McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, triumphed in the shootout with fellow LIV Golf star Patrick Reed and Andy Ogletree, the latest name confirmed on the LIV Golf roster after securing his place by being crowned the Order of Merit champion on The International Series for the 2023 season.

Hole In One rooftop challenge island pictured at the Wynn Palace hotel on 13 November, 2023

The trio were shooting it out in a fun nearest-the-pin competition from the Wynn Palace rooftop, 28 floors high, aiming at a floating pontoon par-three green 197 yards away in the hotel lake. Despite some windy conditions, McDowell fired a 7 iron to within just inches of the flag for the nearest of the pin.

The activation was held ahead of a press conference at the Wynn Palace to announce the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, which will take place from 14-17 March 2024 at the Macau Golf & Country Club – a new destination on The International Series schedule. It is the first International Series event to be confirmed for 2024.

McDowell said: “That was fun, it’s always enjoyable to have a bit of a challenge and banter. And what a stunning setting for a nearest the pin. It’s been a wonderful couple of days, I do love coming to this part of the world and this hotel is exceptional. The players on next year’s International Macau are in for a real treat, and their presence will help to further develop golf in the region.”

Images: Asian Tour

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The four-day tournament marks the region of Macau’s debut on The International Series, a set of 10 elevated events introduced on the Asian Tour through a landmark $300m investment with LIV Golf.

The high-profile tournament raises the stakes for golf in Macau and the region, drawing leading LIV Golf players and Major winners alike and signifying the Asian Tour’s increasing prestige on the global stage.

Golfing superstars including five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka, 2022 Champion Golfer of the Year Cam Smith, and 2017 Masters champion Sergio Garcia have graced The International Series stage throughout the season, an example of the significant star power regularly competing with the cream of the Asian Tour in high-profile events across Asia, Middle East, and UK.

A special press conference to announce the partnership and date was held at the Wynn Macau, with 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed, 2010 US Open champion Graeme McDowell and Andy Ogletree, The International Series 2023 Order of Merit champion all in attendance after a fun activation where they targeted a floating green from an elevated tee box on the Wynn Macau rooftop.

Ms. Linda Chen, President and Vice Chairman of the Board of Wynn Macau Limited, said: “We are proud to sponsor the very first International Series Macau, part of a new elite tier of sporting events and entertaining offerings in Asia. This world-class golf tournament underscores our commitment to supporting the Macao SAR Government’s ‘1+4’ diversification development strategy, growing the sports industry, and strengthening the city’s position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”

Andy Ogletree, Graeme McDowell and Patrick Reed on a rooftop during the announcement of the International Series Macau Presented by Wynn.

Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “The International Series offers a dynamic platform with a proven track record for attracting big names. I would like to express my gratitude to Wynn Macau for allowing us to break new ground here, helping the Asian Tour and LIV Golf continue to develop what is now becoming the highest-level golf tournament series in Asia.”

Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour, warmly welcomed the tournament to Macau, and said: “We are truly excited The International Series will visit Macau for the first time in 2024. The Tour has visited Macau with regularity over the past two decades and today’s announcement is a tremendous development for golf in Macau’s burgeoning Greater Bay Area. The Asian Tour looks forward to working with Wynn Macau in helping to bring world-class golf to the area.”

International Series Macau is set to be an integral part of The International Series’ third season and ranks among one of the most elite international sporting events to take place in Macau. This top-tier golf tournament is a true testament of Wynn’s continued commitment toward elevating Macau’s position in the global sports arena and offering diversified experiences to visitors from around the world on an unprecedented level.

Graeme McDowell prepares to hit from the teebox on floor 28 of the Wynn Palace hotel, on his way to winning the Hole In One rooftop challenge in Macau.

Reed said: “Being a worldwide player is something that has always been important to me.  It is one of the reasons I joined LIV Golf and why I enjoy playing The International Series events on the Asian Tour. It’s exciting to come to new places to grow the game and to make golf a truly global sport.

“Macau is a stunning setting and an ideal destination for the International Series. From a player perspective it is a great addition to the calendar where you get to play world-class golf against a quality field while staying at the Wynn Palace, one of the finest luxury resort hotels in Macau.”

McDowell, who currently plays on the LIV Golf League and regularly participates in events on The International Series, said: “I’ve always enjoyed coming to this part of the world, and I think Macau has all the makings of a wonderful tournament venue.

“The hotel is exceptional, and I look forward to playing tournament golf in front of the knowledgeable golf fans of the region. The International Series is a perfect fit for Macau as golf in China continues to develop.”

Andy Ogletree, Patrick Reed and Graeme McDowell line up shots on a teebox located on the rooftop of the Wynn Palace hotel in Macau.

Ogletree, a two-time winner on The International Series already this season with victories in Qatar and England, said: “I have played in many wonderful venues already on The International Series, and from my experience at the Wynn Macau, this is going to be a must-attend tournament next season.

“There is obviously real demand and great golf here, and this is a market that is only going to grow. Bringing some of the world’s best players next season can only help to cement Macau’s place on the international golfing market.”

Images: Asian Tour

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The tournament’s marquee player, ranked No. 46 in the world, hit crushing drives and holed putt after putt to card an eight-under-par 63 for an astonishing four-round aggregate of 30-under — a new tournament record and two short of the Asian Tour record, although preferred lies were played on the first two days.

Thailand’s Poom Saksansin also fired a 63, like Lee bogey-free, and finished second after a fascinating final day duel between the big-hitting Australian and the tenacious Thai golfer, hoping to replicate one of his giant-killing acts of the past.

Lee started the day with a two-shot lead over Poom and the margin was the same at the turn after both players pulled away from the field playing brilliant golf with four birdies apiece.

The turning point proved to be the par-five 13th, where Lee opened up a four-stroke cushion after he made an eagle, for the second day in row, against Poom’s par.

A wild drive a long way left on the short par-four 15th by Lee gave Poom a glimmer of hope, but his ball stayed away from trouble. He had a clear shot to the green and was able to avert disaster and make a comfortable par.

Predictably Poom refused to submit and made birdies on the next two holes to close the gap to two before they both made four on the par-five 18th.

“I love it,” said 25-year-old Lee, who opened with rounds of 62, 64 and 65. “As soon as the week started I had a couple of days rest because of the typhoon, and the course was looking amazing from the beginning. Obviously, it was pretty bad for a couple of days there, so it was props to the green keepers for keeping the course in such good condition.

“And yeah, I played wonderful, really flawless golf for a lot of the holes, there was only a few holes that I could really look back on. But yeah, I’m really proud of the way I handled myself.”

Lee’s score smashed the event’s previous lowest winning total of 20-under, set by Australian Scott Hend in 2015 and was just two short of the Asian Tour record, which Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat set at the Sail Open in 2009, at the Classic Golf and Country Club in India, when he finished 32-under-par.

Said Lee, who only had two bogeys all week and earned a cheque for $180,000: “Poom played unbelievable today. He never left, he just stayed around. I tried my best and ended up on top, but he was giving it to me for the whole time.”

It is his first victory since claiming the Scottish Open in July of 2021 and while he was winning in Macau, his sister and two-time Major winner Minjee Lee tied for 12th in the Buick LPGA Shanghai.

Main image: Asian Tour

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His 16-under-par total at Macau Golf and Country Club is the lowest two-round total in the event and was fuelled by 15 birdies and an eagle.

Poom Saksansin is in second place, his purple patch continuing as he carded a 62, while Korean Jaewoong Eom, also enjoying a good run of form, is third, four off the lead, following a 65, with compatriot Meenwhee Kim, who fired a 66.

Lee barely put a foot wrong again in his debut appearance in a full-field event on the Asian Tour.

He began the day sharing top spot with Scotsman David Drysdale but accelerated away from the pack with five birdies on the front, and two on the back.

“Flawless golf today,” said Lee, who missed numerous birdie opportunities including a four-footer on the last.

“I played really good, didn’t get myself in too much trouble and the last two days have been probably the lowest two days I’ve ever played. So, it’s been fun.”

He is attempting to win his first title in two years, with the most recent being the Scottish Open in 2021.

At the start of the week, he warned that he’s playing well and that his game is trending in the right direction – something very evident by the fact he has an impressive total of eight top-15 finishes this season with a best finish of joint second – and he has been true to his word, dropping just one shot over the two days.

He added: “I feel like I have really good control over the ball, and I’ve been putting well, so if the drives are still on, I think I’m gonna try go low again. I haven’t tried to play passive, I’ve just been trying to play aggressive and it’s nice to make a lot of birdies.”

The previous lowest score after two days had been Australian David Gleeson’s total of 14 under back in 2008.

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