BRG Open Golf Championship back for third edition
Aramco has agreed one of the biggest and most significant partnerships in the history of the Asian Development Tour (ADT), after confirming title sponsorship of the Saudi Aramco Invitational for the next three editions, with an additional two-year option. The overall prize money will be US$250,000, making it the most lucrative event on the Tour, and establishing it as a prestigious season-ending tournament.
The 72-hole stroke play event will be held at Rolling Hills Golf Course in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, from November 29 to December 2, bringing down the curtain on the ADT’s 2023 calendar in spectacular fashion and taking total ADT prize money for the season beyond the US$1 million barrier.
Nabil Al-Nuaim, Chairman of the Saudi Aramco Golf Association (SAGA) and Aramco’s Senior Vice President of Digital and Information Technology, said: “Aramco has a history of over 75 years supporting golf in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We are proud to continue our tradition across the company and the Kingdom. We believe partnership with the Asian Development Tour is a natural fit with the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 and Aramco’s mission to promote sports, and particularly golf, among the youth of Saudi Arabia.”
Cho Minn Thant, the Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO, said: “This is wonderful news for the Asian Development Tour, the Asian Tour’s flourishing feeder circuit, and we are truly appreciative to Aramco for their support.
“I know that all those who play on the ADT will welcome this exciting news, which, I’m sure will motivate them to work even harder as they bid to progress their way onto the Asian Tour,” he added.
With the top 10 players on the ADT’s end-of-season Order of Merit earning promotion to the Asian Tour in 2024, the Saudi Aramco Invitational will prove decisive in determining who makes it through.
Cho added: “Where Energy is Opportunity is Aramco’s tagline. The Saudi Aramco Invitational will energise and provide opportunity for the region’s up-and-coming professionals, as well as elite amateur players. We’re grateful to Aramco for their vision and commitment to the development of golf.”
The 120-strong field for the Saudi Aramco Invitational will be made up of 70 players from the ADT, 40 players selected by Aramco and 10 invitees.
Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij of Thailand pictured in action during the OB Golf Championshp at Gunung Geulis Golf Club on September 27, 2023. Picture by Yulius Martinus / OB Golf
Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij triumphed in the 2022 inaugural tournament, which was also played at the Rolling Hills Golf Course.
Located in Dhahran, Rolling Hills is a private course for employees of Aramco.
Headquartered in Dhahran, Aramco is one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, creating value across the hydro-carbon chain and delivering societal and economic benefits to people and communities around the globe who rely on the vital energy it supplies.
“Aramco takes great pride in sponsoring and hosting Asia’s best up-and-coming talent at our beautiful, yet challenging, golf course,” said Mr Al-Nuaim.
“We are always seeking strategic and long-term partnerships and we look forward to further developing our relationship with the Asian Tour and Asian Development Tour.”
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Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao sealed a commanding five-stroke victory at the Taifong Golf Club for his second Asian Development Tour (ADT) title and first since 2013 at the season-ending Taifong Open on Christmas day Sunday.
Entering the final round with a six-shot advantage, Hung’s spot at the top was barely threatened as he traded three birdies against four bogeys to close with a one-over-par 73 and a winning total of 11-under-par 277.
Thai talent Suteepat Prateeptienchai showed his worth once again by putting on a superb Sunday charge as he signed for a 68 to finish in second place with playing partner Joe Heraty of England, who returned a 69, in the US$200,000 ADT event.
Suteepat, who led the money list heading into this week, successfully became the third Thai, following Pavit Tangkamolprasert (2014) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017), to lift the ADT Order of Merit crown and earn his Asian Tour card for 2023.
Hung, who first won on the ADT in 2013, was victorious at the Taifong Open in 2020 when it was held only on the domestic circuit due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His victory at the Taifong Golf Club today would mark his fourth win on home soil this year.
“I’m happy to clinch another win before the year ends. I saw my daughter on a video call my dad set up on the 18th green after I finished and I’m just happy that we can all go for our holiday in Japan tomorrow. It’s been a good year and it’s now time for a good break.
“I look forward to return to the Asian Tour next season and continue my chase for that first win outside of home. You need a bit of luck to win tournaments, but I’ll continue to work hard and do my best, hopefully better results await in 2023,” said the 30-year-old Hung, who took home a winner’s prize purse of US$35,000.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand – 2022 ADT Order of Merit champion
Suteepat’s joint runner-up result earned him a cheque of US$18,500 and brought his season’s haul to US$86,448. The 28-year-old Thai capped a solid season this year, thanks to three victories and six top-10 finishes.
“I felt relieved after making the cut. I knew I will most likely win the Order of Merit title so that took some pressure off me. After starting with that chip-in eagle on first, I gained some momentum and made two more birdies in the next four holes. I thought I might have a chance at winning today but unfortunately, the putts didn’t drop on the way home.
“Still happy with a joint runner-up finish. It’s been a great season. I didn’t expect this at all. The first win gave me a lot of confidence and I managed to build on that. I have a lot of friends playing on the Asian Tour, so I look forward to 2023. It’s going to be a lot tougher, but I am excited and can’t wait to tee off for my first event in Oman,” said Suteepat.
Despite failing to grab one of the 10 Asian Tour cards on offer on the ADT, Heraty took the positives as he ended the year by capping his best finish on Tour this season.
“Happy with the result today. The conditions were not as windy as the last few days. I’m glad I took advantage of that. Although I missed out on finishing inside top-10 on the Order of Merit, I’m happy to gain direct entry to final stage of the Qualifying School,” said Heraty, who moved up 30 spots to 13th place on the money list following his tied-second place finish.
The top-10 finishers on the 2022 ADT Order of Merit, following the conclusion of the Taifong Open, have earned playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2023.
Apart from Suteepat, the other nine players are Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (2nd), Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra (3rd), Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin (4th), China’s Chen Guxin (5th), Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (6th), Lloyd Jefferson Go (7th) of the Philippines, American Dodge Kemmer (8th), Australian Harrison Gilbert (9th) and Thailand’s Denwit Boriboonsub (10th).
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Overnight leader Hung Chien-yao extended his advantage at the top to six shots after carding a brilliant six-under-par 66 to put himself in prime position for a second Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory following the penultimate round of the US$200,000 Taifong Open on Saturday.
Hung, who claimed the 2020 Taifong Open with a record-breaking victory on his domestic circuit, set the course alight again when he fired an eagle and eight birdies against a double-bogey and two bogeys for a three-day total of 12-under-par 204 at the Taifong Golf Club.
He set the biggest winning margin in the tournament’s history with his commanding nine-stroke win two years ago and his winning total of 19-under-par 269 then was also the lowest so far.
Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei and Suteepat Prateeptienchai (right) of Thailand
“I must thank my playing partner Suteepat (Prateeptienchai) today. We chatted a lot and he made me feel very comfortable out there. I am happy to make a new friend! He’s likely to win the ADT Order of Merit so I am very happy for him. I look forward to playing and practising with him on the Asian Tour next year,” said Hung.
The 30-year-old Hung, who has won three titles in 10 starts on his domestic circuit this year, successfully retained his playing rights on the Asian Tour for 2023 after ending his season in 59th place on the Order of Merit.
“I just want to do my best out there tomorrow and focus on every shot I hit. I hit some good shots today too and I guess I was lucky as well. Made some mistakes today, Suteepat and I both hit it out of bounds on the 14th and I bogeyed the next hole too.
“I’m just competing against myself tomorrow. I can accept bogeys because mistakes are bound to happen, but I can’t accept double bogeys as those are caused by wayward drives. I will need to take note of that tomorrow. I really wasn’t thinking about the scores today and I think that helped,” added Hung, who has won once before on the ADT, in 2013.
Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei
Defending champion Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei complained of poor iron-play as he returned a 70 to sit in second place. His countryman Kevin Yu, a PGA TOUR player, battled to a 72 to trail eight shots off the pace in third on 212.
“I am very disappointed with my iron-play. I gave myself good opportunities to attack the pins but I didn’t take advantage of them. Disappointing to not close the gap on the leader but I’m going to work on it later and see how it goes tomorrow,” said the 28-year-old Lee.
ADT Order of Merit leader Suteepat, a three-time winner this season, slipped to a share of fifth on 214 after stumbling with a disappointing 75.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand
The winner of the Taifong Open, which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this week, will take home a prize purse of US$35,000. The popular event returned to the ADT for its seventh edition this week.
The top-10 finishers on the final Merit list after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.
Photos courtesy of Chung500
Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao reignited his love affair with the Taifong Golf Club by firing a solid five-under-par 67 to take a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the US$200,000 Taifong Open on Friday.
Hung, a winner on the Asian Development Tour in 2013 who has been playing mainly on the Asian Tour since, took advantage of the calmer conditions in the morning to fire eight birdies against three bogeys for a two-day total of six-under-par 138.
Hung Chien-yao of Chinese Taipei
The 30-year-old claimed a commanding nine-stroke victory when he won this event at the same venue in 2020. That year it was held only on his domestic circuit and not on the ADT due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The greens are still rolling fast today although it was less windy out there. The pin positions are harder, but I gave myself a lot of opportunities. This week, I feel really relaxed. I’m just looking forward to taking my daughter to Japan for a short getaway next week.
“I’ve been playing consistently these two days. Nothing special. My iron shots were pretty accurate, and I guess that explains the eight birdies today. Made some adjustments before coming here this week so I’m feeling good with the game right now,” Hung said.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand
ADT Order of Merit leader Suteepat Prateeptienchai edged closer to sealing the Merit crown when he battled to a 70 to sit in solo second place in the 2022 ADT season finale, which is the joint richest event on the schedule this season.
“The pin positions are tougher today. But not much wind this morning. It’s not a good day for me but my score is still fine. I told myself to just make par on every hole, birdie is bonus,” said the 29-year-old.
Local hotshot Lee Chieh-po, the defending champion, lamented a disappointing quadruple seven on the 15th hole that was caused by two lost balls but took pride in the way he bounced back to stay in contention.
“Just one bad hole today. I hung in there and managed to convert a lot of birdies,” said Lee, who amassed only 23 putts in his round of 70.
Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei
Lee sits two shots off the pace in third alongside compatriot Kevin Yu on matching 140s. A former Asian amateur star and current PGA TOUR player, Yu caught fire when he nailed four straight birdies and an eagle to take the lead briefly before slipping with a triple-bogey and a bogey in his last four holes for a 69.
The shot of the day belonged to Chinese Taipei’s Huang Yi-tseng who aced the eighth hole with a seven iron from 171 yards. He won himself a cash prize of NTD100,000 (approximately US$3,254) that was on offer to the first player to ace the hole in the tournament.
Huang Yi-tseng of Chinese Taipei
A total of 56 players survived the halfway cut set at five-over-par 149 at the Taifong Open, which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this week.
The top-10 finishers on the final Merit list after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.
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Thai hotshot Suteepat Prateeptienchai signalled his strong intention to seal the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit crown by firing a three-under-par 69 in blustery conditions to take the opening-round lead at the Taifong Open on Thursday.
The 29-year-old Thai, who leads the money list thanks to three victories and five top-10s, fired five birdies against a double-bogey to lead by one shot over compatriot Sajawat Sriprasit and defending champion Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei at the Taifong Golf Club.
Local stars Chan Shih-chang, a five-time Asian Tour winner, Hung Chien-yao, winner of the 2020 Taifong Open, as well as Kevin Yu, the highest-ranked Taiwanese player in 188th place on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), are amongst those tied in fourth place following matchings 71s.
The Taifong Open is the concluding event of the ADT season, and boasts a prize purse of US$200,000, the joint richest event on the schedule. The top-10 finishers on the final Merit list after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for the 2023 season.
Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand
Suteepat, who sits atop the money list with a current haul of US67,948, surprised himself by taking the lead in his first appearance at the Taifong Open and on a day where players battled 35km/h winds and only 11 players broke par.
“My putter is hot today. Good tee shots too, I missed just one fairway on the 14th hole where I had a lost ball but other than that, all else is good. I’m surprised with my score. It was so windy out there,” said Suteepat, coming off the back of a tied-fourth place finish in Saudi Arabia last week.
“Most birdies were made from within six to seven feet. I just hit good drives and place it in good position. It was great to make a birdie on sixth because it’s a toughest hole today. I hit a good drive there and then a soft pitching wedge to about three feet to set up birdie,” he added.
Suteepat is attempting to become the third Thai player to lift the ADT Order of Merit crown following Pavit Tangkamolprasert (2014) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017), a former winner of the Taifong Open – which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this season.
Lee Chieh-po of Chinese Taipei
Lee Chieh-po, who has already secured his Asian Tour for 2023 after finishing inside the top-70 on the Order of Merit earlier this month, got his title defence off to a fine start, thanks to a hot putter which helped him navigate his way around the greens in just 25 putts.
“My ball striking was disappointing today but I hit my irons well and I putted well too. Nice to return here as the defending champion but the conditions this week aren’t quite the same as last year. I just want to play my best. Nice to finish with two birdies,” said Lee.
Sajawat, who started from the 10th, traded four birdies against two birdies and also rode a hot putter.
He said: “I hung in there very well. It’s tough out there. The wind was really blowing. It’s my first time here but I heard about this course before coming. I kind of expected it to be this tough so I’m glad I came back with an under-par round today.
“I putted very well today, that was the key. Made a long 20-footer to save par on the first hole and that’s probably my highlight for today.”
Sajawat Sriprasit of Thailand
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Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, a three-time winner on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) this year, is hoping to end a successful year by sealing the Tour’s Order of Merit (OOM) crown at the US$200,000 Taifong Open, which starts tomorrow at Taifong Golf Club.
The 29-year-old Thai sits at the top of the OOM with a current haul of US$67,948, thanks to three victories and five top-10s, including a tied-fourth place finish at the Aramco Invitational in Saudi Arabia last week.
A host of players could potentially catch him at what is the joint most lucrative event on Tour but Suteepat is determined to ride on his recent good run of form to capture the prestigious Merit crown.
“This is my first time playing the Taifong Open,” said Suteepat.
“I am excited. It has been a great season for me. I have never thought that I would win three times. It will be superb if I can end the year with a good result this week and win the Order of Merit title.
“But I won’t think too much about it. I have strong competitors here. Playing on the ADT this year has been a great experience for me. I have learned a lot and I hope to bring them on to the Asian Tour next year.”
Suteepat is attempting to become the third Thai player to lift the ADT Order of Merit crown following Pavit Tangkamolprasert (2014) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017), a former winner of the Taifong Open – which is celebrating its seventh edition on the ADT this season.
Chonlatit Chuenboonngam trails compatriot Suteepat by about US$6,619 in second place on the Merit list while Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra, a two-time winner on the ADT this season, sits in third place with a current haul of US$55,619.
GURGAON-INDIA-Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines pictured on Friday November 15, 2019 during the weather affected round one of the USD$ 400.000 Panasonic India Open at the Classic Golf and Country Club, Gurgaon, India. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
Lloyd Jefferson Go of the Philippines, placed sixth on the Merit list, is also playing this week and is looking to finish a strong season with his first ADT win. The 27 year old has notched seven top-10s in nine starts without missing a single cut.
He said: “The game is feeling good. This is my sixth event in-a-row already. I’m excited, we’ll see how it goes. I started playing on the ADT at the OB Golf Invitational in Indonesia in June and I just kept it going from there. Finished 39th last week which wasn’t ideal so I hope to rebound with a good result this week.”
Other notable players in the field include former Asian amateur star and PGA TOUR player Kevin Yu, defending champion Lee Chieh-po, who successfully secured his Asian Tour card for 2023 after finishing in the top-70 on the Order of Merit, as well as local star Chan Shih-chang, a proven winner on the Asian Tour and a three-time winner of the Taifong Open in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
The top-10 finishers on the final OOM after completion of play on Sunday will secure their Asian Tour cards for 2023 season.
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Dodge Kemmer, who narrowly failed to retain his Asian Tour card by one place earlier this month, has a shot at redemption at this week’s Taifong Open – the last event of the season on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), where the top-10 from the final Order of Merit (OOM) will earn playing privileges for the main Tour next season.
Following back-to-back top five finishes in the last two ADT events, both played in Saudi Arabia, he has moved into ninth place on the OOM and needs to play to well when the US$200,000 tournament tees off on Thursday at Taifong Golf Club to salvage the season.
The American has safely navigated the Asian Tour Qualifying School on multiple occasions since making his debut in 2012 but has never kept his card successfully.
He rallied to retain his playing rights this season only to lose it in brutal fashion, having finished one rung outside the top-70 cut-off mark on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, just a mere US$72 short of 70th-placed Miguel Tabuena’s season earnings of US$59,295.
Kemmer, however, has showed grit and determination as he worked his way back through the ADT.
“It was disappointing to miss out on my Asian Tour card in Indonesia a few weeks ago but I am glad I have another opportunity to earn it back now through the ADT. I played well the last two weeks to give myself a better chance coming into this week,” said the 35 year old, who won the Gurugram Challenge in India on the ADT in March.
“The Asian Tour schedule looks great next year but I will try not to think about what the results mean this week. I have had some good results, especially on the ADT. Never had a good result on the Asian Tour but I played solidly so it’s been a good year.”
Indonesia’s Naraajie E. Ramadhanputra, who won on his professional debut at the OB Golf Invitational in June and claimed his second ADT title at the PIF Saudi Open a fortnight ago, is also here looking to end his year on a high note by winning the Merit title.
“It’s been a great start to my professional career. It’s only been six months and I have had two wins already. I’ve learned so much and I’m excited to play on the Asian Tour next year. I will try my best this week and give myself a chance to go for the Order of Merit title,” said the talented 22-year-old.
Naraajie, who sits in third place on the money list with earnings of US$55,619, has partially locked up his Asian Tour card for 2023 as he is unlikely to fall outside of top-10 this week. He is bidding to become the first Indonesian player to top the money list on the ADT.
Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, who claimed a battlefield promotion onto the Asian Tour in September following three brilliant ADT wins and leads the Merit list with a current haul of US$67,948, is also playing this week.
The Taifong Open was inaugurated on the local circuit in 2005 and has been part of the ADT schedule since 2014. It is making a welcome return to the ADT this week after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thailand’s Donlaphatchai Niyomchon won the event when it was last held on the ADT at the end of 2019. Local hotshots Hung Chien-yao and Lee Chieh-po emerged triumphant in 2020 and 2021 respectively when the event was held locally on the domestic circuit.
Other notable past champions of the Taifong Open include proven Asian Tour winners Chan Shih-chang (2010, 2014 and 2018) and Lu Wei-chih (2007) of Chinese Taipei, Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan (2015) and Pannakorn Uthaipas (2017) as well as American Johannes Veerman (2016).
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