Chacarra beats Jones in epic, record-breaking play-off at inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship
The Asian Tour sensationally witnessed the longest sudden-death play-off in its history today, when young Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra defeated veteran Matt Jones from Australia on the 10th extra hole at the inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship.
Chacarra made a par on the par-five 18th, two putting from 30 feet, while Jones, 20 years his senior, missed a five-footer for a five at Fairmont St Andrews – after one of the most exciting ever finishes on the Asian Tour.
Both players had birdied the final hole in normal time to finish tied on 19-under, with Chacarra carding a five-under-par 67 and Jones a 69.
Australian Andrew Dodt (68) and Jaco Ahlers (69) from South African finished one stroke short of the play-off.
Chile’s Mito Pereira and Gaganjeet Bhullar from India both returned 70s and were another shot back.
The previous longest play-off took place at the 2001 SK Telecom Open in Korea, when local player Charlie Wi triumphed after seven holes against countryman Kang Wook-soon and Simon Yates from Scotland.
Eugenio Chacarra. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It was a long day,” said Chacarra.
“Happy it came out my way, but I mean, Matt had a tremendous day as well. Tremendous 10 holes, I think we all know he’s a great player. Thank you very much it came out my way but I’m sure Matt will win a lot of more events.
“It was amazing, I think the Asian Tour is doing amazing things. I mean, they’re growing the game of golf and I had a lot of fun. We normally don’t get these good days in Scotland, so it was awesome. I mean, obviously I got the win so it would make it a little more fun, but it was awesome. Yeah, thanks to the Asian Tour International Series for what they’re doing and hopefully we can come back a lot more years.”
This is the 23-year-old’s first 72-hole victory since turning professional last year, while he also claimed the individual title in last year’s LIV Golf Bangkok.
Two-time Australian Open winner Jones, who like Chacarra plays on the LIV Golf League, was looking for his first win since the 2021 Honda Classic on the PGA Tour and felt it was his putting that let him down.
He said: “I threw away a golf tournament with the way I putted during the tournament, and in the play-off. I putted pretty awful all week. I missed a lot of short ones. My speed was terrible, but I hit some nice shots. It is always good to get into contention, but I am done now, I am tired.”
The 43-year-old appeared out of it on the third extra hole but sensationally chipped in from 25 feet to keep his chances alive.
The play-off was just one short of the all-time longest sudden-death play-off: the 1949 Motor City Open, between Cary Middlecoff and Lloyd Mangrum, which lasted 11 holes before they decided to share the honours.
Overnight-leader Turk Pettit from the United States closed with 74 and tied for eighth on 15 under, along with countryman Andy Ogletree.
Ogletree helped maintain his dominance of the Asian Tour and International Series rankings after closing with a fine six birdies and no bogeys 65. Unlike this week, he was the runaway winner last week at the International Series England, where he triumphed by seven.
L-R-Eugenio Chacarra and Matt Jones shake hands on the 18th after a 10 hole playoff Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The St Andrews Bay Championship concludes the Asian Tour’s ‘UK summer swing’. The Tour heads to Korea next for the Shinhan Donghae Open, to be played on the Ocean Course at Club72 from September 7-10 – one of 11 more events scheduled to complete the season.
Thailand’s amateur ace Ratchanon Chantananuwat has shown he is as equally proficient in the classroom as on the golf course after recording straight ‘As’ in his English and Maths GCSE exams. Report by Olle Nordberg, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour.
“TK”, as he is popularly known, has constantly had to balance competing in tournaments with his studies and that appears to be paying off as he looks to get the right grades in order to be accepted by a top college in the United States.
News of his results came ahead of this week’s St Andrews Bay Championship, where he has shot rounds of 70,70 and 71 and is five under for the tournament heading into today’s final round. The International Series event is being led by American Turk Pettit, on 17 under.
“School is good,” said the 16-year-old wonder kid, who last year became the youngest winner on the Asian Tour when he claimed the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup by two shots over current PGA Tour star Tom Kim of Korea.
“I just got my grades, A star in English, A in math, so I’ll take that, you know. Like I’d hoped for an A star in math, but you can’t get everything you want. It should be good enough to get into any college alongside of good golf, but I still got a couple more subjects, so it seems like it’s a never-ending process. I did chemistry, physics and economics, now there are other subjects and I just want to get everything over with so I can finally be a full-time golfer.”
Ratchanon Chantananuwat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He actually received results in five subjects, with the only B he got surprisingly coming in Physical Education.
Because of his academic excellence and golf prowess, “TK” will have plenty of great options where to continue his studies and golf career, with some top tier golf and academic universities on his radar.
He said: “I’ve gotten to the point where I’ve finalised a couple of deals with a couple of schools, and I just need to make up my mind as to where I want to go and commit to that place.”
While he’s not scheduled to graduate high school for another two years, he is fortunate enough that the universities he is considering are offering to start his college career earlier than that.
Regarding just how early he said: “It depends on the school. I graduate in 2025, by age I should start in September of 2025, but for one college I would start in September of 2024 and the rest I would start in January of 2024. That would be two years early, one year earlier has always been the plan all along, but some schools have even gone further than that and offered me two years early.”
Having already posted an Asian Tour win against the professionals, “TK” recorded his best-ever result in a major amateur championship this summer when he reached the semifinals stage in the 128th Amateur Championship at Hillside and Southport & Ainsdale, England in June.
Having had limited prep time for last year’s Amateur Championship due to competing in the inaugural LIV Golf London event at Centurion Club, which resulted in him missing the match play rounds, he came early this year and prepared well for the event.
He said:“The most important thing other than getting to know the courses was getting used to the weather, with me being from Asia you will never get this or anything close to this. So, I had like six really solid practice rounds leading up to the event. Keep in mind this was on two courses, so that’s three on each.”
For the remainder of this season “TK” will continue to focus on his studies and golf, with key Asian Tour events and a major amateur championship on his fall schedule.
Ratchanon celebrates winning the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup last year. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Well, I got a couple of tests, I got biology tests I know for sure that I need to take three times, maybe SATs, and hopefully I can get to play the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship,” he explained.
“And as for Asian Tour, I’ll be playing as much as I can. I know I probably have to miss Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea, as I need to go back to start school, but the International Series Singapore and Mercuries Taiwan Masters are a given. Also, the SJM Macau Open, hopefully, with a couple more that I need to look at on the schedule. But at least three or four more.”
Turk Pettit is in the process of putting together far and away the best tournament of his short professional career after shooting an incredible bogey-free 10-under-par 62 to take the third-round lead at the St Andrews Bay Championship.
Eight birdies and an eagle left him one short of the course record – set by Scotland’s Ewan Ferguson last year – but gave him a one-shot lead, on 17 under, over Australian Matt Jones, who fired a 66.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar (65), Mito Pereira from Chile (67) and South African Jaco Ahlers (68) are next best placed, two back from Petit, on a day of remarkably low scoring, that saw 10 eagles made, on the Torrance Course at Fairmont St Andrews.
Overnight leader Davd Puig from Spain had a four-shot lead after eight, but thereafter the wheels unexpectedly came off. Poor tee shots on nine, 14 and 16 led to a triple bogey and then two double bogeys respectively. He fired a disappointing 73 and is on 13 under.
Pettit, 24, has only made three cuts in nine starts this season on the Asian Tour, with his best finish coming in the International Series Vietnam, where he tied for 34th, but he looks like turning the corner this week.
“Hit it in position and made a lot of putts, so it’s easy when you do that, but man, it was a great day, it’s what you work for,” said the American from Louisianna, who turned professional in 2021 after winning the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship.
Matt Jones. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He has tasted victory twice since turning professional in the Birck Boilermaker Classic, in just his third start Forme Tour in 2021, while a month ago he claimed the Colorado Open.
He added: “I’m finally starting to hit the ball a bit better. I’ve worked really hard on my putting as well, and today it paid off. So, I’ve been working hard, and you know, the Colorado Open was… It’s been about two years since I’ve won a golf tournament, so winning that Open was a big deal for me.”
Two-time Australian Open champion Jones recovered from a poor start, that saw him bogey the second and third, by making three birdies on the trot from sixth, and another three in a row from 10, then two more on 15 and 18.
“It was just really a couple of bad shots on the second and third hole,” he explained.
“After that I just gave myself plenty of birdie chances. I just say my pace has been off pretty much all week. So, I’m gonna do some work.”
Bhullar is another who yet to fire this season but will be delighted to be in contention this week.
He said: “It was a smooth sail, made eight birdies and one bogey. I actually got off to a really good start. I was just thinking about my whole round, I think I ended up hitting 16 greens in regulation today and the first 15 they were all greens in regulation, missed only one fairway today.
“It was a class act. You know, it was the way I drove the ball well, the way I putted, I was quite proud of myself. Actually, the last few months I’ve been trying to work on my game. I’ve been trying to figure out my loose ends and I guess today was one of those rounds when everything came together, and the result was seven under par.”
He is the most winningest Indian on the Asian Tour, and a win tomorrow would be his 11th.
American Berry Henson achieved the rare feat of making back-to-back eagles on the par-five sixth and the par-four seventh. He hit a four iron to four feet on the sixth, then a driver to two feet on the next. He fired a 65 and is in a tie for 15th on 11 under.
He said: “Back-to-back eagles today were amazing, and I think it might have been a first for me, I’m not really sure. I will look back in the history books, but, yeah, I love the golf course.”
Gaganjeet Bhullar. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Earlier in the day, his compatriot Andy Ogletree – winner of last week’s International Series England and leader of both the Asian Tour and International Series merit lists – appeared to be playing his way back into the tournament lying seven under for his round reaching the 18th, but dropped his only shots of the day there, a double-bogey seven, to card a 67 and finish eight under for the tournament.
Spaniard David Puig put himself in the perfect position to try and win his first title as a professional today when he opened up a three-shot lead at the halfway point of the St Andrews Bay Championship – the sixth International Series event of the season on the Asian Tour.
The 21-year-old, a professional since last September, shot a spectacular eight-under-par 64 – the lowest round of the week so far – to reach 14 under, with South African Jaco Ahlers in second place, following a 67.
Australians Matt Jones (65) and Andrew Dodt (68), Eugenio Chacarra (66) from Spain, England’s James Wilson (66), American Micah Lauren Shin (67), Korean Seungtaek Lee (67) and Chile’s Mito Pereira (68) are in a tie for third, four behind Puig.
Players took advantage of the bright and calm conditions at Fairmont St Andrews, where the Torrance Course is being used, to shoot low scores, with Puig once again excelling, making nine birdies, to go with the 10 he made yesterday.
Six of those birdies today came on the back nine, including the last four.
Jaco Ahlers. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Played pretty good again,” said Puig.
“Didn’t start that good on the first five holes swing wise, but yeah, after number five, the par- three, I think I played very well and hit it very good off the tee. And almost made every putt I needed to make, so yeah, I’m very happy with my game.”
He’s come close to winning before on the Asian Tour, at last year’s International Series Morocco, where he was third, and last week’s International Series England, where he tied for fourth.
He has, however, enjoyed phenomenal team success on the LIV Golf League this season, winning four team titles with Torque GC – the franchise also consisting of captain Joaquin Niemann and Pereira.
Puig says he his reaping the rewards of many hours of practice and preparation.
“Off the tee I got a lot better for sure. I got longer and straighter with pretty much every club, which obviously helps a ton especially on courses like this one where you need to get to fairways,” he said,
“I would say because of focusing too much on that, maybe I am not that good, or as good as I want to be, or as good as I was with the wedges, but it’s a work in progress. I know it’s the best part of my game, it just didn’t show up yet the way I want it. But yeah, I mean working with Dave Phillips, who is my coach, we’ve been working hard, swing wise, setup wise and also in the gym, so very, very happy with the improvement.”
Ahlers could have finished closer to Puig but missed opportunities over the closing stages.
He said: “Yeah, it was good, just finished a little weak I would say. I missed two four footers on 15 and 16 for birdie and then didn’t birdie 18, but all in all it was good.
“Ball striking has been good for a few weeks, just the putting was bad last week. The balls are rolling great on these greens, and I have started seeing the lines better and made a few nice putts.”
Pereira, who started the day in a share of the lead with five others, is the highest ranked player in the field on the Official World Golf Ranking, in 72nd place, and looks to be in fine form this week. His low-ball flight suits windy conditions which has not been a factor yet but maybe at the weekend.
“Yeah, today there was no wind at all, yesterday was a little bit more windy, but nothing crazy. But today was definitely easier,” said the 28-year-old, who came agonisingly close to winning his first Major last year when he had a one-shot lead playing the final hole at the PGA Championship but made a double and tied for third – missing out on a sudden-death play-off that saw American Justin Thomas beat his compatriot Will Zalatoris.
Mito Pereira. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I played solid, a solid round, just missed a couple of putts that could have could have been birdie, but really solid overall, I mean just one bogey. Pretty much all day in the fairways, greens, so happy with the round.”
Korean-American Shin caught the eye with a tremendous finish. He made the turn in three under but undid all the good work with a triple-bogey on the par-three 11th before he birdied five out of the last seven.
“I’ve been putting well this week,” said Shin, whose ball landed in thick rough on 11 from where he took three to get out.
“To be honest my back is not too good right now, so I was actually not expecting myself to be in this position. Plus, I’m not actually hitting it that well, but I’m managing to get my job done.”
He has won once before on the Asian Tour, at the Resorts World Manila Masters in 2017 – where he defeated Arnond Vongvanij of Thailand in extra-time, having called a ruling on himself in the final round which meant he was penalised two strokes for having 15 clubs in his bag.
Further down the field Thailand’s amateur star Ratchanon ‘TK” Chantananuwat, who made it through to the semi-finals of the Amateur Championship in June, returned his second successive 70 and is four under.
Spain’s Sergio Garcia added a 69 to his disappointing first round 77 to sit at two over, meaning he will not be playing at the weekend. The cut was made at three under.
Chile’s Mito Pereira holed a brilliant chip shot from 20 feet on the par-five 18th for an eagle to fire a six-under-par 66 and a share of the lead at the inaugural St Andrews Bay Championship today, with five other players on the opening day.
Spaniard David Puig – his Torque GC team-mate on the LIV Golf League – Indians Anirban Lahiri and Veer Ahlawat, South African Jaco Ahlers, and Andrew Dodt from Australia, shot the same number at Fairmont St Andrews – in an International Series event, on the Asian Tour.
Pereira’s fine finish made his 66 just that bit more special but he also started his round impressively making five birdies in the first six holes, on a sunny day when the wind was relatively subdued.
Said Pereira, who made an eagle, six birdies and two bogeys: “Nice to finish with the three. It all depends on the wind here, you never know, some days are pretty calm, and then you get 30 mile-an-hour winds. Today it was not that windy, at some point it started to blow a lot, I would say it’s the average low wind here. I hope it stays this way.
David Puig. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“This week is the same as all the events, hit well off the tee, be in position and try and make some putts. Today the driver worked pretty well, maybe one bad one.”
This week marks only his third appearance on the Asian Tour as he made his debut on the Tour at the Saudi International in February, where he tied for sixth, and a week later he made his maiden International Series appearance in Oman, finishing joint 11th.
The 28-year-old has forged a winning partnership with compatriot Joaquin Niemann and Puig on the LIV Golf League this season – winning four team titles with Torque.
Puig finished joint fourth in the International Series England last week and was on point again today, impressively making 10 birdies.
“Pretty crazy to make 10 birdies, I have had 10 birdies in a practice round, but I don’t think in a tournament,” said the 21-year-old, who made a double on the par-three 17 and two bogeys.
“I hit an eight iron on 17 but for sure it was a nine. We never saw it bounce and it disappeared, so we went back to the tee but besides that I played very solidly and finished very strong.
“Today was fair, it wasn’t that windy. I think I have some advantage as I think I hit it pretty far, so the holes into the wind I can get to the green easily and the ones that are down wind I can hit it pretty close to the green, like on nine.”
Last year Puig quickly underlined his credentials as one of golf’s most exciting young prospects. Just two months after turning professional in September, he made his Asian Tour debut at the International Series Morocco and claimed third.
“Obviously I am here to win, I am not here to finish third or fourth,” said the Spaniard.
“I am still pretty young. I know I have the game to be up there and win. It will take some time and maybe I wasn’t ready last week, but I am ready for this one. I am looking forward to playing this week and giving myself another chance.”
Lahiri, who was third last week and second in the previous International Series event he played in, in Vietnam, was another to enjoy the mild conditions, although he does not fear the potential for windy weather.
Anirban Lahiri. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“There are some demanding tee shots, but you just have to grind it out and there are some opportunities that you can take advantage of and makes some birdies,” said the Asian Tour’s number one player in 2015.
“I am really happy we got such nice weather, I wasn’t expecting it. I have played a lot of golf in windy conditions, I played in Europe as well, in fact I actually love playing in wind and especially when the conditions get tough. I like it when you have to grind it out.”
Koreans Seungtaek Lee and Micah Lauren Shin, Ian Snyman from South African, India’s Viraj Madappa, American Dru Luv, Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan, and England’s Matt Killen all came in with 67s.
As did David Rudd, Scotland’s leading player after round one, who made it through the 18-holer qualifier on the Torrance course with the same score last week.
“Hit the ball okay, putted very nicely,” said the 23-year-old, who has been a professional for two years and competed on the MENA Tour this year.
“I missed quite a few greens, so up and down generally was really, really important. I only failed to get up and down once. And I slotted one 50-footer on the par-three fifth. I didn’t think that was going in, so I walked early.”
American Andy Ogletree, who won last week and is the runaway leader on the Asian Tour and International Series Orders of Merit, fired a 70.
England’s Paul Casey returned a 71, while Sergio Garcia from Spain uncharacteristically shot 77, having been three under through seven, before a poor back nine saw him make a double and a triple.
Sergio Garcia’s illustrious career has been highlighted by six victories on the Asian Tour but this week his relationship with the Tour takes a new turn when he competes in the circuit’s first-ever event on Scottish soil, at the St Andrew Bay Championship, at Fairmont St Andrews – the sixth stop of the season on the flourishing International Series.
After two decades of making trips to compete in Asia, the 2017 Masters champion is excited about this week’s unique opportunity, which also gives him the chance of winning his first title in Scotland, as a professional.
Said Garcia: “It would be nice to win [in Scotland] obviously I have been close a few times. If you count the Ryder Cup, yes, I have won here. It is something I would like to have the possibility of changing. We’ll give it our best shot.”
Garcia, 43, claimed the Amateur Championship in 1998 at Muirfield, and was part of the Spanish team, along with Miguel Ángel Jiménez and José María Olazábal, to win the Alfred Dunhill Cup the following year on the Old Course here at St Andrews, but the closest he has come to triumphing since was in The Open at Carnoustie in 2007 – when Ireland’s Padraig Harrington denied him victory after a four-hole play-off.
Sergio Garcia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It is very exciting. Winning is one of the reason why we are here,” he said.
“I have always enjoyed playing in Scotland. I love the crowds here and it’s good to see. I didn’t have to come and play this week, but I wanted to, it really drove me to come here.”
At today’s press conference, England’s Paul Casey said it hadn’t occurred to him how unusual it is for the Asian Tour to be in Scotland as major Tour’s today hold events all over the world, and Garcia felt the same.
He said: “It is something you don’t really think about. We play in so many different places and so many different Tours and I think at the end of the day the game is a global game, so I think that is the way I look at it. The Asian Tour is playing in a lot of spots now. I see it as a positive and something nice and it just shows how global our game is.
“And I am sure there are other places they want to go, and they have to find what fits best for everyone. Best it’s good to see and you never know maybe they will add one or two more here.”
The Spaniard claimed his first title in Asia in 2002 at the Korean Open, and he has been a regular visitor since.
And his success in Asia also extends to the LIV Golf League: he captained the Fireball GC team to victory in Bangkok last year, and narrowly missed securing his first individual title after being beaten by American Talor Gooch in a play-off in Singapore in April.
His adaptability to play and win anywhere is borne out by the fact that his Asian Tour wins have come in China, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
It is surprising that Scotland has yet to deliver him silverware but a win here this week will be the 37th of his career and his first since the 2020 Sanderson Farms Championship, on the PGA Tour, plus his first on the Asian Tour since his memorable triumph at the Singapore Open in 2018, at Sentosa Golf Club – where the Asian Tour is headquartered.
Garcia tees off at 12.20pm tomorrow with American Harold Varner III and Anirban Lahiri from India.
After posting two impressive top-25s on the Asian Tour in 2022 while playing as an amateur, Taichi Kho from Hong Kong secured his playing rights as a professional by finishing tied 22nd at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January. Report by Olle Nordberg, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour.
He would waste little time in securing his first Asian Tour title in dramatic fashion at his home club Hong Kong Golf Club, smashing a driver down the dangerously narrow 18th hole to win the World City Championship presented by Hong Kong Golf Club by two shots over a strong field that included global stars like the 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson and Ryder Cup legend Ian Poulter.
The enormously popular victory was Kho’s first win as a professional, and it was also the maiden Asian Tour victory by a Hong Kong player. It also meant he qualified for his first Open Championship, played at Royal Liverpool in July – meaning he became the first player born in Hong Kong to compete in the game’s oldest Major.
This week Kho is in Scotland for the St. Andrews Bay Championship at Fairmont St. Andrews – an event that is part of Asian Tour’s International Series – and asked how he feels about teeing it up this week the 22-year-old said: “Super special. I’ve never been to St. Andrews before, but everyone that I’ve talked to has only said great things about it. I’m just looking forward to embracing the week as a whole and look forward to playing some links golf again. I feel like I got some great experiences from The Open so hopefully that can help.”
After a lean spell following his win in Hong Kong that included some missed cuts, Kho steadied the ship at last week’s International Series England. Against a star-studded field that included Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell, Kho fired a final round five-under-par 66 to finish tied-ninth and feels like his game is still on the right track.
Said Kho: “Yeah, I mean, I feel like the tournaments I played after Hong Kong, like they’ve all been pretty new experiences for me. Like playing in Korea is really different, you know, playing The Open was a pretty stiff challenge.”
Taichi Kho. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“So overall, I feel like my game has been there since Hong Kong and I feel like it’s been continuing to progress. It’s just sometimes the scores come and go, and it was kind of going, but overall, I didn’t really falter in the sense that I knew the game was there. So, it was just a matter of time.”
Having narrowly missed out on earning a spot in last year’s Open Championship when he finished runner-up in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in 2021, Kho made his debut at Royal Liverpool in July and was over the moon about the experience.
“Yeah, it was magical, really,” he said.
“I mean, I wish the week lasted forever, but it didn’t. It was just the amount of people that came out, and the players you play with, like I watched them growing up on TV and it’s just, you know, to be part of that crew was really special. And it really did motivate me, like I know I didn’t play my best, but it really motivated me and gave me kind of like a pump of determination into my game just to get back there in years to come. Because I’ve honestly never played an event like that, it was just the most magical experience ever,” he said.
At The Open Kho also had the chance to play a practice round with the 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott, who offered up some invaluable advice to the young Hong Kong native.
He said: “Yeah, I played 18 with Adam Scott leading up to the event on the Wednesday, just to see how he kind of prepares in the sense of like, he’s okay hitting some loose shots in the practice rounds, like that doesn’t really get him panicked or anything. He’s just very levelheaded. And he has a really, really great sense of how far each club goes, like, for example, a nine o’clock [swing] seven iron from 140 goes, and that’s something I’ve never heard of before with a mid-iron. So, I’m kind of incorporating that into my game as well, it has really helped me.”
While the former Notre Dame University standout has never been to St. Andrews and Scotland, he does have some experience playing on links courses at this year’s Open Championship and the 2022 Amateur Championship at Royal Lytham & St Annes, and he thinks the style of play fits his game well.
“Yeah, I learned a lot from playing at The Open, just controlling my yardages with my irons a little better, flighting my shots a little better. And being a little more, I guess, mentally aggressive in the wind, just knowing that if I hit a good shot, I will get rewarded. So overall, I feel like, yeah, links golf really suits real good feel players, with good control over your distances and your ball. So, I feel like that’s something that I’ve been continuing to work on, especially after The Open, and since then I feel like I’ve really progressed.”
There’s always a measured sense of calm on Sadom Kaewkanjana’s face. But mention links golf and he brightens up, considerably. Story by Joy Chakravarty.
That’s a bit surprising, considering that the 25-year-old Thai hardly played on links courses in his growing years. His first stint came well into his teenage years in amateur tournaments, and the love story reached a peak last year during the 150th Open Championship at the Old Course where he closed with a stunning seven-under par 65 for a tied 11th place last year – the best-ever performance by a player from his country in the event.
Ahead of this week’s US$1.5 million St Andrews Bay Championship, being played Fairmont St Andrews, he says there is a very specific reason for his love for links golf, and the excitement is palpable.
“I love links courses. I have been looking forward to this tournament,” said Sadom, currently in sixth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Sadom Kaewkanjana. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“Honestly, I don’t like to chip much. But the links courses give you an amazing opportunity to be creative with your putter. To be able to putt from way off the green is a challenge that I love. It’s a great satisfaction when you hit a long putt and can see it snaking all the way to the hole.”
Sadom, who eagled the fifth hole at the Open last year with a well-read putt from 45 feet, finished third in the inaugural International Series England at Slaley Hall last year, another indication of how comfortable he is in British conditions.
“I really like playing in the UK. I don’t mind the cold and I don’t mind the wind. I am also ok with the rain. I played well at The Open last year and also at Slaley Hall. Hopefully, I will be able to carry on the great memories I have from the Old Course to Fairmont, which is just a few miles away in St Andrews,” said Sadom.
“St Andrews is such a special place for golf and all the courses in the area are a dream to play for any golfer. One should not be worrying about the weather when we get a chance to play here.”
The Thai superstar recently spent a month as a practicing monk in a monastery back home, and feels the lessons he learned there will become a powerful 15th club in his arsenal when on a golf course.
“It was something that I wanted to do and when I got the break in Asian Tour schedule, I went ahead with it,” he said.
“It was all about leading a very simple life, and a very regimented one. We had to follow a strict schedule. We only ate breakfast and lunch, and that felt good. We were not allowed to use our mobile phones when in the monastery.
Sadom Kaewkanjana. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“It was a great experience as a person, and I really believe it is going to beneficial for my golf. We had to do a lot of meditation, and it has helped me concentrate better. It was all about living in the present, and those are just some of the things that you need to do when playing golf.”
The St Andrews Bay Championship starts on Thursday and is part of The International Series.
The highly anticipated 2023 SJM Macao Open will bring world-class golf back to the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China this October 12-15.
To be played at its traditional venue, the picturesque and challenging Macau Golf and Country Club, the US$1 million tournament will form part of the 2023 Asian Tour schedule and feature a field of 144 players.
The Macao Open is title sponsored by SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM), who have signed a three-year agreement with tournament promoter and organiser IMG. SJM is a leading owner, operator and developer of premium integrated entertainment resorts in Macao. The Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government is the co-organiser of the SJM Macao Open, which is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Macao Golf Association.
Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour CEO & Commissioner lauded the return of the event, saying: “The return of the Macao Open is hugely significant for the Asian Tour, as it has played such an important role in our history for over two decades. There is no doubt that our members are all excited to see it back on the schedule and look forward to turning out in force to soak up the atmosphere of competing in this special event. Our thanks go to SJM Resorts for paving the way for the event’s return together with the Sports Bureau of Macao, the Macao Golf Association, Macau Golf and Country Club and IMG.”
Pun Weng Kun, President of the Sports Bureau of Macao SAR Government, said: “We are extremely grateful for the full support of the title sponsor SJM Resorts, as well as the commitment of the Asian Tour and the Macau Golf Association, in reinstating the Macao Open. The Sports Bureau continues to introduce various large-scale sports events, using sports as a platform to enhance Macau’s image as a world centre of tourism and leisure. By combining sports, culture and tourism, the branding and impact of sports events are enhanced while promoting the development of Macau’s sports industry.”
Min Woo Lee. Picture by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images.
Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM, remarked, “We are extremely excited to see the homecoming of the Macao Open since 2017. As we tee-off to a three-year partnership, we are ready to roll out the red carpet to the world’s golf legends as well as welcome overseas golf enthusiasts to our hometown.” She further emphasised, “The event will not only bring Macau to the forefront of the global golf community but will also give our local youngsters the chance to participate in PGA-caliber competitions. The SJM Macao Open is a highlight of our annual international sports calendar curated to showcase Macau as a true hub of sporting excellence and drive the dynamic fusion of ‘Sports + Tourism’ developments for Macau.”
The SJM Macao Open has attracted some of the world’s leading players since its inception in 1998. Players confirmed so far for the tournament this year include rising Australian star Min Woo Lee, currently ranked among the top 50 in the world, and China’s legendary trailblazer, Zhang Lianwei, who won the tournament twice in 2001 and 2002.
“This will be my first time competing in the SJM Macao Open and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve heard so many great things about the event and the venue, Macau Golf and Country Club, and hopefully I will be able to add my name to the illustrious list of winners,” said the 25-year-old Lee, who is the younger brother of LPGA star Minjee Lee.
Zhang is regarded as a pioneer for Chinese professional golf with numerous wins worldwide including five on the Asian Tour and is also the first Chinese golfer to play in the Masters Tournament in 2004.
“The Macao Open is one my favourite tournaments as it has provided so memorable moments in my career, especially in 2002 when I won a playoff against Nick Price. I’m sure we will see some great action this year and I can’t wait to test my skills against the next generation of golfers,” noted Zhang.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, the title holder from the tournament’s last staging in 2017, will be returning to Macao to defend his title. He will be joined by other leading golfers from the region such as 2016 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Scott Hend of Australia who has won 10 times on the tour, Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines who has three Asian Tour titles to his name, and Australian Wade Ormsby who has won four times on the circuit.
Regional powerhouse Thailand will have a host of players in the field, led by Sadom Kaewkanjana and the legendary Thaworn Wiratchant, who holds the record for most Asian Tour wins having amassed 18 titles over his glittering career.
The 2023 SJM Macao Open will also feature young talents such as Taichi Kho of Hong Kong, China, who won the World City Championship on home soil earlier this year for his maiden Asian Tour title, and promising local amateurs Hun Pui-In and Kaijun Ma.
Hun played in the SJM Macao Open in 2016 and 2017 while he was still a junior, missing the cut on both occasions. However, he gained valuable experience from his two appearances and is looking forward to the third.
“It was a truly unforgettable experience playing in the Macao Open, and I gained a lot of valuable knowledge and insight competing against some of the best players in the world. I am so happy to be given the chance to play in the event again and hope to do better this time,” said the 23-year-old.
Zhang Lianwei pictured winning the Macau Open in 2011. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Charles Lo, President of Macao Golf Association stressed that the return of Macao Open was a welcome development. “After a lapse of five years, the return of the Macao Open is something that we are all looking forward to tremendously. The tournament will certainly provide a huge boost to the local golf industry,” he said.
Grant Slack, EVP & Managing Director, Golf Events of IMG, noted: “It has been a pleasure to play our part in the staging of the SJM Macao Open over the years. We are very excited about the 2023 edition, and it is our aim to make it a memorable occasion befitting the 20th milestone.”
Australia’s strong contingent of players competing on the Asian Tour have underscored the importance of the Tour’s decision to stage one of its First Stage Qualifying School events ‘Down Under’.
Speaking at last week’s International Series England, Wade Ormsby, winner of this year’s International Series Thailand, Jack Thompson, who finished top of the class at this year’s Qualifying School, and former New Zealand Open champion Zach Murray have all welcomed what will only be the second time a stage has been played in their country.
The highly anticipated 2024 Asian Tour Qualifying School starts next month, with the first of six First Stage qualifiers being played at the Mt Derrimut Golf & Community Club in Victoria, from September 26-29.
“Well, it’s fantastic!” said Ormsby – a four-time winner on the Tour, including a pair of Hong Kong Open titles.
“There are a lot of guys in Australia asking questions on how they can get onto Tours worldwide and Asia has made it quite accessible for guys to have that opportunity.
Jack Thompson of Australia pictured after winning this year’s Qualifying School. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“There are only a certain number of cards that are given out in golf worldwide – in terms of getting on major Tours, whether it’s in the US, Europe or Asia. So, to have that opportunity on our doorstep is fantastic. And I think it’s one that a lot of young Aussies are going to look at and pop on their schedule.”
Thompson graduated with honours at the Final Stage, played at Lakeview Golf and Country Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, in January. Remarkably, he only secured his place in the Final Stage by claiming the final qualifying berth at the First Stage Qualifying event held at Blue Canyon Country Club. He is quick to point out that that extended period away from home will no longer be needed for his countrymen.
Said the rising star: “I think it’s great. I think financially as well, for the Aussie guys, you’re only going have to make one trip up if you get through. I think it will be good for them and hopefully it’s a decent turnout for that first stage.
“There are a lot of guys on Tour now and I think it’s a great place to play for Australian guys. And you know, it’s only really one flight for most of the tournaments, sort of same time zone, so I think it’s great, and will be good to see more guys out here.”
The 25-year-old produced his best performance of the season on the Asian Tour last week, finishing tied for 12th at Close House, where victory went to American Andy Ogletree.
Presently, 28 players from Australia are members of the Asian Tour which continues to provide great opportunities for players from one of the game’s most powerful golfing nations.
Murray is another player to have successfully negotiated the rigours of the Qualifying School: he finished fourth at the school in 2019, and two months later triumphed in New Zealand.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for all the guys in Australia to try and get their card in Asia,” said the Australian.
“Obviously the cost is a big factor, certainly saves a lot for guys, definitely. I know it’s in Victoria, so golf in Victoria being a bit of a hub in Australia, a lot of the guys that even aren’t from there will have contacts and be able to maybe stay with friends, and it certainly saves probably $2,000 to $3,000 on flights and hotels.
Zach Murray of Australia. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“And having the ability to maybe bring your own caddie is a huge factor as well, so all that. I don’t think you can put a monetary value on how crucial it is to have that first stage at home to try and get themselves into the final stage.”
Following Australia – which last hosted a stage of the Qualifying School 17-years ago – the second First Stage event will be played in the United States, at Soboba Springs Golf Club in California, from November 7-10.
Thailand will then host the ensuing stages at Grand Prix Golf Club, Kanchanaburi from December 12-15, and Pattana Sports Resort, Chonburi from December 19-22.
The final two First Stage qualifiers will be played simultaneously from January 9-12 at Phoenix Gold Golf Bangkok and Grand Prix Golf Club.
Each event will be played over four rounds, with the top-placed finishers earning places in the Final Qualifying Stage, to be played in Thailand from January 16-20. The top-35 will earn their cards for the 2024 Asian Tour season with the venue for the Final Qualifying Stage to be announced in due course.
The Final Qualifying Stage will be played over five rounds. The top-140 players (and ties) after 36 holes will progress to round three and four. The top-70 players (and ties) after 72 holes will play in the decisive final round, which will be held on January 20. At the conclusion of 90 holes, the top-35 will be ranked accordingly for the forthcoming season.
Registration for the 2024 Asian Tour Qualifying School began on August 7. Check out asiantour.com/q-school for more information.
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