Asian Tour Book 2024

Richard T. Lee [pictured] won for the first time in seven years while it was Lee Chieh-po’s [right] first ever victory on the Asian Tour. Lee Chieh-po from Chinese-Taipei finally secured his first win on the Asian Tour after 10 years of trying. The diminutive, dynamic star’s success at the International Series Thailand, where he edged American Peter Uihlein, was one of the most popular wins of the year. In 2024 it was clear that he had made a breakthrough with his game, which became most evident in his final event of the year, the LIV Golf Promotions tournament. Only the winner there counts, earning a place on the multi-million dollar LIV Golf League, and it was Lee who, handling the enormous pressure magnificently, like a world beater, won by two from another Asian Tour star, Taichi Kho from Hong Kong. He becomes the first player from his country to play on the LIV Golf League. The two victories by Uihlein and Thailand’s Suteepat Prateeptienchai, Maguire’s first victory, and Italian Stefano Mazzoli’s impressive first season that saw him become the Asian Tour Rookie of the Year were other standout performances. On the ADT, Itthipat Buranantanyarat from Thailand stole the show by winning the Aramco Invitational to clinch the ADT Order of Merit with an striking victory at the Aramco Invitational. Pakistan’s great hope for the future Ahmad Baig and Indian veteran Rahil Gangjee also exceled with a pair of wins, helping to join a strong line-up of top-10 players from the Merit list who earned their Asian Tour cards for 2025. Their success stories were the result of being able to enjoy playing on two extensive and lucrative schedules. Twenty-one events were played on the Asian Tour and 12 on the ADT. The former boasted a staggering US$31.5million in total prizemoney, helped by a formidable backbone of 10 International Series events, while the latter offered close to US$1.5million. Key partners were well and truly honoured for playing their part. The Black Mountain Championship was voted Tournament of the Year; the Link Hong Kong Open, won The International Series Tournament of the Year; and Al Mouj Golf, venue for the International Series Oman, retained the Player’s Course of the Year accolade. As #TimeToRisemoves into its second year, all will look to be on the ascent once more in 2025. 10