Published on August 16, 2022

Jeunghun Wang, who grabbed international headlines several seasons ago with three fine victories on the DP World Tour, is back on Tour having just returned from 18-months of National Service and it looks like the break has not affected the progress of one of Korea’s most exciting young golfers.

Wang, 26 years old, competed in the International Series Singapore last week and finished in 22^nd position – a credible performance considering it was the first event he had competed in since October 2020 – and lines up in this week’s International Series Korea, being played at Lotte Skyhill Country Club, on Jeju Island.

“It’s really exciting to be playing again, and I think I’m playing okay,” said Wang.

“I’m really enjoying playing right now and I’m looking forward to playing this week in Jeju. I know the course so I think I can play better than last week.”

He shot rounds of 70,  67, 69, and 73 to finish nine under at Tanah Merah Country Club, seven behind the winner, Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong.

“I didn’t have any chance to practice any golf during this time [during National Service]. Actually, I thought I was going to play really bad last week in Singapore, but I’m still playing ok so I feel happy about that, and hopefully I can play well this week.”

It was in May of 2016 that he claimed the Trophee Hassan II, before he won the following week’s AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open, an event sanctioned by Asia, Europe and South Africa; and the following year he triumphed in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters. At one point he rose as high as 39^th on the Official World Golf Ranking.

“Actually, until the third-round last week I was really happy about it, but I hit it really bad on Sunday, so I was a bit disappointed,” he said.

This week he has the advantage of having played at Lotte Skyhill before.

He added: “I know the course so I think I can play better in Jeju, than in Singapore, but I haven’t played any tournaments on the course, just practiced.”

National Service is mandatory for Korean men, and while it might take some time to get his A game back, he is still positive about the experience:

“It was a good experience, but it was too long. No freedom, so yeah, that’s the hard thing. Just shooting guns every day, training every day,” he said.

After this week’s event Wang is looking forward to playing in a few Korean events, but a return to the DP World Tour will have to wait until next season.

“No, I can’t play Europe this year, not until next year. I will probably play two more events in Korea and then I’m just gonna practice some more, I just need to practice now,” added Wang.

Wang made his first appearance on the Asian Tour at the 2011 ICTSI Philippine Open as a 15-year-old amateur and secured his Tour card at the 2013 Q-School.

Remarkably, he was a sponsor invite to the Trophee Hassan II in Morocco, which he won in a sudden-death playoff against Nacho Elvira of Spain.

Published on August 14, 2022

Nitithorn Thippong triumphed in the inaugural International Series Singapore today after one of the most dramatic finishes seen on the Asian Tour.

After holing a brilliant pressure-packed 15-foot par saving putt on the par-five 18^th to take the clubhouse lead on 16 under Nitithorn, playing in the penultimate group, then had to wait and see if anyone in the last group – consisting of Malaysian Gavin Green, Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang and Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand – could catch him.

It proved to be a much longer wait then expected as the last group were forced off the 18^th hole for 40 minutes because of lightning, with Chan on 16 under and Green one back.

When the action resumed Chan, who just before the weather delay had found water with his tee shot, made a double bogey while Green narrowly missed a 15-foot birdie putt.

“This is fantastic, just fantastic!” said 25-year-old Nitithorn, who earned a lucrative cheque for US$270,000.

“I cannot describe my feelings right now. I have practiced so hard for this. I hit lot of greens this week and had a lot of birdie putts. I think my mentality was great. I did not think about the score, just the process.”

He closed with a bogey-free three-under-par 69 to beat Green, Phachara and Richard T. Lee from Canada by one shot. Green and Phachara both fired 71s, while Lee returned a 67.

Nitithorn won for the first time on the Asian Tour in March at The DGC Open presented by Mastercard and is the second player this season to win twice on Tour along with American Sihwan Kim.

He added: “It has just been a dream season so far, and to win an International Series event is unbelievable.”

Nitithorn had started the day one shot behind overnight leaders Green, the 2017 Asian Tour number one, and Phachara. However, Green got off to the worst possible start and was four over after four, while Phachara also failed to find his A game.

“I got off to a horrendous start, and kind of just clicked the reset button and just kept going,” said Green.

“Because, with this course, a lot of things can happen. And especially on the last hole, as you saw, there was so much drama down the last. It was anybody’s game, and anybody could have done something. A lot of things were going on, but I just kind of stayed in the moment really. I just tried, I tried very, very hard just to keep moving along and just stay as patient as possible.”

Lee’s 67 came after he dropped a shot on the fourth but then rallied with six birdies.

He said: “I have been struggling with my putting but I changed my putter and grip this week. I have gone to a reverse grip, and it worked out pretty well. I think I have averaged about 29 putts this week. I am always a good ball striker, bottom line is you have got to hole the putts.”

American star Patrick Reed closed with his best round of the week, a 67, which was helped by a hole in one on the par-three 14^th. He finished on eight under in a tie for 31st.

“A lot of ups, and a lot of downs today,” said Reed.

“It was weird, it was one of those days when I did not hit the ball well. I decided to leave the pin out of the hole on the third, because I don’t like to have the pin in when I putt, and I go ahead and hole the putt and I think okay. Had as shorty on 13 which I missed, then I go ahead and make a hole in one on 14. So, it was just one of those days.

“I was actually between eight and nine on 14, we had 171, we were trying to figure out what way the wind was doing, so I hit a soft eight, and it never left the flag stick.  That’s my third in tournaments, and the biggest one being right here as it kind of got the momentum going because it was really rough early on, needed something to spark the round.”

Amateur James Leow, Singapore’s rising young star, fired a 68 to also finish on eight under. He ended as the leading local player ahead of Hiroshi Tai, also an amateur, who shot 73.

The Asian Tour heads to the International Series Korea next week Lotte Skyhill Country Club Jeju.

Published on August 13, 2022

Malaysian Gavin Green maintained his lead in the US$1.5 million International Series Singapore today at Tanah Merah Country Club but was joined by Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand.

Green, the Asian Tour number one in 2017 and the leader after the first two days following a pair of stunning seven-under-par 65s, returned 72 to stay at 14 under, while Phachara shot 69 – in the third International Series event this season.

Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang and Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong are a shot behind following rounds of 66 and 68 respectively; while England’s Steve Lewton came in with a 69 to sit a stroke further back.

Play was stopped at 11.10am and resumed at 1.30pm because of inclement weather.

“It was a grinding day, it was such a grind, I couldn’t get anything going,” said Green, whose birdie on eight was offset by a dropped shot on 13 – a stark contrast to his 14 birdies and no bogeys on Thursday and Friday.

“Nevertheless, I just hung in there as hard as I could, making pars from everywhere, sometimes you just got to do that.

“Golf is not a game you can be perfect all the time, my caddie kept saying, ‘stay in it, stay patient, keep trying and hit good shots,’ and you know what we made a lot of saves today, it was kind of a saving day. We are still in it, 18 more holes, I think it’s going to be fun.”

Both Green and Phachara are chasing their second wins on the Asian Tour, with Green having won the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2017, and the latter the 2021 Laguna Phuket Championship.

Said Phachara: “Today everything wasn’t bad, only one thing was my putting. Because I hit it pretty well, same as in the first and second rounds, but missed a lot of putts. I hope tomorrow the putting is going to work.

“The greens were a little bit slower today I think, all my distance was gone. My reads were great, but only the distance wasn’t good.”

Chan looked set to finish the day sharing the lead but dropped a shot on 18.

“I knew I was tied for lead after the birdie on 17,” said Chan.

“I was just telling myself not to hit it left on 18. I was trying to make birdie there but didn’t hit a good shot from the bunker. Disappointed with the bogey on last but it’s ok, I’m still happy with my overall performance today. I am glad to give myself a good chance tomorrow. It’s great to be in contention, especially in a big event like the International Series.”

Chan will no doubt be a threat tomorrow having won four times on Tour, including the Blue Canyon Championship last November and the Royal’s Cup in four months later.

Nitithorn achieved the rare feat of making two eagles on par fours on the front, on three and nine.

“I know it’s unbelievable,” said the Thai, winner of The DGC Open in India in March.

“I didn’t expect that it’s going to be in the hole on the third, it’s a blind shot you know. I didn’t see anything, but I just knew that I hit a good shot from 168 yards. And I walked to the green and it’s in. So yeah, happy with that result. On hole nine I had 63 yards, it’s in that gap you know, I don’t really hit that distance well, but I hit it and it went in.”

He made the turn in five-under-par 31 but could not maintain the momentum and toured the second nine in one over.

American Peter Uihlein, a former US amateur champion, fired a 67 and is three off the lead along with Jaco Ahlers from South Africa, who carded a 69.

Patrick Reed, the American who claimed the 2018 Masters, was unable to mount a challenge on moving day and shot a 72 and is three under for the tournament.

In the battle to finish as the leading Singaporean, amateur Hiroshi Tai signed for an impressive 69 and is six under, two ahead of another local amateur James Leow, who returned a 71.

Published on

The Asian Tour underlined its commitment to the development of golf in the region today with a donation of US$25,000 to the Singapore Golf Association’s Junior Development Programme, at a special presentation ceremony held on the sidelines of the International Series Singapore at Tanah Merah Country Club.

Cho Minn Thant, CEO and commissioner of the Asian Tour, presented the cheque to Singapore Golf Association (SGA) president Mr Tan Chong Huat on day three of the tournament as part of the Tour’s pledge to support communities in the destinations that host the marquee International Series events.

Cho said: “The International Series events are a wonderful opportunity for us to grow the game of golf across the region, both by bringing top talent that generates interest, and by supporting the grassroots game wherever we go. We want our impact to be felt and supporting the SGA in their efforts to grow the game at the junior level is a win-win for all concerned.”

Tan said: “We thank the Asian Tour for this generous gesture. The donation will help us in our mission to grow the game and among the younger generation. The International Series Singapore is an important calendar event, as it puts the game of golf in the spotlight all around the world with a wonderful international field. This will certainly promote golfing interest and encourage participation across all age groups.”

The SGA, the national governing body for golf, is committed to the development and growth of the sport, with a mission and vision to promote golf among junior boys and girls in Singapore, through a framework that enables them to flourish.

Initiatives include a calendar of SGA Junior events, a Junior Development Order of Merit and the Junior Development Programme, a pathway for talented junior boys and girls aged 6 to 12 into the SGA Future Squad.

James Leow, Singapore’s top ranked male amateur golfer, is one of four Singapore amateurs competing on the Tampines Course this weekend. The 25-year-old, who comfortably made the cut for the weekend with a five-under second round of 67 for a three-under aggregate, is a genuine example of the strides being made by local talent thanks to SGA support.

A National Squad member, Leow won the Thunderbird Collegiate in Phoenix, Arizona earlier this year, following in the footsteps of international golfing greats Phil Mickelson, John Rahm and Paul Casey.

He was also a member of the victorious International team against the US in the Arnold Palmer Cup, the team golf competition for students which took place in Switzerland in July. Closer to home, Leow won the Individual Men’s Golf gold medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games, giving Singapore a first gold in the category in 30 years.

He said: “The support from the SGA has been a big game changer for me for the past eight to nine years, ever since I was on the national team. I think a lot of up-and-coming junior golfers and members of the national team will benefit from the donation from the Asian Tour.

“Competing at the highest level in golf is about gaining experience in adapting to the different conditions outside of Singapore. I experienced that, so the donation will help the SGA and players by providing more funds for them to travel out of the country and gain more experience at international events.”

The Asian Tour’s philanthropic efforts are felt at each of the International Series destinations, with donations made to support local communities in the area.

At the International Series Thailand, a US$25,000 cheque was presented to the Bright Dawn Foundation, which focuses primarily on healthcare and education of primary school children in lower income areas around rural Hua Hin. A £20,000 donation was also made to Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs, the region’s biggest support of junior golf, at the International Series England.

The International Series Singapore is the first of two back-to-back Asian Tour tournaments offering US$1.5m in prize money, with the International Series Korea event taking place next week at the Lotte SkyHill Country Club Jeju on Jeju Island from August 18-21.

Published on

By Olle Nordberg, Contributing Editor – Asian Tour

Steve Lewton is very much in contention this weekend at the International Series Singapore: he started today’s third round five shots behind pacesetter Gavin Green from Malaysia – a remarkable feat considering the fact that about three weeks ago he had heart surgery to deal with an ongoing issue.

In April the Englishman had a scary episode in the middle of the first round of the Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup in Thailand, having to withdraw with heart palpitations on the course and later finding out he has a heart condition called Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT), that he didn’t know about. This condition makes your heart suddenly beat much faster than normal, although it’s usually not serious.

And so last month he had an operation to try and fix the issue.

“I’ve had it my whole life, it would just last for like literally five seconds, so I didn’t really think much of it. I would just cough, and it would go away,” he said.

“When it happens, my pulse goes up to about 200 beats a minute. Maybe twice a year I get heart palpitations that last maybe 10 seconds, but the one in Pattaya lasted for about 40 minutes. So, I got rushed to hospital and got checked out and they said I was fine.”

“They said I could play the next week, but I wanted to go home and get checked out in England as well. I went home, got checked out, and I found out I have a condition called SVT which is more common, apparently, than what people think. I had an operation for it three weeks ago now, but unfortunately couldn’t get the heart to do what it does when it happens, so I’ll have to have it again probably in December.”

Having your heart rate go up in the heat of battle at tournaments is nothing new to tour players, but this must have been frightening on a totally different scale:

Said Lewton: “I was scared because I thought, I don’t know what this is, but when I got home they told me lots of people live with this.”

Having the procedure after the International Series England in Newcastle in June, Lewton spent some time off recovering from the surgery before resuming play in Jakarta last week where he remarkably finished tied second at the Mandiri Indonesian Open.

“They went up through my groin,” added Lewton about the operation,

“I probably had a full 10 days off and then practiced for maybe six days before I came out here. I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to play, but I played quite well at home before I came out so I was hoping to just carry on.”

He has been in fine form ever since the Asian Tour resumed play in the end of 2021, racking up six top-10s in 11 events.

“I’m just scoring well at the moment, hitting it pretty good. I’m just a bit more confident than I was,” he added.

 

 

 

 

 

Published on August 12, 2022

Malaysian ace Gavin Green continued to show he is on the comeback trail again today after spectacularly posting his second-successive bogey-free seven-under-par 65 to take the lead on 14 under at the inaugural US$1.5 million International Series Singapore.

He leads by three from another of the region’s finest young players Phachara Khongwatmai from Thailand, who shot a 66; while India’s Veer Ahlawat and Korean Yoseop Seo are a stroke further behind after they both returned 65s – the latter’s round was highlighted by six birdies on the trot from the seventh.

Overnight leader Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe slipped back after carding a 73 and is seven under in a tie for eighth.

Green, the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, has struggled with his game over the past few seasons but appears to be back on track after two brilliant days on the demanding Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club.

“Obviously [ball] striking has to be pretty good on this golf course, you have to keep it in play, you can’t miss too many shots,” said the 28 year old, on another day of searing heat and humidity.

“You have to place your approach shots on certain parts of the green because they are so slopy. And even when you are on the green it’s a tough two putt. My caddie and I have a good game plan. We have worked hard, really hard, over last few weeks.”

Four birdies on the front nine and three on the back saw him break away from the field and revive memories of past performances when he was at his peak.

He added: “It’s a great feeling being back in contention again, it’s a great feeling, it’s just that it is so hot I can’t even think about it. I was counting down the holes, two more holes, one more hole, so hot. I am not thinking about that past, I am not looking at leaderboards, I am just doing my thing.”

Phachara also toured the layout bogey free to put himself in position, like Green, to try and win his second Asian Tour title.

Said the Thai star: “I am very happy with six under today, I had good iron shots but missed couple of putts.  It’s important for me because I have chance to play more LIV events, if I play well this week, and next week, it’s gonna be very good for me. I am really excited to play. I just need to stick to game plan.”

England’s Steve Lewton is nine under, along with Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, after holing his approach shot for an eagle on the par-five 18^th to return a 68.

“Yeah, I had 91 yards to the flag into a bit of wind,” he said. “I was going to change clubs but didn’t, because I was like, I’ll just fly the ball behind it and hopefully use the slope. And it just came off the slope with a bit of spin and went in, so you need a bit of luck.”

Pre-tournament favourite Patrick Reed bounced back from his opening 73 with a 68 and is three under.

“I just put the ball in position on a lot of holes, especially early on but I didn’t make any putts – just burned the edges and when you are doing that around here it is hard to shoot low,” said the American, the 2018 Masters champion.

“I definitely need to shoot a really low one tomorrow. I feel I’m doing what I’m supposed to from tee to green, but I need to capitalise on a couple of par fives and holes like eight and nine here. And I need the ball to go in with putts.

“I feel like I’m hitting a lot of good putts, my speed was decent today, and yesterday it was actually great, but it is one of those days that instead of the ball going in, it is lipping out and burning edges.

“If I can get the putter going early on, and hopefully get the momentum going then there is no reason I can’t shoot a mid to low 60s round and have a chance to hopefully have to shoot another in the mid to low 60s to have a chance.”

Singapore amateur James Leow, who attends Arizona State University, came in with an impressive 67 to move to three under and lead the local challenge.

Said Leow: “I went out there with the goal of shooting five or six under to make the weekend, and I got a good round going. It’s always nice playing on home soil, in front of family and friends and team-mates and a lot of home local fans as well and obviously playing on a course I have not played before, and it’s been three years since I played here because of COVID; it’s been a lot of fun.”

India’s Aman Raj played the shot of the day, making a hole in one on the par-three 16^th – using a wedge from 140 yards. It was a timely shot as he finished right on the cut mark, which was one under, after shooting 71.

Published on August 11, 2022

While all eyes are on the golfing talent on show at this week’s International Series Singapore at Tanah Merah Country Club, one Korean superstar in the making – Joohyung Kim – is the name on everyone’s lips.

The 20-year-old Korean, who cut his teeth on the Asian Tour, stole the headlines last weekend by becoming the first player born after the year 2000 to win a US PGA Tour title – his stunning nine-under final round securing a five-shot maiden tour win in the Wyndham Championship in North Carolina.

The star golfer – often affectionally known as Tom when competing internationally – has long been known for his sensational talent, earning playing rights to the Asian Tour in 2019 at the tender age of just 17, following three victories on the Asian Development Tour.

His upward trajectory has continued to be nothing short of meteoric ever since. First was his debut Tour triumph at the Panasonic Open India later that year, still aged only 17, before his dramatic play-off win in The Singapore International here at Tanah Merah last January, which helped him secure the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.

However, it was last weekend’s PGA Tour victory that earned him his grandest moment yet, as he became the latest Korean to win Stateside.

At this week’s International Series Singapore – the third International Series event of the Asian Tour this season, preceding next week’s $1.5million International Series Korea on Jeju Island – Kim’s fellow Korean golfers have spoken about the inspiration they are taking from the 20 year old, as they look to show up strongly both in Singapore this week and Jeju next.

Yoseop Seo, handily placed in Singapore after a three-under opening round, said: “Kim succeeded at an early age as a player. He is doing so well beyond reason. He’s a younger brother, but he’s a player to emulate and it is a real stimulus.”

“It creates confidence for all of us,” the 26-year-old added.

Compatriot Taehee Lee was always confident in Kim’s abilities to perform on the greatest of stages.

The 36-year-old, who opened his Singapore challenge at level par, said: “I always thought Kim could do it. He’s a good player. He is a good player in Korea and a well-prepared player. I thought he could win but the first win came quick!”

One of the biggest names in Singapore this week is 2018 Masters champion, Patrick Reed. Reed recently witnessed ‘Tom’s’ talents up close, playing two rounds with him at The Open.

The 32-year-old, who in 2013 – like Kim – claimed his maiden US Tour win at the Wyndham, on the way to nine PGA Tour and three European Tour titles, said: “I was really impressed. I admit he was one of those guys I didn’t know anything about, but playing with him in a Major, he played really well for those two days. He looked very steady and played some real solid golf. To then turn around and see he won his first US PGA tournament – and the way he did it by shooting nine under on Sunday to win comfortably – is special.

“It just shows there is talent all over the world. There are stars in the making on the Asian Tour – Tom went out and played at a big level at a Major, and then backed it up with a win on the PGA Tour. It just shows the talent level of the tour over here.”

The International Series Korea takes place at Lotte SkyHill Country Club, Jeju, from August 18-21^st.

 

Published on

Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent is starting to earn the nickname “Mr International Series” after firing a scintillating bogey-free eight-under-par 64 in the opening round of the US$1.5 million International Series Singapore today, on the highly-regarded Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club.

Malaysia’s number one Gavin Green sits in second place after an equally impressive and flawless 65 while Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, Phachara Khongwatmai and Tirawat Kaewsiribandit, Korean Kyongjun Moon, Englishman Steve Lewton, and Filipino Juvic Pagunsan carded 67s – in severe sauna-like conditions.

Vincent won the International Series England in Newcastle in June and leads the International Series Order of Merit, having tied for 11^th in the International Series Thailand in March, and was once again in inspired form in the Asian Tour’s new raft of million-dollar plus events.

“It was a great day, just got off to a really nice start, and then the momentum just kept going. As I have said before I am just out here trying to be a little better each day,” said Vincent.

“Today was a really good day, a lot of things went my way, a lot of putts went in, so it was a good challenge trying to stay present and stay in the moment and enjoy each stage and not get too far ahead. Yeah, so that was the big challenge today and the golf was phenomenal.”

He began his round on the back nine, and made birdies on 10, 13, 16 and 18; while on the front side he made gains on one, three, five and eight.

Not everything went his way though as on the par-three sixth he hit what looked like a precsion tee shot that was zeroing in on the pin but hit his playing partner American Sihwan Kim’s ball.

Said Vincent: “Sihwan hit a shot to about three feet – that was the real problem. My shot came in and pitched on his ball and then kicked all the way back [about 30 feet]. I was fortunate to walk away with a par there but a nice little challenge there for me trying to finish my round. I was happy to walk away with a par.”

Vincent’s brother Kieran, a rookie, returned a 68 along with 10 other players including American Peter Uihlein. It’s his debut on the Asian Tour, and 30-year old Scott is expecting great things of his 24-year-old sibling.

“He is a great player, I have no doubt he will do something really special with his golf, and whether it is here or whether it is down the road it is going to be really good to see him playing well because he is very capable and we’ll just see how he does coming in,” said the Zimbabwean, who won a title in Japan before his success in Newcastle.

Green’s round is one of his best in a long time as he has been battling to try and rediscover the kind of form that saw him win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2017.

“It’s nice to see a good score again, it’s been a tough run,” said Green, who birdied his last three holes and was bogey free.

“It’s been such a tough last few years for me. We have put a lot of work in and it’s coming back nicely. We made some pretty big changes with my coach, and you just have to trust it sometimes. Even today there were just sometimes when this was just so uncomfortable for me. But you just trust it enough and it works out nicely.”

The Malaysian is battling back from a bad bout of COVID which he picked up in the US recently

“It was pretty bad, I lost my taste and smell. It’s still there, not as bad but I can still feel it. You just don’t enjoy eating as much. It is what it is and it’s the world we live in right now,” he added.

Sadom also toured the testing Tampines Course bogey free as he attempts to add this week’s title to his win in the SMBC Singapore Open in January.

“I had a good start today,” said Sadom.

“I didn’t expect to finish the day with under par because I played in the morning, and I thought it should be windy but it was not. I started at the 10th tee and got two birdies in the first nine holes that made my game easier.  After that I controlled my game quite well during the last nine holes. I’m satisfied with my performance today because I played as my game plan, shot by shot, and finished the day with bogey free.”

One player who really felt the heat and humidity today was Moon.

“The weather is so hot, and my shot wasn’t that good, but the putting went well, and I recovered well,” said Moon.

“The weather is so hot I can’t even practice, so I’m planning to take a rest. It’s my first time playing this course and my first experience of an International Series event. I’m also playing next week in Jeju.”

Sihwan Kim, who currently leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit, returned a 71 – impressively bouncing back from a torrid four over first nine, with a five under homeward half.

Pre-tournament favourite Patrick Reed from the United States carded a 73. The 2018 Masters champion was one under at the turn but struggled home with dropped shots on 11 and 14.

India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, winner of last week’s Mandiri Indonesian Open, also signed for a 73.

Published on August 10, 2022

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed is in Singapore this week for the very first time, to compete in the International Series Singapore on the Asian Tour, and he most definitely likes what he sees, enough to recommend his peers to come and play.

“It’s awesome to be here!” said the American, on the eve of the US$1.5 million event – which is being played on the Tampines Course at Tanah Merah Country Club.

“I have heard a lot of amazing things about the area and the golf course. To be able to come and experience it myself is amazing and watching the [National Day] fireworks last night was great.”

Reed played in the Saudi International earlier this year, so this week is only his second appearance on the Asian Tour and certainly not his last.

“There is a lot of things that go into it, and when the people treat you like family as they have here, it makes the experience that much better,” he said.

“With that being said, I will try and pull as many players over to start playing some more events because that is the only way you can grow the game by getting outside of your bubble and start playing different places. I have always loved travelling and playing, so to be able to come and play events like this is a real treat.”

He hit global headlines when he won the Masters in 2018 and is a nine-time winner on the PGA Tour – his most recent victory came at last year’s Farmers Insurance Open. He has also claimed two WGC events during his stellar 11-year professional career, at the 2014 WGC-Cadillac Championship and WGC-Mexico Championship in 2020.

The 32 year old has competed in three Ryder Cups, with his fine performances in the Match Play event earning him the nickname “Captain America”.

This year he started playing the LIV Golf Invitational events and enjoyed success at the most recent tournament in Bedminster where his 4 Aces GC side – which included captain Dustin Johnson, Talor Gooch and Pat Perez – finished first, while he was fifth individually.

“I definitely think a lot more guys will come over and start playing more events. Personally, having talked to some of the guys, trying to grow the game round the world, the only way you are going to do that is by travelling and playing on different Tours at different events like the International Series,” said Reed.

“To grow the game of golf, just like any business, the only way you can become successful is to spend a little money to make money. And to help out and grow the purses of the International Series that is going to bring money not only to those events but the Asian Tour and allow them to sustain and grow larger and larger. At the end of the day if the guys go and have fun and enjoy themselves, they are going to come back and play more events.”

Reed has been paired in the first two rounds with Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Justin Harding from South Africa. They tee off at 12.05 tomorrow.

Published on August 9, 2022

Four international players bidding for glory in this week’s International Series Singapore took time out from their tournament preparations to experience the wonders of Singapore on the country’s National Day, ahead of the Asian Tour event which is taking place on the Tampines Course at the Tanah Merah Country Club from August 11-14.

Former Masters winner Patrick Reed was joined by current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim, recent International Series England champion Scott Vincent and local hero Mardan Mamat for a tour of the spectacular Gardens By The Bay, and a walk along the OCBC Skyway – two of Singapore’s most stunning attractions.

American star Reed, a LIV Golf ambassador said: “It’s my first time here in Singapore, and it’s very exciting to be here. I’ve heard from many players on the PGA Tour, the European Tour and the Asian Tour about how amazing and beautiful this place is, and to fly in last night and drive in and see the lights, and then experience this morning, it is definitely living up to expectations already.

“I’ve always loved experiencing new things, trying food and different cultures and making new friends in different places. I can’t wait to experience the rest of the week and play a proper golf course which can get challenging,” added the nine-time PGA Tour winner.

Zimbabwean golfer Vincent, aiming for back-to-back International Series wins after his one-shot victory in the US$2million International Series England event at Slaley Hall in June, was delighted to be back in Singapore, to catch up with old friends and give himself another chance of success.

He said: “I haven’t been here for about two years, and I love coming here, it is good to come here and spend some time with some very close friends.

“Every week is an opportunity, a chance for me to get better and go through my routines and my daily goals, and that’s how I treat every week. I visualise winning – ultimately that is out of my control, so I just have to focus on doing my best.”

For Singapore veteran Mamat, the strong field and home comforts make it a special occasion. He said: “It is always nice to play a tournament at home in Singapore. It is nice to sleep on your own bed and prepare for a tournament. Of course, once you have a Major winner playing in a tournament, most of the Singaporeans would look forward to seeing him play, and it is a great occasion for us, especially as we celebrate National Day today.”

Order of merit leader Sihwan said: “It is very good to be back in Singapore and I’m really looking forward to playing here this week, my game is in good shape and hopefully my putting will be on par, and we will see how it goes. I played here in January this year, and the course is great. When the wind gets up it can be hard, so let’s see how it goes.”

The Singapore event is the first of two back-to-back tournaments, with the International Series Korea event taking place next week on the Lotte SkyHill course on Jeju Island from August 18-21. Both events offer US$1.5m in prize money.

Ends.