Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

shoulders with some of the finest golfers in the world throughout the year,” said Kim, who’s season got even better when he claimed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title later in the year. The American will play on the LIV Golf League in 2023 alongside the Asian Tour’s Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe, who secured his place by winning the International Series Order of Merit. The most successful Asian Tour player in the LIV Golf events was Anirban Lahiri. The 35-year-old Indian, a seven-time champion on the Tour, became the first player from the continent to get an annual contract and started his LIV career in stunning fashion when he finished tied second after losing to American Dustin Johnson in Boston. In just four starts, he amassed US$ 4.226 million (US$2.663 million through individual effort and US$1.562 million through being part of Team Crushers). “I could not have asked for a better start. Finishing second in Boston was huge, and more importantly, I think I created a great bonding with Bryson DeChambeau and the Team Crushers,” said Lahiri. “And that’s the beauty of the team element of LIV Golf. I have been on the PGA Tour for so many years, and I hardly got to know Paul Casey. But I just feel like we have been friends for all these years – all because we are part of the same team and we have spoken over so many dinners and in team meetings. It’s also because I know my teammates Paul, Bryson and Charles (Howell III) expect me to play well and I expect the same from them.” And that’s the beauty of the team element of LIV Golf. I have been on the PGA Tour for so many years, and I hardly got to know Paul Casey. But I just feel like we have been friends for all these years – all because we are part of the same team and we have spoken over so many dinners and in teammeetings. -ANIRBAN LAHIRI Asian Tour members received unrivalled access to the LIV Golf Invitational tournaments. Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Australian Wade Ormsby were ever-present throughout all eight LIV Golf Invitationals, both earning their starts directly via the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Vincent and Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai also participated in all eight of the showpiece gatherings through their performances on the International Series. Other Asian Tour regulars who benefitted from their International Series ranking were Kim, Australian Travis Smyth, South African Ian Snyman and Thai Itthipat Buranatanyarat, all playing in multiple LIV Golf Invitational Series events. Also savouring the opportunity to brush shoulders with some of the biggest names in the game, Australian Kevin Yuan and Indian Viraj Madappa qualified for the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational in England via the International Series England. Phachara Khongwatmai (LEFT) played all eight LIV Golf events in 2022. Players qualified for the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational London via the International Series England (RIGHT). 133 A S I A N T O U R P L AY E R S L I V ’ N T H E D R E A M