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.”

England’s Matt Killen overcame a shaky start in the final round of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, but closed strongly to secure his first professional win with a commanding four shot victory.

With two birdies and two bogeys in the first five holes, Killen (68) had to maintain focus as his overnight lead in the US$150,000 event was quickly under threat from playing partners, compatriot Steve Lewton (72) and Ho Yu-cheng of Chinese Taipei (69).

But a third birdie helped him make the turn at one under for the day, and then it was solid par golf through most of the homeward stretch at Damai Indah’s BSD course. Birdie on 16 and eagle on 18 made sure of the win and the Englishman was left to savour his first victory since turning pro in 2014.

“I don’t really know how I feel right now, to be honest, but obviously I’m happy and pleased to get it done,” he said after his round.

“I had no idea what was happening (on the leaderboard) except for what Steve (Lewton) and Freddie (Ho Yu-cheng) were at in my group, because of the carrying scoreboard. I didn’t know if someone in the other groups had gone low or not, so I just tried not to think about it.

“When I hit it on the green (18) I knew that was probably it. Then, when I got on the green, Robbie (Lewton’s caddie) asked if I wanted to know the score. He said, ‘You’ve got a two-shot lead.’ So at that point I knew I could three-putt and it would still be fine, which actually helped me a little bit on that putt.

“At the start of my career, I never knew if I would win. My first year on the ADT, I played 16 tournaments and missed 15 cuts. Sometimes you wonder if you’re ever going to do it. But I knew I’d been trending well this year, shooting a lot of low scores on various tours, so I knew I was getting close. It’s nice to finally finish it off.

“I definitely started believing in myself more. It’s taken work and time. Overall, I’ve tried to improve my game little by little in all areas, all the time. I’ve never felt my game has gone up and then down — I’ve always felt like I’ve been gradually getting better.

“I can’t pinpoint one specific thing. I feel like I’ve gotten a little bit better at everything. I’ve always felt that my mind is my biggest asset, but one I’ve never really used well. Now I feel like I’m getting better at it. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m improving.

“The goal is to get my Asian Tour card back after losing it last year, so we’ll see where we’re at and go from there. My priority is to play in Asia, and obviously to focus on the Asian Tour to get back there after losing my card last year.

“It’s not just about the win. I still feel like whether I won today or not, it wouldn’t change the way I think about my game and the things I’m working on. But it is a nice validation that I’m doing the right things,” he added.

Thailand’s Tawit Polthai secured second place with a solid 66, putting together a string of birdies and a closing eagle after dropping a shot on the par five fourth hole. His second place prize-money has pushed him to the top of the ADT Order of Merit, where he leads Aidric Chan. Killen’s victory moves him up into third place in the OOM.

In third place, on 20 under par, Angelo Que (64) of the Philippines shared honours with Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin (62), who stormed up the final round standings with a sparkling 10 under par, despite a bogey on the par four 16th.

“Really happy,” he said after his round. “I just enjoy playing here, and don’t think too much. I was really happy with my caddy today because he helped to clear my mind. The hardest birdie was on the last, because that was for 10 under,” he laughed.

“This is my lowest score in a tournament, and also the lowest score over four rounds,” he added. “This tournament has a strong field, many Asian Tour players this week, which gave me a lot of energy and motivation.”

Malaysia’s Shahriffuddin Ariffin pictured in action during the final round of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah’s Bumi Serpong Damai course.

In fifth place, on 19 under par, Charles Porter (65) of the USA shared honours with Thailand’s Kosuke Hamamoto (66), Lewton and fellow-Englishman Ben Jones (66).

First round leader Pep Angles (66) of Spain shared 10th place with Ho and England’s Finlay Mason (65), followed by India’s Ajeetesh Sandhu (66) in solo 12th position. Thirteenth place was shared by Mexico’s Roberto Lebrija (64) and the Malaysian duo of Paul San (67) and Marcus Lim (68).

Action on the ADT now moves a short distance south to Bogor and the Gunung Geulis Country Club for the Indonesia Pro-Am presented by Combiphar and Nomura. This will be is the ninth tournament on the 2025 schedule and will take place from September 1-12.

Main picture: Matt Killen of England pictured with the winner’s trophy following his victory in the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah’s Bumi Serpong Damai course.

England’s Matt Killen applied the pressure in a rain-delayed third round of the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Jakarta today, posting the low round of the day with a bogey-free 64 and securing a two shot lead over the field.

Indonesia’s Peter Gunawan (66) was one of three players similarly blessed with an error-free day, alongside Weerawish Narkprachar (66) of Thailand and Singapore’s Koh Dengshan (66). They were joined in second place by Paul San (66) of Malaysia and England’s Steve Lewton (66).

Shotaro Ban of the USA, a late entrant to the US$150,000 Asian Development Tour event, dropped two shots on his way to a 67, and sits three shots back in joint seventh place with Hoho Yue of Hongkong and the Thai trio of Nirun Sae-ueng, Chonjarem Baramithanaseth and Tawit Polthai.

“Obviously there’s eight birdies which was nice,” said Killen after his round, “but if I was to pick a couple I had a really good up and down on 13 straight after we went back out on the weather delay. I had a 40 yard pitch to quite an awkward pin and I hit a very good shot there.

“Then I hit four iron into the green on the last . You have got to hit a good shot into the last green so it was nice to hit a good shot there,” he added.

With a golden opportunity to secure his first win on the ADT, Killen knows he will have to dig deep to get over the line in the final round, especially with such a strong field.

“I’ll try to do exactly the same,” he said. “I know everyone says it but I’ll just go one shot at a time, add them up at the end and see where it leaves me on the last green.

“A win would be very important obviously in terms of ranking points and where it would put me and just getting that win is something I really want as well, so we’ll leave it at that.”

With tournament winners on both the Asian Tour and the ADT in the field, including former Order of Merit winner Jazz Janewattananond, the second round cut of five under par was the joint lowest cut score on the ADT, matching the 2019 Boonchu Ruangkit Championship.

“The standard is very good,” said Killen. “We’ve got a strong field. The golf course is in good condition so you can hole some putts, which helps the scoring, we have some reachable par fives and a driveable par four which brings the score down a little bit. There’s a good standard of golf out there and people are playing well,” he added.

Peter Gunawan of Indonesia pictured in action at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah’s Bumi Serpong Damai course.

Gunawan, who held the clubhouse low round until bested by Killen, said he made some changes to his game, showing his growing experience with the occasional outing on the Asian Tour.

“I had a whole lot of fun, first and foremost,” he said after his round. “I got off to a pretty good start, I changed up a bit on my strategy, played a little more conservative off the tee, mini driver rather than driver today and the premium of hitting the fairways shows.

“Yesterday I was blasting driver as long as I could with wedges in hand but in the rough it was hard to get close to the hole. I left myself a little bit further out today with the mini driver but because I’m on the short grass it’s a lot easier to control my proximity,” he revealed.

“After playing a few Asian Tour events I realised these guys are playing no-pressure golf and here I am blasting driver on the tightest fairways, making it a lot tougher on myself, so I’m definitely working on making the margins a bit easier for me. “

With Round Three completed, the final round will start on schedule at 6.54am local time, with the leaders teeing it up at 8.30am.

Main picture: Matt Killen of England pictured in action at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah’s Bumi Serpong Damai course.

Marcus Lim of Malaysia reeled off the second of two seven under par 65s in the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament on Thursday, securing a slender lead going into the final rounds at Damai Indah’s Bumi Serpong Damai course outside Jakarta, Indonesia.

With just a single dropped shot in two rounds, he leads the English duo of Matt Killen (65) and Steve Lewton (70) by a single stroke as the US$150,000 Asian Development Tour event got back on track following a rain delay at the close of play.

Half of the field was back out on course early to finish Round One, and although the weather held up, Round Two was also cut short due to darkness at 5.56pm and seven groups completed their rounds after starting at 6.30am. The cut was eventually made at five under par, the lowest on record for the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament and a joint tie for lowest cut on the ADT with the 2019 Boonchu Ruangkit Championship in Thailand.

Despite an impressive array of birdies over two rounds, Lim revealed he came unstuck on the easiest hole on the course, hole six, which is a driveable par four.

“I hit a three wood and blew it right, into the bunker,” he said after his round. “I was trying to play to the centre of the green thirty feet away but I hit it a little hot, went over the green and couldn’t make the up and down.”

“The greens are really slopey and challenging,” he said when asked about the course. “I think they are the biggest defence of this golf course but I managed to place myself on the greens and put myself in good spots. That gave me a lot of birdie looks, and that’s all I can do,“ he added.

“I just played solid, hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens, luckily the putts dropped today and hopefully they will keep dropping for the next few days. There are a lot of tough pins out here. You don’t have to chase every pin, and if I can just give myself looks then I’ll do OK,” he said.

In fourth place, Yu-cheng Ho (66) of Chinese Taipei leads Charles Porter (66) of the USA by a single shot, with Tawit Polthai (67) of Thailand, winner of the PKNS Selangor Masters in January, one shot further back.

Finlay Mason of England pictured in action at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah’s Bumi Serpong Damai course.

Finlay Mason of England is making his debut in Indonesia and showed he’s a fast learner after turning yesterday’s 71 into an early low round of the day today with a nine birdie, one bogey 64.

“I got off to a really hot start,” he said after making it to the clubhouse. “I was four under through five to get my day started and then birdied 18 which was my ninth hole so I was six under through nine.

“Unfortunately I made a three putt on my 10th hole and kind of stalled out a little bit, but I picked up a couple coming home, which was nice,” he added.

Making his fifth start on the ADT, Mason revealed he’s been getting some inside tips from his caddy, a former student of his at Kennesaw University when he was a college coach in the USA between stints as a touring professional.

Meva Schmit, who hails from Bali, has recently turned professional after securing spots on the China LPGA Tour and the WPGA Tour Australasia. And as a former Indonesia Junior Amateur champion and national team player, she’s well-placed to pass on some local knowledge.

“It’s been pretty funny,” said Mason after his round. “At Kennesaw I probably caddied for her for 50% of her rounds so it’s a complete role reversal.

“She’s been great, it’s been good to catch up. I haven’t seen her for a couple of years and she’s been showing me the ropes, what to eat and what to avoid,” he added.

Mason is joined in seventh place on nine under par by a strong group, which includes Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (67) and Gabriele De Barba (66) of Italy, both winners already this season – Baig in Pakistan and De Barba in Taiwan.

Their leaderboard position also includes India’s Khalin Joshi, who pipped Mason for the low round with a 10 birdie, one bogey 63, England’s Ben Jones (66) and the Thai trio of Kosuke Hamamoto (69), Sarut Vongchaisit (67) and Waris Manthorn (66).

Main picture: Marcus Lim of Malaysia pictured in action at the Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament at Damai Indah’s Bumi Serpong Damai course.

Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader Aidric Chan will be aiming to pick up where he left off at this week’s Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament, which marks its landmark 10th anniversary with a bumper prize fund of USD150,000.

Having won his second title of the 2025 ADT season in Morocco in June, the fast-rising Filipino is in confident mood as he prepares for his second professional appearance in Indonesia at Damai Indah’s Jack Nicklaus-designed Bumi Serpong Damai (BSD) Course. A third victory will earn him an automatic and immediate ‘battlefield’ promotion to the Asian Tour.

“I’m definitely aiming for the top spot! I have more confidence in my game now and I want to be a bit more aggressive, so I can get the three-win ADT exemption onto the Asian Tour this year and join the elite list of players who have achieved the feat,” said Chan.

“I’ve played in Indonesia countless times as an amateur, but as a pro this will only be my second time after last year’s Indonesia Pro-Am. I can’t wait to see some familiar faces that I grew up playing with, like Jonathan Wijono,” he added.

Chan joined the paid ranks in early 2024 following four seasons on the U.S. collegiate circuit, playing for the University of Arizona ‘Wildcats’. He had a solid but rather quiet start to his professional career, finishing 14th on the Philippines Golf Tour money list and playing in five ADT events, highlighted by a T2 finish at the BRG Open in Vietnam.

2025 has been anything but quiet for the genial young golfer from Quezon City. In March, Chan showed his affinity for Vietnamese golf by breaking through for his maiden international professional title at the ADT’s Lexus Challenge at The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram. Just a few months later, he soared to the top of the ADT Order of Merit by winning the Morrocco Rising Stars Marrakech at Samanah Golf Club.

Chan credits a more focused mental approach as well as an improved overall game for his speedy climb up the golf hierarchy.

“I’m really fortunate to be in this position so early in my career. A lot has definitely been working well for me this year. The mental aspect has been good, on and off the course. It helps not having any distractions and just really having the focus to succeed,” noted Chan.

“My driver has been really consistent this season and it’s one of the clubs in the bag that people call me out for, along with my putter that has definitely helped me close out those two wins. My approach shots have also been a lot better, thanks to my coach Tony Lascuña who is one of the best players from the Philippines,” he elaborated.

Chan names the legendary Lascuña, winner of more than 30 professional titles including the ADT’s 2014 Aboitiz Invitational, as the biggest influence on his golf career. “Tony has helped me understand my game completely and adapt to scenarios that have allowed me to play my best golf.”

All in all, Chan is enjoying the challenges that come with being a professional golfer.

“Definitely part of the dream! Being on the ADT is a huge opportunity for me and has given me so much confidence, as I get ready for a higher level of competition. There are a lot of talented players in the field and everyone is hungry to win, so staying competitive week in week out is one of the most challenging things on tour,” shared Chan.

Progressing to the Asian Tour is something that Chan says, makes his heart “pump with excitement.”

“I’ve been eying this since I turned pro last year! Thankfully, I was able to capitalize on the opportunities I had, like my first ADT start last year and my first Asian Tour event this year, where I finished second and eighth respectively,” he said.

Marking the tour’s eighth stop and maiden visit to Indonesia this season, the 2025 Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament will feature a field of 150 players made up of 82 from the ADT, 40 from the PGA Tour of Indonesia, and 28 invitations.

Apart from Chan, players to look out for include Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat, the 2024 ADT Order of Merit winner, along with this year’s ADT winners Tawit Polthai and Suradit Yongcharoenchai of Thailand, Ahmad Baig of Pakistan, Gabriele De Barba of Italy and another young Filipino, Carl Jano Corpus.

2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand and reigning Mandiri Indonesia Open champion Steve Lewton of England are also in the mix. Lewton won the national Open last year at Damai Indah’s Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) course.

The Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament is the ADT’s longest-running event and has been played at Damai Indah’s BSD Course since the inaugural 2014 edition, when Scotland’s James Byrne won by three shots.

Almost exactly a year ago, Chinese Taipei’s Liu Yung-hua triumphed by two shots with a 22-under-par total, and is back to defend his title. Prominent past champions include Korean star and three-time PGA Tour winner Tom Kim, who won in 2019 following a playoff with Singapore veteran Mardan Mamat.

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.

Carl Jano Corpus followed in the footsteps of his cousin, Aidric Chan, and became the second Filipino champion in the two weeks the Asian Development Tour has been in Morocco.

The 23-year-old Corpus, who turned pro at the start of the year, won the US$125,000 Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech – Al Maaden Golf Resorts in only his fifth start on the ADT and sixth as a professional. It came a week after Chan won the Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech – Samanah Golf Club.

It also meant that the two cousins will be staying back in the country to take part in next week’s US$2 million International Series Morocco. Corpus, tied ninth at Samanah, topped the aggregate money list from the two back-to-back ADT events, with Chan in second place.

On Sunday at the Kyle Phillips-designed golf course, Corpus edged Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech by one shot after a bogey-free round of seven-under par 65. Settee, the overnight joint leader, also shot a bogey-free round, but his 66 needed at least one more red number on the card to have any chance of stopping the promising Filipino star.

Settee Prakongvech of Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

The San Jose State University alumni finished on 25-under with Settee on 24-under. While it became a two-man battle towards the end, they had to overcome the initial challenge posed by Mexico’s Santiago De la Fuente. The 2024 Latin American Amateur Championship winner broke the course record held by another Mexican – Fernando Lira at the LET Golf Q School event – and Corpus on Saturday. The 11-under 61 gave him solo third place at 22-under.

American Charles Porter (64), Filipino Justin Quiban (65), Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (66), Malaysia’s Marcus Lim (66) and Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool (69) were tied for fourth place at 19-under.

Corpus and Settee both started the final round at 18-under, and it was the 23-year-old Filipino who made the first move with three successive birdies from the second to fourth holes. The 30-year-old Thai then responded with four straight birdies from the sixth to ninth holes, and both players made the turn at 23-under.

On the back nine, Corpus edged ahead with a birdie on the 11th, but Settee caught up once again with a birdie on the par-5 13th. The two players were now locked at 24-under par.

Corpus may have missed his birdie on the 13th, but he delivered what proved to be the knock-out blow on the next par-5 16th hole. He made the birdie as Settee missed his, and that proved to be the difference in the end.

Santiago De la Fuente of Mexico. Picture by Vachira Kalong/Asian Tour

“I started thinking about it yesterday as soon as I finished my round that I could win this thing. And ever since, I have been feeling a lot of pressure on myself. I kept thinking what can I do for tomorrow? Honestly, I haven’t been in this position before. To get it done, it’s such a different experience. It’s something that I hope I can feel again in the near future,” said Corpus, who was 23-under for his last 57 holes with two eagles, 20 birdies and just one bogey.

“I am a champion. That’s something that’s not going to be taken away from me, something that I have until the rest of my life. I am definitely excited about the opportunity to play in an International Series event. It is all about getting the opportunity to play in bigger events, to showcase my talent and to showcase the support that I have back at home, and also here in Morocco with my mom. I am happy to have the opportunity to showcase the hard work that I put in to get here.”

Leading by one on the 18th hole, Corpus hit a great drive and then hit his second to 35 feet. His first putt left him a putt of less than two feet for the win.

“I was shaking at that point. It was like an earthquake because I just could not keep my putter stable. I am glad it went in,” added Corpus.

De la Fuente started his final round with eight birdies in the first nine holes. He cooled down on the back nine, but picked up three more shots to get into Al Maaden Golf Resorts’ history book.

“I played great and hit some very good shots out there. To achieve the course record here at Al Maaden is very unique for me,” said De la Fuente, who secured his best finish as a professional.

The Asian Development Tour takes a break after this and returns with the US$150,000 Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Indonesia’s Damai Indah Golf course from August 20-23.

Watching his cousin brother Aidric Chan win two Asian Development Tour titles this year has been inspirational for Carl Jano Corpus, and the Filipino youngster served notice of his own immense potential by sensationally grabbing a share of the lead on day three of the US$125,000 Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech – Al Maaden Golf Resorts.

The San Jose State University star, who turned professional earlier this year and turns 24 next month, shot a sparkling round of 10-under par 62 at the Kyle Phillips-designed golf course on Saturday. Corpus made a bogey during the round, but more than made up for that solitary mistake with one eagle and nine birdies.

At 18-under par aggregate, Corpus was joined at the top of the leaderboard by overnight co-leader Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech, who shot a bogey-free 65.

Australia’s Darcy Brereton (64), Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool (66) and American Ryoto Furuya (66) were tied for third place at 16-under, two shots behind the leaders.

Settee Prakongvech of Thailand. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

“I didn’t really try anything different today,” said Corpus, who completed the front nine in 29. “Since I was in college, we’ve been focusing on our routines, just focusing on the target. I didn’t think about anything else but to give myself a good opportunity to score. That’s what I did the whole day. And I holed a lot of putts today. The hole looked pretty big to me today, and I could see the breaks.”

The sole bogey on the 11th was more of a mental mistake, where after hitting his drive left, Corpus said he was hoping to get a free relief, but did not get it.

“I just told myself that I was playing well and would not have been seven-under if not for that. I went to the next hole trying to make a birdie again and managed to do just that – holing a 20-footer on the tough par-3,” Corpus added.

Chan, winner of last week’s Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech – Samanah Golf Club and Lexus Challenge in Vietnam in March, is the son of his maternal aunt and the two have virtually grown up together. They lived in the same compound in Manila, had the same coach and even went to the same school. For more than a decade and half, they have been trying to beat each other.

“When I saw Aidrich win Lexus, coming from behind as well, it was so inspiring for me because I have seen him work and put in the effort. That made me check out the small things that I could do to get to get better every single day.

One of those things that I saw with Adrich was his chipping…it was tremendous. It wasn’t like that last year. And then he really put in the hard work, and that inspired me to put in the work as well. I worked especially on my putting, and it was good to see some of that pay off today.”

Settee, looking for his second win on the ADT, made three birdies on the front nine and four on the back.

“It was another good day. Like yesterday, my irons and putter were working well again,” said the 30-year-old from Chonburi.

The champion this week will almost be assured to get one of two invitations up for grabs for the US$2 million International Series Morocco, which will be played from July 3-6.

The two leading players from an aggregate money list from the two Morocco ADT events (not otherwise exempt) will earn the invitations. Chan, winner last week, leads that list, and will be joined by Corpus, if he can pull it off on Sunday.

Thailand’s Settee Prakongvech, playing just a group behind overnight leader Varun Chopra, shot a brilliant round of nine-under par 63 to catch up with the American on top of the leaderboard at the halfway stage of the US$125,000 Morocco Rising Stars Marrakech – Al Maaden Golf Resorts.

A former champion on the Asian Development Tour, Settee made a bogey on the 18th hole – his ninth – but eight birdies and an eagle were good enough to elevate him to 11-under aggregate at the Kyle Phillips-designed golf course and tied for lead with the rock-solid Chopra, who has managed to keep bogeys out of his card for a second straight day in a round of 69.

Japan’s Ryoto Furuya (63), Mexico’s Santiago De la Fuente (69), England’s Ben Jones (67), Thailand’s Tanapat Pichaikool (68) were tied third at 10-under par, while England’s Sam Broadhurst (68) and Sweden’s Filip Lundell (69) were tied seventh one shot further back.

The cut fell at three-under par 141 and 57 players, including two amateurs, made it to the weekend.

Settee, the promising 30-year-old from Chonburi, has won five times in professional circuits, and all his triumphs have come in his home country.  But he has now put himself in a great position going into what promises to be a hot weekend.

“I hit my irons really well today and my putting was very good. I made a few long putts, and I made an eagle, which always helps,” said Settee after his round.

“It was a perfectly played hole (the par-5 fourth). I hit a driver right down the middle, then cut a six-iron to the middle of the green and made the putt from 12 feet.”

Varun Chopra of the USA. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

Chopra, who made so many birdies in his opening round of 64 on Thursday that he could not decide which was his favourite one, picked up only three shots on Friday.

The 24-year-old American, who also co-led the tournament at Samanah at the halfway stage last week, stayed patient after making just one regulation birdie on the par-5 16th and 13 pars after starting from the 10th tee. He was then rewarded with two birdies in his last four holes, including a holed bunker shot on the sixth and a very pleasing closing one on his final hole.

The tall Chopra, who was a very good basketball player in his school days, said: “It was a pretty slow day for me, but I stayed in it and managed to shoot a good score. I had a few birdie chances and did not get them. I made a lot of pars – 15 of them.

“So, I just tried to stay positive and told myself that I was doing all the right things.”

The champion this week will almost be assured to get one of two invitations up for grabs for the US$2 million International Series Morocco, which will be played from July 3-6. The two leading players from an aggregate money list from the two Morocco ADT events (not otherwise exempt) will earn the invitations. Philippines’ Aidric Chan, winner last week, leads that list with India’s Karandeep Kochhar in second place.