It is proving to be a big week for Ian Snyman at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open with a lot of inspiration, on and off the golf course.

Most importantly he is in hot pursuit of the leaders after a fine third-round four-under-par 67 yesterday. He is five-under and just five behind the leaders heading into today’s final round, at Namseoul Country Club.

It means that once again he has a chance to win for the first time on the Asian Tour, something he has been consistently close to since he started playing full time in the region in 2022.

His performance so far this week could not have come at a more opportune time as his brother, Ryno, is on the bag and his sister, Liezl, who lives in Korea, came to watch. Their sister was unaware that Ryno was here, with his wife Mariette, and got a wonderful surprise when she thought she came to watch just one sibling in action at the start of the second round on Friday.

“It’s been quite special having, let’s say half of the full family here,” said Snyman, after the third round.

“I nearly shed a tear before the round, because my sister, she came and she saw my brother, and she started crying, and it’s just been a whole special feeling.

“And it was a big thing for me to make the cut. This is always a week where it’s tough, and to make it with him, it’s just extra special. And to have a fun day like today, where I could see he was excited with every putt made. It was a moment that I’ll cherish for a long time, and hopefully we can make some more memories tomorrow.”

From left to right: Jihwan Bach, Liezl, Ian, Ian, Hay-Leigh, Mariette, and Ryno.

His sister, Liezl, moved to Korea 15 years ago to teach English, and married a Korean gentleman, Jihwan Bach. They have two children, Hay-Leigh and Ian – named after his uncle.

“I usually get to see Liezl a few times a year, which is nice, when I am playing events here. And then my parents can come every few years, but it’s an expensive trip, so my brothers haven’t been able to come. This year, I told them, well, why don’t you come carry for me, and we can surprise them. And that was kind of the whole idea behind it, and nobody knew a thing.

“My parents in South Africa didn’t know. We video called them yesterday, it was so funny, and everyone was just ecstatic and so happy that we can all be together. And my sister needs it. She’s got an amazing family over here but she misses home as well, and this is very special. And that’s how golf connects, I guess, the whole family to the world.”

There’s also a lot more happening this week.

He is using new clubs for only the second week, having first used them last week in Singapore. Despite the concern of changing to new equipment he says the Titleist clubs are working extremely well.

It could all lead to big celebrations later today should he win or go close in what is one of Korea’s premier events, known as Korea’s Masters as the winner dons a Green Jacket.

He has been hindered by one thing this week though: a bad back.

His exceptional golf has masked an unpleasant pain halfway up his back. It started last week in Singapore, and he is noticeably struggling with his movement. He is still to determine what the issue is, with a lot of treatment helping to get him through.

It’s very much a case of beware the injured golfer as he attempts to become the first westerner to win on this course since New Zealand’s Eddie Lee was back in 2002.