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SCMP Sport

Cameron Smith will spearhead the strongest and deepest field in Asian Tour history when the PIF Saudi International gets under way on Thursday.
The Open champion and world No 4 is one of 12 major winners in a tournament that also includes two of the best young amateurs in the game, Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat and Ding Wenyi, and Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung.
Cheung received a late invite after earning his tour card in some style little more than a week ago, when he went 10-under over the last two rounds to finish inside the top 20 at the final stage of Q-school in Thailand.
He had been preparing to play in the Fanling Trophy in Hong Kong before returning to the US, but will now go up against some of the world’s best with US$5 million up for grabs.
On the back of his spat with Rory McIlroy in Dubai, Patrick Reed’s presence at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club is sure to raise the profile of an event that already boasts the likes of Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood.

“The Saudi International regularly has one of the biggest line-ups of the season,” Smith, who finished in tie for fourth last year, said.
“It’s always good to play in a world-class field, I am looking forward to taking on some familiar faces and also competing with the best that the Asian Tour has to offer. I had a great experience at the Royal Greens last year and hopefully I can take it to the next level this year”
As well as eight of the world’s top 50 golfers, including defending champion Harold Varner, the Asian Tour’s finest will also be out in force with all of the top-10 from last season’s Order of Merit taking part.
American Sihwan Kim, who topped the order of merit in 2022, is ready to cross swords once more with those who pushed him closest last year, including Scott Vincent, the Zimbabwean who finished top of the International Series standings.
Also relishing the prospect of squaring off with many of the world’s best is Steve Lewton. The Englishman had the distinction of finishing as the leading Asian Tour member in a share of fourth place at Royal Greens last year.
The strength in depth of the field is further borne out by the appearances of 24-year-old American Andy Ogletree, the 2019 US Amateur champion and winner of last year’s International Series Egypt, 22-year-old Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra, the 2022 LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok winner, and 21-year-old Japanese Taiga Semikawa.
Semikawa turned pro late last year after reaching No 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and winning three successive professional tournaments, including becoming the first amateur to win the Japan Open for 95 years.
His immediate successors in the amateur ranks will go head to head this week too, with 17-year-old Ding, who finished last year in 15th place, and 15-year-old Ratchanon in the field.
Both have enjoyed a successful 12 months, with Ratchanon becoming the youngest male player to win on one of golf’s major tours, claiming victory in the Asian Tour’s Trust Golf Asian Mixed Cup.
Ding also enjoyed a memorable year, highlighted by winning the US Junior Amateur Championship. In the process, he earned a starting spot at the 2023 US Open.


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Asian Tour

Asian Tour: Cameron Smith to head strongest field to date, as Hong Kong’s Cheung gets late Saudi International invite

Cameron Smith heads a strong field at the 2023 PIF Saudi International. Photo: Asian Tour.

Harold Varner will defend his PIF Saudi International title this week. Photo: Asian Tour.

Asian Tour: Hong Kong pair Cheung and Kho earn cards for 2023 season

Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung watches his ball during the fifth round of the final stage of the 2023 Asian Tour Q-school. Photo: Asian Tour.

Hong Kong amateur Taichi Kho waits for a local to clear the first tee during his final round in Hua Hin. Photo: Asian Tour.

Asian Tour: China’s Ye continues to set pace at Q-school final, as Hong Kong’s Kho keeps hopes of gaining card alive

HUA HIN, THAILAND:  China’s Ye Wocheng plays out of a bunker during the final stage of the 2023 Asian Tour Q-school. Photo: Asian Tour.

Hong Kong amateur Taichi Kho discusses a shot with dad Victor during the third round at Lake View Resort and Golf Club. Photo: Asian Tour.

Sport

Golf

Season opener at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club has 12 major winners in field
Matthew Cheung gets invite week after earning Asian Tour card in Thailand


PIF Saudi International season opener at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club has 12 major winners in field.


Asian Tour: Cameron Smith to head strongest field to date, as Hong Kong’s Cheung gets late Saudi International invite

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Season opener at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club has 12 major winners in field Matthew Cheung gets invite week after earning Asian Tour card in Thailand

Season opener at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club has 12 major winners in field

Matthew Cheung gets invite week after earning Asian Tour card in Thailand