Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, May 23: Singapore’s Johnson Poh will be looking to rediscover his winning form with a new set of golf clubs at the Betagro Championship, which gets underway on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Singaporean claimed his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title in Malaysia last month and became only the third Singaporean to win on the region’s secondary circuit, which was inaugurated as a gateway to the premier Asian Tour in 2010.

After taking a two-week break for his mandatory military service back home after his breakthrough win, Poh hopes to regain his momentum when he tees off for the ฿3,000,000 (approx. US$96,000) ADT event at the Suwan Golf and Country Club.

Poh, who sits in second place on the ADT Order of Merit, will be part of the elite 144-man field vying for honours at the popular event, which is celebrating its second consecutive edition on the ADT this week.

Defending champion Tirawat Kaewsiribandit will spearhead the local charge alongside reigning Order of Merit winner Pannakorn Uthaipas and current Merit leader Nitithorn Thippong, who has enjoyed one win and four top-10 finishes prior to his campaign this week.

In-form Miguel Carballo of Argentina, Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat and Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden,  placed sixth, 10th and 11th respectively on the Order of Merit, will also feature in the Betagro Championship, which is the Tour’s second stop in Thailand this season.

Poh, who has been struggling with his driver recently, hopes an equipment change will put his game back on track as he targets a good showing in Thailand.

“I lost my touch a little after that two-week break and it has been a grind to get back on track. I was playing alright in the Asian Tour event in Bangladesh two weeks ago but the long rain delays and strong winds kind of threw me off my game,” said Poh, a double silver-medalist at the Southeast Asian Games in 2009 and 2015.

“I have been working hard on my game last week and I changed a new set of clubs. I have a new driver in the bag now so we will see how it works out. It is my first time playing this course and there are quite a lot of hazards out there. I am driving the ball well now which is the key this week.

“My goal now is to win the ADT Order of Merit and earn my Asian Tour card for next year. I have always loved playing in Thailand. The course is beautiful this week and competition is stiff but I am excited for the challenge,” Poh added.

Other notable names in the field include Thailand’s Danthai Boonma and Natipong Srithong, India’s Himmat Rai and Marcus Both of Australia, all winners on the region’s premier Tour.

The Betagro Championship is the ninth leg on the ADT 2018 schedule and will be jointly sanctioned by the All Thailand Golf Tour and the ADT. Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points are offered on all ADT events with the winner earning a total of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points 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 for the 2019 season.

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.

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, May 25: Overnight co-leader Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand carded a four-under-par 68 to stay ahead of the chasing pack at the halfway stage of the Betagro Championship on Friday.

The 22-year-old Thai seized the outright lead by one shot after totalling 11-under-par 133 at the highly-rated Suwan Golf and Country Club, a venue where he wrote a slice of history on the Asian Tour in 2010.

At the age of 14 years and 71 days, Jazz, then an amateur, became the youngest player ever to make the halfway cut on the Asian Tour. Eight years on, he is now a one-time winner on the region’s premier Tour following his breakthrough in Bangladesh last season.

Argentinean Miguel Carballo, who held a share of the overnight lead, posted a 69 to share second place with Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong (65), Chinnarat Phadungsil (67) and Jaturon Duangphaichoom (67) at the ฿3,000,000 (approx. US$96,000) event.

Starting from the 10th hole, Jazz reeled in three straight pars before stumbling with a double bogey on 13 for his only blemish of the day.

The talented Thai, however, bounced back brilliantly with three consecutive birdies to turn in 35 before adding three more birdies on his way home to stay atop the leaderboard.

“I was pretty angry after my double bogey on 13. My ball took an unlucky bounce and went into the water hazard. After that, I just told myself to keep to the plan as I knew the next hole was an easy par-five so I had to keep my cool.

“After I birdied the 15th hole, I managed to keep the momentum going. I made a massive 20-foot birdie putt on 16 and that really boosted my confidence going forward,” said Jazz.

Jazz, who is playing in his sixth tournament in a row, was thrilled to put himself in prime position for a first Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory. The young Thai had to overcome the jetlag that resulted from his long-haul flight from Belgium earlier in the week.

“I came here to play with no expectations in mind. I played on the European Tour in Belgium last week. I flew straight home and had to deal with the change in weather and the jetlag. I wanted to train myself to keep up my stamina with the travelling,” added the Thai.

Carballo, who has capped four top-10s on the ADT this season before going on to claim a top-five finish on the Asian Tour in China last week, traded five birdies against two bogeys to stay in the mix.

“I didn’t feel like I played well today because I was hitting it left and right and was making a lot of bad decisions. I took aggressive lines when I shouldn’t have and I got ahead of myself. But overall, I still held my game together and I am happy with what I shot today,” said the 39-year-old Carballo, a former player on the PGA Tour.

Thailand’s Thammanoon Sriroj and Danthai Boonma, both winners on the Asian Tour, returned with matching 66s to sit two shots off the pace in sixth place alongside local amateur Sadom Kaewkanjana and Hein Sithu of Myanmar.

ADT Order of Merit leader Nitithorn Thippong of Thailand signed for a second straight 68 to trail by four in tied-10th position while defending champion and countryman Tirawat Kaewsiribandit matched his efforts of the day to grab a share of 36th place on 140.

The halfway cut was set at three-under-par 141 with 63 players, including one local amateur, advancing into the weekend rounds.

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 Round Two scores

133 – Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 65 68

134 – Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 69 65, Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 65 69, Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL (THA) 67 67, Jaturon DUANGPHAICHOOM (THA) 67 67

135 – Hein SITHU (MYN) 69 66, Thammanoon SRIROJ (THA) 69 66, Danthai BOONMA (THA) 69 66, Sadom KAEWKANJANA (A) (THA) 69 66

136 – Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 70 66, Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 70 66, Meechok PHANTHARAK (THA) 69 67, Kevin LEE (KOR) 71 65, Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 68 68, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 69 67, Kazuki HIGA (JPN) 68 68, Charng-Tai SUDSOM (THA) 67 69

137 – Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) 67 70, Chanachok DEJPIRATANAMONGKOL (THA) 67 70 

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.

Nakhon Pathom, Thailand, May 26: Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert fired a blistering 10-under-par 62 for his best score this year as he seized the third round lead at the Betagro Championship on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Pavit, who was out of action for four weeks due to a wrist injury, put himself in commanding position to win his sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title at the ฿3,000,000 (approx. US$96,000) event.

He leads by three shots on 16-under-par 200 over compatriots Thitiphun Chuayprakong (69), Charng-Tai Sudsom (67) and Tawan Phongphun (67) at Suwan Golf and Country Club. Singapore’s Johnson Poh moved up an impressive 22 spots after shooting a 65 to share fifth place with Nattawat Suvajanakorn (67) who is playing on his home course this week.

Pavit started the penultimate round five shots behind the overnight leader Jazz Janewattananond, but an imperious first nine highlighted by six birdies followed by two birdies and an eagle on his homeward nine, put him well ahead of the chasing pack.

“I hit everything good today. My swing is sound and I knew from the past two rounds that I just needed to get my putts rolling if I want to go low. Hole 18 was a great hole for me because my drive ended up in trouble on the left and I was blocked by the trees. I had to aim right of the green and it ended up plucked in the bunker. But I made an up-and-down from there to finish strongly,” said Pavit who only totalled 25 putts.

Pavit, who won the ADT Order of Merit in 2014, currently holds the shared record for most number of ADT wins. After graduating from the ADT, he broke through in style on the Asian Tour when he edged India’s Anirban Lahiri in a playoff to win the Venetian Macao Open in 2016.

“It’s my first tournament back since my wrist injury. I couldn’t even lift my club before since it was so swollen and I was bored at home when I couldn’t play. So, I took it as an opportunity to work out and I gained a little bit of distance. Coming back and being able to play with my friends is great and I feel confident in my swing this week,” added Pavit.

Compatriot Thitiphun is also making a competitive return after a wrist injury kept him out of the game for eight months. He took advantage of his solid short game to mix his card with five birdies against two bogeys to stay in contention.

“I didn’t play very well today honestly. I was struggling with my driver and irons but thankfully my short game helped. I made six up-and-downs that kept me in this position. I am happy to be in contention after being away from golf for so long and I am looking forward to putting up a fight tomorrow,” said the Thai.

Thailand’s Jazz, who was leading in the first two rounds of the tournament, dropped to tied- seventh place following a 72 alongside defending champion Tirawat Kaewsiribandit who carded a 65.

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 round three scores:

200 – Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 71 67 62

203 – Charng-Tai SUDSOM (THA) 67 69 67, Tawan PHONGPHUN (THA) 70 66 67, Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) 69 65 69

204 – Johnson POH (SGP) 70 69 65, Nattawat SUVAJANAKORN (THA) 67 70 67

205 – Sarit SUWANNARUT (THA) 69 70 66, Tirawat KAEWSIRIBANDIT (THA) 72 68 65, Javier GALLEGOS (ESP) 69 69 67, Natipong SRITHONG (THA) 68 72 65, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 69 67 69, Sattaya SUPUPRAMAI (THA) 70 66 69, Sadom KAEWKANJANA (A) (THA) 69 66 70, Hein SITHU (MYN) 69 66 70, Jaturon DUANGPHAICHOOM (THA) 67 67 71, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 65 68 72

207 – Settee PRAKONGVECH (THA) 70 68 69, Jesse YAP (SGP) 72 69 66, Kevin LEE (KOR) 71 65 71, Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 65 69 73

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.

Bogor, Indonesia, March 21: American John Catlin took advantage of his recent run of good form to sign for an opening four-under-par 67, grabbing the lead by one shot at the weather-hit OB Golf Invitational on Wednesday.

Despite tricky scoring conditions at the Gunung Geulis Country Club’s East course, Catlin stayed patient and relied on his accurate mid-iron shots to return with six birdies against two bogeys at the US$ 70,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.

“I just reminded myself to take it one shot at a time today. There’s more of an emphasis on approach shots on the East course. Pins were tough  but being able to hit it to the right spot on the greens helped me make a couple of great birdies. I hit three approaches inside six feet and my putting was good,” said Catlin.

Catlin, who claimed his breakthrough ADT win on the West course of the Gunung Geulis Country Club two years ago, hopes to repeat the magic as he continues to chase for a third victory on the region’s secondary circuit this week.

The 27-year-old Catlin sits atop the current ADT Order of Merit rankings with a haul of US$13,534, thanks to two consecutive runner-up finishes so far this season.

“I’ve had good memories here and it’s important to stay patient and not get ahead of myself. Each shot here takes so much focus and I had to move on pretty quickly so that’s how I got over the bad holes. I misjudged the wind on a few holes which cost me a couple of shots but other than that I played a pretty solid round of golf,” added Catlin.

Local amateur Rifqi Alam snatched the limelight  when he sank an ace with a five-iron from 190 yards on the par-three 16th hole.  He signed for a 68 to share second place with Asian Tour Qualifying School graduate Shohei Hasegawa of Japan.

Starting from the first tee, Rifqi traded one birdie against two bogeys to turn in 36. He bounced back brilliantly with three birdies and an ace before dropping a shot on the last.

“I didn’t know that my ball went in at all since it was an uphill green and I only found out when I walked up the hill and someone told me. I was hitting my irons good all day and I struck the ball really well on the 16th hole for the hole-in-one,” said Rifqi.

Play was suspended at 12.02pm local time on Wednesday due to heavy rain before resuming at 3.30pm. It was later abandoned at 6pm due to fading light.

A total of 61 players resumed their first round at 6.30 am on Thursday with the second round starting at 8.30am.

All ADT events are afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status. The winner of each tournament receives a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points 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 premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Ends.

Leading First Round Scores

67 – John CATLIN (USA) 

68 – Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN) , Rifqi ALAM (A) (INA) 

69 – Taejun OH (KOR) , Stephen LINDSKOG (SWE) , Naraajie E. RAMADHAN PUTRA (A) (INA) , Lee SONG (KOR) 

70 – Rinaldi ADIYANDONO (INA) , George GANDRANATA (INA) , Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) , KOH Deng Shan (SGP) 

71 – Bramantio ADI (INA) , Jeremy WENDELKEN (USA) , Tarik CAN (USA) 

72 – Jeff BURTON (USA) , Mardan MAMAT (SGP) , Jordan IRAWAN (INA) , Jake SHEPHERD (ENG) , Nathan BUZIMKIC (AUS) 

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.

Bogor Indonesia, March 23: Japan’s Shohei Hasegawa returned on Friday morning to sign for a superb six-under-par 65, grabbing the halfway lead by one shot at the weather-disrupted OB Golf Invitational..

The 24-year-old Japanese, who started the round one shot back, fired six birdies and one eagle against two bogeys to move atop the leaderboard with a nine-under-par 133 total at the US$70,000 Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.

Shinichi Mizuno of Japan

Compatriot Shinichi Mizuno carded a flawless 64 to propel into second place while American John Catlin, who held the opening round lead, settled three shots off the pace in third following a 69 at the Gunung Guerlis Golf and Country Club.

Hasegawa, who came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School earlier in January, is chasing for a breakthrough win in only his third start on the ADT this season. He had enjoyed a tied-sixth finish in Brunei two weeks ago.

“I started on hole nine and had 10 holes to finish today. I birdied my first hole and was feeling very good about my game. I made an eagle on hole 12 where I hit a great drive and had 75 metres left to the pin.

“I could not see the green from where I was standing but I knew I hit a pretty good approach with my 58-degree wedge. I only found out that I holed it when I walked up to the green and that was the nest moment for me this morning,” said Hasegawa.

Amateur Narajie E. Ramadhan P. posted a 68 to emerge as the best-placed Indonesian in fourth place on 137 while countryman Indra Hermawan (69) stayed a further shot back in fifth alongside American Sydney Chung (65). “I didn’t even warm up before heading out for the second round. I just stretched a little bit and went out there. I was swinging the club well the first couple of holes so I took aggressive lines all day, just to see if I could climb up the leaderboard as much as possible today. My game plan worked out well,” said Chung after completing his round on Thursday

Starting from the 10th hole, Chung nailed eight birdies before stumbling with a double-bogey on the sixth. He recovered swiftly with a birdie on the next but gave it away after dropping a bogey on his last hole ninth.

“On the sixth hole, I actually only had 60 yards left after my drive. I was playing aggressive all day so I went right at the pin, but it took such a firm bounce and went into the hazard. Then I missed my putt for bogey. But I recovered on the very next hole with a birdie,” Chung added.

The halfway cut was set at six-over-par 148 with 61 players advancing to the final two rounds.

Inclement weather has caused several rain suspensions over the last two days at the OB Golf Invitational. The third and penultimate round is underway.

Ends.

Leading Round Two scores

133 – Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN) 68 65

134 – Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) 70 64

136 – John CATLIN (USA) 67 69

Bogor, Indonesia, March 23: Japan’s Shohei Hasegawa maintained his lead at the OB Golf Invitational after shooting a third round one-under-par 70 on Friday.

The 24-year-old Hasegawa put himself in position to win his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) title after battling fatigue to lead on 10-under-par 203 at the US$70,000 event staged at Gunung Geulis Golf and Country Club.

American Sydney Chung trails by a shot following a solid 66 while ADT Order of Merit leader John Catlin was a further two shots back of the lead after posting a 69. Local hope George Gandaranata is also in the title hunt as he trails Hasegawa by three shots.

Starting on hole one, Hasegawa had a slow start when he bogeyed hole six. He bounced back with two birdies on holes seven and eight and traded two birdies against as many bogeys on his homeward nine.  

“I wasn’t nervous at all coming into the third round since I played well in my second round. I was just out there playing good golf and having fun all day,” said Hasegawa, who completed his second round on Friday morning after play was disrupted by weather delays.

“I think I got tired around hole ten and I had to keep telling myself to push on. I focused on finding fairways and greens, make my par and move on. Hole ten was the one hole I wanted to do better on in my third round and I actually didn’t hit a very good tee shot on that hole which ended up in the rough on the left. But I made an up-and-down to save par,” added Hasegawa.

After earning an Asian Tour card at Qualifying School earlier this year, Hasegawa, who turned professional in December 2015, hopes to secure his first professional win at the inaugural OB Golf Invitational.

“I am quite nervous playing in the final group tomorrow and Sydney is only one shot behind. But my plan is to enjoy being in this position because my game is there and I know I can perform. The reason why I decided to play on the Asian Tour this year was because I love travelling and since getting my card I have been to New Zealand and Brunei and now this is my first time to Indonesia. It is a huge privilege for me and I just need to stay in the moment and enjoy myself tomorrow,” said the Japanese.

Chung of the United States is within striking distance of Hasegawa after trading six birdies against one bogey.

“I thought I left a lot of shots out there yesterday which sounds surprising since I shot 65. So, I came in today hoping to get into double digits under-par but I am still happy with the position I put myself in going into the final round. My only mistake was a three-putt from 25-feet on hole six but my short game overall was pretty good. I was driving the ball really well too and I didn’t miss the fairway at all,

I found something in my swing and I have been sticking to that shot since then which worked out well in the second and third round. I had a bad category from (Asian Tour) Qualifying School so if I win I’ll just be happy to know that I’ll be playing in the rest of the events this year,” said Chung.

All ADT events are afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) status. The winner of each tournament receives a minimum of six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points 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 premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Ends.

Leading Round Three scores

203 – Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN) 68 65 70

204 – Sydney CHUNG (USA) 73 65 66

205 – John CATLIN (USA) 67 69 69

206 – George GANDRANATA (INA) 70 69 67

208 – Johnson POH (SGP) 69 70 69

209 – Lee SONG (KOR) 69 74 66, Oscar ZETTERWALL (SWE) 71 69 69, Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) 70 64 75

210 – Stephen LINDSKOG (SWE) 69 73 68, Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 69 73 68

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.