Hasegawa secures breakthrough at weather-hit OB Golf Invitational
Bogor, Indonesia, March 24: Overnight leader Shohei Hasegawa of Japan was declared the winner of the OB Golf Invitational when officials decided to cancel the final round due to inclement weather on Saturday.
The 24-year-old Hasegawa was delighted to clinch his maiden Asian Development Tour victory, which was also his first professional win since he joined the play-for-pay ranks in 2015.
Hasegawa emerged victorious by one shot at the US$ 70,000 event held at Gunung Geulis Golf and Country Club.
“The weather didn’t look good this morning and I thought I would still have 18 holes to play a better round today. But they decided to shorten the tournament I was just upset that I didn’t get the opportunity to play in the final group which I was looking forward to. I was going to use today to gauge how I perform under pressure since I had a big group chasing me from behind. It’s not something you experience every day and it is great practice at this level of competition,” said Hasegawa who won with his three-day total of 10-under-par 203.
The final round was scheduled to start at 7.30am local time but was delayed till 8.30am and suspended again at 8.57am due to lighting threats before officials subsequently announced the cancelation of the final round at 11am.
“After deliberation, the organizing committee decided to cancel the final round due to heavy rain which was expected to last throughout the day. Conditions were also deemed unplayable,” said Asian Tour Tournament Director, Fritz Katzengruber.
Hasegawa, an Asian Tour Qualifying school graduate who resides in Hiroshima, Japan, has been riding on good form coming into this week with a tied-sixth finish in Brunei earlier this month.
Relishing the opportunity to play against an international field on the Tour’s secondary circuit, the Japanese went home with a winner’s prize purse of US$ 12,250 and is now looking forward to gaining more playing experience on the ADT.
“There wasn’t much pressure this morning because I was more excited. I have been in the final groups in local events back home but this is the biggest tournament that I have been able to get into this position. I am very impressed with the level of competition on the ADT and having played in the last two events since I got my card, I have met so many friends and watched how different players compete. I look forward to winning a tournament by playing all four days and that will be my next goal.
“It feels so good to finally win my first professional victory. I am going to tell all my friends back home and call my family after this is over. I feel good about where my game is at right now and I am proud of how I performed on this course,” said Hasegawa.
American Sydney Chung settled for second place on 204 while fellow compatriot John Catlin finished in third place, one shot back of Chung. Indonesia’s George Gandranata signed for a 206 to secure fourth place while Singapore’s Johnson Poh took outright fifth place with his 208 total.
“I had a great opportunity today to win after coming off two low rounds so I am definitely disappointed about not being able to play today. I was just one shot behind and a few guys told me the weather radar this morning wasn’t looking good, so once the rain came I wasn’t surprised about the announcement to shorten the event. But it is what it is and it’s still a great boost for my confidence, especially seeing my name on the leaderboard,” 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.
Ends.
Leading Final Round 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
211 – Matt KILLEN (ENG) 72 69 70, Blake SNYDER (USA) 72 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.
Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April 3: Tour rookie Shohei Hasegawa of Japan hopes to continue his superb run of form when he tees off for the PGM Johor Championship which starts on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Japanese, who came through the Asian Tour Qualifying School in January, secured a breakthrough Asian Development Tour (ADT) win in Indonesia a fortnight ago, marking his first victory since turning professional in 2015.
Having notched a victory and a top-10 finish in just three starts so far this season, Hasegawa has installed himself as one of the title favourites at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) ADT event.
With his confidence soaring at an all-time high, Hasegawa, who sits in second place on the current Order of Merit, is tipped to continue his consistent run when he steps up to the tee at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club.
“The reason why I decided to try for the Asian Tour Qualifying School this year was because I love travelling and since getting my card in January, I have been to New Zealand for an Asian Tour event and to Brunei and Indonesia for ADT events.
“It is good to be exposed to different playing conditions in Asia and I just need to stay in the moment and enjoy myself because I know my game is there,” said Hasegawa, who hails from Hiroshima.
Reigning Order of Merit champion Pannakorn Uthaipas of Thailand will feature in the event alongside current Merit leader John Catlin of the United States, as well as South African Mathiam Keyser, Australian Martin Dive and Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, all winners on the ADT.
Other notable players include Asian Tour winners Mardan Mamat of Singapore, Australian Kieran Pratt, Malaysia’s Ben Leong and Nicholas Fung, the 2013 ADT Order of Merit champion.
“My goal is to just put up four good rounds. I have not had a top-10 finish on the Asian Tour this season but I have only missed one cut since the start of the season which is a positive,” said the bespectacled Fung, a three-time winner on the ADT.
“This is not a difficult golf course. and I am hitting the ball well so I am not too thinking too much. I just need to get my putts to drop over the next couple of days and I think I have a good chance to win,” added the 27-year-old Fung.
A total of 114 players will compete in the PGM Johor Championship this week, with the field being split between the ADT and Professional Golf of Malaysia (PGM Tour).
The PGM Johor Championship is the fifth leg of the 2018 schedule and also the Tour’s second stop in Malaysia this year. 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 premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.
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.
Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April 4: Singapore’s Mitchell Slorach ignited his title ambitions after signing for a solid seven-under-par 65 to share the opening round lead with countryman Quincy Quek and Janne Kaske of Finland at the PGM Johor Championship on Wednesday.
The leading trio hold a two-shot advantage over local hotshot Ben Leong and Sorachut Hansapiban of Thailand, who returned with matching 67s to share fourth place at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club.
Japan’s Shohei Hasegawa, who secured his breakthrough win in Indonesia a fortnight ago, carded a 68 to stay three shots off the pace in sixth place alongside five other players at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT).
Slorach, 30, missed only one fairway in his commendable round of 65 where he needed only 22 putts.
Starting from the first, Slorach stumbled with a double-bogey on the second hole but bounced back swiftly with two straight birdies from the third.
Despite dropping another shot on the fifth, Slorach remained in control as he reeled in five straight birdies from the seventh before sinking another three consecutive birdies in his closing four holes.
“I started off slow with a double-bogey on the second hole when my tee shot went into the water, but I recovered quickly with two holes right after. I sank a 35-footer for birdie on the eighth which was the highlight for me today. Other than that, all my other birdie putts were within 10-feet I was hitting it straight today and striking the ball well,” said Slorach.
Slorach credited his positive change in mindset for a commendable round which has boosted his confidence as he continues his chase for a breakthrough victory on the region’s secondary circuit.
“I went on a diving trip last week to get my mind off golf because I have been feeling very unmotivated since my last event two weeks ago. I was close to giving up but I made a promise to myself at the start of the year that I would take it easy on myself and play with no expectations. Before the round I was feeling very sore and tired but I had a very positive attitude which helped me get over the bad holes fast,” Slorach added.
Quek, a one-time ADT winner, also took advantage of his acute short game to cap a solid round highlighted by one eagle and six birdies against a lone bogey.
“I was making putts from everywhere which really boosted my confidence. I made a lot of putts from 20-feet especially in my first nine holes and I had a chip-in on hole 16 for eagle from 20 meters.
“I hit my drive into the rough and the pin was in the back on the right side of the green. I told myself it was better to miss it left but ended up missing the shot right and leaving myself with an awkward chip. That chip-in for eagle was a huge bonus,” said Quek, who enjoyed a tied-fourth place finish in Brunei last month.
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.
Leading first round scores:
65 – Mitchell SLORACH (SGP) , Janne KASKE (FIN) , Quincy QUEK (SGP)
67 – Ben LEONG (MAS) , Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) 68 – Ye Htet AUNG (MYN) , Shohei HASEGAWA (JPN) , Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) , Shaifubari MUDA (MAS) , Johnson POH (SGP) , Shinichi MIZUNO (JPN) 69 – Pannakorn UTHAIPAS (THA) , Justin DE LOS SANTOS (USA) , Jacob BOYCE (AUS) , Sajawat SRIPRASIT (THA) , Smithti TEERATRAKUL (THA) , Tarik CAN (USA)
70 – John Michael O’TOOLE (USA) , Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) , M. Sasidaran (MAS) , Airil Rizman ZAHARI (MAS) , Josh SALAH (USA) , Kieran PRATT (AUS) , Greg MOSS (USA) , KHOR Kheng Hwai (MAS) , KOH Deng Shan (SGP)
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.
Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April 6: Singapore’s Johnson Poh snatched a one-shot halfway lead at the weather-disrupted PGM Johor Championship after returning on Friday morning to sign for a fine seven-under-par 65.
The 26-year-old Poh, who opened his campaign with a 68, fired eight birdies against a bogey to move atop the leaderboard with a 11-under-par 133 total at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) Asian Development Tour (ADT) event.
Finland’s Janne Kaske, who held a share of the opening round lead, took second place following a 69 while Thailand’s Sorachut Hansapiban (69), Singapore’s Koh Deng Shan (66) and local talent Arie Irawan (65) shared third on matching 136s at the Palm Resort Golf and Country Club.
“I have been hitting it good these two days. I think the only difference was that I was making more putts in my second round. I had six holes to complete today and finished them at two-under-par which was good,” said Poh.
“On my last hole ninth, I had 40 metres to the green, I knew it was a pretty firm green so I hit a high wedge shot into the green and stuck it to a foot and made birdie,” added Poh, who has enjoyed top-10 finishes in his last two starts on the region’s secondary circuit.
Kaske, a two-time winner on the ADT, said: “I was very confident coming into my second round. Hoping to get a little bit luckier in today’s round but I’m still in good position. Wished I could’ve finished a little stronger because I hit a lot of good shots and it was just unlucky breaks.”
Reigning ADT Order of Merit champion Pannakorn Uthaipas signed for a 68 to settle four shots off the pace in tied-sixth position while American John Catlin, who leads the current money list, posted a 71 to sit in tied-37th on 144.
The halfway cut was set at one-over-par 145 with 55 players advancing to the final two rounds. The third and penultimate round of the PGM Johor Championship is in progress.
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.
Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April 6: Singapore’s Johnson Poh stayed on track for his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory after posting a third round three-under-par 69 at the PGM Johor Championship on Friday.
The 26-year-old Singaporean, who is chasing for his breakthrough win, dug deep into his reserves to lead by two shots with a 14-under-par 202 total at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) event.
Three players sit in second place just two strokes shy of the lead at the Palm Res
ort Golf and Country Club – Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski (66), Malaysia’s Ben Leong (67) and Singapore’s Koh Deng Shan (68).
Starting on hole one, the in-form Poh widened his lead with an eagle on his third hole after making a massive putt.
“I hit a good drive on the fairway and then a solid second shot just past the pin and had a tough downhill putt with a huge break from right to left. I saw the line in my head and just told myself to trust it and roll it in,” said Poh.
Poh, who joined the play-for-pay ranks in 2015 made birdies on holes seven and twelve before making a double bogey on hole 15 where he hit his drive into the hazard.
“My club slipped out of my hand and I hit my drive into the hazard. But I had a good lie, so I decided to play it which was a bad decision because I hit it heavy and made double bogey. But I recovered right after with another eagle on hole 16 when I chipped in from 20 metres off the green,” added Poh.
Compatriot Koh who is also vying for his breakthrough win suffered a drop shot on holes two but would finish out strong with four birdies and an eagle on hole 16 before another dropped shot on his final hole.
“All three of us in the same group eagled that hole. I was the first one to putt from 20-feet off the green and it was nice to celebrate three eagle putts in the group. Playing with all my friends helped because I was very relaxed throughout the round and I was in my comfort zone. Today felt like any other day and I was just taking it one hole at a time,” said Koh.
Excited with his lead going into the final round but still sticking to his game plan of taking it one shot at a time and visualizing the putts roll in, Poh is confident that his maiden win will be right around the corner.
“This feels like home because I come to Johor a lot to play with my father. I like where my game is at now and I hope to put in another low round tomorrow. It has always been my goal each year to have an ADT win in the bag and I will give it my best tomorrow,” added Poh.
Malaysia’s Arie Irawan took fifth place on his own following a 69 while three players take sixth place a stroke behind him – Myanmar’s Ye Htet Aung (67), Thailand’s Sorachut Hansapiban (70) and Finland’s Janne Kaske (72).
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 premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.
Ends.
Leading round three scores:
202 – Johnson POH (SGP) 68 65 69
204 – Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 68 70 66, Ben LEONG (MAS) 67 70 67, KOH Deng Shan (SGP) 70 66 68
205 – Arie Irawan (MAS) 71 65 69
206 – Ye Htet AUNG (MYN) 68 71 67, Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) 67 69 70, Janne KASKE (FIN) 65 69 72
208 – Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 70 69 69, Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 71 68 69, Kieran PRATT (AUS) 70 68 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.
Johor Bahru, Malaysia, April 7: Singapore’s Johnson Poh broke through on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) in sensational style when he romped to a four-shot victory at the PGM Johor Championship on Saturday.
The 26-year-old dominated the event after shooting a sensational seven-under-par 65 to defeat Sweden’s Malcolm Kokocinski, who settled for second following a 67 at the RM225,000 (approximately US$58,000) event held at Palm Resort Golf and Country Club.
Ben Leong posted a 70 to finish as the best Malaysian in third place while Singapore’s Mardan Mamat rolled back the years with a superb 65 to end his campaign in fourth alongside Australia’s Kieran Pratt (67), Thailand’s Nitithorn Thippong (67) and Malaysia’s Arie Irawan (70).
Poh, who is coached by his father, was delighted to clinch his first ADT title in emphatic fashion after shooting his lowest four-day total of 21-under-par 267.
He started off solidly after mixing his card with six birdies against two bogeys through 15 holes but produced a grandstand finish with three straight birdies to claim a comfortable victory.
“Feels awesome to finally win on the ADT and my lowest four-round-total in any tournament that I’ve played. I think the biggest thing for me this week was that I stuck to the game plan and stayed calm on every shot.
“My caddy told me on the last hole, victory is here, and I had to remind him that we still have one more hole to go and we need to finish the last putt before we can celebrate,” said Poh, who won silver medals in the individual and team events in the 2009 and 2015 South East Asian Games
The young Singaporean hopes this victory will help him finish inside the top-five on the final 2018 ADT Order of Merit which comes with a 2019 Asian Tour card.
Despite missing out on the win, Kokocinski took pride in his finish this week and hopes to bring over his form to his next event which will be on the ADT in Bangladesh.
“I actually played really well all week just that Johnson did a little better. I hit all 18 greens today and I only missed four in total all week. I was reading the lines wrong today so if I could just get my putts to drop I could have pushed Johnson further but I am still happy with my finish and I like where my game is right now so I see good things happening pretty soon,” said Kokocinski.
Asian Tour winner, Leong, reckons he needs to continue working on his ball striking as he prepares for the upcoming Asian Tour events.
“I fought my way around today because I am not really hitting it very well. I think I was just lucky today. It wasn’t easy out there today because it was windier but I stayed patient and hung in there. My usual shot shape is left-to-right, and right now it’s just going straight so I need to fix that before my next couple of events on the Asian Tour,” said Leong.
Poh will take home a winner’s prize cheque of US$10,237 and is the third Singaporean to win on the ADT after compatriots Mardan Mamat and Quincy Quek became winners on the ADT in 2012.
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 premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.
Leading final round scores
267 – Johnson POH (SGP) 68 65 69 65
271 – Malcolm KOKOCINSKI (SWE) 68 70 66 67
274 – Ben LEONG (MAS) 67 70 67 70
275 – Mardan MAMAT (SGP) 73 70 67 65, Kieran PRATT (AUS) 70 68 70 67, Nitithorn THIPPONG (THA) 70 69 69 67, Arie Irawan (MAS) 71 65 69 70
276 – Janne KASKE (FIN) 65 69 72 70
277 – Miguel CARBALLO (ARG) 71 70 69 67, Smithti TEERATRAKUL (THA) 69 72 69 67, Tarik CAN (USA) 69 68 72 68
278 – Greg MOSS (USA) 70 71 71 66, Quincy QUEK (SGP) 65 73 71 69, Sorachut HANSAPIBAN (THA) 67 69 70 72, KOH Deng Shan (SGP) 70 66 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 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.
Ends.
Dhaka, April 21: Siddikur Rahman has hailed the strong support for professional golf in Bangladesh as he prepares for the BTI Open on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) and AB Golf Bangladesh Open on the Asian Tour.
Bangladesh will stage three professional golf events in the country for the first time ever. Siddikur won the inaugural Dhaka Open in January on the ADT and he will be part of the talented field at the BTI Open next week.
His National Open, which will welcome AB Bank as the new title sponsor, will also return on the Asian Tour Schedule for its fourth consecutive edition from May 9 to 12 at the Kurmitola Golf Club, which is also the venue for the ADT events.
Siddikur is the trailblazer for professional golf in Bangladesh. He rose through the ranks to become a two-time Asian Tour winner and his rise to fame has been an inspiration to many in his country and in Asia.
“I’m really excited to be playing in so many events in Bangladesh. We are seeing more people taking up the sport. In the future I’m sure we will have even more professional golfers in the country. More sponsors are beginning to support golf so this is a very good sign for the sport,” said Siddikur.
The 33-year-old was delighted with the sponsorship of Corporate Bangladesh in the cricket loving nation.
The US$60,000 BTI Open will attract a talented field to Dhaka with ADT Order of Merit leader John Catlin of the United States aiming to extend his lead on the ranking. Other notable names in the field include Johnson Poh of Singapore, Shohei Hasegawa of Japan, Oscar Zetterwall of Sweden and Panuwat Muenlek of Thailand.
Siddikur is relishing the opportunity to play in front of the home crowd again. Three months ago, he dominated the Dhaka Open when he cruised to a four-shot victory and he will be aiming for another victory next week.
“I’m really inspired to play in front of my home crowd. I’m really motivated to play well in front of them. It is a great feeling to have more golf events in Bangladesh,” said Siddikur.
“I won one ADT at home but haven’t done well on the Asian Tour. It is okay because these are all part of the game. I’ve been practising hard so hopefully I can play well starting with the events in Bangladesh,” he added.
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 premier Asian Tour for the 2019 season.
Ends.
Dhaka, April 23: New Asian Development Tour (ADT) winner Johnson Poh of Singapore is aiming for a successful first appearance in Bangladesh when he contends at the inaugural BTI Open which starts on Tuesday.
The 26-year-old Poh claimed an emphatic first ADT win in Johor, Malaysia in early April and he hopes to build on his winning momentum at the US$60,000 ADT event played at the Kurmitola Golf Club.
It was a huge victory for Poh in Johor but he had no time to celebrate the win as he was called into action for a two-week military training in Singapore straight after his success.
“I didn’t really have time to celebrate because I went back to Singapore for military training and now I’m in Bangladesh. I haven’t been practising much so I will play without any expectations,” said the lanky Poh.
Currently ranked third on the ADT Order of Merit, Poh is determined to stay inside the top-five until the end of the season to earn a 2019 Asian Tour card.
“My goal for the year was to win on the ADT and now that I’ve won once, I want to play a full schedule and try and get a few more wins. Earning an Asian Tour card is always on my mind but I need to stay focus on what lies ahead and not force anything to happen,” he said.
Poh will challenge for the BTI Open title against a talented field which includes home favourite Siddikur Rahman, who won the Dhaka Open on the ADT in January, John Catlin of the United States, the current ADT number one, and Shohei Hasegawa of Japan.
Playing in his second season on the ADT, Poh, a four-time Southeast Asian Games silver medallist, believes the experience of playing on the ADT has helped his game improve.
“I was leading in a few tournaments but I couldn’t convert it to wins. In the last two years I learnt to be more composed on the course. I try to forget the bad shots and move on and when I make a stretch of birdies, I try to remain calm and focus on the next shot. Sometimes it is very frustrating but I’ve learnt and gained more experience by playing on the ADT,” said Poh.
The BTI Open is the second ADT event to be staged in Bangladesh this year. The tournament will be afforded Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points with the winner receiving six OWGR points while the top-six players and ties earn points on a sliding scale.
For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.
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.
Ends.
Follow the live scores from the US$60,000 BTI Open here
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