Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

and he kept playing well and applying pressure, so it wasn't easy that's for sure.” It is also important not to forget that his win was made even more impressive by the fact he had to endure the hardship of three days of pre-event COVID-19 mandatory quarantining in a government hotel, followed by trying to function in the tournament ‘bubble’ of hotel, golf club, hotel and so on for seven days. For Lee it was his best finish on the Asian Tour as when he won this event in 2021 the tournament was held solely as a domestic competition – the result of travel restrictions caused by the global pandemic. He said: “I think I did well today. Travis was just too good. I played well in this tough conditions. And my overall 72-hole score is better than my winning score last year so there is some improvement! I am happy with how I played this week. Happy to set a new personal best result on the Asian Tour.” At the halfway point of the event, it was two very different players who captured the headlines: I think I did well today. Travis was just too good. I played well in this tough conditions. And my overall 72-hole score is better than my winning score last year so there is some improvement! I am happy with how I played this week. Happy to set a new personal best result on the Asian Tour. -LEE CHIEH-PO year I’m planning to be in top 10 again in a lot of tournaments, and I’m planning to come back and win again.” Hsieh grabbed much of the attention, and set a global record, after adding a 74 to his opening 69 to reach one under and become the youngest male player to make the cut on one of the game’s main Tours. At 14 years and 33 days old he beat the previous record set by China’s Guan Tian-lang, achieved at the 2013 Masters, when he was 14 years and 169 days. Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond had held the Asian Tour record having made it through to the weekend at the Asian Tour International in 2010, when he was 14 years and 71 days. Said Hsieh, who started playing golf at the age of four and had the benefit of Linkou being his home course: “I started preparing for this tournament after I found out I could play when I won the Yeangder amateur event in June. I have been practising here a lot.” Defending champion Lee Chieh-po (FAR LEFT) pushed Travis Smyth all the way. Wang Wei-hsuan (ABOVE) tied for third. Hsieh Cheng-wei (ABOVE RIGHT), aged 14, became the youngest player to make the cut on one of the world’s main Tours. veteran Chapchai Nirat from Thailand and 14-year- old local amateur Hsieh Cheng-wei. Four-time Asian Tour winner Chapchai, aged 39, proudly announced “my game is back” after firing one of his best tournament rounds for a considerable period, an eight-under-par 64, to take a two-shot lead. The former Golden Boy of Thai golf had been notable by absence for many seasons – the last of his victories on the Asian Tour came in 2014 – but glimpses of his old self were on display when he shifted gear into first place. Sadly, for his many fans, he was unable to maintain that pace over the weekend and eventually ended joint 14th but the signs are there that we may see more of the Thai star in the years ahead. “I’m starting to have some confidence back from the past three events, I’m starting to play a bit better,” he said. “Now I can see myself shooting minus seven or minus eight in a day, so I feel a lot more confident with my new game with this coach now. For the next 101 Y E A N G D E R T P C LI NKOU I NTE RNATI ONA L GO LF AND COUNTRY C LUB | S E PTEMB E R 22-25, 2022 | P R IZE MON E Y US$70 0,0 0 0