following a 69.
“At the moment it’s hard enough to think about the way I played today but I am so excited to win the Order of Merit,” said the American.
“It’s been a lot of hard work this year and a lot of great golf has gone into this and I just want to thank everyone that’s gotten me to this point. The Asian Tour for all that they’ve done and my team back home for allowing me to play the way I’ve played this year. I couldn’t be more excited, and I can’t wait to play LIV next year.”
Yubin Jang, the 21-year-old who turned professional last month after helping Korea win gold in the team event at the Asian Games, stormed through earlier in the day with a 63, spoiled only by a bogey on the last, to end in fifth place on 16 under.
The Asian Tour heads to the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE next week. The US$1.5 million event will be played at Royale Jakarta Golf Club and is the final International Series event of the season, and the third from last tournament on the Asian Tour schedule.
Australian Cam Smith set himself up to win his first title in Asia today after taking a share of the third-round lead at the US$2 million Hong Kong Open, along with Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand.
Smith had an unusually frustrating day on the Composite Course here at the holy grail of golf in the SAR, the Hong Kong Golf Club, but reached 16-under for the tournament after shooting a five-under-par 65.
His playing-partner and overnight leader Phachara, chasing his second win on the Asian Tour, fired a 66.
New Zealand’s Ben Campbell returned a 65 and is one stroke back, a shot ahead Chinese-Taipei’s Max Lee Chieh-po, who came in with a 66.
Cameron Smith. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Smith, who has won twice on the LIV Golf League this year, the most recent being in Bedminster in August, had an erratic day off the tee. The worst of those shots came on the 16th where he hooked his tee shot into the trees, from where he was able to get his ball back into play and make a bogey.
“Hit a really crappy shot off the tee [on 16],” said the 30-year-old, playing in the event for only the second time, the first being nine years ago when he tied ninth.
“Didn’t feel comfortable with the long stuff all day today. So little bit of work to do overnight I think, and get it back to where it should be, and it will be fine tomorrow.”
The slip up on 16 was his only dropped shot of the day, while his silky-smooth putting stroke saved the day for him with six birdies.
“I must need to tighten up the driver and the stuff off the tee. I didn’t hit as many fairways today which led to more missed greens. It was a bit of a grind out there today. Hopefully it can be stress free tomorrow. I found parts of the course I don’t want to see ever again.”
Phachara Khongwatmai. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Phachara will have another excellent opportunity to add a second Asian Tour title to his resume tomorrow.
At the end of 2021 the Thai star won the Laguna Phuket Championship for his maiden win on the Asian Tour and despite numerous opportunities a second win has remained elusive.
A dropped shot on the first did little to deter him as he rallied with five birdies later, including three on the back nine to keep the pressure on his Australian opponent.
Said Phachara: “I felt great, but I didn’t start very good, bogey on the first hole but I was back on my game very quick. You know, my mindset was it’s gone that hole, just make a comeback.
“The front nine was pretty difficult. I still kept my game and my mindset, and I just tried my best because it was a difficult day today.
“My game plan right now, everything in my game is pretty good. Maybe if I can make a lot of putts tomorrow, I will have a chance.”
Campbell, like Phachara, faces arguably the biggest day of his career tomorrow as he tries to win one of Asia’s biggest golf tournaments.
Ben Campbell. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He has been enjoying a strong season, including a joint runner-up placing in the New Zealand Open in March, on his home course at Millbrook Resort.
On tomorrow’s winning score he said: “I think obviously you got to get into the 20s, if you’re in the 20s you’re gonna have a chance. I suppose it depends how the boys finish, if they finish on 16 [today] then if you get to 23 or 24, then you got to have a good chance. So yeah, a nice low one tomorrow. It was tricky out there picking the wind a bit today, so it depends if it’s sort of gusty like that again tomorrow.”
American Andy Ogletree fired a 66, to finish on 11 under, and will be crowned The International Series Order of Merit champion tomorrow barring a shock turn of events. If he tumbles down the leaderboard then Spaniard David Puig or Zimbabwe’s Kieran Vincent, second and third on the Merit list, could potentially catch him by winning this week and the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE next week – the final International Series event of the season.
Puig has an outside chance as he also carded a 66 and is 10 under while Vincent had a poor day shooting 74 and sitting at two under is out of the running.
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