Sarit Suwannarut shines on day three at BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE before lightning stops play
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut continued to impress at the US$1.5 million BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE today moving to the top of the leaderboard on 15 under after 14 holes before lightning stopped play for the day at 3.09pm local time.
Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto is two behind with three to play, while Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell is three back with two remaining along with India’s Veer Ahlawat, who has four holes left.
Play will resume at 6.45am tomorrow for what promises to be a thrilling final day that will also see the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) decided, as well as the International Series (OOM) and the top 30 qualifiers for next year’s Saudi International from the Asian Tour’s Merit list.
Sarit, chasing a maiden win on the Asian Tour, started the round sharing the lead with Mathiam Keyser from South Africa, and while Keyser fell back and is seven under for the tournament through 14, Sarit went in the other direction shooting seven birdies and dropping three shots.
England’s Lee Westwood, a three-time winner of this event, made full use of moving day, posting his second successive 66 to reach 10 under and take the clubhouse lead.
Kosuke Hamamoto. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Westwood triumphed in 2011, the inaugural addition, 2012 and 2015 and showed some of the form that won him those titles today making five birdies, including on the first three holes, on the front side to go out in five under.
“I three putted 10, three putted 12, but you know I birdied 11, 14 and 18 so kind of balanced that out,” said the 49 year old.
“But it got a little bit tricky towards the end, the wind just picked up a little bit, 17 and 18 played tricky into the wind and out the left. But yeah, played alright and made a few nice putts, and hit some good putts that didn’t go in. I’m pleased with my day, at least we got finished.”
Having opened with a first round 74 the Englishman has rebounded brilliantly and blamed lack of play for his slow start.
He said: “It was a combination of a lot of things, but I had four weeks off coming into this week and hit balls for about three hours. So, you know, I went home did a lot of gym work but didn’t really work on my golf game, so I felt really rusty. I’ve been struggling with a bit of a chest infection and not sleeping great with the jetlag, so didn’t do as much practice over the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as I would have liked, and you know just felt rusty and out of sorts. I was four over through 16 but then birdied the last two holes to finish two over and then played well since.”
Victory tomorrow would allow him to add a missing item from his impressive portfolio: winning an event for the fourth time.
“I will just keep playing like I played the last two days really; you know hit a lot of fairways,” he said.
“I think this golf course gives you chances if you hit fairways, but as soon as you start hitting it in the rough it becomes tricky. I’ve driven the ball pretty well the last two days and started hitting my iron shots a little bit more consistent.
“And I’ve given myself a lot of chances you know, 14 under for the last 38 holes is really the worst I could have been. I could have shot 10 under yesterday and 10 under today quite easily, so my game is pretty good for beginning of December.”
Current Asian Tour Order of Merit leader Sihwan Kim from the United States is four under playing his last hole with a whole host of permutations for tomorrow.
Lee Westwood. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Chinese-Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, Phachara Khongwatmai, and Sadom Kaewkanjana, Canada’s Richard T. Lee and Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe, are all in contention and need to win tomorrow to have a chance of toppling Kim.
Vincent, who leads the International Series OOM, gave himself an excellent chance of winning that title and earning a golden ticket onto next year’s LIV Golf League by firing a 67 to finish the day on eight under.
Helping to whet the appetite for the highly anticipated 2023 season, the Asian Tour announced today the addition of a new, exciting and lucrative event to its schedule, the International Series Oman.
With event details having been finalised by the event organisers and ahead of an imminent fuller schedule announcement, the Tour is thrilled to confirm that the Oman tournament will be held at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat from February 9-12 and boast prizemoney of US$2 million.
In addition, the Tour can reveal that a total of 10 International Series events will be held next season, each with prizemoney of at least US$2 million – helping to build on the momentum gained this season, which saw seven of the upper-tier events positioned on the schedule, which features a total of 20 tournaments.
“On the back of two outstanding weeks at International Series events in Morocco and Egypt, and this week’s season-ending BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, also part of the International Series, the Asian Tour is excited to announce we will return to the Middle East early on in the new season for the International Series Oman,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour.
“The 2022 campaign was a highly successful one for us and it is great to see the profile of the Asian Tour being raised. Next year promises more of the same with today’s news further enhancing this, even before we have announced our 2023 schedule – one that promises to be the biggest and best in the history of the Tour.
Al Mouj Golf (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
“We are extremely grateful to the Oman Golf Association for being the conduit in helping to launch this pioneering new event in such an important golfing region; and, of course, we thank Al Mouj Golf for their commitment and support in this process. We have every confidence that the event will be a resounding success.”
With one season drawing to a conclusion – which has also seen International Series events played in Thailand, England, Singapore, and Korea – attention is quickly starting to turn to the next one.
“With the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Oman Golf Association is delighted to welcome the Asian Tour to the Sultanate of Oman in 2023,” said Mundhir Al Barwani, Chairman, Oman Golf Association.
“We are excited to be the first Asian Tour International Series event in the Middle East and to be able to share the beauty of the Sultanate with the players and officials, as well as a wider audience through television.
“Al Mouj Golf is a Tour proven golf course and coupled with the proximity to the airport and the official hotel we are certain that the players will have an enjoyable and memorable week with us. We commend the work that the Asian Tour have done in developing their international schedule and also in strengthening the Asian Development Tour, which will certainly have a positive impact on the growth of the elite amateur game within the region. We look forward to working closely with the key stakeholders and sponsors to deliver this event and to once again use the game of golf to showcase the investment and tourism opportunities that exist within Oman.”
The International Series was launched this year, through a partnership between the Tour and LIV Golf, with the aim of invigorating the game of golf in Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
“LIV Golf is proud to help establish new global events through the International Series that enhance player pathways to the world’s top competition,” said LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner Greg Norman.
“Al Mouj Golf is sure to present a challenging and rewarding experience for the Asian Tour’s very best while showcasing one of the most unique venues in this region of the world. This is a tremendous addition to the global golf calendar as the International Series gets bigger and better in 2023.”
Al Mouj Golf. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
Al Mouj Golf will offer the Asian Tour membership an outstanding opportunity to play on one of the finest golf courses in the Middle East.
The challenging 18-hole championship golf course at Al Mouj Golf is the first links-style golf course to be created in Oman and was designed by two-time Major champion Norman from Australia. Built on a two-kilometer stretch of pristine coastline, it is flanked by the Indian Ocean with the stunning Hajjar mountain range in the background. Natural dunes, striking oasis of lush green grass, accented with bunkers, and water hazards are also its main features.
Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut carded a five-under-par 67 and Mathiam Keyser from South Africa a 68 to take the clubhouse lead at the halfway mark of the US$1.5 million BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE today.
Sarit and Keyser top the leaderboard on 11 under at Royale Jakarta Golf Club in the Asian Tour season-finale – which is also part of the International Series.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, the winner of this event in 2019, the last time it was played, fired a 65, and Indian Anirban Lahiri, the champion in 2014, returned a 70 to sit in third place three behind the leaders.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell (67) and Sadom Kaewkanjana from Thailand (69) are one stroke back.
49 players were unable to complete their rounds as a result of delays caused by play finishing early yesterday because of lightning.
Mathiam Keyser. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Jazz and Sadom both need to win the event to have a chance to claim the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) title, which is being led by American Sihwan Kim, who was one of those players unable to finish today and is anxiously battling to survive the cut. He is one under with three to play with the cut prediction at the moment being that exact same number.
Keyser is in the middle of his own OOM battle as he is 63rd on the Merit list and needs a good week to end the year in the top 60 to retain his playing rights for 2023.
Fortunately, there are a number of affiliate members who are above him on the Merit list which will see his ranking improve but he still needs a good week and is also aiming to try and finish in the top 30 on the list which will earn him a place in next year’s Saudi International.
He said: “Yeah, 100%. I thought I might be okay in 63rd because there are nine or 10 affiliate members in there, but eventually the goal will be to get into Saudi Arabia right, top 30. So, the first two days was definitely just to make the cut and secure a top 60, and now we’re going to the weekend and trying to get into the top 30.
“Like it’s so nice to be in Indonesia. Everyone out here, we love Royale Jakarta, it’s one of the best courses of the year. So just go out there and have fun and see what happens on Sunday.”
Sarit has only finished outside the top 25 once in his last six events, highlighted by finishing equal third in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in September, and is safely ranked in 31st place.
“I to have to say it’s about my coach, my team and everything,” said the Thai golfer about his good form.
Jazz Janewattananond and Anirban Lahiri. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I mean, before Taiwan I wasn’t in the top 60, but in the first event there I played quite well and in the second one, the Mercuries event, I finished third. And I think that’s what made me feel more comfortable, and it felt more fun to play the rest of it. So, I think that those two events made a big difference.
“I think the main thing is, I didn’t hit it quite well before I came here, and I had a really good talk with my coach. We figured out something, and I feel like it clicked and then started hitting it good. I mean, my irons are on point except the last hole. But yeah, I think that’s the main thing, that’s why I’m playing well this week.”
Jazz, who won the International Series Morocco last month after a three-year winless streak, is starting to look like the player of 2019 when he triumphed four times and lifted the Merit title. However, he admitted today a hectic playing schedule this year had taken its toll.
“I’m fresh now because I had three weeks off before coming in here, but when I played Morocco, or the weeks before that, I was so out of it,” he said.
“Seriously like in Morocco I was such a blur, I still don’t know what happened. And I walked home with a trophy so that was pretty lucky. So now after three weeks, I feel so much better, I feel like a new man.”
That’s a good place to be for a player in with a chance of winning three titles this week: the tournament, the Asian Tour OOM and the International Series ranking.
Sadom Kaewkanjana. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He added: “You know, I know what’s on the line. It’s like last time when I was here, so I’m not going to lie to myself that it’s nothing that I’m playing for. I just know what I need to do, I just need to play well and seize the day.
England’s Lee Westwood, a three-time winner of the Indonesian Masters, shot a 66 and is four under and South African Ernie Els came in with a 70 to be two under.
There is plenty at stake at this week’s US$1.5 million BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, the final Asian Tour event of the season, with some big names in the star-studded field gunning for the coveted Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) crown and inaugural International Series OOM title as well as individual glory.
With a winner’s purse of US$270,000 up for grabs, the top 11 could all theoretically claim the Asian Tour OOM crown and the entire top 10 on the International Series OOM are all still in with a shout of securing the top spot and a golden ticket to play on the 14-tournament LIV Golf League next season.
The winners of the six International Series events on this season’s schedule are all in action in Indonesia and took part in a photo shoot on Thursday evening.
Scott Vincent, fourth on the Asian Tour Merit list, first on the International Series ranking and the International Series England winner said: “Of course, victory at the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE would be a perfect way to round off a great season on the Asian Tour. There will be a lot of competition this week, and it is shaping up to be a great season-finale.”
Sihwan Kim. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Sihwan Kim is top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit but is one behind Zimbabwean Vincent in the International Series rankings. The American, winner of the International Series Thailand, the first event of the season, added: “The win in Thailand was my first professional win so it it was a huge deal for me. Winning any OOM is big and it means you played well for pretty much the whole season.”
Jazz Janewattananond, winner in Morocco last month, knows all about victory in Jakarta having won here in 2019. He looked back on his recent win and said: “To wait that long to win my first International Series title in Morocco, I’m proud of myself and what I’ve accomplished.”
Speaking about the International Series, he added: “It has been great for every Asian Tour player. It’s a big opportunity and it’s a pathway to something bigger.”
Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong, who is currently ranked third in the International Series OOM, picked up his second win of the year when he claimed the International Series Singapore title in August, while Korean Taehoon OK secured an emotional victory on home soil in Jeju Island and showed some fine form in a T5 finish in Morocco last month.
American Andy Ogletree cruised to a first ever professional win at the International Series Egypt in Cairo last time out.
This week’s event is also part of the International Series.
Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto and Neil Schietekat from South Africa both shot sizzling six-under-par 66s to take the clubhouse lead on the opening day of the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE today, which was cut short because of lightning.
Hamamoto playing well off the back of a second-placed finish in Bangladesh last Sunday toured the layout at Royale Jakarta Golf Club bogey free, with four birdies on the front and two on the back, while Schietekat, battling to keep his Tour card, carded seven birdies and one dropped shot.
India’s Veer Ahlawat returned a 67 while Korea’s Bongsub Kim, Pawin Ingkhaprait from Thailand, Canadian Richard T. Lee and Filipino Miguel Tabuena all came in with 68s.
Half the field were unable to complete their rounds as play was stopped for the day at 4.45pm local time.
Neil Schietekat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Hamamoto lost by one shot to compatriot Danthai Boonma last week but rather than being disappointed about not being able to win his first Asian Tour event he has taken the positives from the experience and is philosophical about it.
He said: “I was okay about not winning last week, I have changed my mentality, golf is not everything in my life. Finishing second doesn’t define who I am. I am having the time of my life and living the dream.”
The rising star, whose father is Japanese and mother Thai, has made multiple changes to his game and mindset which has led to some fine form.
“Lately I have been working with a new coach, Kris Assawapimonporn, who also teaches Atthaya Thitikul, I have a new caddie and a new set of irons, and I have changed my mentality, so it’s been a lot of things and it seems to be working. I will just keep on focusing what I need to do.”
His new caddie is non-other than ‘Camp’, formerly Jazz Janewattananond’s bagman, who was on the bag when Jazz won here in 2019.
Hamamoto also revealed that only a few months ago life was proving difficult.
He said: “During the summer I had a really tough time, I think I have come out of it more mature. I just had stuff going on outside the course that effected my mentality, and I wasn’t having fun on the course. I didn’t feel like playing golf.”
Schietekat is 72nd on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and needs a good result this week to finish in the top-60 and retain his playing privileges.
“It’s been a disappointing year,” said the 38 year old from Johannesburg.
“I came out here having got my card, at the 2020 Q School, and wanted to do much better. I am getting used to Asia, which I love, but I need a good week to keep my card. It is what it is, I got off to a good start.
“I started off well today, made a lot of putts. I had 27 putts and missed two greens. Struggling with the driver a little bit, I think I cracked my favourite driver in Morocco, and when I was getting a fitting in Egypt the week after, they said the face is cracked. That was my baby, had it for two and a half years and I normally pride myself on my driving. So, I am fiddling with other drivers.”
Veer Ahlawat. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Bad weather first stopped play at 2.20pm and resumed at 4.15pm, for half an hour.
South African Mathiam Keyser was five under with five to play, while Indian Anirban Lahiri, who won here in 2014, was four under after 10 holes.
Play will resume at 6.15am on Friday.
A galaxy of stars are playing in this week’s BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, three-time winner Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger, who has also won here, and Graeme McDowell, and Asian greats Anirban Lahiri, Jazz Janewattananond, both past champions, and Kiradech Aphibarnrat.
But one star player stands out more than any other, and in more ways one, here at Royale Jakarta Golf Club, the “Big Easy” himself Ernie Els.
Now 53 years old and a regular on the Champions Tour he is making a popular return to the region, where he has enjoyed great success, winning three times on the Asian Tour.
“I just want to have a nice week, if things work out nicely then I will be very thrilled and if it doesn’t I just want to have a nice week and enjoy myself,” said the South African.
“I obviously want to try and play well, feel like I am swinging it good, it’s really coming out beautiful, there is a bit of doubt here and there. I am just getting my club back on plane, I was a little inside, a little deep. It feels good when I make good contact.”
He finished second here in 2013, when Wiesberger won, and despite not playing much recently he feels his game is in good shape.
Ernie Els. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Added the four-time Major winner: “I have been playing really well, I played over on the Champions Tour, I had 13 top-10s out of 20 something events. I ran close a couple of times, but I never got a win. I really am looking forward to next year, the competition is strong out there.
“I haven’t played in a month, I have just been playing a bit of social golf, in South Africa. I am trying to find something, but it’s okay, I am just enjoying myself out here, with my friend Nico [Van Rensburg] on the bag, he played in Asia for a long time.”
In Van Rensburg he could not have a better man to help guide him as he played regularly on the Asian Tour in the 1990s, winning three times, and thrilling galleries with his eye-catching big-hitting game.
“Nico is great, we have known each other since childhood, so it’s nice to have him on the bag. He’s loving it because he is seeing some of his old mates,” said Els, who mentioned Van Rensburg works on his charitable projects, and “raises a hell of a lot of money and does a hell of a good job.”
Els’ last big win on a main Tour came at the 2013 BMW International Open in Europe, while his two wins on the Champions Tour came in 2020, but don’t be surprised if the big man with deft touch adds some more silverware to his bulging trophy cabinet this week, in what is the season-ending event on the Asian Tour and last of the year’s seven International Series contests.
Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana won the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open when the event it was last played in 2019, here at Kurmitola Golf Club, in Dhaka – incredibly, becoming the fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on Tour, in what was his first start after qualifying – and on the eve of this year’s tournament he says the memories of that breakthrough and nerve-jangling victory are still vivid and will last for a long time.
Starting the final round he led by two shots and was cruising until calamity struck when he made bogeys on 13, 14 and 15. However, he birdied 16 and 17 before making a crucial par-save on the par-four 18th, to beat India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu by one.
“I’ll never forget the last hole,” said Sadom.
“I was so excited. I had hit my tee shot to the left and got behind a tree and had to lay up. I hit my third shot onto the green and made the putt. It made me feel very good.”
Sadom Kaewkanjana practicing hard for his defense in Bangladesh. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
He had only turned professional the year before and that victory laid the foundation for incredible run of results which saw him win three times on the All Thailand Golf Tour in the space of three months in 2021, including the Thailand Open, a Trust Mixed golf event in January 2022 before shortly after securing the biggest win of his career so far, the 2022 SMBC Singapore Open – which brought to an end the 2020-21-22 season on the Asian Tour. That victory helped him into second place on the Final Asian Tour Order of Merit.
He said: “I feel very good to be back to play in Bangladesh again, I have a lot of good memories from this course. So I’m excited to play this year.”
This season has seen the 24 year old consistently near the top of the leader boards with a tied-second and two third-place finishes as his best results among his six top-10s. The last Asian Tour event, the International Series Egypt, was no exception and saw Sadom finish in a tie for ninth place, so his game is obviously in good shape.
“I think this year feels amazing for me. I worked hard when we had the COVID break, for two years I worked very hard. After the Tour resumed [at the end of 2021], I started very well in the Asian Tour events in Phuket [he tied second and joint fifth] and that gave me a lot of confidence. I have kept that momentum until today,” he said.
Every professional golfer dreams of playing The Open Championship at St. Andrews, and he had a remarkable experience there on the Old Course in July, when in his first start in this Major he finished tied 11th after a final round 65. The best-ever result by a Thai player at The Open.
Said Sadom: “I felt fantastic to play in The Open. I thought in my life I would never be able to play that course because I had only seen it on TV or on YouTube. But to have the chance to play there, and play so well that week, I was very happy.”
The second place on the 2020/21/22 Merit list also secured the Thai starts in the newly launched LIV Golf Invitational Series, and he has spent much of the second half of the season competing with and against some of the best players in the game, amassing just over US$1.4 million in individual and team earnings.
Sadom won in 2019 for his first success on the Asian Tour. Picture by Paul Lakatos/ Asian Tour.
“For me, I think to play alongside the great players in the world, it gave me a lot of experience about everything on and off the golf course, I learned a lot from the great players out there,” he said.
“I played with Dustin Johnson in Bangkok on the last day, and it was crazy. He hit very good quality shots, every shot.”
The winner of the inaugural International Series Order of Merit is poised to experience a career-transforming opportunity with a potential multi-million-dollar reward on the line.
The individual who tops the standings following the season-ending BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE in the first week of December will receive an exemption into the eagerly awaited and much-hyped LIV Golf League 2023.
“The introduction of the International Series on the Asian Tour this year has been a huge success and the integration into the LIV Golf League is a very important next step. Not only has the International Series provided more playing opportunities and greater purses for our members but it also provides an incredible opportunity that lives up to LIV Golf’s promise of enhancing player pathways,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour.
The International Series is a ground-breaking series of events launched this year with prize purses of US$1.5million and above played across seven countries – Thailand, England, Singapore, Korea, Morocco, Egypt and Indonesia.
Following last week’s International Series Egypt, Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent is in pole position on the Merit List having amassed earnings of US$493,125 from the first six events of the seven-leg schedule. American Sihwan Kim sits in second with winnings of US$424,883.
Sihwan Kim. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Whoever it is that secures the Merit List title can look forward to being part of the LIV Golf League in 2023 when 48 players and 12 established team franchises will compete in a 14-tournament schedule.
The full slate of events is expected to expand LIV Golf’s global footprint across North and Latin Americas, Asia, Australia, the Middle East and Europe.
The appetite of Vincent and his fellow Merit list contenders has been well and truly whetted this year with Asian Tour members receiving unrivalled access to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
In-form Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana and Australian Wade Ormsby were ever-present throughout all eight LIV Invitationals in 2022, both earning their starts directly via the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Vincent and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai also participated in all eight of the showpiece gatherings through their performances on the International Series this year.
Other Asian Tour regulars who benefitted from their International Series ranking were Kim, Australian Travis Smyth, South African Ian Snyman and Thai Itthipat Buranatanyarat all playing in multiple LIV Golf Invitational Series events.
Sadom Kaewkanjana tees off on the fifth hole during day two of the LIV Golf Invitational – London at The Centurion Club on June 10, 2022 in St Albans, England. Picture by Joe Maher/LIV Golf/Getty Images.
Also savouring the opportunity to brush shoulders with some of the biggest names in the game, Australian Kevin Yuan and Indian Viraj Madappa qualified for the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational in England via the International Series England event at Slaley Hall, won by Vincent.
In 2023, LIV Golf League players plan to compete in numerous International Series tournaments, bringing the world’s top players to locations in Asia and the Arab region and several new international destinations.
Tournaments will be broadcast across the globe and showcase an international field of headline and next-generation talent for a worldwide audience.
“In total, LIV Golf will deliver 25 tournaments worldwide in 2023 that will bring value, innovation and new audiences to golf.
“LIV Golf’s expanding global platform will add a new dimension to the golf eco-system as we know it, one that provides an opportunity for players and fans around the world to help maximise our beloved sport’s true potential,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf.
“Our franchise model will bring new energy and excitement to fans from all corners of the world, establishing a league of teams to connect and grow with.
“The International Series will attract new talent and offer unprecedented pathways that develop the next generation of stars. LIV Golf is committed to making sustainable investments that grow the game now and for the future, and we are proud to turn these dreams into a reality.”
Asian Development Tour (ADT) players can look forward to a bumper end-of-season bonanza.
Making a welcome return to the schedule after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Taifong Open will act as the decisive, final event on the 2022 ADT.
With the leading 10 players, not otherwise exempted, on the final 2022 ADT Order of Merit following the conclusion of the Taifong Open earning their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season, it promises to be a memorable week in Chinese Taipei.
Further good news for participants at the Taifong Golf Club from December 22-25 is that the prize fund is being increased by 25 per cent to US$200,000, becoming the joint richest event on the ADT.
When the tournament was last staged on the ADT at the end of 2019, the purse was US$160,000.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour, said: “Given that the Taifong Open will once more bring down the curtain on the ADT season, it’s a fabulous development that we’ll have a significant rise in prize money.
2019 Taifong Open winner Donlaphatchai Niyomchon.
“With Asian Tour cards on the line and so much at stake, it’s fitting that the Taifong Open will offer the equal highest purse on the Tour, reflecting the importance of the week.”
When the Taifong Open was last held on the Asian Development Tour in the final week of 2019 it was Thai Donlaphatchai Niyomchon who emerged triumphant.
It was the sixth year in succession that the Taifong Open had been part of the ADT.
Previous winners of the Taifong Open were Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang (2018 and 2014); Thai Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017); American Johannes Veerman (2016) and Thai Rattanon Wannasrichan (2015).
Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai sensationally made it three wins within a month in Indonesia on the ADT when he triumphed in the US$100,000 Combiphar Players Championship, at Parahyangan Golf, in September.
He tops the Order of Merit and his three brilliant victories meant he earned a battlefield promotion on to the Asian Tour for the remainder of this season.
Three events remain this season: the Selangor Masters, the Saudi Open and the Taifong Open.
Andy Ogletree oozed class on his way to securing his maiden title in the professional game today after winning the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo.
The former amateur star found his feet in the play for pay game after firing a final round eight-under-par 62 to finish with a tournament total of 23 under and win by four shots from Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger, who returned a 63.
Korean Jeunghun Wang (64) and Sihwan Kim (65) from the United States tied for third, seven behind the winner. The result saw Sihwan Kim return to the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit list.
Ogletree started the day with a three-shot advantage from Wiesberger and took a firm grip of the tournament by touring the front nine in four-under-par 32 with birdies on one, three, five, seven and nine with a dropped shot on eight doing little damage to his lead.
He was four ahead of Wiesberger at the turn. The Austrian pushed hard to mount a challenge and eagled the par-four 10th after holing his second but Ogletree responded with a birdie on that hole to sit comfortably three in front.
Andy Ogletree celebrates on the 18th green during Round Four on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Weisberger closed to within two after a birdie on 13 but the 16th proved to be pivotal as the American made a birdie while Weisberger dropped a shot to put the gap back to four.
Wiesberger made birdie on 17 but it still left Ogletree with the comfort of a three-shot lead going down the last, which he fittingly birdied to put the icing on the cake.
“This is amazing, just incredible,” said the rising star from Little Rock, Mississippi, who earned a cheque for US$270,000.
“I have always been a huge fan of Matchplay and that is kind of what it came to in the end, it was basically a two-man race. I just tried to keep matching what he was doing, I kept making a lot of putts. Fortunately, I was able to play better than Bernd, he’s a great player and it was really awesome to come out on top.”
The 24 year old, who played on the golf team at the prestigious Georgia Tech University, won the US Amateur in 2019 and was part of the victorious American team at the Walker Cup the same year. He turned professional the following year and is a rookie on the Asian Tour this season.
Added Ogletree: “It has been an awesome week. First time in Egypt. I got to experience everything the tourists do, I went to the Pyramids, we stayed at a great hotel and the golf course was spectacular. It has just been a really awesome. My first trip to Egypt is one that I will never forget.”
Wiesberger was attempting to win his third Asian Tour title and first in nine years but found Ogletree just too good today.
“Yeah, I mean I take that [shooting a 63] going into Sunday in the last group,” said the 37 year old, an eight-time winner on the DP World Tour.
Bernd Wiesberger and Andy Ogletree. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“You know, it wasn’t good enough to throw everything at him. A couple of loose bogeys but other than that I did as much as I could. He holed a lot of putts when I was in position to do so. He had it going on the greens today so fair play to him. I played a good round and can be proud of myself.
“It was nice, good to stay competitive, good feeling, good golf course and tried to hit a lot of good shots. Coming in with a nice result is always a bonus as well.”
Wang’s finish is his best performance since coming back from 18-months of National Service several months ago.
Said Wang: “Actually I’m really happy with my score today because I didn’t make any bogeys. The first two rounds I didn’t really hit it good, especially my irons, but it’s getting better right now so hopefully I will play well next season.
“Score-wise my game is okay, but my irons and driver I’m not really happy right now. I will probably go see my coach and fix something with my swing.”
Sihwan Kim who led the Merit list race for much of the year following two victories recaptured top sot from Korean Bio Kim. Sihwan Kim has now earned U$615,208, while Bio Kim, who did not compete this week, is second with winnings of US$ $595,109.
Last year’s US Amateur champion James Piot from the United States fired a 66 to finish in sole possession of fifth, eight back from Ogletree.
Two more events remain on the Asian Tour this season: the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open (November 24-27) and the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE (December 1-4).
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria pictured during Round Four on Sunday, November 13, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
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