Ye Wocheng continues to set cracking pace at Asian Tour Qualifying School
Young Chinese golfer Ye Wocheng maintained his lead in the Final Stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School today, shooting a third-round four-under-par 67 for an impressive 17 under par total.
He leads by three from Korean Cho Mingyu, who carded a belting 62, the joint lowest round of the week so far, here at Lake View Resort and Golf Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand, where two courses are being used.
Korean Kim Dongmin (63) and John Lyras from Australia (67) are two shots further back from Cho.
American Davis Love IV, son of 21-time PGA Tour winner Davis Love III, matched Cho’s 62 and is a stroke behind along with England’s Ben Jones (67), Hanmil Jung (68) from Korea, and American Michael Maguire (70).
They all competed on the AB course, the easier of the layouts compared with the CD course.
Cho Mingyu. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Yeh, aged 22, led by three at the start of the day and was unchallenged as he collected five birdies before dropping his only shot of the day on 14.
He said: “I am just trying to stay at the same level mentally. I have played in a few qualifiers, so I know what to do. It helps I am putting really well. And I am not too focused on winning, just getting my card.”
His career seems to be trending in the right direction, he turned professional in 2020, won twice on the China Tour in 2021 and is now superbly positioned to win playing privileges for the 2023 season.
“I played the Canadian Tour last year, I really enjoyed it as it was my first experience playing overseas as a professional,” added Ye, who in 2013, as a 12-year-old, created history by becoming the youngest male to compete in a European Tour event when he played in the Volvo China Open.
In hot pursuit is the very experienced Cho, a two-time winner in Japan, who finished runner-up twice last year on the Asian Tour in gripping circumstances, on both occasions on home soil.
John Lyras. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He lost the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in controversial circumstances to compatriot Bio Kim by two shots. While playing his third shot at the ninth, Cho stepped his foot on the hole’s second green, unaware that he should have taken a drop. It was an error for which he was docked two shots – a cruel and decisive blow to his chances.
And at the Kolon Korea Open he was beaten by Korean Minkyu Kim in a three-hole play-off, having missed a birdie putt on the last to win in regulation play. In the play-off he had a one-stroke advantage playing the final hole but made bogey against Kim’s birdie.
“I have learned from both those experiences. I didn’t know about the ruling at Maekyung. But I have come back a stronger player and want to win on both the Asian Tour and Korean Tour this year,” said Cho, whose most recent win in Japan was the 2016 Fujisankei Classic.
He made an eagle and seven birdies and started spectacularly going six under for the first six.
Added the 34 year old: “I think I had a birdie chance on every hole today, my approach shots were very good.”
Lyras’s round received a boost when he holed his second shot on the par-four seventh for an eagle.
“Yeah, three-wood in the left bunker and holed it from about 87 yards or something so that was lovely,” said the Australian.
“It was just the battle for the rest of the round, a bit tricky with that wind kind of gusting a bit. Putts didn’t really want to go in today but it’s alright, I’m hitting the ball well.
Davis Love IV. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I have been playing on the Aussie Tour back home, been going to America a fair bit trying to get through on the mini tours and Korn Ferry Tour School, and missed at second stage of both Korn Ferry and DP World Tour by three. So, you know, fresh wounds but trying to make amends this week.”
Love IV, better known as Dru, also made an eagle and seven birdies like Cho, leaping up the leaderboard with birdies on his last two.
“I haven’t been playing a lot of golf over the break and I just felt like I finally put it all together,” said the American, who has Australian Kyle ‘Roachy’ Roadley on the back, a veteran European Tour caddie.
“I’ve been three under through six the last two days as well. I had it going low every day but the last two days I’ve shot over a par on the back nine.”
The 29 year old, who turned professional in 2017, last played in Asia at the Singapore Open in 2020.
He said: “I have tried doing Monday qualifiers and Korn Ferry Q-School. After Singapore Open I had a shoulder surgery in January 2021, so I missed the last half of 2020 and I missed almost all of 2021. So I’ve been hurt, trying to find my game again and trying to have more rounds like this. I feel like I’ve been halfway there, but I haven’t gotten over the hump since my surgery.
“I’ve had some really good low rounds but nothing like today in a tournament. So, I just felt like today was the most calm my head’s been in a while, and I gotta give a lot of credit to my caddy Roachy, he was unbelievable today, kept me laser focused. Every decision we made was the right one.”
Competitors are chasing 35 Tour cards this week for the new season – which starts next month at the US$5 million Saudi International Powered by SoftBank Investments Advisers.
After tomorrow’s fourth round the top-70 players (and ties) will play Sunday’s pivotal final round.
Former golf wonderkid Ye Wocheng added a second-round six-under-par 65 to his opening day 64 to take the lead today after day two of the Final Stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School.
The Chinese golfer leads on 13 under par at Lake View Resort and Golf Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand, where two layouts are being used to accommodate the 234-starting field, by three shots from American Michael Maguire, who came in with a 66.
Germany’s Dominic Foos (64), Australians Aaron Wilkin (65) and John Lyras (69), and Korean Hanmil Jung (66) are joint third on eight under.
One stroke further back are New Zealand’s Denzel Ieremia (66), Englishman Ben Jones (67), Korea’s Jaeil Song (68), South African Mj Viljoen (70) and Benjamin Follett-Smith (71) from Zimbabwe – who won the 2020 Qualifying School, also played here at Lake View.
Michael Maguire. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Ten years ago, a 12-year-old Ye created history by becoming the youngest male to compete in a European Tour event when he played in the Volvo China Open and today he showed he has lost none of that early promise.
“That performance back then gave me so much confidence and made me realise I can play at this level,” said the 22 year old, who splits his time living between China and the US, where he played college golf for the University of Florida.
“I putted pretty well these past two days so that’s been the key. My form has been okay recently, but it is still early days this week, there are three more rounds remaining, but I really want to get my Asian Tour card.”
After turning professional three years ago he has been playing on both the China and Canadian Tours, winning twice on the former in 2021.
Ye, playing the AB course today, dropped a shot on the second but that was the only mistake he made as he went on to make three birdies before the turn and then four on the back nine.
He added: “I am just taking it day by day and not getting ahead of myself.”
Hanmil Jung. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Maguire, on the CD layout, shot six birdies and also only dropped one shot.
Over the past few seasons, the 30 year old has been playing on the Korn Ferry Tour, Canadian Tour and the PGA Tour Latinoamérica – where he won the Shell Open in 2021 – and is hoping to add an Asian Tour card to his collection.
First-round leader Wang Wei-hsuan from Chinese-Taipei had a poor day and returned a 77, 14 shots worse than his first day effort, to slip back to two under.
Competitors are chasing 35 Tour cards this week for the new season – which starts next month at the US$5 million Saudi International Powered by SoftBank Investments Advisers.
The top 140 (and ties) survived today’s 36-hole cut, which was made at two over.
Notable casualties are Australians Brett Rumford and Sam Brazel, Swede Rikard Karlberg, Spaniard Alvaro Quiros, Malaysian Danny Chia and Indonesia’s Rory Hie.
After rounds three and four the top-70 players (and ties) will play Sunday’s pivotal final round.
John Lyras. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Chinese-Taipei’s Wang Wei-hsuan showed few nerves in the pressure-cooker environment of the Final Stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School today shooting a masterful eight-under-par 63 to take the first-round lead.
Zimbabwe’s Benjamin Follett-Smith, winner of the Final Stage when it was last played in 2020, here at Lake View Resort and Golf Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand, picked up where he left off carding a 64 to sit second along with China’s Ye Wocheng.
South African MJ Viljoen and John Lyras from Australia returned 65s along with two amateurs Taichi Kho from Hong Kong and Thailand’s Runchanapong Youprayong.
Wang Wei-hsuan of Chinese Taipei. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Wang, younger brother of fellow Tour player Wang Wei-hsiang, went bogey free and brilliantly traversed the front nine, his second half, in six-under-par 30 with three birdies on the trot from the first and another three starting from five.
With a starting field of 234 players for this week’s five-round tournament two courses are being used with Wang playing the AB layout today.
“I was a bit worried at the start of the day as I had a sore hip, but the physio helped and I played really well, drove it very good,” said Wang, whose brother shot 72.
“I have been playing well since I finished third in last year’s Yeangder TPC, that gave me a lot of confidence. I just want a top-35 finish to get my card and then I want to win on the Asian Tour this year.”
Benjamin Follet-Smith of Zimbabwe. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Wang brothers have been making waves in Chinese-Taipei with some eye-catching golf, particularly in 2020 when Wang Wei-hsuan was victorious in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters before his brother triumphed the following year. On both occasions it was held solely as a domestic event because of travel restrictions caused by COVID-19.
Follett-Smith, who lost his card last year after finishing 140th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit during his rookie season in the region, said: “It is horrible to be back here, but obviously very grateful the way I have played. I like the courses in this area, they suit my eye, I played well in 2020 and hopefully I can do the same thing.”
After winning the School three years ago he had high hopes of making an impact on the Asian Tour but when COVID hit soon after he qualified he found it difficult to adapt.
“Last year was a struggle,” he said, who was on the CD course today.
“After I got my card COVID happened. There were two blank years when we didn’t do anything. I think I was under prepared when the Tour started. I was mentally not strong enough. I had to learn a lot. I travelled a lot. There were six to seven hour time zones every week as I was trying to play on the Sunshine Tour. I was back and forth a lot and had too much on my plate. I was overwhelmed and put myself under heaps of pressure.”
Mj Viljoen of South Africa. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 28 year old has come back to Asia benefiting from a month off which included practicing with Scott and Kieran Vincent, who he grew up and went to school with in Harare.
“I took a two-week break, went to the sea, took some clubs with me to the beach but not anything serious. Then I had 14 days after that to prep and get ready for here back home in Harare. Scott and Kieran were there so we practiced together,” said Follett-Smith, who was full of praise for last year’s International Series Order of Merit champion Scott Vincent.
He said: “Scott manages himself very well and his routines are brilliant. He is never off routine. He wakes up at exactly the same time, he is steady in his routine. It creates a mindset that is flawless. If you do everything behind the scenes correctly then you know you have less to worry about.”
Viljoen is playing in Asia for the first time, having been a regular on the Sunshine Tour where he has won twice.
He played the AB layout and was also bogey free with five birdies in a row on the front nine.
“2019 I went to the European Qualifying School and just missed out, I went to Korn Ferry last year, just missed out, so here we are, it’s the first time I am here, I want to try it, see what it’s like. I hear good things, the Tour is going onto a good place,” said the 27 year old from Bloemfontein.
Hong Kong amateur Taichi Kho. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“We haven’t played many Tour schools in the last three years because of COVID. I am getting into a pickle because I feel nervous playing in Q School again. Shooting 65 to start with is a good position, it gives me a few extra shots to start with.”
Competitors are chasing 35 Tour cards this week for the new season – which starts next month at the US$5 million Saudi International Powered by SoftBank Investments Advisers.
The top 140 (and ties) after 36 holes will progress to rounds three and four while the top 70 players (and ties) after 72 holes will play in the pivotal final round.
Golfing fervour will replace football fever when the inaugural International Series Qatar tees-off next month.
Exactly two months after Argentina’s Lionel Messi raised aloft the football World Cup trophy at the Lusail Stadium, Qatar will once more find itself in the global sporting spotlight.
From February 16-19, Doha Golf Club will be the venue for the Asian Tour’s International Series Qatar.
Boasting a purse of US$2.5 million, the event will be the third leg of the 2023 Asian Tour and the second leg of the ground-breaking International Series, which was launched last year.
It will also mark the first time the Asian Tour has staged an event in Qatar for 16 years.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & Chief Executive Officer of the Asian Tour, said: “After a memorable 2022 season, we’re thrilled to have such a strong start to the new season, including our first visit to Doha since the Qatar Masters in 2007.”
Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe with the International Series Order of Merit trophy on Sunday, December 4, 2022, during Round Four of the BNI Indonesia Masters, presented by Tunas Niaga Energi at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club, Jakarta, Indonesia. The season-ending event for the Asian Tour and the International Series has a prize fund of US$ 1.5 million and is being held from December 1-4, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Hassan al Naimi, President of the Qatar Golf Association (QGA), said: “Along with Doha Golf Club we are delighted that the Asian Tour is returning to Qatar for the inaugural International Series Qatar.
“We are pleased to welcome the Asian Tour back to Qatar for this exciting new event and give our full support towards its success.
“The fans and people of Qatar extend a warm welcome to the players and their families and we look forward to supporting their participation.”
As well as being the home of the QGA, Doha Golf Club, a green oasis surrounded by city views, has an enviable record for hosting professional golf tournaments over the past 23 years.
Major champions Ernie Els, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia, Retief Goosen, Paul Lawrie and Henrik Stenson are among the high-profile names who have triumphed at Doha Golf Club, a world-class venue which also boasts a host of other sporting facilities and stages family and social activities year-round.
Participants in the International Series Qatar can expect the Peter Harridine designed course to offer a stern examination of their all-round games.
“We have recently replaced all 18 greens and introduced five new tees that create a great test of golf on our Championship course,” said al Naimi.
The Qatar event will cap off a lucrative three-week stretch in the Middle East region for the Asian Tour which kicks off the 2023 season.
Promising young Malaysian golfer Ervin Chang has been given the honour of becoming the first recipient of The Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Award – a mission-driven annual initiative set up last year in memory of the late and great former Asian Tour number one and Executive Chairman.
Chang turned professional last year after claiming the gold medal at the SEA Games in the individual category and has been playing on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), where he caught the eye of officials looking to select an appropriate candidate to receive the award.
The 24 year old, who is competing in the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School this week at Lake View Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin, Thailand, will receive funding of US$20,000 for the year, earn invites to select events and his Qualifying School entry fee will also be covered.
“We have been impressed by Ervin since he started to participate in our events,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
Ervin Chang of Malaysia pictured during an official practice round on Tuesday, January 17 during the final stage of the 2023 Asian Tour qualifying school. The event is being held from January 18-22, 2023 at Lake View Resort & Golf Club, Hua Hin, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“His excellent amateur record, his potential to become one of our leading players, and his friendly and approachable personality all contributed to his selection.
“We know Kyi Hla would have been delighted that we have selected a rookie of the calibre of Ervin. Kyi Hla always helped up-and-coming players during his career as part of a lifelong commitment to put Asia and its golfers on the map.”
The Asian Tour lost a colossus of the game in 2022 when Kyi Hla unexpectedly passed away in February in Singapore.
And to honor and further Kyi Hla’s legacy, the Han family and the Asian Tour came together to establish The Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Awards.
Most notable on Kyi Hla’s playing CV were victories in the 1994 Singapore Open and 1999 Volvo China Open, the year he topped the standings in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, and as he would discover later in his role as Executive Chairman of the Asian Tour, the competition and power battles in boardrooms around the world were no less daunting or intense.
Added Cho: “We are witnessing an incredible period in Asian golf history, so it is only fitting to honour Kyi Hla through The Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Award. It is a very worthy cause, and I am sure Ervin will be proud to be associated with such a legendary figure. Kyi Hla has made a huge impact on many of us at the Asian Tour, both personally and professionally. Establishing this award is a fitting tribute to his legacy.”
Chang came close to securing his Asian Tour card for this year when playing on the ADT but eventually finished 15th on the Final ADT Order of Merit, which sees the top-10 earn playing privileges.
Kyi Hla Han of Myanmar hits his shot out of the bunker on the 18th during the official practice day of the Sanya Open on 22 October 2003 held at the Yalong Bay Golf Club, Sanya, Hainan Island. STANLEY CHOU/AFP via Getty Images
“It is unbelievable! I certainly did not expect this. Everyone knows what a legend Kyi Hla is,” said Chang.
“I have only recently turned professional, so what a great way to get started. I am truly appreciative to the Han family and the Asian Tour. It’s going to be an amazing year with opportunities on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour. It starts with a big week ahead here at Q School. Five rounds is a real test but I am playing well, so we will see.”
Chang played in 11 ADT events last year and impressively had eight top-20 results, including second and joint-sixth placed finishes.
He is one of 234 players competing this week for 35 Tour cards on offer for the new season, which starts next month at the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers.
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The pressure-packed Final Stage of the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School takes place this week boasting one of the most diverse and eclectic fields it has ever featured.
Leading Asian Tour players like Panuphol Pittayarat, Rory Hie and Danny Chia, are joined by DP World Tour winners Alvaro Quiros, Marcel Siem and Brett Rumford, and PGA Tour champion Bae Sang-moon.
Rikard Karlberg, a winner in both Europe and Asia, PGA Tour player Steve Marino, and Davis Love IV (son of Davis Love III) are also in the mix for the five-round thriller that starts tomorrow at Lake View Resort and Golf Club, in Hua Hin, Thailand.
A total of 234 players are playing this week chasing 35 Tour cards for the new season, which starts next month at the US$5 million Saudi International Powered by SoftBank Investments Advisers.
Marcel Siem of Germany pictured during an official practice round on Tuesday, January 17 during the final stage of the 2023 Asian Tour qualifying school. The event is being held from January 18-22, 2023 at Lake View Resort & Golf Club, Hua Hin, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The top 140 (and ties) after 36 holes will progress to rounds three and four while the top 70 players (and ties) after 72 holes will play in the pivotal final round.
It brings to a culmination three months of qualifying which saw five first stage qualifying tournaments being held, with the first of those staged in the United States in November.
Five hundred and sixty-three players entered the pre- qualifiers with 110 making it through to this week, joining 124 exempt players, with 35 countries represented.
And there are a total of 14 Asian Tour past champions: Arnond Vongvanij, Bae Sang-moon, Brett Rumford, Daisuke Kataoka, Danny Chia, David Gleeson, Himmat Rai, Khalin Joshi, Panuphol Pittayarat, Rikard Karlberg, Rory Hie, Sam Brazel, Thitipan Pachuayprakong, and Xiao Bowen.
Davis Love IV of the USA pictured during an official practice round on Tuesday, January 17 during the final stage of the 2023 Asian Tour qualifying school. The event is being held from January 18-22, 2023 at Lake View Resort & Golf Club, Hua Hin, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
It is the first time the Qualifying School has been played since January of 2020 when Zimbabwean Benjamin Follett-Smith topped the class before the COVID-19 global pandemic so dramatically effected the season. Korea’s Bio Kim and Taehoon Ok, both winners on Tour last season, also came through the qualifying school in 2020.
With 11 events being played in the first 14 events of the season an incredible opportunity awaits those who earn a card on Sunday.
Other names of note are Soomin Lee, another former winner on the DP World Tour, Pisitchai Thippong, brother of Nitithorn Thippong, Ye Wo-cheng – the youngest player to compete on DP World Tour at the age of 12 in 2013 – PGA Tour of Australasia winner Dimitrios Papadatos, and DP World Tour regular David Drysdale.
Steve Marino of the USA pictured during an official practice round on Tuesday, January 17 during the final stage of the 2023 Asian Tour qualifying school. The event is being held from January 18-22, 2023 at Lake View Resort & Golf Club, Hua Hin, Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
After an action-packed final day of qualifying for next week’s Final Stage of the 2023 Asian Tour Qualifying School Korean Jaehyun Jung led 25 qualifiers at First Qualifying Stage Section D, played at Thana City Country Club in Bangkok, while Thomas Power Horan from Australia won the Section E event, held at the same time at Springfield Royal Country Club (B & C) in Hua Hin, where 23 players made it though.
Jung, an amateur, shot a final round even-par 70 to finish on 10 under, winning by two shots from compatriots Doohwan Bang, Baekjun Kim, Gyumin Lee, and Heemin Chang.
Horan closed with a three-under-par 68 to win with a 12 under par total by two from Korean Teayang Jung.
Asian Tour graduates throw their hats in the air after securing their playing rights at the final stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School in 2020 at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Last week 23 hopefuls advanced from Section C at Blue Canyon Country Club’s Lakes course in Phuket, Thailand. Korea’s Jaewoong Eom and Hayden Hopewell of Australia shared top spot.
Last year at Section A, 14 players made it through in the United States at Oakcreek Country Club, while at Section B 25 players progressed at Blue Canyon Country Club’s Canyon course.
The all-important Final Qualifying Stage will take place at the Lakeview Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin from January 18-22, and the top-35 finishers following the 90-hole battle will earn playing rights for the lucrative and highly anticipated 2023 season, which promises to be the biggest and best year in the history of the Asian Tour.
A total of 23 players have advanced to the Final Stage of the 2023 Asian Tour Qualifying School following the conclusion of the First Qualifying Stage Section C today at the Blue Canyon Country Club’s Lakes course in Phuket, Thailand.
Korea’s Jaewoong Eom and Hayden Hopewell of Australia claimed a one-shot victory after carding matching four-day totals of 13-under-par 275 following respective closing rounds of six-under-par 66 and 69 in what is the third leg of the First Qualifying Stage.
Jaewoong Eom of Korea
Former Tour member Janne Kaske of Finland is among the qualifiers who survived the cut set at four-under-par 284. Australian Jack Thompson took the 23rd and last spot following a scorecard play-off against Genki Okada of Japan.
Successful qualifiers from Section C consist of players from Korea (9), Australia (5), Thailand (3), Chinese Taipei (1), Finland (1), Germany (1), Scotland (1), United States (1) and New Zealand (1).
Prior to this week’s Section C, a total of 39 players have made it through Section A (14 players), which was held for the first time in the United States at the Oakcreek Country Club last November, and Section B (25 players) that was held at the Blue Canyon Country Club’s Canyon course last month.
The First Qualifying Stage of the 2023 Asian Tour Qualifying School will continue next week in Thailand with Section D taking place at the Thana City Country Club in Bangkok from January 11 to 14 and Section E taking place the same time at the Springfield Royal Country Club (B & C) in Hua Hin.
More than 240 hopefuls will be vying to qualify for the Final Stage across the two venues next week.
The all-important Final Qualifying Stage will take place at the Lakeview Resort & Golf Club in Hua Hin from January 18-22, and the top-35 finishers following the 90-hole battle will earn playing rights for this highly anticipated 2023 season, which promises to be the biggest and best year yet in the history of the Asian Tour.
HUA HIN -THAILAND-The final stage of the 2019 Asian Tour Qualifying School at the Lakeview Resort and Golf Club, Hua Hin, Thailand, December 26-30, 2018. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The resounding success of The International Series was one of the focal points of an inspired 2022 season for the Asian Tour.
Seven standout and distinctive International Series events lit up the calendar and helped the Asian Tour bounce back brilliantly in the post-pandemic era.
And in addition to the unparalleled success on the golf course, a key accompaniment to the International Series was a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
The Asian Tour together with LIV Golf, the pioneering partner of The International Series, felt it was a matter of priority to support the many local communities the Series visited and therefore a number of organisations were able to benefit from this philanthropy drive across the season.
“We wanted to contribute to local communities particularly as we travel to so many countries,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour.
“And, of course, we hope that some of the children being helped could be the next generation of professional golfers. We want to help the communities that help us so much. Wherever we take these events, it is vital to us that their impact is being felt within golf from grassroots level up.”
In total six beneficiaries were able to enjoy support from the Series and received a cheque for US$25,000 each.
The Bright Dawn Foundation. Hua Hin, Thailand
While Sihwan Kim’s exploits brought him a deserved victory at the International Series Thailand, the very first International Series event, there was delight also at the Bright Dawn Foundation.
The Bright Dawn Foundation focuses primarily on healthcare and education of primary school children in lower income areas around rural Hua Hin.
“We are a small charitable foundation that is entirely dependent on private donations and a donation of this magnitude goes a long way to helping us achieve our annual goals,” said Jill Moore, President, Bright Dawn Foundation.
“We genuinely believe that the Asian Tour is helping us to change lives. Thank you so very much from all of us at the Bright Dawn Foundation. This is a hand-up, not a hand-out!”
Cheju Halla General Hospital, Jeju Island, Korea
To mark the start of the inaugural International Series Korea, played on Jeju Island, the Asian Tour presented a cheque to the Cheju Halla General Hospital.
The donation went towards the hospital’s work in paediatrics and with the disadvantaged.
Dr Kim Seongsu of the Cheju Halla General Hospital said: “We would like to thank the Asian Tour for this significant contribution. We know the benefits that golf can bring to society, and we thank the Asian Tour for coming to Jeju Island and for helping to spread the message about golf as a pastime that can contribute towards a healthy and happy lifestyle.”
Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs
At the International Series England, the Northumberland Union of Golf Clubs (NUGC) received the lucrative sum as a thank you from the Asian Tour for the incredible work the county does in helping young golfers develop their talents.
Graham Forrest, men’s captain of the NUGC, said: “Too often the north-east of England is forgotten about, particularly in golf terms. This financial input, together with the substantial time put in by many County administrators, could help establish Northumberland junior golf at the forefront of the sport nationally for many years to come.”
Singapore Golf Association
The SGA, the national governing body for golf in Singapore who are committed to the development and growth of the sport, were also thrilled to receive funding at the International Series Singapore.
“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,” said SGA President Tan Chong Huat.
“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.”
Ain Hallouf Rural School of Golf
In Morocco the Ain Hallouf Rural School of Golf, a golf school for children held under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid and the Moroccan Golf Federation, was the local beneficiary.
The centre provides lessons in golf and important societal values to children in the Douar Ain Hallouf area near Royal Golf Dar Es Salam Golf Club, the venue for the International Series Morocco.
El Hali, General Manager of the Ain Hallouf Rural School of Golf, said: “This generous contribution will benefit many youngsters in the area, by empowering them through sport and educating them in the positive values of golf, building strength of character, confidence and resilience.”
Egyptian Golf Federation
In Egypt, the Asian Tour underscored its commitment to the development of golf there by donating towards the Egyptian Golf Federation’s youth development programme.
The EGF’s programme introduces youngsters to the sport and has also been developed to enable the country’s brightest golfing progress through a specific pathway of development which features coaching and a schedule of tournaments.
Mohammad Attallah of the EGF commented: “We thank the Asian Tour for their generous donation. This important contribution helps us to further develop the game of golf at the grassroots level and to introduce more youngsters to this wonderful sport that can offer our society so much in terms of sporting integrity, community, health and fitness.”
The US$5million PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers will have one of the hottest golfing talents on the planet on show in its fifth edition after the reigning British Open champion and PGA Player of the Year Cameron Smith was confirmed for the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club from February 2-5.
The Australian, currently world No.3 in the official World Golf Rankings, will join defending champion Harold Varner III and the 30 top-ranked players on the Asian Tour at the King Abdullah Economic City course with more big-name players set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Smith is in red-hot form going into the tournament, which will start the Asian Tour season, and won the 150th Open at St Andrews in Scotland last July, as well as clinching the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship for the third time in November.
Smith, who finished T4 at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club last year, said: “The Saudi International regularly has one of the biggest line-ups of the season.
“It’s always good to play in a world-class field, I am looking forward to taking on some familiar faces and also competing with the best that the Asian Tour has to offer. I had a great experience at the Royal Greens last year and hopefully I can take it to the next level this year”
The PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers moved to the Asian Tour circuit in 2022, and the event already has a huge legacy going into the fifth edition in February. Past champions include two-time Major winner Dustin Johnson, who won in 2019 and 2021, as well as 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell and defending champion Varner.
Majed Al-Sorour, CEO and Deputy Chairman of Golf Saudi, said: “The field for the fifth edition of the event is taking shape and we are delighted to welcome Cameron Smith. As reigning British Open champion and PGA Player of the Year for 2022, he is one of the biggest names in golf, and his participation once again shows the high level of interest in the PIF Saudi International.
“The combination of world-class golfers and mass participation programmes we have developed are helping us to grow the game in the Kingdom, and year on year we have seen more and more first-time golfers and schools taking up this wonderful sport.”
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