Sadom makes a bright start in Smart Infinity Philippine Open
January 23: Sadom Kaewkanjana shot one of only two bogey-free rounds on day one to grab sole possession of the lead in the US$500,000 Smart Infinity Philippine Open – the season-opening event of the 2025 Asian Tour schedule.
At the Masters course of Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, the 26-year-old Thai star made five birdies to finish one shot ahead of compatriots Danthai Boonma and Pavit Tangkamolprasert, and Australia’s Aaron Wilkin.
Danthai, playing alongside leading Filipina amateur star Rianne Malixi, the reigning US Girls and US Women’s Amateur Champion, celebrated his 29th birthday on Thursday in style and made four successive birdies around the turn from the eighth hole.
Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu, Yosuke Asaji from Japan, Swede Bjorn Hellgren and Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech, all teeing off in the morning groups, were tied fifth at 67.
Playing on a special invitation, the 17-year-old Malixi started with a 75. The top Filipino golfers were Aidric Chan and Sean Ramos, who both came in with cards of 68 and were in tied ninth place.
Danthai Boonma of Thailand. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
Sadom, who is looking for his first win in almost three years after his 2022 SMBC Singapore Open triumph, put on a ball-striking masterclass as the wind picked up and made it difficult for the players to stop their balls on the firm greens.
Starting from the 10th hole, Sadom felt it was his second shot to the par-four 11th green that set up a short birdie putt, which told him it could be his day. He then picked up shots on the 14th, 17th, first and seventh holes.
“It was a solid day,” said the two-time champion on the Asian Tour. “I hit the ball really good and missed only one fairway and one green. It always feels great to start the season with a bogey-free round
“It was a very short off-season for us. I went to Korea for a holiday with my family and my girlfriend. Did not play much golf. So, I was not feeling very confident this week, but it all worked out well.”
Like Sadom, Danthai is also a two-time champion on the Asian Tour, and is looking for his first win since the 2022 Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open.
Aaron Wilkin of Australia. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
A consistent performer, he has focused on getting physically stronger during the off-season, and the move paid dividends.
“The wind picked up on our back nine and the conditions became difficult. I played well and everything was very solid today. I think all parts of my game were working well. It felt good to make the four successive birdies,” said Danthai.
On playing with Malixi, Danthai said: “She is an incredible player. I mean, the golf course is very long for a girl her age, but she hit some great shots.”
Wilkin, who narrowly lost out and finished tied second at the Mandiri Indonesia Open last year, wielded a hot putter and made a 60-foot monster putt to start his day on the 10th hole, and then made two more of similar length.
“Hit a few close and did not make any of those putts, but made some long ones. That helps,” said the 31-year-old, who has a new caddie on his bag for the season.
Pavit, who had the only other bogey-free round of the day, was delighted with his own effort.
“The wind was up and the greens are difficult to hold from the rough,” said Pavit, a two-time champion on the Asian Tour and a seven-time winner on Asian Development Tour.
“I’m very happy with my game today. I realised after I submitted my card that I only missed one fairway. It was a surprise. That’s really the key that made it easy for me today.”
On a day when there were plenty of magical shots, two holes-in-one and an eagle two were recorded on the opening competitive round of the season.
Korea’s Hyunho Rho aced the 13th hole with a six iron from 199 yards, while Philippines’ Alvin Engino struck a perfect seven iron from 173 yards on the 17th for his ace.
Sandhu, who carried on his form from the end of last season, when he won a tournament on the domestic PGTI Tour and then secured his playing rights on the Asian Tour through the final stage of the Qualifying School, made an eagle on the par-four ninth hole, where he holed out his nine-iron second shot from 135 yards.
Sadom Kaewkanjana shot the only bogey-free round among the morning wave of players in a five-under-par 65 to open a one-shot lead at the halfway stage on day one of the US$500,000 Smart Infinity Philippines Open, the season-opening event of the 2025 Asian Tour schedule.
At the Masters course of Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, the 26-year-old Thai star made five birdies to finish one ahead of compatriot and birthday boy Danthai Boonma (66), who made four successive birdies around the turn from the eighth hole in his round of 66. Danthai turned 29 on Thursday.
Indian Ajeetesh Sandhu, Yosuke Asaji from Japan, Swede Bjorn Hellgren and Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech were tied third in the clubhouse at 67.
Danthai played alongside leading Filipina amateur star Rianne Malixi, the reigning US Girls and US Women’s Amateur Champion. The 17-year-old, playing on a special invitation, started with a 75.
Danthai Boonma. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
Sadom, who is looking for his first win in almost three years after his 2022 SMBC Singapore Open triumph, put on a ball-striking masterclass as the wind picked up and made it difficult for the players to stop their balls on the firm greens.
Starting from the 10th hole, Sadom felt it was his second shot to the par-four 11th green that set up a short birdie putt, which told him it could be his day. He then picked up shots on the 14th, 17th, first and seventh holes.
“It was a solid day,” said the two-time champion on the Asian Tour. “I hit the ball really good and missed only one fairway and one green. It always feels great to start the season with a bogey-free round
“It was a very short off-season for us. I went to Korea for a holiday with my family and my girlfriend. Did not play much golf. So, I was not feeling very confident this week, but it all worked out well.”
Like Sadom, Danthai is also a two-time champion on the Asian Tour, and is looking for his first win since the 2022 Bangabandhu Cup Golf Bangladesh Open.
A consistent performer, he has focused on getting physically stronger during the off-season, and the move paid dividends.
“The wind picked up on our back nine and the conditions became difficult. I played well and everything was very solid today. I think all parts of my game were working well. It felt good to make the four successive birdies,” said Danthai.
Ajeetesh Sandhu. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
On playing with Malixi, Danthai said: “She is an incredible player. I mean, the golf course is very long for a girl her age, but she hit some great shots.”
Sandhu carried on his form from the end of last season, when he won a tournament on the domestic PGTI Tour and then secured his playing rights on the Asian Tour through the final stage of the Qualifying School. His 67 included an eagle two on the par-four ninth hole, where he holed out his nine-iron second shot from 135 yards.
Steve Lewton has described his 2024 season as ‘bittersweet’ after the experience of winning his first title on the Asian Tour in a decade was offset by a disappointing closing stretch.
The Englishman won the Mandiri Indonesia Open in August but then didn’t push on as expected. He missed four out of eight cuts, with a best finish of joint 22nd.
“Yes, it was kind of bittersweet,” said Lewton, ahead of the Smart Infinity Philippine Open – which starts tomorrow at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club and is the season-opening event on the Asian Tour.
“Really nice to win again but I didn’t quite get to my goals. I will have to work a bit harder to achieve them this year.”
Steve Lewton shares a joke with Chase Koepka during a practice round at Manila Southwoods. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
He beat Australian Aaron Wilkin and China’s Sampson Zheng on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off in Indonesia. It was his second success on the Asian Tour after his victory in the Mercuries Taiwan Masters in 2014.
The win was the culmination of a lot of hard work and justice after many near misses, including at the Indonesia Open, where he was second in the previous two editions.
It might have slipped under the radar for some but the 41-year-old has also won elsewhere in Asia, at the very event being played this week.
He claimed the Philippine Open in 2017 when it was played on the local tour, after prevailing in extra time against American Johannes Veerman, at a different venue from this week.
He said: “It was great to win back in 2017 because the Philippine Open is such a prestigious and old event. It’s great it’s back on Asian Tour this year. It is a privilege to be here.”
Steve Lewton. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
Lewton is one of five former champions in the field along with Filipino Clyde Mondilla (2019), Miguel Tabuena (2015 and 2018), Angelo Que (2008) and Gerald Rosales (2000).
“Game’s rusty but had a lot of time off which has been nice. I played a few times at home, but we’ll see how this week goes. I have done a bit of swing work so we will see if it’s paid work,” he said.
“I had an amazing off season. Didn’t touch a club for a long time and then had a holiday in Barbados, which was awesome to get some downtime, with my fiancée, and kind of played a few times last week.”
After his big win last year much is expected of Lewton again this season, although he is not giving much away.
He explained: “I have set myself a few goals this year. I achieved one last year obviously and I will keep the goals to myself for now. I have set a few new goals so let’s see if we can achieve them.”
Tournament Information
- Tournament: Smart Infinity Philippine Open
- Date: January 23-26, 2025
- Venue: The Manila Southwoods G&CC (Masters Course)
- Par/Yards: Par 70 / 7,138 Yards
- Purse: US$500,000
- Asian Tour leg: First event of the 2025 season
- Total number of players: 144
- Format: 72-hole stroke play with a cut made after two rounds to the leading 65 pros plus ties
- Social Media Hashtags: #TimeToRise #SmartInfinity #PhilippineOpen
Field breakdown
- Order of Merit winners: Sihwan Kim (2022), Jazz Janewattananond (2019)
- Nationalities: 28
- Top contenders: Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA), Miguel Tabuena (PHI), Sadom Kaewkanjana (THA), Steve Lewton (ENG), Travis Smyth (AUS), Scott Vincent (ZIM)
- Highest ranked player on OWGR: Suteepat Prateeptienchai #225
- Highest ranked player on 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit: Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA) #5
- Defending champion: Clyde Mondilla (PHI) 2019
- No. of amateurs: 7
- No. of Philippine players in the field: 39
Tournament Notes
- The National Open of the Philippines is making a return to the Asian Tour after a 10-year absence. It was last on the schedule in 2015, when Miguel Tabuena won for the first time on the Asian Tour. It has been played three times since then on the local tour.
- The tournament is the season-opening event on the Asian Tour.
- Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai is a three-time winner on the Asian Tour after winning twice in 2024, with both wins coming in Chinese Taipei at the Yeangder TPC and the Taiwan Glass Taifong Open. His maiden win also came at the latter event in 2023. Finishing fifth on the Order of Merit last year, he is also the highest ranked player in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) in the field this week at number 225.
- Filippino Miguel Tabuena is playing on home turf this week and has already won the Philippine Open twice, once when it was part of the Asian Tour in 2015 and again in 2018 when it was held on the local circuit. Tabuena had a strong season in 2024 finishing seventh on the Order of Merit. If he is successful this week he will join two legends of the game in the region who have achieved the hat-trick: Filipino Ben Arda and Chinese-Taipei’s Lu Liang-huang, serial winners in the 1960s and 70s.
- Travis Smyth of Australia is the third highest ranked player from the 2024 Order of Merit in the field this week finishing eighth last year. The winner of the 2022 Yeangder TPC posted four top 10s on the Asian Tour last year and is ranked 275th on the OWGR.
- Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana had a solid season in 2024 missing only one cut in 20 outings on the Asian Tour, and with three top 10s he finished 10th on the Order of Merit. He is a two-time Asian Tour winner.
- Englishman Steve Lewton picked up his second Asian Tour victory in the second half of 2024 when he won the Mandiri Indonesia Open in a play-off, finishing 16th on the Order of Merit overall. Lewton won this event in 2017 when it was part of the local tour.
- Zues Sara, winner of last year’s Philippine Open Amateur and Rianne Malixi, who hit global headlines last season after becoming only the second golfer to win both the U.S. Girls’ Junior and the U.S. Women’s Amateur in the same year, are two Filipino stars in the making also playing.
- The Philippine Open is one of the longest-running tournaments in the world. Inaugurated in 1913 it is Asia’s oldest golf tournament.
- The winningest player of the tournament is Filipino Larry Montes who won the tournament an incredible 12 times between 1929-1954.
- This year will mark the fifth time that Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club has hosted the event. It also staged it in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999.
Filipino Miguel Tabuena will attempt to join a select group of players who have won his country’s National Open three times when he tees-off in the Smart Infinity Philippine Open on Thursday.
The country’s top golfer [main picture] won the tournament in 2015 and again three years later, and if he is successful this week at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club, he will join two legends of the game in the region who have achieved the hat-trick: Filipino Ben Arda and Chinese-Taipei’s Lu Liang-huang, serial winners in the 1960s and 70s.
His first victory in what is one of the game’s oldest National Opens – it was first played in 1913 – was particularly significant as it was his first title on the Asian Tour.
“It’s when I first felt I belonged on the Asian Tour,” said the 30-year-old about his win that year, when the event was played in Luisita.
Miguel Tabuena (right) pictured with Chan Shih-chang, who is staying with him this week. by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
“It was probably one of my proudest moments as a professional. It is also a different level if you win an Asian Tour event in your home country. I hope I keep it in Filipino hands this week.”
Surprisingly, this week marks the first time that the event has been played on the Asian Tour since that famous when win by the young Filipino, who was 21 at the time and a professional for four years.
“It was special,” he added, “it was surreal, and I can remember every single part of it. Hopefully, I can get the feeling again.”
Tabuena did not win on Tour last year, but he is coming off the back of an outstanding season that saw his finish seventh on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, thanks to recording two top threes, a fourth, a fifth and seven top 10s in total.
Most of the results came during a busy end to the year, after which he was in need of a well deserved break.
He said: “My game is good, it’s not the sharpest, but I don’t think anyone here will be sharp coming off the break. It’s not a very long off season for us. Especially for me, I ended it the second week of December and I just had to take some time off, it was a very packed end to the season last year.
“I just wanted to restart and just slow down for a bit. Obviously, I knew the consequences of not being as sharp but it’s still nice to build momentum through the start of the season.”
Miguel Tabuena. Picture by Jason Butler/Asian Tour.
This week’s event, which boasts prizemoney of US$500,000, is the season-opener on the Asian Tour, and Tabuena, whose most recent win on the Asian Tour came at the DGC Open presented by Mastercard in 2023, is thrilled the regional circuit is back on his home turf.
“It’s going to be a different week. It’s nice to be in my home country. There can be some local knowledge that can be crucial this week,” explained the Filipino, who mentioned he practices regularly at Manila Southwoods, and even more so when he heard the Smart Infinity Philippine Open was being played there.
“It’s nice to see all the faces I am used to seeing on Tour in the Philippines and I hope I make everyone feel as welcome as possible.”
A third win this week would be a monumental achievement, although he has some way to go to catch compatriot Larry Montes, who has won it a record 12 times, between 1929 and 1954.
Just over two years ago, Shahriffuddin Ariffin [main picture] looked to have everything going for him. Buoyed by a victory at the PKNS Selangor Masters, he went on to finish fourth on the 2022 Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit to earn his Asian Tour card. Report by Jonathan Ponniah at the PKNS Selangor Masters.
Fast forward to 2025 and the easy-going Malaysian is back for the 12th staging of the Selangor Masters, which tees-off tomorrow at Seri Selangor Golf Club, in an all together different head space.
‘Dino’, as he is known to close friends and family, failed to keep his Asian Tour card following a disappointing 2024 season, lit up by occasional flashes of brilliance, and is hoping that being back on familiar ground will reignite the fire that has been missing in his game of late.
“Being back here at Seri Selangor does give me a lift,” said the 25-year-old, who finished joint ninth at last year’s championship. “I want to regain my momentum and rediscover my feel, as I have performed well at past PKNS Selangor Masters.”
Shahriffuddin Ariffin.
Shahriffuddin has two ADT titles on his résumé, having also won the PGM Labuan Championship in 2018. What chances of another victory this week at Seri Selangor?
“I have many good memories from Seri Selangor and this week is a good chance for me to get a fresh start. I like tight courses and I’m aiming for a top-five finish to start this year. I don’t want to pressure myself too much, but If I do win, alhamdullilah,” said Shahriffuddin.
Family and friends played a huge role in keeping Shahriffuddin motivated through his on-course struggles in 2024.
“I struggled a lot last year, missing the cut narrowly in many tournaments. My swing was a bit off at the start of the year, and I had no idea why. Mentally, I was stressed due to the missed cuts. But my family was very supportive and kept encouraging me and kept praying for me, motivating me,” shared Shahriffuddin, who hails from the historic city of Malacca.
“I tried very hard to turn things around and regain my rhythm, and I had some deep conversations with my coach, caddie and family. My caddie, Firdaus, is my good friend and my former club-fitter in Malacca, so I talk with him a lot.
“Later in the year, I managed to get a bit of momentum, and I was quite satisfied with my performance in the last three months,” he added.
However, Shahriffuddin was still unable to keep his Asian Tour card and also failed to make it through December’s Qualifying School. That means the talented golfer will focus on the ADT this season.
Shahriffuddin pictured winning in 2022.
“This year I’ll be playing mainly on the ADT, and I might try to qualify for the All-Thailand Golf Tour. The ADT is the best tour for players starting out, and for players like me who are struggling to regain their form, as it gives us a chance to compete with international players,” he noted.
“I did my best to compete on the Asian Tour the last two years, but I wasn’t successful as my game was not sharp enough at that time. The level of play and pressure, the tournament set-ups, are different compared to the local tour and ADT. It’s a huge difference,” Shahriffuddin admitted.
Nevertheless, Shahriffuddin remains confident he can regain his form and relaunch his quest to play with the best, using the PKNS Selangor Masters as a launchpad.
“I am still confident that I can make it. My swing feels good right now, and I played well during the Albatross Cup earlier this month. I will try my best this week and hopefully build momentum with a good start to the year.”
Pictured courtesy PKNS Selangor Masters.
A decade after it was last played on the Asian Tour, the Philippine Open makes a triumphant return to the schedule this week as the opening event of the season, boasting an outstanding field to celebrate the occasion and an exciting new title sponsor, Smart Infinity.
The country’s top golfer Miguel Tabuena is the player on everyone’s lips here at Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club, as he bids to win the event for a third time off the back of an impressive 2024 season.
The field is rich in talent, from top to bottom, and includes five former winners: Tabuena (2015 and 2018), England’s Steve Lewton (2017), plus Filipinos Clyde Mondilla (2019), Angelo Que (2008) and Gerald Rosales (2000).
Three past Asian Tour Order of Merit champions are competing, in American Sihwan Kim (2022), Jazz Janewattananond (2019) from Thailand, and Liang Wenchong, the veteran Chinese golfer, now aged 46, who was the Tour’s top player back in 2007.
Steve Lewton. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Another familiar veteran Anthony Lascuna – winner of last year’s Philippine Golf Tour Order of Merit at the tender age of 53 thanks to two wins that added to his remarkable overall tally of 26 – is also competing.
Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, who spent the last two seasons playing on the LIV Golf League by virtue of winning The International Series Rankings in 2022, has also made the trip.
And the next generation of Philippine golfers will also be on display with two of the nation’s talented teenagers playing: Zues Sara, winner of last year’s Philippine Open Amateur and Rianne Malixi – who hit global headlines last season after becoming only the second golfer to win both the U.S. Girls’ Junior and the U.S. Women’s Amateur in the same year.
The return of the tournament on the regional stage and its status as one of the oldest National Opens in the game – it was first played in 1913 – were just two of the reasons why Smart Infinity, a leader in telecommunications and digital innovation, chose to form such an important relationship with the event.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Philippine Open, a tournament that has long been a symbol of excellence and sportsmanship,” said Kristine Go, Senior Vice President, Head of Prepaid, Postpaid, and Fixed Wireless for Smart Communications, Inc. “As we continue to connect people and communities, this partnership underscores our commitment to supporting sports and fostering talent on both local and international stages.”
Angelo Que. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Al Panlilio, Chairman of the National Golf Association of the Philippines, added: “Having Smart Infinity as our title sponsor elevates the stature of the Philippine Open. Together, we aim to deliver an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and the golfing community.”
This year marks the fifth time Manila Southwoods has hosted the National Open. The other occasions were in 1993, 1994, 1996 and 1999. American Anthony Kang, now part of the Asian Tour television commentary team, triumphed in 1999.
The event, which boasts prizemoney of US$500,000, is being played on the Masters Course.
The tournament has been played three times since 2015 but as event on the domestic circuit.
The 2024 LIV Golf Hong Kong winner, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, and the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, John Catlin from the United States, are among the latest stars to confirm their participation for the International Series India presented by DLF – the US$2 million tournament set to take place at DLF Golf and Country Club later this month.
Ancer and Catlin will join U.S. Open champion and captain of LIV Golf’s Crushers GC, Bryson DeChambeau from the United States, plus India’s Anirban Lahiri, and The International Series Rankings winner Joaquin Niemann from Chile for the highly anticipated tournament taking place from January 30 to February 02 in Gurugram, New Delhi.
It is the second event of the year on the Asian Tour, following a week after the season-opening Philippine Open.
Ancer, a key member of Spaniard Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC in 2024, delivered an impressive season in the LIV Golf League – finishing 12th in the individual standings thanks to his victory in Hong Kong and three additional top-10 finishes. He also claimed the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers in 2023 – that year’s season-opening event on the Asian Tour.
John Catlin. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Catlin enjoyed an outstanding 2024 campaign, claiming back-to-back Asian Tour victories at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn in March, where he carded an historic 59, the first on the Asian Tour, edging out Fireballs GC’s David Puig from Spain in a thrilling play-off, and at the Saudi Open presented by PIF in April.
In addition to his wins, the American delivered strong performances with two play-off defeats on The International Series. He narrowly missed out at the International Series Morocco to Ben Campbell, who just joined LIV Golf with RangeGoats GC, and at the Black Mountain Championship in Thailand to compatriot M.J. Maguire.
He also enjoyed a successful season as alternate on the LIV Golf League, with a tied seventh his season-high in six appearances for three different teams, Crushers GC, Smash GC and Legion XIII.
International Series India presented by DLF marks the debut of the LIV Golf-backed series on the subcontinent. It is the first of 10 International Series events on this season’s Asian Tour, featuring stops in destinations such as Macau, Morocco, Indonesia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia, with additional locations to be announced soon.
The series provides a global pathway for players to qualify for the LIV Golf League, with the season-ending rankings champion securing a guaranteed spot on the roster for the following season.
Anirban Lahiri. Picture By Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Additionally, The International Series Rankings offer players a second opportunity to earn their place in the LIV Golf League through the innovative LIV Golf Promotions event.
For more information on The International Series, visit: www.internationalseries.com
The International Series will break new ground this year with the International Series Philippines – marking the first time the pioneering series has visited the proud golfing nation.
The inaugural tournament will boast prizemoney of US$2million and will take place from October 23-26, at a venue to be announced.
Big-name players from the LIV Golf League and the best of the Asian Tour are expected for what is the seventh event to be confirmed on The International Series – the multi-million dollar platform of tournaments integrated into the Asian Tour schedule that provide a pathway onto the LIV Golf League.
The event will be the 16th stop on the Asian Tour and welcomes BingoPlus, the popular digital entertainment brand, as a sponsor.
Philippine number one Miguel Tabuena will be hoping to make a big impression in the event. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Bringing The International Series to the Philippines is a genuine statement of intent, underscoring the country’s importance in the growing global golf ecosystem, and our continued promise to bring golf to new markets.
“As the second new destination to be confirmed for the 2025 campaign, the announcement highlights the blend of new and established markets that are eager to host The International Series and our unique brand of elite level sport featuring LIV Golf stars and hot prospects on the Asian Tour.
“It highlights the interest in the growing strength of our brand as more territories look to secure involvement and tap into our large, sports-savvy audience.”
It is the second Asian Tour tournament to take place in the country this season with the Philippine Open getting the full 2025 schedule underway soon on the Masters Course at Manila Southwoods Golf & Country Club from January 23-26.
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour, said: “We are delighted to return to the Philippines for the second time in 2025. It is an important market to us as we continue to elevate our offering across the region, and it is a destination we know the players enjoy, so we welcome the addition to our 2025 schedule.”
Another new tournament, the International Series India presented by DLF, will open The International Series season (January 30 – February 2), with a return to the Greater Bay Area for the second edition of the International Series Macau presented by Wynn next up (March 20-23).
The International Series makes returns to International Series Morocco (July 3-6), BNI Indonesian Masters (August 28-31), Link Hong Kong Open (October 30 – November 2) and PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers (date TBC).
Amid strong interest from a diverse range of potential partner destinations, anticipation is building over the three remaining tournaments still to be unveiled, with dates confirmed for May 8-11, September 4-7 and October 2-5.
This year’s Asian Tour currently boasts a total of 22 events offering prize money of over US$30 million – with more tournaments to be added.
For more information on The International Series, please visit: www.internationalseries.com
Main picture: The International Series Rankings trophy.
Dear fans, players, and partners of the Asian Tour,
As the curtain comes down on 2024, I look back on the season with a great sense of satisfaction.
In a year that has taken us through Asia to the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and back, we were able to complete 21 events on the Asian Tour along with 12 on the Asian Development Tour (ADT).
We handled sandstorms, thunderstorms, typhoons, thick fog, strong winds, and extreme heat. There were also countless weather delays, as well as last minute shotgun starts to complete events. It was very challenging to say the least, but as a collective we took it all in our stride and I would like to thank all of you for playing your part in the 20th season on the Asian Tour.
Of course, it was a frenetic second half of the year that came down to an incredibly entertaining and enthralling conclusion.
Special congratulations go to John Catlin for winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) and The Kyi Hla Han Award for Player of the Year; Itthipat Buranantanyarat for clinching the ADT OOM with an emphatic victory at the Aramco Invitational; and Max Lee for his breakthrough year, highlighted by his stoic performance at the LIV Golf Promotions event to grab a LIV Golf League spot for 2025.
LIV Golf Promotions winner Lee Chieh-po. Picture by Montana Pritchard/LIV Golf.
The competition was intense throughout the year with Ben Campbell and Richard T. Lee making late charges plus Peter Uihlein and Suteepat Prateeptienchai claiming multiple titles, along with some fine results by MJ Maguire.
On the ADT we also saw some standout performances from Ahmad Baig and Rahil Gangjee, and a host of exciting new talent who gained promotion to the Asian Tour.
I would also like to take this opportunity to welcome our new members who qualified for the 2025 Asian Tour season at the recently completed Qualifying School in Hua Hin. It is always nice to see new faces work their way onto the Tour as well as some familiar ones making a return.
Big shout outs must also go to Stefano Mazzoli, who graduated from the school’s class of 2024, and won this season’s Rookie of the Year Award; the Black Mountain Championship, for being voted Tournament of the Year; the Link Hong Kong Open, winner of The International Series Tournament of the Year; and Al Mouj Golf, venue for the International Series Oman, for retaining the Player’s Course of the Year accolade.
Our Tour is becoming more recognisable and our wealth of nationalities, personalities and destinations is unlike any other Tour in the world. It is important for our Tour to continue to capitalise on the momentum from the last two seasons and showcase our immense depth of talent and diversity to new audiences.
Rookie of the Year Stefano Mazzoli. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
2024 saw the launch of the Tour’s “Time to Rise” campaign where we have made good progress across the website, app, social media and events. Many of our members embraced the opportunity to cross promote with their own social media channels. It is incredibly important that we continue to work hand in hand with our fans, players, sponsors and promoters in order to expand our community outreach and develop initiatives to increase our audience.
There is no doubt that 2024 was our season of transition and 2025 will be our year of growth. In addition to focusing on continued digital development, the main focus will be the generation of new business and the expansion of our commercial side.
The 2025 season will soon be upon us with a return to the Philippines for the Philippine Open at Manila Southwoods, then the following week the International Series India presented by DLF will make its debut on the Asian Tour at a venue that has the reputation of being one of the toughest tests of golf in the region. One of our favourite events– the New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sports and the second edition of the International Series Macau presented by Wynn round out the early months of the new year.
We are working on confirmations for several events in Q2 before we move into a packed second half of the year from August through to December as usual. We will see some rotation in The International Series venues this year with more of an Asian focus which leads us to the Middle East for what has become the traditional culmination of the season. We are projected to see growth in the number of events from this year on both the Asian Tour and ADT with some exciting new partnerships in the works – especially for the ADT.
Wishing everyone all the best for the holidays and a Happy New Year, and we look forward to starting our Asian Tour and ADT seasons in Manila and Selangor.
Cho
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