The Asian Development Tour (ADT) season will start strongly, and in familiar surrounds, in 2026 at the PKNS Selangor Masters next month.

The distinguished event, which also ushered in the new year on the Asian Tour’s feeder circuit 12 months ago, will be played at Seri Selangor Golf Club, in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, from 11-14 February.

It will also once again be one of the most lucrative on the ADT offering overall prizemoney of US$175,000 – while it will mark the fifth successive season the tournament has been part of the Tour.

Today’s important news means the ADT membership will be able to enjoy a bright and early start to 2026, with an announcement regarding the full ADT schedule to be made soon.

Said Ken Kudo, General Manager, Asian Development Tour: “While the Asian Development Tour often introduces new tournaments in new destinations, we are fortunate to be ably supported by long standing and highly respected events like the PKNS Selangor Masters.

Rahil Gangjee won the tournament in 2024.

“In so many respects the event is the ideal event to start the season. Our members, many of whom aspire to graduate to the Asian Tour, are able to enjoy competing in an established tournament that offers both stature and significance.”

“Once again we thank the Selangor State Government, PKNS and Seri Selangor Golf Club for allowing us to join all the dots and be in position to stage another great tournament.”

Eighty ADT members will be eligible for the tournament, which will feature a maximum field of 144. There will also be 40 places for the Professional Golf Tour of Malaysia, 14 invites from the promoter and 10 ADT invites.

“The PKNS Selangor Masters enjoyed the perfect start last year by commencing the season on the ADT and we are looking forward to a repeat return next month, for one of Malaysia’s premier golf tournaments,” said YB Dato’ Dr. Ahmad Fadzli bin Ahmad Tajuddin, Chairman of the organising committee.

“The tournament plays such an important part in our domestic game and by being sanctioned with the ADT it offers real regional appeal. We have enjoyed five outstanding events since returning from the global pandemic and are excited about this year’s event and what is to follow.”

“Beyond the economic development factors such as sports tourism, this championship also serves as a special platform provided by the Selangor State Government for local professional golfers, where they can compete in an elite professional-level tournament on home soil.”

Thailand’s Tawit Polthai [pictured] triumphed last year, winning by three strokes from veteran Filipino Juvic Pagunsan. Tawit went on to claim the ADT Order of Merit – which sees the top-10 earn Asian Tour cards for the ensuing season.

The Selangor Masters was first staged in 2007 on the local circuit, before being elevated onto the Asian Tour the following year – when Malaysia’s Ben Leong claimed the title.  It was played on the Asian Tour until 2014 before joining the ADT post pandemic.

India’s Rahil Gangjee won the tournament in 2024, following on from Chinese-Taipei’s Ho Yu-cheng and Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin.

Other winners are Australian Rick Kulacz (2009), Angelo Que (2010) of the Philippines and Joonas Granberg (2011) of Finland.

They were followed by the Thai trio of Thaworn Wiratchant (2012), Pariya Junhasavasdikul (2013) and Chapchai Nirat (2014).

In a bold and historic move, the Asian Development Tour (ADT) will welcome the Egyptian Open – one of the oldest golf tournaments in the Middle East – onto its schedule for the first time this year.

The event, which dates back to 1921 and was last played in 2010, will be held from 29 October to 1 November at Madinaty Golf Club [main picture] in New Cairo, with total prizemoney of US$125,000.

The revival of the Egyptian Open is the result of ongoing collaboration between the ADT, Golf Saudi, the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), and the Egyptian Golf Federation (EGF). Earlier this year, these organisations successfully staged two events in Morocco in June, the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech events. Omar Hisham Talaat, President of the EGF, is the driving force behind the tournament’s return.

Ken Kudo, General Manager of the ADT, said: “The Asian Development Tour will connect with history and make a popular return to North Africa this year when it plays an important role in helping to revive the Egyptian Open.

“Our exciting new partnership with the Arab Golf Federation is allowing us to establish several new events in the Arab world and create more playing opportunities in an emerging part of the world for the game of golf.

And now by also joining forces with the Egyptian Golf Federation, we are able to add another exciting new event to our calendar, the historic Egyptian Open.”

The Egyptian Open will be one of the closing events of the ADT season and will feature a field of 132 players. Eighty-five players from the ADT will be eligible along with more than 30 from the Arab region.

Madinaty Golf Club, designed by the world-renowned Robert Trent Jones Jr., has rapidly become one of Egypt’s flagship golfing destinations. The venue has already staged several major tournaments, including the Asian Tour’s International Series Egypt, the MENA Tour / Egyptian Swing Series, the Egyptian Amateur Championship, and the Pan Arab Junior & Ladies Golf Championship.

In recognition of its excellence, the club has been named “Best Golf Course in Egypt” for four consecutive years (2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024) and, in 2024, earned the prestigious title of “Africa’s Best Golf Course” at the World Golf Awards. These accolades highlight Madinaty’s stature as one of the premier golf venues not only in Egypt but across the continent.

The tournament also represents a significant milestone for the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), which is working to create more international tournaments in the Arab world and to build solid pathways for emerging talent. The return of the Egyptian Open will help reignite a proud tradition, reconnect Egypt with its storied golfing history, and enhance its profile on the global golfing map through its inclusion on the ADT.

Omar Hisham Talaat, President of the Egyptian Golf Federation, added: “We’re honoured to welcome back the Egyptian Open after more than a decade – a tournament that holds a proud place in our country’s sporting legacy.

“Hosting this event on the Asian Development Tour demonstrates the Federation’s commitment to elevating golf across Egypt, both as a sport and as an economic catalyst.”

The rebirth of the Egyptian Open is also expected to help pave the way for the launch of a second ADT event in the country the following week, 4 – 7 November. Further details will be confirmed soon.

Both events are part of a four-year deal, featuring a minimum of US$ 125,000.

The Asian Development Tour (ADT) will set course for Vietnam for a second time this season following confirmation that the Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters is back on the schedule.

The US$90,000 event, which enjoyed a successful launch last year and was won by one of the ADT’s brightest young stars, Ahmad Baig [pictured], will return to Royal Long An Golf & Country Club and will be played from 8-10 October.

The club boasts 27-holes designed by six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo and is located about one hours drive southwest of Ho Chi Minh city.

It will be the tenth stop on the calendar for the blossoming circuit that provides a platform to nurture the next generation of Asian Tour stars. A number of other key events are also due to be announced soon to finalise the line-up.

Ken Kudo, General Manager, ADT, said: “We welcome the return of the Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters, which got off to such a great start last year. It’s a new event in a new golfing market that has huge potential and we a truly grateful to be able to work with some great partners in Nam A Bank, the Vietnam Golf Association, VG Events and, of course, Royal Long An Golf & Country Club.

“They have helped lay the foundation for a tournament that can be one of the biggest in the country and make a big impact on professional golf in Vietnam and on the ADT. We look forward to taking the event to a new level this year.”

Seventy-eight players from the ADT will compete, while there will be 48 from the Vietnam Golf Association, with 12 invites.

“Nam A Bank are excited to title sponsor the Vietnam Masters once more, after a strong launch in 2024,” said Mr. Hà Huy Cường, Deputy General Manager of Nam A Bank.

“The tournament is a great property that allows us to meet many of our core objectives. It permits us to reinforce our position in the golfing community while making it possible to be part of a sport that is quickly growing in Vietnam and has an important role to play in our sporting culture. We thank the sanctioning bodies and the outstanding venue for making this possible.”

Said Mr Nguyen Thai Duong, Vice President of the Vietnam Golf Association: “The Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters marks the seventh time since 2022 that the Asian Development Tour has visited Vietnam. This is a strong indication of the progress professional golf is making in our nation, and we truly appreciate the efforts made by the organisers of the Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters for playing their part in this.

“Vietnamese golfers, particularly at amateur level, are starting to make a big impression in the region and with more and more tournaments being played, like the Nam A Vietnam Masters, we will start to see our professional golfers begin to make their mark.”

Added Mr. Tuan Ho, CEO of VG Corp, who are the event delivery agent of this event: “Commercial interest in professional golf in Vietnam continues to grow at a rapid pace with company’s like Nam A Bank seeing the benefit of aligning themselves with the sport.

“The Nam A Bank Vietnam is a brilliant edition to the respective region and local schedules and will no doubt be a huge success this year and build on the event’s many successes from last season.”

Last year, Pakistan’s Baig claimed his second title on the ADT in the space of three months after winning the Nam A Bank Vietnam Masters by one shot from Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin and Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng from Thailand. It was also win number two in Vietnam as his first victory, at the Lexus Challenge, was also in Vietnam.

Baig began the final round five off the lead at Royal Long An Golf & Country Club but charged through with a seven-under-par 65, which he also did at the Lexus event. He made an eagle and three birdies on the front side and later made birdies on the 14^th and 18^th. Much like his earlier win in Vietnam he watched from the clubhouse as, one by one, his pursuers failed to catch him.

Professional panache and amateur enthusiasm will come together once again in the much-anticipated third edition of The Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura – which returns to Gunung Geulis Country Club in Bogor, next week, 10-12 September.

The US$125,000 event is the ninth stop on the 2025 Asian Development Tour (ADT), and will thus provide the thrills and spills that the region’s premier developmental circuit is well-known for. This will be complemented by a concurrent Pro-Am team event, where a professional is paired with an amateur in a best-ball competition for an additional US$25,000 prize purse.

Managed by OB Golf, the 54-hole showpiece will feature 112 professionals and up to a hundred amateurs taking on Gunung Geulis’ East and West courses. 2024 champion Tanapat Pichaikool [main picture] of Thailand is excited about playing in the event again, while enjoying its signature up-tempo atmosphere that includes music amping things up in between starts and during the prize presentation.

“I love everything about the tournament!” said Tanapat – who won by three strokes in last year with a superb 19-under-par total.

“The format is fun and unique, and the most unforgettable moment was the ceremony right after we finished, with the ‘We are the Champions’ song! We are also able to learn from the games and thoughts of the amateur golfers, which gives us another perspective compared to professionals.

Kevin Akbar won the Indonesia Pro-Am in 2023.

“The greens at Gunung Geulis are super challenging and you have to putt well to perform. I was lucky that last year I was able to putt amazingly for all three rounds.”

Tanapat won twice on the ADT last year to finish third on the Order of Merit, securing his Asian Tour card for this season. He has been in solid form recently and is fresh off a top-10 finish at the Asian Tour’s Mandiri Indonesia Open.

“I enjoy playing on the ADT as it’s way more relaxing compared to the Asian Tour. The friendships we make and the fun atmosphere are always things that I treasure. I would love to defend my title. I did defend at the Singha Masters earlier this year on the All Thailand Golf Tour, so I hope to do same thing on the ADT,” he said.

Preceding Tanapat as champion was local star Kevin Akbar, who triumphed by one shot in the inaugural 2023 event for his first professional title.

Michael Wanandi, President Director of Combiphar Group, hopes that Akbar will fly the Indonesian flag high again.

“Since we first got involved in organising ADT tournaments in 2016, we’ve been committed to our mission: ‘Championing a Healthy Tomorrow.’ Combiphar’s big dream in every ADT event has always been to see a local champion rise. That dream finally came true at the debut of The Indonesia Pro-Am Presented by Combiphar and Nomura in 2023, with Kevin Caesario Akbar taking the win,” said Wanandi.

“For us, Kevin’s success is more than just a victory, it’s an inspiration for Indonesian golfers to stay consistent in their pursuit of excellence. Just like we’ve remained committed as a healthcare company, encouraging Indonesians to live healthy and active lifestyles,” he elaborated.

Yohei Akasaki, Managing Director International Wealth Management of Nomura Singapore Limited, stressed that golf is an integral part of their CSR activities.

He explained: “As part of our corporate social responsibility in the field of sports, we are committed to contributing to the development of golf athletes across the region. Through our involvement in the Indonesia Pro-Am, we aim to support the growth of the sport, particularly in Indonesia. Our active participation in ADT events in Indonesia since 2019 reflects our continued dedication to nurturing talent and providing a platform for Asian golfers to progress to the next level. We take pride in being part of the journey and history of emerging golfers in Asia, and we look forward to continuing this support in the years to come.”

In 2023, Akbar teamed up with Gunung Geulis President Director Agung Budiman in the Pro-Am competition. Budiman noted that playing the two courses, both designed by Thomson, Wolveridge and Perret, provides the players with ‘different vibes’.

“Through The Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura, Gunung Geulis always brings fresh challenges and exciting experiences. Players get to enjoy two different vibes as they compete on both the West and East Courses in a single event. It’s the unique twist that makes The Indonesia Pro-Am stand out from other ADT tournaments,” said Budiman.

Ken Kudo, General Manager of the ADT, affirmed the event’s significance as one of the most popular and pivotal events on tour. “Indonesia is one of the favourite destinations for our ADT players, especially The Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura, which is fast becoming an icon of sports and entertainment in the region. With its large prize fund and scheduling in the later part of the season, the championship also plays a huge role in determining who will finish in the top 10 of the final Order of Merit and earn promotion to the Asian Tour in 2026.

“It’s been a privilege and an honour working with OB Golf, Combiphar, Nomura and Gunung Guelis over the last three years, and I look forward to many more years to come.”

Organisers confirmed today the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will once again be staged this season, marking its 10^th edition and cementing its place as the Asian Development Tour’s (ADT) longest-running event.

Returning to Damai Indah Golf (BSD Course), it’s regular home since its inception in 2014, it will be played from 20-23 August and mark the first visit by the ADT to Indonesia this season.

For the third successive year, it will also see its prizemoney increased, with it set to reach US$150,000, up from US$140,000.

Said Ken Kudo, General Manager, ADT: “Appropriately, our first event this year in Indonesia will be the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament – a mainstay of our schedule for over a decade, which continues to play such an important part in our history.

“We thank long-term and trusted partners Ciputra Group and Damai Indah Golf (BSD Course) for their ongoing commitment and for creating a tournament that sets the mark of other events and embodies everything that the ADT represents.”

Liu Yung-hua pictured after winning last year. Picture courtesy of Damai Indah Golf.

It will be the eighth stop on this year’s ADT, the Asian Tour’s flourishing pathway tour, which currently features 11 tournaments – with more due to be announced.

The field size has been increased to 150 this year from 144.  Eighty members from the ADT will be exempt, along with 40 from the PGA Tour of Indonesia. There will be 16 invites from the promoter plus 14 ADT invitations.

Chinese-Taipei’s Liu Yung-hua triumphed last year, meaning that once again the tournament has seen a different nationality win each edition.

Korean star Tom Kim, now riding high on the PGA Tour, where he has won three times, famously claimed the event in 2019. He was only 17 at the time, and in just his second season as a professional.

The other winners are Indian Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (2023), Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai (2022), Miguel Carballo from Argentina (2018), Japan’s Masaru Takahashi (2017), Swede Oscar Zetterwall (2016), Michael Tran of Vietnam (2015) and Scotland’s James Byrne (2014).

Filipino Aidric Chan, with two wins in 2025, currently leads the ADT Order of Merit (OOM). The top-10 on the final OOM secure Asian Tour cards for next year, so he is well placed for a bumper 2026 season.

Main picture: delegates at today’s announcement press conference.

The Asian Development Tour (ADT) will follow in the footsteps of the Asian Tour by staging groundbreaking events in North Africa this year.

Two events in successive weeks, called the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech tournaments, will be played in Morocco’s vibrant and colourful city of Marrakech in June – marking the first time the Asian Tour’s popular secondary circuit has visited the African continent.

Marrakech Samanah Golf Club will host the first Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech event from 19-22 June, while Marrakech Al Maaden Golf Resort will welcome the second one the following week, from 26-29 June.

Both events will offer lucrative purses of US$125,000 and will be jointly sanctioned with the Arab Golf Federation (AGF), as part of a three-year commitment.

They will be part of a pioneering African adventure as they will lead into the International Series Morocco – being played on the Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, in the nation’s capital Rabat, from 3-6 July.

Said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, Asian Tour: “Over the past few years the Asian Tour has regularly visited Morocco, and now the time is right for the Asian Development Tour to make its first visit.

“This is a signature moment and the result of collaborative efforts with key partners, the Hassan II Golf Trophy Association, the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation and the Arab Golf Federation. We share their vision of building the profile of the game in the region in order to help nurture the next generation of professional golfers.

“We’d also like to thank Marrakech Samanah Golf Club and Marrakech Al Maaden Golf Resort. They will be two new wonderful venues for our membership to enjoy in one of the world’s most inspiring cities.

“The Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech events mark the start of an exciting new chapter for the Asian Development Tour that will open the door for some incredible new opportunities.”

Competitors in the two new ADT events will also have the opportunity to play in the International Series Morocco. Invitations will be extended to the two leading players (not otherwise exempt), from an aggregate money list over the two tournaments.

Mustapha Zine, Vice President of the Royal Moroccan Golf Federation, said: “Hosting the Asian Development Tour for the first time marks a new milestone for professional golf in Morocco. Through the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech events, we are not only providing an international competitive platform but also creating a genuine opportunity for our talents to grow and progress.

“The inclusion of two of our courses on the Tour’s official calendar is a strong endorsement of the quality of our infrastructure and our thriving golf ecosystem.

“This initiative is fully aligned with the High Directives of our President, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, who envisions Morocco as a global golf hub – capable of hosting major professional tournaments while fostering the rise of a new generation of Moroccan golfers.”

Each tournament will feature 132 players, with 70 from the ADT, 40 players nominated by the AGF, and several invitees.

While it is the players who make a tournament, it is often the venue that elevates events beyond the ordinary. Story by Jonathan Ponniah.

Laguna Golf Phuket is one such venue. Located on the sunny southern Thai island of Phuket, the golf course forms part of the multi-faceted Laguna Phuket Resort and is one of the most popular destinations on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) as the home of the Singha Laguna Phuket Open, which starts on Thursday.

The event is co-sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour. It boasts a prize fund of THB4 million (approx. US$122,000), and is the fourth stop on the 2025 ADT schedule.

The tournament will bring an exciting mix of the region’s rising talents and globe-trotting journeymen to the sprawling beachside resort, located on a pristine site on the western coast of Phuket bordering the Andaman Sea. While the serious business of competitive golf understandably takes centre stage, the players will also enjoy a five-star experience at the 1,000-acre complex which offers six world-class hotels and a host of leisure activities and dining options.

“We are extremely excited to welcome some of the best professional golfers in the world to test themselves at Laguna Golf Phuket. The golf course preparations have gone well, and we expect conditions to be pristine for the tournament. Off the course, we have also been investing in our facilities, which includes upgrades to our PGA Golf Academy,” said Paul Wilson, Managing Director of Laguna Phuket.

“Aside from our golf course and facilities, there is so much for everyone to enjoy. In my opinion, Laguna Phuket is an unrivalled destination, having multiple hotel resorts, numerous dining options and recreational facilities, all interconnected with our complimentary shuttle buses and boats,” he added.

Wilson stressed that hosting the tournament helps elevate the international profile of Laguna Phuket, especially since the ADT first co-sanctioned the event in 2017. The resort is also one of 13 Asian Tour Destinations venues, an exclusive network of world-class golf facilities with connections to the Asian Tour.

“Hosting the Singha Laguna Phuket Open is extremely important for the overall destination marketing of Laguna Phuket. We are honoured to have partnered with the All Thailand Golf Tour and Singha Corporation for the past nine years with this tournament. Having the event co-sanctioned with Asian Development Tour further enhances the player field and global awareness through the Asian Tour’s extensive network,” noted Wilson.

Ken Kudo, General Manager of the ADT, noted that the players always look forward to the Laguna Phuket experience,

“The players are always excited to play at Laguna Golf Phuket as it offers the complete experience, from a beautiful high-risk, high-reward golf course, to incredible hotels on-site with more dining options than anyone can handle! The resort experience and nearby town reflect what the ADT is about; a small family-like community with friendly faces all around,” said Kudo.

While the course first opened for play in 1993 as the Banyan Tree Golf Club, it underwent an extensive renovation and redesign in 2014 helmed by Canadian architect Paul Jansen. The result is a world-class and memorable layout that not only challenges all levels of players, but is also a visual wonder with scenic waterways, pretty coconut groves and tantalising glimpses of the ocean.

Jansen noted that they added a lot of contours and water hazards to increase the strategic element. “The course can be played both easy and hard, depending on pin and tee locations. Our main goal was to make the course more environmentally sustainable, which we achieved by reducing the maintenance scope and giving the course a greater sense of place,” he said.

Wilson concurred, noting that strategy and decision-making are critical at Laguna Golf Phuket. “There are some exciting risk-reward holes that can offer low scoring opportunities; however, they are closely guarded by various hazards and have well-shaped greens.

“There is a tough start and finish to the course, so players need to be cautious and choose when to be aggressive. In the middle part of the round, holes seven through to 14, there are numerous opportunities to make birdies and eagles – players need to take advantage of this stretch if they want to see their names on the leaderboard,” Wilson advised.

It was Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert who managed the course best last April en route to winning the Singha Laguna Phuket Open by one shot, claiming an unprecedented eighth ADT title. His 72-hole aggregate was 15-under-par, which Wilson expects players to better this year.

“If we experience some showers prior to the event, I expect lower scores as the greens will be slightly softer and easier for the players to hit it close. I think the winning score will be around 18-under-par,” said Wilson.

A par-71 tract for normal play, the Laguna Golf Phuket course will be set up as a par-70 layout of around 7,000 yards for the tournament, with the par-five 7^th hole beefed up to a long par-four.

Laguna Phuket’s Director of Golf, Darren Robson, also expects lower scores this year. “I expect some low scoring with the rough not being as high and the greens in great condition. The greens are expected to run between 10.5 and 11 with a height of cut of 3.9mm, while the fairways will range from 22 to 25 yards wide,” shared Robson.

Whatever the winning score, the Laguna Phuket experience is bound to be a memorable one.

The ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A will return to the Asian Development Tour (ADT) schedule this season, after its highly successful debut last year – and it will be staged at Luisita Golf & Country Club in the Philippines.

The tournament, won last year by Thailand’s Nopparat Panichphol [main picture] after a close finish in Cambodia, will be staged from 16-19 October, with a minimum purse of US$100,000.

It is the eighth stop of the season on the ADT, although more tournaments are due to be unveiled, and it will mark the first time the circuit has visited the archipelago in nearly a decade.

The ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A was launched in order to help both the ADT and The R&A achieve their objectives of nurturing raw talent in the region and discovering the stars of tomorrow.

Said Ken Kudo, General Manager, Asian Development Tour: “The first edition of the ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A provided us with a wonderful opportunity to work with the game’s governing body and it was an unqualified success.

“Like The R&A, the Asian Development Tour works at both developmental and elite level, with the ADT Players Championship presented by The R&A a model tournament that helps provide a pathway from one to the other.

“We thank them for their support and guidance plus we also extend our gratitude to Luisita Golf & Country Club and the National Golf Association of the Philippines for their commitment to making this event a success.”

Luisita Golf & Country Club.

The winner of the event will receive an invite to play in the International Series Philippines, being played the following week, at St. Elena Golf Club, 23-26 October.

The 144-player field will be made up of 80 from the ADT, up to 36 from The R&A, and 20 from the Philippine Golf Tour. There will be six amateurs and two invites from the club – which is located in Tarlac City, Central Luzon.

Phil Anderton, Chief Development Officer at The R&A, said: “Establishing clear development pathways for aspiring golfers to reach their full potential in the sport sits at the heart of what we do at The R&A and reflects our support of the Asian Development Tour. We are pleased to see this event being staged in the Philippines, where golf continues to grow in popularity. Thanks to the efforts of the National Golf Association of the Philippines, they are increasingly becoming an important market in the region.”

The ADT last went to the Philippines in 2016, when Filipino Jay Bayron claimed the Aboitiz Invitational.

Bones Floro, Secretary General, National Golf Association of the Philippines: “We are thrilled to welcome the Asian Development Tour back to the Philippines, offering a world-class stage for rising talent and reaffirming our country’s place on the global golfing map.”

Filipino Aldric Chan, who claimed the Lexus Challenge in Vietnam on the ADT in March: “Having an Asian Development Tour event in the Philippines is one of the best things that can happen to help grow the sport locally. And with the support of The R&A it helps us see the potential that the sport has within our community. A lot of great talent is here in the Philippines that will truly benefit from this tournament.”

Nopparat was victorious last year after a gripping end to the tournament. Playing in the second to last group, a fine round saw him finish with a seven- under-par 65 to take the clubhouse lead on 20-under at Angkor Golf Resort – an Asian Tour Destinations venue. Holding a two-shot lead over the rest of the field only Ahmad Baig was in a position to spoil the party. The Pakistani needed a par on the last to force a play-off, but a bogey dashed his hopes.

The next event on the ADT is the Singha Laguna Phuket Open at Laguna Golf Phuket, 22-25 May. Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert in the defending champion; his win last year taking his tally of titles on the ADT to eight – the most by any on the popular circuit.

The Asian Development Tour (ADT) will return to Thailand’s tropical island of Phuket once again this year, for the Singha Laguna Phuket Open – organisers announced today.

The tournament, won last year by Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert [main picture], will be staged at its regular home, Laguna Golf Phuket, from May 22-25, and boast total prizemoney of THB4million (approximately US$119,000).

It will be the fourth leg on this year’s circuit, mark the seventh successive season it has been an ADT event, and will be the tour’s first visit of the year to Thailand.

“The Singha Laguna Phuket Open is the latest event to be added to our schedule, and we are absolutely delighted to welcome back such an important and popular tournament,” said Ken Kudo, General Manager, Asian Development Tour.

“The tournament has been part of the Asian Development Tour since 2017 and we thank the All Thailand Golf Tour, Singha Corporation and Laguna Golf Phuket for helping to make the tournament such a huge success.”

Laguna Golf Phuket.

The event is jointly sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour – a trusted and long-term partner of the ADT. It is the seventh event to be added to this year’s calendar, with many more to be added soon. Last year 12 events were played, across eight countries, offering total prizemoney of US$1.5million.

“We are thrilled to continue our strategic co-sanctioning partnership with the Asian Development Tour, which represents a significant milestone in our commitment to nurturing professional golf talent across Asia. Under the leadership of Ken Kudo, the ADT has been instrumental in creating meaningful pathways for golfers to elevate their careers and compete at increasingly competitive levels,” said Jakraphong Thongyai, Commissioner, All Thailand Golf Tour.

“Our collaboration is further strengthened by the incredible support of Laguna Phuket, led by their M.D. – Paul Wilson, whose dedication has been crucial in making this tournament not just an event, but a platform for showcasing the extraordinary potential of emerging golf professionals. Together, we are not just hosting a tournament but building a robust ecosystem that supports and propels the dreams of aspiring golfers across the region.”

Last year Pavit held his nerve to win the Singha Laguna Phuket Open by a shot after a magnificent long lag putt on the last hole helped secure a par, holding off a determined group of contenders. It was his eighth victory on the ADT – the most by any on the circuit.

Said Paul Wilson, Managing Director, Laguna Phuket: “Laguna Golf Phuket is delighted to once again host the Singha Laguna Phuket Open. Our valued partnership with the All Thailand Golf Tour enables Laguna Phuket to welcome some of the best professional golfers in Asia and showcase our integrated destination internationally. The addition of the Asian Development Tour as co-sanctioning partner further enhances the tournament, and it promises to be a fantastic spectacle of top-level golf.”

Laguna Golf Phuket is a member of Asian Tour Destinations – an exclusive network of world-class golfing venues with direct ties to the Asian Tour.

Presently, 13 golf clubs ‒ representing the top-tier of golfing properties in Asia ‒ are part of the affiliate network programme.

Last week Aidric Chan of the Philippines clinched his first win on the ADT at the Lexus Challenge in Vietnam. He moved to third on the Merit list after three events behind Thailand’s Tawit Polthai and Filipino Juvic Pagunsan, in first and second respectively.

The Asian Development Tour (ADT) will make a popular and long-awaited return to Pakistan this month for the inaugural ADT Rumanza Open Pakistan.

Boasting prizemoney of US$85,000 it will be held on the Sir Nick Faldo-designed course at Rumanza Golf & Country Club in Multan, a city in Punjab in central Pakistan, from February 19-22.

It will be the second stop of the season on the ADT – which got underway at the PKNS Selangor Masters in Malaysia two weeks ago, where victory went to Thailand’s Tawit Polthai – and marks the first time an ADT event has been played in Pakistan in six years.

Said Ken Kudo, General Manager, ADT: “We have been working on returning to Pakistan for some time now and so we are thrilled to be able to confirm the launch of the ADT Rumanza Open Pakistan.

“It is an exciting new event in a market that offers so much potential, as shown by the emergence of local player Ahmad Baig – a two-time winner on the ADT last year, who now has his Asian Tour card, by virtue of finishing in the top-10 on our circuit’s Order of Merit.

“We are also fortunate to be heading to an outstanding venue in Rumanza Golf & Country Club – a new venue and the first signature course in the country. The tournament is happening very soon as well – a great development for the Tour, its members and golf in Pakistan. We thank Rumanza Golf & Country Club and the Pakistan Golf Federation for their help and support.”

The 132-man field will feature 54 players from the ADT, 50 from the Pakistan Golf Federation, 18 ADT invites and 10 invites from the club.

“With great enthusiasm, the Pakistan Golf Federation continues its commitment to fostering professional golf by hosting another ADT event,” said Lt Gen Qazi Ikram, President, Pakistan Golf Federation.

“This will further showcase Pakistan’s potential as a prime venue for international golf tournaments. Our efforts aim to highlight Pakistan as a premier golf destination while providing local talent a platform to compete internationally. We extend our gratitude to the Asian Tour for their collaboration and to Rumanza Golf & Country Club and DHA Multan for their exceptional support.”

Rumanza Golf & Country Club, scenically exceptional with features 49 eco bunkers, four large lakes, and citrus orchards, was opened to much fanfare in February of 2022 with the Rumanza Inaugural Challenge.

A star-studded team of Graeme McDowell, Charley Hull and Hamza Amin beat a team made up of Rafa Cabrera Bello, Baig and Humna Amjed. Faldo was the guest of honour.

The ADT last visited Pakistan in October of 2019 for the RAYA Pakistan Open. The tournament was won by none other than Korean star Tom Kim, who was 17 at the time. It was the third of his three victories that season that earned him a battlefield promotion to the Asian Tour.

Main picture: Ahmad Baig.