Ogletree on cusp of maiden professional win at International Series Egypt
Former US Amateur champion Andy Ogletree continued to put together one of the finest tournaments of his short professional career today when he took the third-round lead at the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club.
The American, helped by a brilliant birdie, eagle finish shot a five-under-par 65 to reach 15 under for the tournament and open up a three-shot lead from Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, who also made a fine eagle on 18, and second-round leader Richard T. Lee from Canada.
Eight-time DP World Tour winner Wiesberger also carded a 65 while Lee returned a 69.
Last year’s US Amateur champion American James Piot (64) and his countrymen Jarin Todd (67) and Sihwan Kim (68), Thailand’s Prom Meesawat (66) and Jinichiro Kozuma from Japan (68) are tied for fourth, four behind the leader.
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria pictured during Round Three on Saturday, November 12, 2022 ahead of The International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Ogletree started the day one back from Lee but pulled ahead of the pack with three birdies on the trot from the fifth and narrowly stayed ahead of a crowded leader board all day until his fantastic finish.
He holed a 12 footer for birdie on the par-five 17th before reaching the 345-yard par-five 18th in one with an eye-catching drive before he holed out from 30 feet.
“I had a slow start early on, took me a little bit of time of get into the round,” said 24-year-old Ogletree, who turned professional in 2020 a year after winning his country’s National Amateur.
“I was playing really well but three putted two which was super frustrating, but I kept telling myself to stay patient, there are a lot of birdies out there.
“I never beat myself up and I knew that I would make some birdies coming in. You always know that 17 and 18, in the back of your mind, are easy holes so throughout the round I kept saying wait for that. Made a good putt on 17 and a long one on 18 so that was just a testament to staying patient and trusting what I was doing all day.”
Weisberger looked set to finish the day in the pack before holing a 20-foot eagle putt on the final hole – brandishing the ‘broomhandle’ putter that he has been using since July to great effect.
Richard T. Lee of Canada pictured during Round Three on Saturday, November 12, 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.
He said: “I started well. I got off to a good rhythm and holed a lot of chances but then I was quite disappointed as my mid irons were not very good and it is a little bit of a mystery ride for me on the greens. I am really struggling on the greens, with reading them and trusting them.
“But as Jamie my caddie said my patience was rewarded today, even though I felt a little impatient after 17, but nice to roll one in for eagle on the last and pick up a couple of shots later on.”
Overnight-leader Lee, so impressive over the first two days on the front nine with scores of birdies, failed to get going today and went out in level par before making a double on 13 which saw him tumble down the leaderboard. However, he rallied and bravely got back into contention with four birdies in the last five holes.
Said the two-time Asian Tour winner: “Yeah, I was kind of struggling with my swing a little bit, and think I was trying to make birdies too early, trying to pressure myself a little bit. But, yeah, happy with how I came back with a few birdies on the back nine, and let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
Prom has not won on the Asian Tour since 2014 and is enjoying playing a course that is relatively short compared to most courses on the Asian Tour.
Prom Meesawat of Thailand pictured during Round Three on Saturday, November 12, 2022 ahead of The International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
“It’s not long, it’s only 16 that’s long, but the rest is fine for me. But still you know, for the guys who are long hitters they really have an advantage on this course because it’s wide open. I just play my game just focus on what I have been working on,” said the Thai golfer.
First-round leader Scott Hend from Australia bounced back from a disappointing second day 74 shooting a 64 and is tied for ninth five behind the leader.
Two of the most popular names in the International Series Egypt field took time out from their tournament routines to hold a special junior golfing clinic on the sidelines of the Asian Tour event at the Madinaty Golf Club driving range, aimed at the local youngsters on the Egypt Golf Federation’s youth development program.
In a session hosted by Mohammed Attallah of the EGF, and organised by the EGF and the Egypt Ministry of Youth and Sport, American LIV Golf star Chase Koepka teamed up with Egyptian star Issa Abou El Ela to take 20 boys and girls through a series of drills, giving hints and tips on preparation, alignment, mindset and more before finishing up with a fun chipping contest partnered by UGolf, a major supporter of Mass Participation Programmes across Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
Koepka said: “It is always a lot of fun to get around a bunch of eager kids who want to learn and are excited to learn from a pro. I was fortunate as a kid to learn from a few professionals, and I am excited to give that back to these kids in Egypt. This is a sport which I feel could grow here, this tournament could be a big kick-starter for youngsters to go out and discover a game they will love.”
Isaa Abuo El Ela of Egypt during a golf clinic on Friday, November 11, 2022 ahead of the International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Issa added: “I have seen many of these juniors develop, so to have the opportunity to stand alongside a big-name player like Chase and to hear his advice was very special. Chase had some great advice for these very talented youngsters, and I hope to do more of this myself in future.”
Ibrahim, 13, was delighted to have learned from the best. He said: “I think they have a lot of experience, and they gave us some great advice on routine and the alignment – I think it was all very important and if we can listen to them, we can all learn a lot.”
Alam, 16, was one of a number of the budding golfers lucky enough to get some invaluable one-on-one time with Koepka. The eight-handicapper said: “It was very interesting, I asked Chase a few questions about how I should be thinking when I am out on the course and he gave me some very sound advice. This is sure to help with the mental side and my game overall.”
Canadian Richard T. Lee looks like a man on a mission at this week’s International Series Egypt after he moved into the lead on day two, bidding to make amends for letting victory slip from his grasp last Sunday.
He shot a five-under-par 65 at Madinaty Golf Club to go to 11 under for the US$1.5 million event to lead by one from American Andy Ogletree, who carded a 64.
American Sihwan Kim is a shot further back following a 66 – in a ground-breaking tournament that marks the first time the Asian Tour has visited Egypt.
Two-time Japan Tour winner Jinichiro Kozuma from Japan is tied with Kim after shooting 64, impressively one of the few players to make a challenge in the more difficult afternoon conditions when the wind was stronger.
Overnight leader Scott Hend from Australia had a disappointing day shooting a 74 to sit seven off the pace.
Andy Ogletree of the USA pictured during Round Two on Friday, November 11, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
In-form Lee was on course to win last week’s International Series Morocco but made a costly bogey on the penultimate hole while Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond stormed through to win at the death with an eagle, birdie finish.
However, the loss has clearly done nothing to his confidence: he birdied six of the last seven holes on the front nine to go 10 under on the front nine for the first two days. He nearly aced the par-three eighth where his tee shot hit the flag leaving him a tap in for a two
“I feel like it is more comfortable to my eyes on the front nine, the back nine is a bit harder for me, I feel like I can’t putt as well as the front nine, yesterday and today,” said Lee, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour, with the most recent being the 2017 Shinhan Donghae Open in Korea.
“My game is solid right now, mentally I am also feeling confident. We still have 36 holes out there. I just want to play my game, I don’t want to think I have got to beat this person, or that person.
“I am just going to play my game, play my front nine again, and try and shoot five or six under par again. I just want to get this win first and see where it goes from there.”
Sihwan Kim of Korea pictured during Round Two on Friday, November 11, 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.
Ogletree, the US Amateur champion in 2019, is a rookie on the Asian Tour this year and is putting together his best performance so far this year.
“You got to take advantage of playing in the morning out here, there’s not much wind, and I got off to a good start, four under through nine,” said 24-year-old Ogletree.
“Had a lot of opportunities coming down the stretch, it could have been a lot better, but very pleased with how I’m playing and should be in good position going into the weekend.”
Sihwan, the number two ranked player this year with two wins, holed a 30 footer on the par-four 18th for a his third eagle of the week to go with the two he made on the front nine yesterday.
“Not the best off the tee but got it around and played really well on the front nine, my back nine,” said Kim.
“Probably on our sixth or seventh hole the wind started picking up, and it’s been pretty windy since then. And it was a lot heavier wind than yesterday, so it’s been kind of tough.”
Jinichiro Kozuma of Japan pictured during Round Two on Friday, November 11, 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.
Americans Jarin Todd (66) and Trevor Simsby (67), Australia’s Travis Smyth (67) and South African Jaco Ahlers (68) are three off the lead.
Moroccan Ayoub Lguirati continued to impress carding a 67, the same score as Bernd Wiesberger from Austria, an eight-time winner on the DP World Tour. They are in a group of players tied for ninth on seven under.
In an outstanding development, organisers of the Indonesian Masters announced today that BNI and TNE will sponsor this year’s Indonesian Masters – the nation’s richest sporting event that will be the season-ending tournament on the Asian Tour.
BNI have committed to becoming the main sponsor while energy logistic provider TNE will join as presenting sponsor.
The popular tournament will be played at the prestigious Royale Jakarta Golf Club from December 1-4 and will boast a lucrative purse of US$1.5 million – up from US$750,000 when it was last played in 2019.
In addition, it will also be part of the International Series – a ground-breaking new initiative this year taking the Tour to new heights with elevated prize purses and introducing new international destinations.
Lee Westwood of England poses with the trophy after winning the Indonesian Masters at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club on April 24, 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Picture by Khalid Redza / Asian Tour via Getty Images.
Said Jimmy Masrin, Founder of the Indonesian Masters and Chairman of the Asian Tour: “We are truly grateful to BNI and TNE for their support of this year’s Indonesian Masters. The collaboration between BNI, with their great reputation in the national golf community, and TNE, whom have actively been developing golf in Indonesia, is a unified effort to ensure that this year’s tournament will provide high-quality entertainment for domestic and international audiences.”
BNI President Director Royke Tumilaar said: “The Indonesian Masters has been in existence for over a decade and BNI felt it was important for us to continue our partnership with the tournament. This year the event has been elevated on many levels and promises to be the most exciting in its history, which means it will once again play an important role in the development of golf in Indonesia.
Previously, TNE presented an event on the Asian Development Tour and are now excited to be involved with the main Tour and one of its biggest events.
TNE Chairman Jubilant Harmidy said: “The Indonesian Masters has become a part of our country’s national golf history since its launch 11 years ago. Our involvement in this year’s Indonesian Masters aligns with TNE’s mission to contribute to developing golf in the national sector. The event is also the perfect medium for national golfers to compete with international golfers and it would be great to see Indonesian golfers make a name for themselves during the tournament.”
Anirban Lahiri. Picture by Chris Trotman/Getty Images.
An impressive line-up of players have been confirmed for the event, including former champions: Lee Westwood (2011, 2012, and 2015), Bernd Wiesberger (2013), Anirban Lahiri (2014), Poom Saksansin (2016 and 2018), and Jazz Janewattananond (2019).
Graeme McDowell and Chase Koepka will also compete.
Scott Hend’s revival continued today after he shot a sublime eight-under-par 62 to take the first-round lead in the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt.
The Australian, who has battled back from prostate cancer, looked like his old self today making nine birdies and one bogey at Madinaty Golf Club – in what is the Asian Tour’s first ever visit to Egypt.
Thailand’s Pawin Ingkhapradit and Seungtaek Lee from Korea shot equally impressive 63s, while South African Jaco Ahlers and Canadian Richard T. Lee returned 64s.
Hend has fully recovered from cancer but says the biggest obstacle his faces now is a lack of confidence.
He said: “I am a 10-time winner on the Asian Tour, I am a 15-time winner around the world, I am an Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, I am second on the Asian Tour Career Money List, I have been playing golf since I was 14 years old, I know how to play, I have just got to keep telling myself that.”
Pawin Ingkhapradit of Thailand pictured during Round One on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The 49 year old missed cut after cut in the early part of the year but has been playing better since then, most noticeably in last week’s International Series Morocco where he was tied for third going into the final round before shooting a 78 to finish equal 14th.
“It’s just a process, putting the foot in front of the other and trying to get back to where I was,” said Hend, whose last win on the Asian Tour came in the 2019 Maybank Championship.
“Mentally I have suffered a lot from what I have been through, so that’s where I have been really struggling confidence wise. I wasn’t 100%, I tried to play, and I rode on what confidence I did have but I wasn’t 100% so it was a Catch 22.”
He could easily have finished with a lower score today but missed three putts from inside four feet on the outward half and one from a similar length on the way back.
Pawin was bogey free, making three birdies on the front and four on the back.
“I played well from the tee today which is important on this course, and of course I holed a lot of putts,” said Pawin.
“I have been playing well this year, missing the cut for the first-time last week in Morocco, so today is just my form continuing.”
The Thai golfer has been playing on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour for the past decade and still chasing his first victory.
Ahlers, who started on 10, built his round on a fine four-under-par 30 back nine with five birdies and one bogey. He made another three birdies and one dropped shot on the second half.
Seungtaek Lee of Korea pictured during Round One on Thursday, November 10, 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.
He said: “I started off by holing a few 100 feet of putts, really got the ball rolling well. It’s a great course, I love Nicklaus courses, this isn’t one but it’s very similar.”
The South African is a 10-time winner on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, remarkably five of those coming in play offs including at his most recent victory there coming in April at the Stella Artois Players Championship.
American Sihwan Kim, currently second on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, eagled two par fives on the front nine and was one of nine players who came in with 65s.
The International Series Egypt is compelling evidence of the country’s ability to host world-class sporting events, and firm proof of the evolution of the region’s best golfing talent, according to the organisers behind the Asian Tour’s flagship event.
The event marks the Tour’s first ever visit to Egypt, a week after its hugely successful debut visit to Morocco. Twenty Arabic players from nine different countries are in the field at this week’s event, a major proof point for the Asian Tour’s new international brief, and a clear indication of the support it provides to enable the growth of golf in the region.
Cho Minn Thant, CEO and Commissioner of the Asian Tour, said: “From our perspective, this week in Egypt and last week in Morocco are both a fitting example of how we are growing into a truly international tour.
“Many people may have considered the Asian Tour to be a tour for Asian players, but what we have demonstrated is the international perspective, both in terms of players in the field and the destinations themselves. We could not have had a better two weeks.
(Back row L-R) Othman Almulla of Saudi Arabia, Ayoub Lguirati of Morocco, Dean Naime of Egypt, Mohammed Nizar Bourehim of Morocco and Issa Abu El Ela of Egypt, (Front row L-R) Azzan Al Rumhy of Oman, Adam Bresnu of Morocco, El Mehdi Fakori of Morocco, Elyas Barhoumi of Tunisia., A grand total of 20 Arabic players are in the field for the International Series Egypt., On the eve of the tournament, a selection of the regional stars pictured during the Pro-Am Round on Wednesday, November 9, 2022 ahead of The International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
“We are growing into a destination tour, we have had two excellent weeks and what we are experiencing in Egypt is truly spectacular – from the airport to the new capital, seeing all the developments and the ancient history of the pyramids, and the facilities at the Madinaty Golf Club – it has been a wonderful experience for the players and the tour.
“Never in our wildest dreams would we have expected the Asian Tour to be playing golf at the foot of the pyramids, but it is a reality and a wonderful experience for all involved.”
The Egyptian Golf Federation and Arab Golf Federation have been instrumental in preparing for this week’s tournament along with stakeholders TMG, and a field of 20 regional players is compelling evidence of the hard work they are putting in behind the scenes, 365 days a year, to create an infrastructure and sustainable framework that supports top golfing talent.
Mohammad Attallah of the Egypt Golf Federation explained: “The International Series Egypt is tangible evidence of the development and evolution of golf in Egypt and the wider region – it shows the strength and depth of golf here. There is enormous potential here. It has been an incredible experience for the Arabic players, who are representing nine different countries.
“Participating in an Asian Tour event is an incredible opportunity – it gives the players some great exposure to world-class golf in terms of both the tournament itself and the strong international field, and it gives them experience of gaining world ranking points and tough competition, something which is a massive part of our mission at the EGF and also the AGF – we are extremely proud of our players.”
Josh North, General Manager of Madinaty Golf Club, was delighted with the feedback he had received from a world-class field of golfers used to playing the best courses in the world, in the build-up to the tournament. He said: “It is a huge honour for us here, obviously it is the largest golfing event of its kind to be held in Egypt. We have been preparing for the last two to three months to ensure the course and facilities are of the conditions these world-class players expect.
L-R – Josh North, General Manager Madinaty Golf Club, Cho Minn Thant – Commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour,
Mohammed Attallah, board member of the Egyptian Golf Federation and Youssef Kardy Fouad Zaghloul – Group Sports and Clubs Commercial – TMG picturerd at a press conference on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, ahead of 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.
We have created a good test of golf for them, and the feedback so far this week is great. We wanted to deliver a world-class golf tournament and the first impression has been fantastic. It is an honour to welcome these top-class players and different nationalities to show the vast potential that Egypt has in terms of course conditions, hospitality and so much more.”
An impressive seven-under-par 63 saw Pawin Ingkhapradit take the clubhouse lead on the opening day of the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt today at Madinaty Golf Club.
Seven birdies – three on the front and four on the back – and no dropped shots put him on top of the leaderboard mid-way through Thursday’s round.
South African Jaco Ahlers is in second place after a 64, while Korean Jeunghun Wang, James Piot from the United States, South Africa’s Mathiam Keyser, and Australians Brett Rumford, Sam Brazel and Travis Smyth all carded 65s.
“I played well from the tee today which is important on this course, and of course I holed a lot of putts,” said Pawin.
Jaco Ahlers of South Africa pictured during Round One on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I have been playing well this year, missing the cut for the first-time last week in Morocco, so today is just my form continuing.”
The Thai golfer has been playing on the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour for the past decade and is still chasing his first victory.
Ahlers, who started on 10, built his round on a fine four-under-par 30 back nine with five birdies and one bogey. He made another three birdies and one dropped shot on the second half.
He said: “I started off by holing a few 100 feet of putts, really got the ball rolling well. It’s a great course, I love Nicklaus courses, this isn’t one but it’s very similar.”
The South African is a 10-time winner on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa, remarkably five of those coming in play offs including at his most recent success in April at the Stella Artois Players Championship.
“I have been playing well, just not finishing off tournaments. Need to change that this week,” he said.
Wang, like Pawin, was also bogey free and says he feels his game is gradually getting better having recently returned form 18 months of national service.
“I didn’t play or practice for 18 months. The thing that really suffered because of this was my short game, my chipping and putting. But it’s coming back.”
Sam Brazel of Australia pictured during Round One on Thursday, November 10, 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.
American Jarin Todd fired a 66, while Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai and Jakraphan Premsirigorn, South African Ian Snyman, and Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma came in with 67s.
Bernd Wiesberger makes his debut on the Asian Tour’s International Series this week when he tees-off in the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club tomorrow and says the Tour is “planting a seed this week, and it’s nice to be part of it.”
The Austrian is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour – he won the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea in 2012, and the following year the Indonesian Masters – and is making his first appearance on the Tour since 2019.
He has been playing the LIV Golf Series this year but is thrilled to be able to return to one of his old hunting grounds.
He said: “It is great to be back on the Asian Tour and with the new International Series. It’s been a while since I won here. I am building in a couple of Asian Tour events to my schedule, and I am really looking forward to starting.”
Surprisingly, it is not his first time playing in Egypt as he competed in a European Challenge Tour event here in 2010.
Bernd Wiesberger of Austria pictured during the Pro-Am event on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, ahead of the International Series Egypt at the Madinaty Golf Club. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged from November 10-13, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I remember we had a great time back then and I think it’s now very beneficial for the Asian Tour to go more international,” said the 37 year old.
“In the past they had an alignment with the European Tour and there were tournaments outside Asia but now with the latest developments in the world of golf there is an opportunity to upgrade certain events to the International Series and find new destinations to take the tour to.
“I think it is great to explore these options outside Asia and in Africa. It makes total sense to come here. Judging by the number of courses here there is definitely a demand for professional tournaments. It is a great start to help build a healthy future in the world of golf. It is very good to see the Asian Tour breaking new ground here and progressing.”
This week marks the first time the Asian Tour has staged an event in Egypt, a country that boasts close to 80 golf courses.
Said Wiesberger: “I didn’t know there are nearly 80 golf courses in Egypt and it has probably been overlooked for too long and it’s nice to be adding new destinations not only to my calendar but in general for professional golf. The Tour is planting the seed this week, it’s nice to be part of it.”
He only arrived on Tuesday evening, so today’s Pro Am was his first opportunity to play the course
“The course is in brilliant condition. Even though the fairways are quite wide you want to make sure you get into position as the greens are quite firm, so it’s tough to stop the ball,” he said.
“There are options off the tees to be more aggressive at some point. Some you have to be more tactical. It’s a good mix. Lots of par threes, six out there, which is quite uncommon, but you have a good variety of design. Definitely a fun design for everyone this week.”
Bernd Wiesberger. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He has been paired in the opening two rounds with Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Canadian Richard T. Lee.
There is no hiding Richard T. Lee’s look of disappointment at the moment after he let victory narrowly slip from his grasp last Sunday but a trip to the Pyramids on Tuesday morning ahead of this week’s International Series Egypt, at Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo, has certainly helped to put a smile on his face.
“Egypt has been on my wish list since high school, I just wanted to come here and check out the Pyramids. It was amazing just to see it, right there in front of my eyes,” said the Canadian, who visited the iconic and world-famous Giza Pyramids in Cairo with American Sihwan Kim, Korean Jeunghun Wang, and local player Isaa Abuo El Ela.
Lee was on the brink of winning the International Series Morocco two days ago but made a costly bogey on the driveable par-four 17th and lost by a shot to Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – who finished sensationally with an eagle and a birdie.
Added Lee: “To be honest I got a bit unlucky on 17 as my second shot was blocked. I pulled my tee shot slightly and it ended right behind a tree so I could only advance it forward a little bit.”
He was attempting to claim his third title on the Asian Tour, to add to his wins in the Solaire Open in 2014 and the 2017 Shinhan Donghae Open.
Nevertheless, it’s has been a big season for the 32 year old so far as he also finished joint second in the International Series Singapore in August.
“I just want to take the good things from there [Morocco] and have a good week this week and play my best,” he said.
Richard T. Lee. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“I am just going to play my game; I feel my game is pretty solid right now; I am playing smart golf. Hopefully I can get that win.”
Last year he was dogged by injuries to his shoulder and knee, which he feels might have been the result of COVID-19 treatment.
He said: “I am not completely sure what caused the injuries, I think it could have been something to do with the vaccines. I didn’t have any injuries playing golf, it’s just that all of a sudden they came.
“I have been eating well and doing a lot of work outs. It’s getting better, my body is getting back into shape.”
Rising Spanish star David Puig competes this week having also come close to winning in Morocco – which was his first event on the Asian Tour and second as a professional.
He led by two at the start of the final round before finishing in solo possession of third, two back from Jazz.
“Obviously, leading going into the final round my main goal was to win, but at the end of the day it’s golf,” said the 20 year old, who opted to not complete his final year on the Arizona State University golf team in order to play for pay.
He added: “I think I was pretty steady the whole day, I played pretty good. I just didn’t hit the ball as close as I would like, but I hit it very good and didn’t putt my best as well. But I hung in there and I had a chance until the last hole so as I said overall I’m pretty happy with my result.
“As I said last week I don’t like tight courses, but my driving accuracy as well as my driving distance was pretty good during the whole week. So not seeing trees and instead seeing big fairways, it’s gonna be good because you’re more relaxed sometimes. But at the same time, at the end of the day, it’s just golf. You just gotta try to make birdies.”
David Puig. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
His fine performance allowed him to secure his Asian Tour card for next season.
This week’s tournament marks the first time the Asian Tour has visited Egypt. The US$1.5 million event is the third from last event of the season with just the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open and Indonesian Masters, which is part of the International Series, remaining.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond won for the first time in nearly three years today when he triumphed in the US$1.5 million International Series Morocco after a brilliant eagle, birdie finish at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
The 2019 Asian Tour number one closed with a fine six-under-par 67 to finish on 12 under and beat Canadian Richard T. Lee by one stroke.
Lee, who missed a 16-foot birdie putt on the last to force a play-off, shot a 70 while Spaniard David Puig fired a 73 to finish third, a stroke further back.
Jazz, playing in the third from last group having started the day four shots behind overnight leader Puig, burst through to victory thanks to a stunning five-under-par back nine.
Jazz Janewattananond. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
He made birdie on 11 and 15 but it was the short and driveable par-four 17th that proved to be pivotal. Lee, playing in the final group, had appeared to be in control and on course to win for much of the back nine but that all changed when Jazz found the green with his tee shot on 17 and holed a 20-foot eagle putt. The Thai golfer then drew level with Lee after holing a five-footer for birdie on the par-five 18th. To the surprise of everyone Lee then dropped a shot on 17, the easiest hole on the course, after finding trees off the tee before failing to draw level with Jazz on the last.
“It feels amazing. It’s been a long journey and I’m just so happy to end the year on a high note,” said Jazz, whose girlfriend and fellow professional golfer Sarina Schmidt caddied for him this week.
“I had three holes left and I wasn’t even nearly at the top. I just had a really good finish – everything was really quick. When that last putt dropped I just felt so relieved, the waiting game begun, and now I’m here!”
He last won in December of 2019 at the Thailand Masters, which was one of his four wins that year.
“It’s been a long time since my last trophy – since before COVID. Now everything’s changed, I’ve found my way through and we’re here,” said the Thai, who has now tasted victory on seven occasions on the Asian Tour.
Jazz had the benefit of his girlfriend and fellow professional golfer Sarina Schmidt caddying for him this week. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
“This was my first time in Morocco and the city of Rabat has been amazing – the culture, the food the people, everything. I heard a lot about this golf course already from people I play with and I knew it was going to be hard, but it’s exceeded all my expectations. I’ve been out nine weeks in a row and I’m tired now and my back’s hurting, but I came in with an open mind to exploring Morocco and Rabat, and I think that helped me win, because I didn’t come in with high expectations.”
Lee had been attempting to claim his third title on Tour and his first since 2017 but had to settle for his second runner-up finish of the season as he was also second in the International Series Singapore in August.
“I looked at the leaderboard on 17 and then saw that Jazz was at 12 under and finished his round. So, I mean, I just wanted to make birdie on the last hole to try to tie and make the playoff,” said Lee, who led at the halfway mark thanks to a second day 65.
“I bogeyed the first hole with a three putt, just started off bad and then came back with four birdies in a row from six to nine and felt the rhythm going pretty well. Then just an unforced error on 17 on the tee shot, got unlucky and got behind the tree and had no shot to the green. So, I mean, it caused me to make a bogey and just… stuff happens, you know?”
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent finished in fourth, three behind the winner, after carding a 71, while his brother Kieran (74), Japan’s Jinichiro Kozuma (66), Korean Taehoon OK (67) and Kiradech Aphibarnrat from Thailand (70) were equal fifth, one shot further back.
Richard T. Lee. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Asian Tour visits Egypt next week for the first time for the US$1.5 million International Series Egypt at Madinaty Golf Club, from November 10 to 13.
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