Asian Tour Book 2024

first prize cheque for US$221,231 for his maiden Asian Tour victory and third Korean PGA Tour success. Three shots behind pace-setting compatriot Junghwan Lee heading into the final round, Kim stormed through on the back nine with three birdies in a row from 13 and another on 17 to set the clubhouse target at 10-under 274. Chonlatit, playing in the last group, held a one-shot lead with three holes to play but made an expensive bogey on the Hongtaek Kim [far left] celebrates his maiden title on the Asian Tour. For Richard T. Lee [left] bogeys on 16 and 18 proved costly. par-five 16th. He courageously holed par- saving putts on 17 and 18, both from about eight feet, signing for a 71 to match Kim’s total and extend the 43rd staging of the event into overtime. Chonlatit, who led at the half-way mark following a stunning second-round 62 which included eagles at two of the par- fours, was trying to become the first Thai to have his name inscribed on the trophy and the first foreigner to win the event since American Mark Calcavecchia in 2004. “It was very hard today,” said the 25-year-old, who also lost in a sudden- death play-off against Australian Wade Ormsby at the International Series Thailand at the beginning of 2023. “Everything was hard. I was constantly trying to keep my grips dry, but I’m still very happy with the tournament. I had some good luck in the other rounds.” Canadian Richard T. Lee closed with a 71 to finish alone in third place, two shots shy of the play-off. “It was tough today with the rain and the conditions, so I’m actually pleased. I had a lot of good looks, but the putts just didn’t drop,” said the two-time winner on the Asian Tour, who frustratingly made bogeys on 16 and 18. “I hit the putts that I wanted to, but they just didn’t fall in. I guess next time I’ll make sure I get a little bit more luck,” added Lee, who’s finished second twice and third on three occasions since the Asian Tour returned from the Covid-19 pandemic. Joint second here in 2023, Junghwan Lee struggled to a closing 75 that saw him fall into a share of fourth place with fellow- Koreans Yubin Jang and Taehoon Ok. For Order of Merit leader John Catlin, it was a rare off week. Bidding for a record- setting third consecutive win on the Asian Tour, the American made an impressive start to his opening round, coasting to three-under with three to play, without a blemish on his card. But he proceeded to bogey the final three holes for an even-par 71 which he followed with a 74 to miss the half-way cut for the first time in 2024. There was also a surprise early exit for Korean Bio Kim, a Namseoul specialist who began the week with his sights set on becoming the first player to win this event three times. Although he improved on his opening 75 by six strokes on day two, he fell one shot shy of making the cut. 59 GS CA LT EX MA EK Y UNG OPEN GOL F CHAMP IONSH I P N AM S EO U L CO U N T RY C L U B MAY 2 - 5 2 0 2 4 | P R I Z E MON E Y: K RW 1 , 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 ( A P P ROX I MAT E LY U S $ 8 9 2 , 0 0 0 )