A SIAN TOUR
Teen Spirit Major champions and Ryder Cup stars abound in the star-studded field for 4TH SAUDI INTERNATIONAL but watch for a pair of preciously talented teens at the ASIAN TOUR’S $5 MILLION SEASON-OPENER, writes Kent Gray
T
HE SAME WEEKEND Hideki Matsuyama was enriching his reputation as the Emperor of Asian golf with a walkoff, extra-time eagle to win the Sony Open in Hawaii, the coronation of the continent’s next gen was quietly taking place in Singapore. The rise and rise of Joohyung Kim (pictured) continued apace at the Singapore International as the 19-year-old Korean captured his second Asian Tour title with a gritty playoff birdie. Solo third at tricky Tanah Merah Country Club, meanwhile, was Thai phenom Ratchanon Chantananuwat, a 14-year-old who humbly exudes the self-belief of a grizzled tour veteran. Matsuyama, still only 29 himself, understandably hogged the headlines with his eighth PGA Tour title and a second since bringing great honour to Japan by winning the 2021 Masters. In a similar vein, the rock star PGA and DP World Tour players headed to King Abdullah Economic City will undoubtedly draw the majority of attention as the 4th PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers plays out from Feb. 3-6. But don’t be surprised to see the likes of Kim and Chantananuwat feature at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. The occasion – the Asian Tour’s $5 million 2022 season opener with a best in circuit history field including the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Adam Scott and Olympic champion Xander Schauffele- could and probably should get the better of the teens.
photographs by paul lakatos/asian tour
february 2022
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