Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

S ihwan Kim was rewarded for a phenomenal season on the Asian Tour by being voted The Players’ Player of the Year by the Tour’s membership, after a final count from an online poll was completed at the end of the year. It was the icing on the cake for the American after a career-defining season and saw him join an elite line up of award winners from 2022. Players voted the PIF Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers as The Tournament of the Year, the International Series Thailand as The International Series Tournament of the Year, and Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo, Egypt, as The Players’ Choice Course of the Year. The US$5 million Saudi event, played at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in February near Jeddah, was the opening tournament of the 2022 season and saw the Asian Tour enjoy one of the most memorable weeks in its history at an event that boasted the strongest field it had ever assembled, playing for one of its most lucrative prize funds. The following month the International Series was launched at the International Series Thailand, played at Black Mountain Golf Club in Hua Hin, where victory went to Kim. Madinaty Golf Club, opened in late 2020 and at the forefront of the Egyptian golf scene, hosted the inaugural International Series Egypt in November – where former amateur star American Andy Ogletree won for the first time as a professional – and its golf course was an instant hit with the players. “I am sure nobody is surprised that Sihwan Kim has been bestowed with one of the Asian Tour’s most important awards, The Players’ Player of the Year Award,” said Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner and CEO, Asian Tour. “This is a mark of true respect as it is voted for by the players, and it is justly served to a player who stayed dedicated and focused, patiently waiting for his time to come.” Kim completed the finest season of his 11-year professional career at the season- ending Indonesian Masters when he wrapped up the Merit title, appropriately on the day he turned 34. “At the Saudi International the Asian Tour got off to the best possible start thanks to a world-class field and global television audience. The whole experience set the benchmark for the Tour and was aspirational,” said Cho. “The International Series Thailand was held soon after and was 143 The Saudi International was voted Tournament of the Year (FAR LEFT). Rooke of the Year Bio Kim (RIGHT). Award winners: Player of year Kim heads roll of honour