‘Beware of the injured golfer’ says Kiradech at The 148th Open
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
The oldest of the four Majors at 160 years old, The Open was established in 1860 and will mark its 148th edition this year.
With Northern Ireland hosting the championship this year, it will be only the second time in the history of the event that it is held outside of Scotland and England. The lone previous exception was in 1951 when it was played on the same course.
Prize money for 2019 will be $10.75 million, an increase of $250,000 from last year.
No Asian player has yet to win The Open in its long and illustrious history. The closest to do so was legendary Chinese Taipeiplayer Lu Liang-huan, also known as “Mr. Lu”, finishing solo second at Royal Birkdale in 1971, only one shot behind Lee Trevino. Mr. Lu would also go on to record a tied-fifth place finish three years later in 1974 at Royal Lytham & St. Annes.
The Japanese duo of Isao Aoki and Shigeki Maruyama are the only other Asian players with multiple top-10’s in the championship, with Aoki recording three (1978, 1979 and 1988) and Maruyama two (1997 and 2002). The best finish between them being Maruyama’s tied-fifth in 2002 at Muirfield.
The Course
Royal Portrush Golf Club (Dunluce Links Course), Portrush, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Par-71, 7,344 yards.
A classic and highly rated links-course originally designed by Harry Colt, Royal Portrush Golf Club was established in 1888 as The Country Club and assumed its current name in 1895 under the royal patronage of the Prince of Wales.
It has hosted The Open only once previously in 1951, with Englishman Max Faulkner lifting the Claret Jug and collecting a winner’s check of £300.
Other notable events held at Royal Portrush include The Senior Open Championship 1995-1999 and 2004, The Amateur Championship in 1960, 1993 and 2014, the Irish Open in 1930, 1937, 1947 and 2012, and the Arnold Palmer Cup in 2012.
A number of this week’s players would be familiar with the course from the 2012 Irish Open but also, in the case of Justin Thomas and Thomas Pieters, the 2012 Arnold Palmer Cup.
However, in order to accommodate an event the size of The Open, there have been changes made to the course. The original 17th and 18th holes have been taken out to make room for the spectator village, with two new holes built on land borrowed from the Valley Links course (the club’s other course) inserted on the front nine and playing as the seventh and eighth.
The famous par-three “Calamity Corner”, playing 230-yards and uphill, is now the 16th, and the original 15th and 16th are now serving as closing holes. Perhaps determining the Champion Golfer of the Year on Sunday afternoon.
The Favorites
Rory McIlroy
Playing a Major on home soil for the first time, the Northern Irishman would definitely qualify as the local favorite this week, but there are more reasons than that why he might be considered the man to beat this week:
In 2019 he has posted 11 top-10 finishes in 13 events, including two wins at the Players Championship and the RBC Canadian Open. A great season by any standards and arguably the most consistently high-performing player this year. The only thing missing this year is a Major title.
He probably knows this course better than anyone in the field not named Graeme McDowell and holds the course-record of 61, posted in 2005 when he was 16-year-old.
For a player who once claimed his game was ill-suited for links-golf conditions, McIlroy’s average Open finish position since 2014 is an even 3.0, including a wire-to-wire win at Royal Liverpool in 2014.
Brooks Koepka
The world number one has had an incredible run in Majors since the 2016 PGA Championship, racking up four victories and two runners-up in his last 11 starts. He successfully defended the PGA Championship in May at Bethpage Black and was close to repeating the feat at the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in June when he finished second to Gary Woodland.
In the three Majors played so far in 2019, Koepka has finished tied-second at the Masters, first in the PGA Championship and second at the U.S. Open.
Although The Open has not been his best Major so far, he did finish tied-sixth at Royal Birkdale in 2017.
The Asian Tour Players
This year will see a big contingent of Asian Tour players in The Open, with a total of 16 members qualifying for Royal Portrush and representing seven different nations: Thailand (four), Japan (three), Korea (three), USA (two), South Africa (two), India (one) and Australia (one).
These players have a total of 22 previous appearances at The Open between them with eight cuts made, the best result among them was Yuta Ikeda’s tied-38th place at Royal St. Georges in 2011.
Teeing it up on Thursday on the Dunluce Links will be (in OWGR ranking order):
Justin Harding (RSA) OWGR Ranking: 50th
The winner of five worldwide events since the start of the 2018 season, including the 2018 Bank BRI Indonesia Open and Royal Cup on the Asian Tour and the 2019 Qatar Masters on the European Tour, Harding is currently the highest ranked Asian Tour member on the OWGR at number 48.
Having already tasted Major Championship success at this year’s Masters where he finished tied-12th and earned an invitation back next year, he will be hoping to improve on his lone appearance at The Open. A missed cut at Muirfield in 2013.
Harding is currently leading European Tour in Scrambling percentage with 67.0%, a skill that is sure to come in handy on this week’s difficult course.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) OWGR Ranking: 52nd
The 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner has played The Open on five occasions in the past, but the only time he has made it to the weekend was in 2018 when he finished in tied-75th place.
Still a bit bothered by an injury he sustained at the Masters in April, Kiradech will be looking to return to the form he showed at the WGC-Mexico Championship in February where he finished tied-third, and the AT&T Byron Nelson in May where he posted a tied-fifth.
Ranked 69th in the FedEx Cup on the PGA Tour he has comfortably retained his card in the U.S. with just over $1.5 million in earnings.
Kiradech does have the experience of being a Major championship contender. In the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills he was within striking distance of the leading quartet of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Tony Finau and Daniel Berger after three rounds.
Teeing off on Sunday afternoon in tied-seventh place and only three shots behind the joint-leaders, a final round of three-over-par 73 meant he finished in 15th place for his best performance in a Major to date.
Jazz Janewattananond (THA) OWGR Ranking 53rd
Leading the 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit with $738,000 and two victories this season, Jazz has been playing superb golf since late last year.
Opening his season with a win at the SMBC Singapore Open, which as part of the Open Qualifying Series (OQS) qualified him for this week, he has followed it up with seven other top-five and another win at the recent Kolon Korea Open.
At this year’s PGA Championship Jazz was in tied-second place after three rounds. Although he slipped to a tied-14th in the brutal conditions on Sunday, he would have gained invaluable experience from playing in the penultimate group on a Major Championship Sunday.
He is also the current leader of the Japan Tour (JGTO) Money Ranking and sits in 53rd place on the OWGR, one spot shy of his career high.
Jazz’s only appearance at The Open came in 2018 at Carnoustie where he missed the halfway cut after rounds of 74 and 76.
Kurt Kitayama (USA) OWGR Ranking: 112th
After a solid start to his rookie Asian Tour season, Kitayama broke through with a win at the European Tour co-sanctioned AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in late 2018.
He followed it up with a victory in the Oman Open on the European Tour early this year and is currently in 19th place on the Race to Dubai ranking and 112th on the OWGR.
Known as one of the longest hitters on tour, Kitayama is leading the Driving Distance statistic on the Asian tour with an average of 319.25 yards off the tee.
This will be his first appearance in an Open Championship, his second Major following a tied-64th place in this year’s PGA Championship.
Shaun Norris (RSA) OWGR Ranking: 123rd
After making the cuts at the last two Opens Norris has shown that he can handle links golf conditions, and the South African is coming into this week in good form with a tied-fourth at the Japan PGA Championship two weeks ago.
Winning twice on the Asian Tour at the 2016 LeoPalace21 Myanmar Open and the 2015 Yeangder TPC, he has since then divided his time between Asia and Japan.
In 2018 he finished runner-up on the 2018 Japan Tour Money Ranking after winning the Heiwa PGM Championship, and is currently ranked 123rd on the OWGR.
Yuta Ikeda (JPN) OWGR Ranking: 127th
The most prolific Open participant among the Asian Tour players, with seven starts to his name and a tied-38th as his best finish.
Twice a winner on the Asian Tour, the 2018 Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup and the 2017 Panasonic Open, Ikeda once reached as high as 33rd on the OWGR but is currently ranked in 127th place.
Having recently won the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open on the Japan Tour in early June, Ikeda could be primed for a return to the top echelon of professional golf at Royal Portrush.
David Lipsky (USA) OWGR Ranking: 130th
This will be the 2014 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner’s third Open Championship after playing previously in 2015 and 2017, with a tied-58th as the best mark in his first attempt.
Lipsky has been playing solid golf since his win at the Alfred Dunhill Championship in late 2018, with a tied-10th at the WGC-Mexico Championship and top-5’s at the Volvo China Open and Trophee Hassan II as his best results this year.
Currently ranked 10th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and 130th on the OWGR.
Sanghyun Park (KOR) OWGR Ranking: 141st
Last year’s Asian Tour Rookie of the Year after winning the GS Caltex Maekyung Open and Shinhan Donghae Open in his home country, Park also made his Open debut at Carnoustie in 2018.
He has spent the last two weeks at the Irish and Scottish Opens to get acclimatized to links-golf and should be well prepared for the conditions this week.
Park has three top-5’s on the Asian and Japan Tours as his best finishes year-to-date and sits in 141st place on the OWGR.
Jake McLeod (AUS) OWGR Ranking: 194th
After winning the New South Wales Open late last year, McLeod followed it up with a third-place finish in the Emirates Australian Open the following week which qualified him for this year’s Open as part of the OQS.
This will be the 24-year-old Australians first Open and Major Championship, and he will be looking at this week as an opportunity to turn his season around after a rough stretch of events.
McLeod is after last week’s events ranked 194th on the OWGR.
Mikumu Horikawa (JPN) OWGR Ranking: 195th
Having recently won the JGT Championship Mori Building Cup Shishido Hills, he qualified for this week by being the leading money winner not otherwise exempt on the 2019 Japan Tour.
Horikawa will be playing in his first Open and second consecutive Major after making his Major Championship debut at last month’s U.S. Open.
Currently 195th on the OWGR.
Shubhankar Sharma (IND) OWGR Ranking: 196th
The reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit Champion and winner of the 2018 Maybank Championship and 2017 Joburg Open is not short of Major experience.
Having played in all four Majors in 2018, he will be trying to improve on his tied-51st finish at Carnoustie last year and get his 2019 campaign back on the right track.
Sharma was last year ranked as high as 64th on the OWGR, but after struggling a bit with his game in 2019 now sits in 196th place.
Prom Meesawat (THA) OWGR Ranking: 273rd
Making his first return to The Open since Royal St. George’s in 2011, Prom should be coming into this week confident after a top-10 in his last event, the Kolon Korea Open.
Having played consistently well in 2019, he has also posted top-10 finishes at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open and SMBC Singapore Open, plus a victory each on the Asian Development Tour and All Thailand Tour.
This solid play in 2019 has improved Prom’s OWGR ranking from 486th at the end of 2018 to 273rd as of this week.
Gunn Charoenkul (THA) OWGR Ranking: 278th
Playing some very good golf this year after re-gaining his card at the Asian Tour Q-School last December, Gunn has recorded 11 top-10’s in 16 events across five different tours.
His equal best finish being a tied-third at the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open, which qualified him for his first Open and Major championship.
Currently ranked 13th on the Japan Tour Money Ranking after a string of good performances, Gunn has gained 361 positions on the OWGR in 2019 and currently sits in 278th place.
Yosuke Asaji (JPN) OWGR Ranking: 327th
This will be Asaji’s maiden Open appearance which he qualified for by winning the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup as a Monday qualifier.
The Asian Tour rookie sits in 4th place on the Order of Merit and in 327th place on this week’s OWGR.
Dongkyu Jang (KOR) OWGR Ranking: 333rd
Last played in The Open at Royal Liverpool in 2014 and will be hoping to make it to the weekend this time around.
Qualified for the Championship by finishing tied-fourth at the Kolon Korea Open, his second top-10 on the Asian Tour in 2019 following a tied-sixth at the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup.
Currently ranked 13th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and has comfortably retained his card for next year with over $100,000 in earnings. Ranked 333rd currently on the OWGR.
Doyeob Mun (KOR) OWGR Ranking: 407th
Early this year Mun got off to a fast start in his second Asian Tour season by posting a tied-fifth at the SMBC Singapore Open, earning a ticket to his first Open Championship in the process.
The 2018 Korean PGA Championship winner is currently ranked in 32nd place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and 407th on the OWGR.
Sentosa, Singapore, July 10: Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Jazz Janewattanond, Prom Meesawat and Gunn Charoenkul are ready to fulfill their major ambitions by putting up strong performances at The 148th Open which gets underway next week.
Flying the Thai flag for the Asian Tour, the quartet are proven winners in their own right and will now be seeking to extend their winning run at golf’s oldest Major which returns to the Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush after 68 years.
No player in the elite field has ever contested a Major at Royal Portrush before and The 148th Open, which tees off from July 18-21, will now provide everyone with an equal chance as they tee off against the spectacular golfing links on the coast of north Antrim in Northern Ireland.
Kiradech, who is the highest ranked Thai at 51st on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), will be making his sixth appearance at The Open.
While he has missed the cuts in four of his previous appearances in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016, a tied-75th finish saw him make the weekend rounds for the first time in Carnoustie last year.
As the first Thai golfer to hold a PGA TOUR card, Kiradech has since enjoyed an encouraging start in the United States with commendable results that include a tied-third and fifth finish at the WGC-Mexico Championship and AT&T Byron Nelson respectively this year.
“I’ve worked hard over the last few years and I’ve given myself some chances. I’m not far off from winning. It’s a dream come true and I hope I can make my country proud with my achievements.
“I want to do everything I can to win the biggest tournaments. That’s my goal,” said the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.
Jazz, who is one spot below Kiradech on the OWGR, is also making waves on the international scene and will be teeing up at The Open for the second time after winning the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open.
“Playing in The Open last year was a huge moment in my career and I’m so happy to have qualified again by winning the Singapore Open. Getting a place in The Open is the best and I’m looking forward to the challenges at Royal Portrush,” said Jazz.
A fourth career victory and second of the year at the Kolon Korea Open elevated his status to a career-high of 52nd place on the OWGR.
The young Thai was also in contention at the PGA Championship in May and finished a commendable tied-14 place which was also the best result by a Thai at that Major.
“I’ve been playing quite consistently this year and I’m really pleased with how things are going for me at the moment. I heard the conditions at Royal Portrush are going to be very tough but I’m ready,” said Jazz, who is currently leading the Asian Tour Order of Merit and money list on the Japan Golf Tour.
Like Jazz, Prom is also making his second appearance at The Open. The two-time Asian Tour winner punched his ticket to The 148th Open with his tied-fifth finish in Singapore and will be hoping to extend his stay this time around at Royal Portrush.
“It’s nice to be going back to play in The Open this July for my second appearance in a Major championship. I still remember the experience of playing in The Open at Royal St George’s in 2011. It is one of the greatest Majors and I have been trying to qualify again ever since. I am happy to finally have the chance to play in The Open again,” said Prom.
Charoenkul, who finished second at Asian Tour Qualifying School in December last year to regain his Tour card, will meanwhile be making his debut at The Open after finishing tied-third at the Mizuno Open, which was part of The Open Qualifying Series on the Japan Golf Tour.
“This will be my first Major championship and it will be a valuable experience. I look forward to playing at Royal Portrush for the first time,” said Gunn.
Ends.
July 8: Malaysia’s Gavin Green secured a second straight top-10 result on the European Tour after firing four birdies in his closing five holes to finish in a share of ninth place at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on Sunday.
Green, the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, started the day with three consecutive pars and three birdies in-a-row from the fourth before dropping shots on ninth, 10th and 12th at the Lahinch Golf Club.
He would close with a four-under-par 66 and an 11-under-par 269 total to finish five shots back of winner Jon Rahm and mark his third top-10 finish in his last four starts on the European Tour this season.
Over in the United States, India’s Arjun Atwal signed for a closing one-under-par 70 to finish in a share of 23rd place at the 3M Open held at the TPC Twin Cities located in Blaine, Minnesota.
Atwal, an eight-time Asian Tour winner, came through the Monday qualifier and kept himself in the title mix before capping a commendable top-25 result with a four-day total of 13-under-par 271, eight shots back of winner Matthew Wolff of the United States.
At the Japan PGA Championship, South African Shaun Norris kept his promise to his late father by continuing to stay in the battle for the title before finishing tied-fourth at the Ibusuki Golf Club.
He signed for a closing even-par 70 and a 10-under-par 272 total and was three shots away from making the play-off which saw Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa defeat Junggon Hwang of Korea with an eagle on the first extra hole.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond, who leads the money lists on both the Asian Tour and the Japan Golf Tour, settled for a share of 26th place after closing with a 74.
Ends.
Arjun Atwal of India
Atwal slips but still remains in contention at 3M Open
July 7: India’s Arjun Atwal rued a costly double-bogey six on the par-four 14 which saw him slip to a share of ninth place after signing for a third round three-under-par 68 at the 3M Open on the PGA TOUR on Saturday.
Atwal, an eight-time Asian Tour winner, birdied holes five and seven for an outward 33. But his efforts were quickly erased by a double-bogey on 14.
The Indian, who had earlier fired a course-record 62 in the Monday qualifier, charged back with three consecutive birdies, starting the 16th hole to post a three-day total of 12-under-par 201, three shots off the lead which is shared by Matthew Wolff, Colin Morikawa and Bryson DeChambeau of the United States.
At the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open, Malaysia’s Gavin Green made up for a disappointing second round 72 by posting a 65 to head into the final round in tied-14th position, six shots back of English leader, Robert Rock.
Apart from a win, Green will also be aiming to be among the three players to finish in the top ten and ties so as to earn his place at The 148th Open at Royal Portrush from 14-21 July 2019.
Over in Japan, South Africa’s Shaun Norris trailed by one shot in second place after the completion of the second round at the weather-hit Japan PGA Championship.
Norris had earlier taken the clubhouse lead after rounds of 68 and 65 and will be determined to honour his promise to his late father, who passed away early Saturday morning by battling for the top prize at the Japan Golf Tour event.
“I want to keep the promise with my father (to compete well and finish strong), so I will play my best tomorrow,” said Norris.
Arjun Atwal of India
Flawless Atwal stays in the mix
July 6: India’s Arjun Atwal remained in contention for his second PGA TOUR title after he signed for a bogey-free three-under-par 68 to trail leader Bryson DeChambeau by five shots in tied-seventh place at the halfway stage of the 3M Open on Friday.
Atwal, who opened his campaign with a solid 65, rode on his fine form to return with a flawless card highlighted by three birdies at the TPC Twin Cities. The eight-time Asian Tour winner had earlier shot a course-record 62 in the Monday qualifier held at the Victory Links Golf Club to earn his place in the event.
The 46-year-old Indian hit 10 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation and enjoyed a great day on the greens where he did not miss any putts within 10 feet. Atwal would end his day on nine-under-par 133 total at the PGA TOUR event.
Atwal’s 155 yard approach to 13 feet set himself up for the birdie on the par-four 15th hole. He reached the green in three and sunk a 17-foot putt for his second birdie of the day on the 596-yard par-five 18th hole.
On the 381-yard par-four seventh hole, Atwal found the green in 2 and sunk a 29-foot putt for birdie. This moved Atwal to three-under for the round.
India’s Anirban Lahiri followed up his opening 71 with a solid 67 to progress into the weekend rounds as he grabbed a share of 55th position on 138.
Over in Ireland, Malaysia’s Gavin Green slipped from tied-10th to tied-38th place after signing for a second-round two-over-par 72 at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open.
South African Justin Harding and Gaganjeet Bhullar of India were among those who missed the halfway cut set at one-under-par 139 at the Lahinch Golf Club.
Three players who finish in the top ten and ties at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open who are not already exempt will earn places in The 148th Open at Royal Portrush from 14-21 July 2019.
At the Japan PGA Championship, South African Shaun Norris carded a commendable six-under-par 65 to seize the halfway clubhouse lead by one at the weather-disrupted event held at the Ibusuki Golf Club. Round 2 is still in progress.
Gavin Green of Malaysia
Green trails Harrington by three in Ireland
July 5: Malaysia’s Gavin Green survived two early bogeys scares before charging back with six birdies for an opening four-under-par 66 to trail home favourite Padraig Harrington by three shots after the first round of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open on Thursday.
Green, the 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, stumbled with bogeys on holes two and six but recovered quickly by firing two birdies on the seventh and ninth holes to turn in 34.
The Malaysian’s round then came alive when he went on a birdie blitz starting from the par-four 13 to the 16th hole before signing for a 66 and grabbing a share of 10th place.
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar is a further shot back in tied-19th place after he opened his Irish campaign with a 67.
Three players who finish in the top ten and ties at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open who are not already exempt will earn places in The 148th Open at Royal Portrush from 14-21 July 2019.
Over on the PGA TOUR, India’s Arjun Atwal continued his rich vein of form by firing a 65 to take a share of fourth place after the first round of the 3M Open.
The Indian had earlier shot a course-record 62 in the Monday qualifier to earn his place in the event.
Ends.
Sentosa, Singapore, July 3: Five Asian Tour members will be making their debuts when The 148th Open tees off at the Royal Portrush from July 18-21.
American Kurt Kitayama, Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul, Australia’s Jake McLeod, Korea’s Doyeob Mun and Japan’s Yosuke Asaji will be part of the world-class field vying for one of golf’s most iconic trophies- The Claret Jug in a fortnight.
Kitayama will be looking to carry his impressive form to the Antrim coast after winning the Afrasia Bank Mauritius Open in his rookie year last year before following up that victory with another at the Oman Open on the European Tour in March.
The American first broke into the scene on the Asian Tour by finishing tied-third at Qualifying School finish to earn his Asian Tour card in his very first attempt last year and has seen his fortunes soar.
He received a special Invitation to the PGA Championship in May where he made the weekend cut to finish tied-64th.
“I got to play my first Major this year at Bethpage and playing another one is awesome. I have played no golf in the UK so it will be good to play the Irish Open and Scottish Open before The Open,” said Kitayama.
Charoenkul, who finished second at Asian Tour Qualifying School in December last year to regain his Tour card, will also be teeing up at Royal Portrush for the first time.
Having spurned several chances to qualify for The 148th Open earlier in the year, The Thai was delighted to have punched his ticket there after he finished tied-third at the Mizuno Open, which was part of The Open Qualifying Series on the Japan Golf Tour.
“I am excited to have qualified for The Open and it feels like my first-ever win. I had a chance to qualify at the SMBC Singapore Open and the Diamond Cup but I just missed out, so I am very happy to have qualified in Japan.
“This will be my first major championship and it will be a valuable experience. I look forward to playing at Royal Portrush for the first time,” said Gunn.
McLeod, who took home the Asian Tour stroke average award last year, also topped the money list on the PGA Tour of Australasia last year to secure his place to the year’s fourth and final Major which gets underway in a fortnight.
“This will be my first Major. Being in Northern Ireland and at Royal Portrush is a bit of a bonus. The crowds are going to be phenomenal and I just can’t wait to get there and get started,” said McLeod.
Mun will also make his first ever Major appearance after sealing his place with a tied-fifth finish at the season-opening SMBC Singapore Open, which was part of The Open Qualifying Series.
“It’s amazing. I have been wanting to play in a Major championship ever since I started playing golf so my dream finally came true today.
“I haven’t been to the United Kingdom before so it will be my first visit. We have some links course in Korea but I think it’s pretty different. I will be practicing my low shots to prepare myself well for it,” said the Korean.
Like Mun, Japan’s Yosuke Asaji is also living his dream by featuring in his first Major after winning the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup, which carried with it the added bonus of a place at Royal Portrush.
Asaji took up membership with the Asian Tour immediately after his one-shot victory on home soil in May which also came on Mother’s Day.
“It’s unbelievable I’m also going to The Open now with this victory. I’m going to bring my mother there with me,” said Asaji.
Ends.
By Calvin Koh, Head of Press Operations and Media Partnerships
It’s always refreshing to talk to the next generation of talented golfers.
Unlike some of your mega superstars, often hidden behind security, agents and utter practised answers, they are often ready to offer you an uncensored account of their lives, goals and ambitions.
Australia’s Zach Murray is one of them.
The towering Aussie is part of a new generation of Tour rookies who are taking the Asian Tour by storm.
He signaled his arrival on the biggest stage by becoming the third fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on the Asian Tour with his victory at the New Zealand Open in March.
Not one to rest on his laurels, Murray ‘just wants to keep playing well and capitalise on that win.’
It’s an honest answer that speaks volume of his career ambitions.
“Obviously that win in New Zealand has changed my life and I’m trying to take it all in now,” said the Australian.
Not to be outdone in the tale of rookies, young Thai talent Sadom Kaewkanjana surpassed Murray’s earlier feat by becoming the record fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on the Asian Tour in his very first start at the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Open.
Just four months after coming through Asian Tour Qualifying School with a tied-13th result, the 20-year-old Thai claimed his maiden Tour victory in his very first start at the Bangabandhu Cup Golf Open.
He wears a smile all the time and his dedication to his craft makes him admirable.
He wants to ‘work even harder and get better all the time’.
The young Thai speaks with the innocence that comes with his age but competes with the confidence of a hardened Tour veteran.
It has been an unbelievable journey for Sadom, who has now made history by becoming the fastest Qualifying School graduate to win on the Asian Tour.
“Winning in my first start on the Asian Tour, I feel very happy. I will take a lot of positives from this week and this win will give me a lot of confidence in my game. It’s been an unbelievable journey since turning professional last December,” said Sadom after his win in Dhaka.
Despite his success, Sadom believes his best is yet to come as he sets his sights on fulfilling his full potential in the big leagues.
“My initial goal was just to keep my Asian Tour card for the next season but now I have won on both the Asian Development Tour and the Asian Tour.
“I am really happy, I didn’t expect to do so well and I will have to work harder to get even better after this,” said the Thai.
So watch this space as Murray and Sadom could well strike again very soon.
Ends.
Recent Comments