THAILAND DOUBLE HEADER
The International Series doubles up in Thailand with back-to-back events to complete calendar.
In an exciting first for The International Series two of Thailand’s most prestigious golf clubs will host back-to-back events in October. The Black Mountain Championship will take place at Black Mountain Golf Club from 17-20 October, with International Series Thailand following a week later at Thai Country Club from 24-27 October.
They will be the fifth and sixth events respectively on The International Series – 10 upper- tier tournaments on the Asian Tour that provide a pathway onto the LIV Golf League. With US$2 million purses for both tournaments, the total prize fund for the 2024 season of The International Series is now a huge US$23.5 million.
HUA HIN, THAILAND: Wade Ormsby of Australia pictured with the winner’s trophy on Sunday March 12, 2023, during Round Four of the International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachuap Khiri Khan, Thailand. The US$ 2 million Asian Tour tournament is being held between March 9-12, 2023. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The news also means that the final six tournaments will be played in an eight-week stretch offering vital rankings points and $US15.5 million for a thrilling conclusion to the season.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Returning to Thailand, a true heartland for the Asian Tour, for a third consecutive year is an important statement on our schedule. It highlights the enduring appeal of the brand in traditional Asian golf markets as we continue to diversify into new markets.”
This will be the inaugural edition of the Black Mountain Championship – although Black Mountain Golf Club, in Hua Hin, has been a regular Asian Tour venue for the past 15 years having hosted seven events since 2009, including the past two International Series Thailand tournaments.
Wade Ormsby and America’s Sihwan Kim (both pictured) won the 2023 and 2022 International Seris Thailand tournaments respectively.
Thai Country Club, in Bangkok, has also enjoyed a long-term relationship with the Asian Tour having hosted multiple events, including the 1997 Asian Honda Classic, won by Tiger Woods, the Volvo Masters four times, and the Thailand Open, on three occasions. The Asian Tour was last there in 2019 for the Thailand Open when John Catlin triumphed after a sudden-death play-off.
HUA HIN-THAILAND- Sihwan Kim of the USA pictured with the winner’s trophy on Thursday March 6, 2022 after the final round of The International Series Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club, Prachaubkhirikhan, Thailand. The US$ 1.5 million Asian Tour event is staged between March 3 – 6, 2022. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.
The Thailand dates follow on from tournaments in Oman, Macau, Morocco and England, and slot into a three-week run that continues with the Indonesian Masters from 31 October to 3 November. Another three-week swing will conclude the season, with the Hong Kong Open taking place on 21-24 November, followed by International Series Qatar from 27-30 November and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers rounding off the season from 4-7 December.
The $US5million Saudi event is the season finale for both Asian Tour and The International Series, and big names from the LIV Golf League roster including double major winner Dustin Johnson, 2022 Open champion Cameron Smith and defending champion Abraham Ancer, are already confirmed.
The event has added significance this season, as The International Series Rankings champion and the Asian Tour Order of Merit winner will both be crowned as those season-long races conclude at Riyadh Golf Club.
The International Series Rankings champion will gain automatic entry onto the LIV Golf League for the 2025 season, while over 30 of the top- ranked players will also be eligible for entry into the LIV Golf Promotions event. Last season, a further three players qualified for the LIV Golf League at that innovative event.
