Chan edges ahead to lead by two at Taifong Open
Changhwa, Chinese Taipei, August 18: Local favourite Chan Shih-chang signed for a one-under-par 71 to edge ahead of the chasing pack following the penultimate round of the Taifong Open 2018 on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Chan, remains on course for his sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory which would match Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert’s current record. He will take a two-shot lead on a nine-under-par 207 total, heading into the final round at the US$160,000 event.
Thailand’s Natipong Srithong returned with a 68 to share second place with Chinese Taipei’s Wang Wei-lun (70), who celebrated his 26th birthday today as well as the Japanese duo of Kazuki Higa (68) and Shohei Hasegawa (73) at the Taifong Golf Course.
Chan, playing in his first ADT event on home soil this season, made a fast charge on the front nine after draining a 30-foot putt for birdie on his second hole and then holing another birdie putt on hole five to turn in 34. He grabbed another birdie on hole 11 before dropping a shot on holes 14 and 16.
“I played pretty solid in my first nine holes and was making key putts. But after the eighth hole it started to rain, and I struggled to make putts because of how slow the speed of the greens got,” said Chan, who has yet to enjoy a top-10 result on the Asian Tour this year.
“I have been struggling with my swing all year, so this week I decided to just go back to my old swing and it is working out well for me. I am not going to put too much pressure on myself tomorrow to win because I just want to keep this momentum going,” said Chan, who won his first career title at the Taifong Open when it was a local event in 2010 and in 2014 when it was inaugurated on the ADT.
Higa, aiming for his second ADT title and hoping for a good finish this week to cement his position in the top-seven on the Merit rankings, carded a bogey-free round highlighted by three birdies.
“I honestly feel like I gave away a lot of shots out there today. I have been struggling to get the speed right on these greens but the grains are just so different from what I am used to. I missed at least four birdie putts in my first nine holes,” said the 23-year-old Higa, who won his maiden ADT victory at the BTI Open in Bangladesh in April.
“I didn’t make any mistakes off the tee today which was good. I am in a good position and I just want to focus on not missing any short putts tomorrow,” added Higa, currently in eighth-place on the ADT Order of Merit.
Defending champion and reigning ADT Order of Merit champion Pannakorn Uthaipas of Thailand shot a 73 in the third round to take tied-42nd at the richest event on the ADT schedule.
The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season. Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered for all ADT events. The winner will earn a total of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.
Ends.
Leading third round scores:
207 – CHAN Shih-chang (TPE) 71 65 71
About Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading seven players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
Changhwa, Chinese Taipei, August 19: Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang clinched his sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Taifong Open on Sunday to equal the record of most ADT wins.
The 32-year-old Chan carded a bogey-free four-under-par 68 to triumph by two shots with a winning total of 13-under-par 275 at the Taifong Golf Course. He and close friend Pavit Tangkamolprasert of Thailand, now hold the joint record for the most number of wins on the ADT.
Thailand’s Chinnarat Phadungsil and Han Lee of the United States settled for second place after signing for matching 66s at the US$160,000 ADT event.
Wearing his lucky polka-dot shirt, Chan won the Taifong Open for the third time in his career. In 2010, he won the event on the local circuit and was victorious again in 2014 when the tournament was sanctioned by the ADT.
He took advantage of an overnight two-shot lead and was rewarded for his safe approach in the final round where he opted to use his three-wood off the tees on most holes.
“I played it safe today because I missed quite a number of fairways this week. So, I took out my three-wood on a lot of holes just to keep it in in play. I was nervous but the home crowds really encouraged me to push forward so I am very grateful for their support,” said Chan.
He was delighted to match the winning record set by Pavit earlier this year when the latter won the Betagro Championship in Thailand in May.
“Pavit is one of my closest friends on Tour and I am happy to be holding the record of the ADT with him. It has been a great week and to bring the trophy back home is very special,” added Chan, who is also a two-time Asian Tour winner.
With the victory, Chan took home a prize purse of US$28,000 and received six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
“It feels so good to be back in the winner’s circle. I have been struggling with my swing all year and I decided to just take things simple and go back to my old swing this week. I was pretty nervous all week to be honest but I just focused on keeping the momentum going each round,” said Chan.
Despite missing out on his maiden ADT victory, Chinnarat took pride in his best finish on the ADT this season at the richest event on the ADT schedule.
“Today was a good day, I hit a lot of good shots into the greens and I felt comfortable around the greens. I looked at the leaderboard after the seventh hole and I was four-under-par. The only mistake I made was on hole eight when I three-putted after a made a bad chip. But I’m still very happy with how I finished. My game is coming back and this marks my best finish this season on the ADT,” said Chinnarat, who finished tied-10th at the Betagro Championship in May.
Japan’s Kazuki Higa traded five birdies against two bogeys to card a 69 in the final round and take tied-fourth with local veteran Lin Wen-tang who posted a 68. Higa climbed up to second-place on the ADT Order of Merit just US$2,446 behind Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong who still holds the top spot with a current haul of US$23,603.
The leading seven players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.
Ends.
Leading fourth round scores:
75 – CHAN Shih-chang (TPE) 71 65 71 68
277 – Han LEE (USA) 70 69 72 66, Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 72 70 69 66
278 – LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 70 68 72 68, Kazuki HIGA (JPN) 69 72 68 69
279 – Masaru TAKAHASHI (JPN) 71 70 71 67, LU Wei-chih (TPE) 71 69 71 68
281 – Panuwat MUENLEK (THA) 71 71 70 69, TSAI Chi-huang (TPE) 66 70 74 71
282 – Benjamin LEIN (USA) 74 69 67 72, Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 67 72 72 71, WANG Wei-lun (TPE) 68 71 70 73
283 – David SHEN (TPE) 72 73 67 71, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 69 72 68 74
About Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading seven players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
Jakarta, Indonesia, August 22: Local hotshot George Gandranata closed with three straight birdies to sign for an opening seven-under-par 65, sharing a one-shot lead with Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic on Wednesday.
Gandranata, the first Indonesian to win on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in 2016, fired one eagle and six birdies against a bogey to match the efforts of Namchok, who returned with a bogey-free round highlighted by eight birdies, at the par-72 BSD Course by Damai Indah Golf.
Australian David Gleeson, a three-time Asian Tour winner, took third place with young Thai Phanuvich Onchu while Japan’s Shohei Hasegawa, placed fourth on the current Order of Merit, was tied in fifth place following a 67 at the US$110,000 ADT event.
Starting from the first, Gandranata nailed two birdies to turn in 34 before dropping a shot on the 10th hole. The 32-year-old, however, bounced back with an eagle on the par-four 12th hole before storming home with four more birdies in his closing five holes.
“My putting was good. I trusted my line and my caddy was good too. I read the lines well and got the speed right. I had some good par saves as well. It was a good bogey on the 10th actually. I eagled the 12th after holing out my second shot with a seven-iron from 151 yards. That got my momentum going,” said Gandranata, who needed only 25 putts around the greens.
“It’s good to be playing at home. I feel pretty relaxed. This course is not too long. I think it’s going to be a putting contest this week. If you can putt well, you should stand a good chance,” added Gandranata, who had enjoyed a fourth-place finish in an ADT event on home soil earlier in March.
The 31-year-old Namchok, a two-time winner on the region’s secondary circuit, is playing in his first event after taking a four-week break from golf to recover from a shoulder injury.
“I hit the ball good today. This is my first tournament in a month. I took four weeks off to recover from a shoulder injury. I am feeling much better now and it’s great to shoot a good score after taking the break!” said Namchok.
“This is my first time playing in this event. The course condition is really good. I holed a good birdie on the par-four sixth hole after making the putt from about nine feet. That’s probably my best birdie today,” he added.
The Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, which is celebrating its fifth consecutive edition on the ADT this week, is the 15th leg of the 2018 season and the second to be played in Indonesia this year.
As one of the richest events on the ADT schedule this season, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will play a pivotal role in determining the Order of Merit rankings, where the top seven players on the final 2018 Order of Merit will earn a coveted Asian Tour card for 2019.
By featuring on the ADT schedule, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will also offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.
Leading first round scores:
65 – George GANDRANATA (INA) , Namchok TANTIPOKHAKUL (THA)
66 – Phanuvich ONCHU (THA) , David GLEESON (AUS)
67 – Peradol PANYATHANASEDH (THA) , Jakraphan PREMSIRIGORN (THA) , Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN) , Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA)
68 – Ye Htet AUNG (MYN) , Quincy QUEK (SGP) , Varanyu RATTANAPHIBOONKIJ (THA) , Udayan MANE (IND) , Kasidit LEPKURTE (THA) , Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) , Nirun SAE-UENG (THA)
69 – Sam GILLIS (USA) , Samarth DWIVEDI (IND) , Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) , Indra HERMAWAN (INA)
70 – Kentaro NANAYAMA (A) (INA) , Blake SNYDER (USA) , William HARROLD (ENG) , Jordan IRAWAN (INA) , Brett MUNSON (USA) , Steve LEWTON (ENG) , Mitchell SLORACH (SGP) , Erwan VIEILLEDENT (FRA) , Elki KOW (INA) , WANG Wei-lun (TWN) , Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) , Arie Irawan (MAS) , Han LEE (USA) , Dominikus GLENN (A) (INA)
71 – Syed Saqib AHMED (IND) , Martin DIVE (AUS) , Suttijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) , Matt KILLEN (ENG) , Kevin TECHAKANOKBOON (THA) , Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) , Annop TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) , Oskar ARVIDSSON (SWE) , Hanbo LEE (RSA) , Deepinder Singh KULLAR (IND)
Ends.
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the company has expanded globally and now operates 495 subsidiaries and 91 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of 7.343 trillion yen for the year ended March 31, 2017. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global
About Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course
Recognized as one of the finest courses which Jack Nicklaus ever designed, Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) Course. This award-winning course features the “Spirit of the Hills” with lush tropical landscaping, green rolling hills and many enormous and yet challenging bunkers.
Operated since 1992, The BSD Course was designed to offer an enjoyable mental challenge within a visually appearing setting with every hole positioned within beautifully landscape settings and it’s playable for every type of golfers, whether a high or low handicapper. As Jack Nicklaus’ maiden project in Indonesia, he ensured this remarkable 6,545 meter, par 72 course incorporated many of his personal favorite features from some of the world’s top courses. The BSD Course is undisputable one of the best the world has to offer.
Found alongside the Cisadane River and within the Serpong Valley, the course is located in the outskirt of Jakarta, around 32 km or 45 minutes from the SCBD part of down-town, and can be accessed from Jakarta–Meraktoll road and outer ring road.
Damai Indah Golf, Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) Course is the home of many international tournament, such as Indonesia President Invitational 2007 and 2009, Indonesia PGA Championship 2014.
About Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading seven players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, May 27: Thai hotshot Pavit Tangkamolprasert bounced back from a wrist injury after closing with a three-under-par 69 to claim a record sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the Betagro Championship on Sunday.
The 29-year-old Pavit, who held a three-shot advantage heading into the final round thanks to a sparkling third round 62, traded six birdies against three bogeys to win by one shot with a 19-under-par 269 total at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.
With this victory which also marks his first on home soil, Pavit now holds the most number of wins on the ADT, which was inaugurated as a gateway to the Asian Tour in 2010. He had shared the record with Chan Shih-chang after claiming his fifth title in Chinese Taipei in 2016.
Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong, playing in his first tournament following an eight-month injury-layoff, was hot on Pavit’s heels, firing five birdies against a bogey in his opening 11 holes before nailing an eagle-birdie from 14 to tie the lead.
Two bogeys in his closing three holes, however, saw Thitiphun settle for a 67 to share second place with countryman Sattaya Supupramai, who carded a solid 65, at the ฿3,000,000 (approx. US$96,000) event.
“It feels incredible, I didn’t have any expectations this week because I was just looking forward to coming back to compete and playing with my friends on home ground. I think that’s why I did well because I didn’t think about winning. It is just a bonus that I can set a new record on the ADT,” said Pavit, the 2014 ADT Order of Merit champion.
Pavit, who injured his right wrist after hitting an errant shot at the Asian Tour’s Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan last month, was forced to stay away from competitive golf prior to this week. He attempted to tee up at the Asian Tour’s Maekyung Open in Korea earlier this month but only to withdrew from the tournament during the second round.
“I made a couple of small mistakes here and there today. I knew Thitiphun was catching up when I was on the 12th hole. That was the turning point for me as it got me determined to finish strong. I had a two-shot lead coming to the last hole so I knew I didn’t have to try too hard,” added Pavit.
Pavit will take home a winner’s purse of US$14,100 and receive a total of seven Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, thanks to his victory. The top-six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.
Pavit, who turned professional in 2007, is a proud graduate of the ADT, a platform where he had honed his skills in the early stage of his career before working his way up to the Asian Tour.
He claimed his ADT breakthrough at the 2013 season-ending event in Indonesia and secured three victories in 2014 to become only the second player following Chan to win three titles in a single season.
Thitiphun, 25, admitted his disappointment for missing out on the victory but kept his head up as he takes away the positives from this week which will give him a lot of confidence when he returns to compete on the premier Asian Tour.
“I hit a bad tee shot with my three-wood on the last hole which left my ball plucked in the fairway bunker. Other than that last hole, I played well all day and I am just happy to be competing again. I hope to bring over this good form to the next couple of tournaments in Thailand that I will play on the Asian Tour,” said Thitiphun, a one-time Asian Tour winner in 2016.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond signed for a 67 to settle three shots back of Pavit in fourth place with Qualifying School graduate Kevin Lee of Korea, who posted a commendable 65. Order of Merit leader Nitithorn Thippong battled to a 74 to finish in tied-46th position.
The Betagro Championship, which is jointly sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour and the ADT, is the ninth leg of the ADT’s 2018 schedule.
The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the Asian Tour for the 2019 season.
Ends.
Leading final round scores
269 – Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 71 67 62 69
270 – Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 70 66 69 65, Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 69 65 69 67
272 – Kevin LEE (KOR) 71 65 71 65, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 65 68 72 67
273 – Kazuki HIGA (JPN) 68 68 72 65, Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) 67 70 67 69
274 – Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 65 69 73 67, Javier GALLEGOS (ESP) 69 69 67 69
275 – Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 67 67 75 66, Sadom KAEWKANJANA (A) (THA) 69 66 70 70, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 69 67 69 70, Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 72 68 65 70, Sarit SUWANNARUT (THA) 69 70 66 70, Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 70 66 67 72
About Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
Sentosa, Singapore, May 28: Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong currently leads the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit thanks to a solid season so far.
The 21-year-old has won once followed by four other top-10s to lead the Order of Merit race with earnings of US$21,084.
Nitithorn is in the running to become the third Thai player, following Pavit Tangkamolprasert (2014) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017), to lift the Merit crown since the ADT was inaugurated as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour in 2010.
After failing to make the mark at the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, Nitithorn turned his attention to the region’s secondary circuit, where he has been a regular since turning professional in 2015.
Nitithorn got his season off to a flying start, capping three straight top-10s before earning his breakthrough at the PGM Penang Championship earlier this month. He continued his hot streak at the Singha Laguna Phuket Open where he finished fourth the week after.
Former ADT Merit leaders John Catlin of the United States and Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski were promoted to the Asian Tour following their victories in China and Bangladesh, opening the door for Nitithorn to take over the number one spot.
Despite finishing outside top-10 for the first time this season at the Betagro Championship last week, Nitithorn remains atop the money list after taking home US$667 from his tied-46th result at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.
“My goal after missing out at the Qualifying School was to win three times on the ADT to ensure I stay inside the top-five on the Order of Merit. I have been working on my mental game with my coach and I have gained a lot more confidence in myself,” said Nitithorn.
“I feel great that I’m leading the Order of Merit right now. I didn’t expect my season to start out so well. I am more focused on the process than on the result right now, so I just need to keep doing what I’ve been doing for the past four months,” said the young Thai.
Singapore’s Johnson Poh trails Nitithorn by US$3,466 in second place while Qualifying School graduate Shohei Hasegawa of Japan sits in third on US$15,471. The duo has claimed one win and two top-10s each so far this season.
Argentinean Miguel Carballo takes fourth place after recording five top-10s in six starts for a current haul of US$14,145. Japan’s Kazuki Higa, who emerged victorious in his ADT debut at the BTI Open in Bangladesh, trails Carballo by a mere US$988 in fifth.
The PGM Northport Championship will kickstart the second half of the 2018 ADT season when it gets underway at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia from July 25 to 28.
Players will also resume their Merit chase when they return to Malaysia for the RM225,000 (approx. US$58,000) event as the top-five finishers on the 2018 ADT Order of Merit will earn playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2019.
Ends.
Bengaluru, India, June 29: The Louis Philippe Cup will join the 2018 Asian Development Tour (ADT) schedule which will take place at the Prestige Golfshire Club in Bengaluru from July 31 to August 3 (Tuesday to Friday).
The last six editions of the Louis Philippe Cup have been staged as a special event on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) but in 2018, it will be co-sanctioned by the ADT and PGTI with a prize purse of US$75,000.
The addition of the Louis Philippe Cup will raise the total number of tournaments to 21 on the 2018 schedule, offering more than US$1.3 million in total prize money on the ADT this season.
Players will get another opportunity to challenge for top honours at the Louis Philippe Cup where they will vie for a winner’s prize purse of US$13,125 and six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points which will be afforded to the champion.
Asian Tour Chief Operating Officer Cho Minn Thant hailed the addition of the Louis Philippe Cup onto the schedule, praising the strong support from PGTI and Louis Philippe.
“We are delighted to welcome the Louis Philippe Cup onto the ADT’s 2018 schedule. The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) has always been a strong supporter of the Asian Tour and the ADT.
“We are looking forward to working together with the PGTI again to provide another opportunity for budding golfers in the country and across the region to showcase their talent.
“We would also like to thank the event’s title sponsor Louis Philippe for supporting the event where we hope to see more young and exciting talents bursting onto the scene through the staging of the event next month,” Cho said.
Uttam Singh Mundy, CEO of PGTI, also expressed his delight, saying: "We are very happy to be able to work with the ADT in providing playing opportunities for aspiring professionals in the country and across the region.
“Golf in India has been on a rapid rise in recent years, with the likes of Shubhankar Sharma, Anirban Lahiri, Rahil Gangjee, Ajeetesh Sandhu, Shiv Kapur and S.S.P. Chawrasia making waves on the world stage. We hope to inspire the other young talents to follow in their footsteps through this event.”
The event is promoted for the 6th time by RN Sports Marketing, India’s leading golf Management Company. “We have been involved in a number of events with the Asian Tour and ADT in the past including the SAIL Open and TAKE Solutions Masters and its our endeavour to support the development of Professional Golf in India.
“We are working to ensure that the Louis Philippe Cup is a memorable one for all stakeholders and we look forward to welcoming India’s top players and ADT stars to play the fabulous Prestige Golfshire course in Bengaluru,” said Rishi Narain, Managing Director of RN Sports Marketing.
“We would also like to thank the event’s title sponsor Louis Philippe for supporting the event and partnering with PGTI & ADT,” he added.
Measuring roughly 7,000 yards, the award-winning Prestige Golfshire Club offers an 18-hole championship golf course which will provide a true test of golf to the ADT hopefuls vying for top honours next month.
All ADT events are afforded with OWGR points. The winner receives a minimum of six points and the leading six players and ties earn points based on a sliding scale.
The leading five players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will earn playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2019.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.
Ends.
About Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
Sentosa, Singapore, July 9: The Asian Development Tour (ADT) is set to enter an exciting development in the second half of the 2018 season as it will now reward the top seven players on the final Order of Merit with playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2019.
This development is a significant boost for aspiring professionals on the ADT as it is the highest number of Asian Tour cards on offer in a single season since the region’s secondary circuit was inaugurated as a gateway to the premier Tour in 2010.
Previously, only the top three players on the ADT Order of Merit for each season obtained their Asian Tour cards from 2010 to 2013. The number of Asian Tour cards on offer was increased to five for the next four consecutive seasons before the addition of two more spots this year.
Players will have everything to play for when they resume their Order of Merit chase at the PGM Northport Championship, which gets underway at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club in Malaysia from July 25 to 28.
Cho Minn Thant, Chief Operating Officer of the Asian Tour, said: “We’ve enjoyed a great season so far on the ADT, celebrating the emergence of six new winners and the record-setting victory by Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who won for the sixth time on the secondary circuit in May.
“This year, we also witnessed former regulars John Catlin and Malcolm Kokocinski winning on the Asian Tour. We believe there are numerous players from the region who are capable of achieving success and the ADT platform can continue to unearth rising stars of the game.”
“With the increase in the number of Asian Tour cards on offer to top-seven players on the final ADT Order of Merit, I am sure players will have added motivation to do well as they strive to play their way onto the Asian Tour,” Cho added.
After gaining invaluable experiences by playing and winning twice on the ADT, American Catlin showed true grit on the Asian Tour by claiming his second victory in Malaysia last week and became the first player to win twice on the region’s premier Tour this season.
“This is a very good move because guys are putting in so many weeks on the ADT and trying to earn their card on the Asian Tour. Look at the last couple of years – Gavin Green and Johannes Veerman coming from the ADT and having a great year on the Asian Tour. I’m also having a good year and that speaks of the calibre of the ADT,” said the 27-year-old Catlin.
Catlin signaled his arrival in Asia when he made the mark in his first attempt at the Qualifying School in 2015. While he did not manage to retain his card for the following season, Catlin was able to regain his playing rights after another successful attempt at the Qualifying School in 2016.
The American made only three cuts made in eight starts on the Asian Tour in 2016 but would find success on the ADT in November when he claimed his breakthrough at the Combiphar Golf Invitational in Indonesia.
A third attempt at the Qualifying School in 2017 saw him miss the mark for the first time, causing him to switch his focus entirely to the ADT, where he would play his way back onto the main Tour with a second win and five other top-10s before finishing third on the money list.
“There’s always been a lot of talent on the ADT. The level of play on the Asian Tour has been very high. Seeing that in my first two years made me realised that I have to work harder. Having the ADT to work on my game was huge for me.
“I’m sure a lot of other guys have seen that and that’s why they are playing better golf and shooting lower scores. It is hard to win on the ADT! I had a lot of second place and third place finishes,” Catlin added.
Young Thai talent Nitithorn Thippong leads the money list with a current haul of US$21,084, thanks to one victory and four top-10 results. Singapore’s Johnson Poh sits in second while Shohei Hasegawa of Japan takes third.
The ADT will continue to offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) for the sixth consecutive year in 2018. From launching with five tournaments in 2010 to offering a total of 22 tournaments in 2018, the ADT has proved to be a successful platform for upcoming players to gain entry into the region’s premier Tour.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.
Ends.
About Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
Jakarta, Indonesia, July 24: The Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament 2018 presented by Panasonic will return for its fifth consecutive edition on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) from August 22 to 25, officials announced today.
Boasting a prize purse of US$110,000, the popular ADT event will once again be held at the Jack Nicklaus Signature Course – BSD Course by Damai Indah Golf, located in Tangerang, Greater Jakarta.
The Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament 2018 presented by Panasonic will be the 15th leg of the 2018 ADT season and the second to be played in Indonesia this year. A total of 144 players will compete in the event, with the field being split between the ADT and the Professional Golf Tour of Indonesia.
Last year, Japan’s Masaru Takahashi sensationally ended a four-year title drought when he closed with an eight-under-par 64 to win by one shot over Singaporean veteran Mardan Mamat for his second ADT title.
The 31-year-old Takahashi would go on to cap a superb season on the region’s secondary circuit where he finished second on the final Order of Merit, courtesy of one win and nine top-10s, and secured his playing rights for the Asian Tour season in 2018.
Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden
Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden earned for himself a prized Tour card for the 2017 Asian Tour season after finishing third on the 2016 ADT Order of Merit, thanks largely to his victory at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament that year.
At the 2015 Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, Michael Tran of Vietnam secured his ADT breakthrough after prevailing in a play-off while James Byrne of Scotland emerged victorious after claiming a three-shot victory in the inaugural edition in 2014.
DR. (HC) Ir. Ciputra, Chairman of the Ciputra Group, said: "We are very proud to host the tournament for the fifth consecutive time this year. We have enjoyed great successes in the past and we hope to continue doing our part in supporting the development of golf in Asia through the staging of the event.”
Cho Minn Thant, Chief Operating Officer of the Asian Tour, said: "The ADT has produced a lot of exciting young talents since it was established in 2010. Without the support and commitment of sponsors like Ciputra and Panasonic, we would not be able to achieve that.
“It’s an honour to have sponsors who share our vision in growing the game in Asia and providing aspiring professionals with a platform to further improve their game on the ADT.
"Indonesia is a key market for both the ADT and the Asian Tour. We host multiple events in the country on both tours each year. We look forward to another successful staging of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament presented by Panasonic."
Being one of the richest events on the ADT schedule this season, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will play a pivotal role in determining the Order of Merit rankings, where the top seven players on the final 2018 Order of Merit will earn a coveted Asian Tour card for 2019.
By featuring on the ADT schedule, the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will also offer Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. The winner will receive six OWGR points while the top six players and ties will also earn points based on a sliding scale.
Ends.
About Damai Indah Golf, BSD Course
Recognized as one of the finest courses which Jack Nicklaus ever designed, BumiSerpongDamai (BSD) Course. This award-winning course features the “Spirit of the Hills” with lush tropical landscaping, green rolling hills and many enormous and yet challenging bunkers.
Operated since 1992, The BSD Course was designed to offer an enjoyable mental challenge within a visually appealing setting with every hole positioned within beautifully landscape settings and it’s playable for every type of golfers, whether a high or low handicapper. As Jack Nicklaus’ maiden project in Indonesia, he ensured this remarkable 6,545 meter, par 72 course incorporated many of his personal favourite features from some of the world’s top courses. The BSD Course is undisputable one of the best the world has to offer.
Found alongside the Cisadane River and within the Serpong Valley, the course is located in the outskirt of Jakarta, around 32 km or 45 minutes from the SCBD part of down-town, and can be accessed from Jakarta–Meraktoll road and outer ring road.
Damai Indah Golf, BumiSerpongDamai (BSD) Course is the home of many international tournaments, such as Indonesia President Invitational 2007 and 2009, Indonesia PGA Championship 2014.
About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development of diverse electronics technologies and solutions for customers in the consumer electronics, housing, automotive, and B2B businesses. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2018, the company has expanded globally and now operates 591 subsidiaries and 88 associated companies worldwide, recording consolidated net sales of US$71.91 billion for the year ended March 31, 2018. Committed to pursuing new value through innovation across divisional lines, the company uses its technologies to create a better life and a better world for its customers. To learn more about Panasonic: http://www.panasonic.com/global.
About Asian Development Tour
The Asian Development Tour was launched in 2010 with the aim of creating a career pathway for professional golfers in Asia. Sanctioned by the Asian Tour, the Asian Development Tour will ultimately create a new playing platform for emerging stars from across Asia and around the world. Through the Asian Tour Qualifying School, players will qualify for the Asian Development Tour and enjoy the opportunity to hone their games and talent through a secondary circuit in Asia. Designed in the same structure as the Web.com Tour in America and European Challenge Tour, the Asian Development Tour is a stepping stone to the Asian Tour and the exciting world of international golf. The Asian Development Tour has been structured to ensure the best opportunities for its members. The leading five players on the Asian Development Tour will earn coveted Asian Tour cards for the following season, ensuring a proper career pathway for aspiring professionals. All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking points.
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