The 24-year-old from Hiroshima carded a six-under 66 for an impressive tournament total of 17-under, with Australian Kevin Yuan and Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand in second place, on the Greg Norman-designed championship course at KN Golf Links.

Yuan also returned a 66, while Jazz, the overnight leader, carded a 71.

Zimbabwean Kieran Vincent is in solo fourth after a 71, four behind the Japanese frontrunner.

This week is Kanaya’s first Asian Tour event since Oman, where he became the maiden player from Japan to win an International Series event and the first from his country to claim an Asian Tour event outside of Japan in 13 years.

“Yeah, I’m feeling so great right now,” said Kanaya, a three-time winner on the Japan Tour, with his most recent coming in 2021 at the Token Homemate Cup.

“Today the greens were very firm and bouncy, the conditions were difficult but still my shots were good, and I was putting really well, so I’ll just keep going tomorrow.

“I’ll do my best tomorrow, just focus shot by shot and just do it.”

Yuan is in the form of his life having made the cut in all eight events on the Asian Tour this season, highlighted by a fifth place finish in the International Series Thailand.

He said: “I’d say the biggest thing would just be improving my ball striking, not shooting too many high numbers when I don’t really have my game together. You know, there’s so many good Asian Tour players, it is always very competitive. So, it gives me a lot of confidence to keep making cuts when I’m not playing my best.

“I felt good out there, like on the driving range I was hitting the shots that I wanted, seeing the ball flights that I wanted, and it continued throughout the round. So, I felt it was a pretty stress free, bogey free round today.”

Yuan has also been seeing the same coach as Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho, Jonathan Wallett. Kho hit the headlines three weeks ago when he triumphed in the World City Championship in Hong Kong.

“Taichi winning has really motivated me to do better because he’s such a good player, just seeing his game and stuff like that,” said the Australian.

“And after Hong Kong, just going back to Australia working on a few things and it’s good to see that I’m also heading in the right direction. John’s been really helpful, like very supportive, whenever I need him he is there. You know, we talk every day, text every day, so it’s been very good.”

The post Formidable Kanaya well placed for second International Series victory in Vietnam appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

But the 2023 opener also raised the curtain on the expanded and enhanced International Series, offering players a combined $2 milion in prize money.

Take a look at which player took home what for a blustery four days of work.

Takumi Kanaya $360,000.00
Berry Henson $173,000.00
Sadom Kaewkanjana $173,000.00
Steve Lewton $100,000.00
Joaquin Niemann $74,300.00
Sergio Garcia $74,300.00
Andy Ogletree $46,750.00
Ryosuke Kinoshita $46,750.00
Matt Jones $46,750.00
Ryo Hisatsune $46,750.00
Bio Kim $33,700.00
Mito Pereira $33,700.00
Miguel Tabuena $28,350.00
Kazuki Higa $28,350.00
Jarin Todd $28,350.00
Jason Kokrak $28,350.00
Hideto Tanihara $22,628.57
Bjorn Hellgren $22,628.57
Yoseop Seo $22,628.57
Scott Vincent $22,628.57
Jazz Janewattananond $22,628.57
Yonggu Shin $22,628.57
Jinichiro Kozuma $22,628.57
Settee Prakongvech $18,500.00
Pavit Tangkamolprasert $18,500.00
Miguel Carballo $18,500.00
Kevin Yuan $18,500.00
Eugenio Chacarra $18,500.00
Lee Chieh-po $18,500.00
S.S.P Chawrasia $15,433.33
Nicholas Fung $15,433.33
Gunn Charoenkul $15,433.33
Travis Smyth $15,433.33
Rashid Khan $15,433.33
Branden Grace $15,433.33
Zhengkai Bai $12,828.57
Jack Thompson $12,828.57
Graeme McDowell $12,828.57
Wade Ormsby $12,828.57
Chase Koepka $12,828.57
Sangmoon Bae $12,828.57
Zach Murray $12,828.57
Ben Campbell $10,055.56
Shiv Kapur $10,055.56
Jyoti Randhawa $10,055.56
Yuki Inamori $10,055.56
Trevor Simsby $10,055.56
Chan Shih-chang $10,055.56
James Piot $10,055.56
Hennie Du Plessis $10,055.56
Carlos Ortiz $10,055.56
Suradit Yongcharoenchai $7,533.33
Siddikur Rahman $7,533.33
Sanghyun Park $7,533.33
Gaganjeet Bhullar $7,533.33
Kieran Vincent $7,533.33
Mikumu Horikawa $7,533.33
Matt Killen $6,700.00
Prom Meesawat $6,700.00
Andrew Dodt $6,300.00
Wocheng Ye $6,300.00
Itthipat Buranatanyarat $5,900.00
Tomoharu Otsuki $5,900.00
Phachara Khongwatmai $5,300.00
Todd Sinnott $5,300.00
Chikkarangappa S $5,300.00
Kyongjun Moon $4,800.00
Terry Pilkadaris $4,400.00
Prayad Marksaeng $4,400.00
Faisal Salhab $4,400.00
Sihwan Kim $4,000.00
Chonlatit Chuenboonngam $3,700.00
Seungtaek Lee $3,700.00
Minkyu Kim $3,400.00
Scott Hend $3,200.00
Honey Baisoya $3,000.00
Yikeun Chang $2,800.00

The post LOOK: Who won what at the Asian Tour International Series Oman appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The Japanese star led at the start of the day by one shot from compatriot Ryo Hisatsune and that is how it finished after they both returned five-under-par 67s.

Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, such an ever-present name on the leaderboard for the past year on the Asian Tour, also shot 67 to sit in third place, three back from the leader.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia and Joaquin Niemann from Chile moved ominously into fourth, four off top spot, after rounds of 68 and 69 respectively.

Kanaya showed why so much is expected of him today with an exceptional round that showed he is comfortable leading from the front.

Enjoying calmer conditions compared with the strong winds of Friday, the 24 year old moved to nine under for the tournament, helped by a brilliant run of four birdies in five holes from the eighth. He made six birdies in total and just one bogey.

Surprisingly he missed a four-foot putt for birdie on 17 and another makeable birdie putt on the last.

“I feel good, it is because this course really suits me,” said Kanaya.

“I am able to play my shots, find the fairways, and find the greens. Will just take it shot by shot tomorrow.”

The Japanese star, with the distinctive golf swing and quick follow through, has won three times on the Japan Tour – the 2019 Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters, as an amateur, the 2020 Dunlop Phoenix and the Token Homemate Cup in 2020 – but is looking for his maiden professional title overseas.

He was one of his country’s most successful amateurs having claimed the 2015 Japan Amateur, the Asia Pacific Amateur in 2018, and the team gold medal at the Asian Games that year. He was also ranked first on the World Amateur Golf Ranking for 55 weeks.

Hisatsune, who is looking for his first big Tour win, is four years younger than Kanaya and looking forward to playing with his decorated compatriot tomorrow.

He said: “Yeah, I so respect my older friend, we’re both Japanese and I’m so happy to play with him.  Yeah, so happy to get both of us playing together and making a lot of birdies.

“Today was great, I feel like I was smart in my game management.”

Sadom was fourth in last week’s season-opening PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers and will no doubt be a threat tomorrow.

“Today was pretty good for me, I hit more fairways than the last two rounds,” said the Thai star, whose last win on the Asian Tour was the Singapore Open at the beginning of last year.

“I missed only one fairway today and I had many chances to make birdie. I played solid and my putting was also good today.

“Today I think it was easier, because yesterday the wind was strong and it was hard to hit the greens. And today I think my putting was much better than yesterday and that was the key.”

Garcia bounced back well today after yesterday’s 76 – which considering the windy conditions was more like par for the course.

“Obviously, today it was windy, but it wasn’t as windy as yesterday,” said Garcia.

“And yesterday a couple of holes kind of killed my round really. Other than that, I felt good. I played nicely today, gave myself a lot of chances. Made some really good putts, some went in, and some lipped out but really happy. It was important to put a good score out there today to have a chance tomorrow.”

A six-time winner on the Asian Tour he is trying to win for the first time on the circuit since the 2018 Singapore Open.

He added: “I don’t know, we will see. It is going to depend a bit on the weather and whether the wind picks up. We will see what the leaders finish tonight, it is looking like I could be two or three shots behind, so it is definitely going to take another good round. Hopefully I can shoot another good one and we will see what happens.”

Two-time Australian Open champion Matt Jones fired a 67 to finish on three under to give himself an outside chance on Sunday.  The Australian is an expert playing in the wind and will hope for it to blow on Sunday.

The post Kanaya on brink of major breakthrough in Oman appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Matt Smith
After a decade-long absence, the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) will return to Amata Springs Country Club in Thailand.

The 13th edition of the AAC will be held at the Chonburi venue from October 27-30, the R&A has announced.

This will be the first time since 2012 that Amata will host the competition, with last year’s tournament being held at Dubai Creek Golf Club in the UAE, in collaboration with the Emirates Golf Federation.

Created in 2009, the AAC was established to further develop amateur golf in the Asia-Pacific region. The champion will receive an invitation to compete in the 2023 US Masters and 151st Open Championship, while the runner(s)-up will gain a place in final qualifying for The Open.

“We look forward to bringing the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship back to Amata and gathering the region’s top players at this exceptional venue once again,” said Taimur Amin, Chairman of the Asian Pacific Golf Confederation, Fred Ridley, Chairman of the Masters Tournament, and Martin Slumbers, Chief Executive of The R&A, in a joint statement.

“This year will be a special opportunity to build on the growth we’ve seen in amateur golf over the last 10 years since the event was last held in Thailand. We are grateful to our hosts in the region as we work together to promote the game’s development and provide pathways for talented amateurs across the Asia-Pacific.”

Notable past competitors include 2021 Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, a two-time winner of the AAC, and Cameron Smith, who won The Players in March and is currently the fourth-ranked player in the world. Collectively, AAC alumni have gone on to win 21 tournaments on the PGA Tour to date.

“We are thrilled to once again host the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship,” said Andrew Yau, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amata Spring Country Club. “Amata Spring is excited to present a challenging test for the best amateur golfers across the Asia-Pacific region.”

The 13th @AAC_golf will return to Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi, Thailand, October 27-30, 2022.

Read more ? https://t.co/FBWnpj9DJs pic.twitter.com/pXyGqbLKCj

— Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (@AAC_Golf) May 11, 2022

Amata Spring Country Club was designed by Lee Schmidt and established in 2005. In addition to previously hosting the AAC in 2012, the course has provided the backdrop for prestigious events such as the LPGA Thailand, the Thailand Golf Championship and the Royal Trophy team event.

“Hosting the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship is a unique opportunity to support the game of golf in Thailand as the talent in our country continues to grow,” said Rungsrid Luxsitanonda, president of the Thailand Golf Association. “We are proud to invite the top amateurs from across the region back to Thailand and Amata Spring and look forward to another exciting edition of the AAC.”

Over the AAC’s 13-year history, the Championship has served as a springboard to some of the world’s top players, including future PGA Tour winners Matsuyama, CT Pan, Smith, Cameron Davis, Lucas Herbert, Si Woo Kim, Satoshi Kodaira and Kyoung-Hoon Lee.

Last November at the Dubai Creek, Japan’s Keita Nakajima came out on top, and Dubai’s own Rayhan Thomas was runner up to Takumi Kanaya in the 2018 edition.

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The post Following on from Dubai Creek success, Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship returns to Amata Springs appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

When even titleholder Graeme McDowell, a popular major champion, struggles for airtime, you know your field is seriously deep. Welcome then, to the 3rd Saudi International and the rise and rise of a Desert Swing juggernaut.

By Kent Gray
With the world No.1, golf’s very own human headline, seven of the world’s top 20 and a plethora of other drawcards besides, the 3rd Saudi International has satisfied its remit even before a ball has been hit at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

There is no guarantee Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and co. will turn up and turn it on (this is golf after all) but that they are turning up in King Abdullah Economic City at all means Golf Saudi’s ambition has been realised again. In spades.

Abu Dhabi has Rolex Series status and $8 million in prize money – more than double Saudi’s $3.5 million purse – in a $1 million increase on last season. Believe the whispers and it could even be co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour next January. Dubai, meanwhile, isn’t going to relinquish its hard-earned reputation as the “Major of the Middle East”, not with that roll call of champions to die for. You can’t buy history. But no one ever said Saudi had to fall in nicely behind its neighbours when it comes to Desert Swing pulling power.

Dustin Johnson at last year’s Saudi International. Ross Kinnaird

“As entries are finalised for our third Saudi International powered by Softbank Investment Advisers, we are very happy with our line-up of international star players as we are stronger in strength and depth than we have ever been,’ said Saudi Golf Federation and Golf Saudi CEO Majed Al Sorour after unveiling Kevin Na, a PGA Tour winner for the fifth time just days earlier, as the event’s latest big-name signing.

RELATED: All you need to know about the three locals teeing it up in this week’s Saudi International

“Our vision is to grow golf across the Kingdom and make it both accessible and enjoyable to all Saudis. So by hosting prestigious tournaments such as these demonstrates that we are able to host the world’s best players as a means of inspiring the next generation of young Saudis and Saudi golfers.

“We are also delighted to have such strong support from all our event sponsors who share our vision in ensuring this tournament is one of the strongest events on the European Tour schedule. Thanks to the support of our partners, we are able to continue to support golf development in the Kingdom, while helping to support their work showcasing Saudi Arabia as a destination for international business development.”

In these pandemic times, spectators will be few and far between at Royal Greens. Luckily the TV product will be spectacular and globally alluring.

Photo by Kevin Murray

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After his Sony Open victory, Na joined 2020 Masters champion Johnson, reigning U.S. Open champion DeChambeau, five-time major winner Phil Mickelson, 2018 Masters champion Patrick Reed and world No.18 Tony Finau in the field for the Feb. 4-7 event.

Sprinkle in the usual European Tour suspects – Rafa Cabrera-Bello, Paul Casey, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton, Martin Kaymer, Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson, Lee Westwood, Bernd Wiesberger and Danny Willett, along with defending champion Graeme McDowell – and Saudi has a field that almost matches a WGC for global quality.

But wait, there’s more. How about Japan’s Takumi Kanaya, the former world amateur No.1 who turned professional in October and immediately underlined his potential by winning the Dunlop Phoenix Masters on the JGTO in only his fourth start as a professional. Or Akshay Bhatia, the 19-year-old American lefty who idolises the one and only “Lefty”, Mickelson.

RELATED: Japanese star Takumi Kanaya headlines impressive Saudi invitee list

Japanese star Takumi Kanaya. Gregory Shamus

Golf Saudi hasn’t forgotten its own with Othman Almulla, Saudi’s pioneering professional, and Saud Al Sharif, the Kingdom’s leading amateur, setting their sights on becoming the first player to make the weekend at their home open.

RELATED: Othman Almulla and Saud Al Sharif will again proudly fly the Saudi flag at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club

There’s even an intriguing amateur narrative with invites for Jordanian teen Shergo Kurdi and Spaniard Eduard Rousaud Sabate, the current world No.4.

“It feels right that we are also supporting so many young international players who look set to be the stars of tomorrow. We hope their experience of Saudi Arabia will be their first of many visits and they will be part of our journey in developing a vibrant and sustainable golfing nation.”

The only question that remains is which big name will join Johnson and McDowell on an honours board that might be new but is quickly making up for lost time with genuine quality.

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The post Royal Rumble III: How the 3rd Saudi International has already met its remit appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

After an agonising wait of more than 10 minutes on the 1st tee as early-morning mist hugged the fairways, the former amateur world No1 started his maiden European Tour round with birdies on his first two holes.

He then overcame a stutter, four bogeys in five holes from the 5th, with a brilliant return to the clubhouse played in four-under par 33 to sign for a two-under 70.

Kanaya is one of the tournament invitees this year, continuing the OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic’s tradition of featuring some of the finest young names in the game each year.

The 22-year-old from Hiroshima possesses a stupendous CV. He first served notice by finishing second in the 2017 Japan Open, a tournament that is regarded by many as tougher than the U.S. Open given how the golf course is set up for the week.

RELATED: Richard Sterne storms to the summit of the quality OMEGA Dubai Desert Classic leaderboard

Kanaya turned professional in October last year after playing in the U.S. Open and also featured in the Masters and the Open Championship in 2019 by virtue of winning the 2018 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship. He also won a title on the Japan Golf Tour (the 2020 Mitsui Sumitomo Visa Taiheiyo Masters) as an amateur and was awarded the 2020 Mark McCormack Medal for occupying the No1 spot on the World Amateur Golf Rankings for 55 weeks.

Within five weeks of joining the paid ranks, Kanaya won the flagship event of the Japan Golf Tour – the Dunlop Phoenix Open – and has made rapid strides to rise to 124th in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).

“I am happy with the start. It looked like things were getting out of my hands in the middle but I am proud of the way I pulled it back,” said Kanaya, who is graduating from Tohoku Fukushi University in March this year. His idol and go-to person for golf and life advise, Matsuyama, is also an alumni there.

“I am very thankful to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic for giving me an invite. I am also playing in Saudi Arabia next week, and then there will be a big gap as I will wait for the JGTO Tour to start in April. So, it is very important for me to do well this week.

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“My immediate goal is to break into the top-100 of the world rankings so that I get to play in the PGA Championship later this year. That’s the only major that I have not played so far in my career, so that would be nice. Of course, if I get into the top-50 somehow before April and make it to Augusta National, that won’t be too bad either.”

His first trip to Dubai has been a bit of a disappointment, but that has nothing to do with his performance on the golf course.

“I had heard so much about Dubai and I wanted to go and see a few places. However, we are in a bubble and we cannot even step out of the hotel. It’s a bit of shame and hopefully, I can come back when things are normal,” said Kanaya.

Iron play and putting are the strongest part of Kanaya’s game but even they could not help him recover from errant drives in the middle of the round.

“I drove very poorly in that stretch. I was in the left rough on the 5th, then right rough in the 6th, then in the right desert on the 8th and right rough on the 9th…all with my drives. The lie on 5th was so bad that I needed to chip out safely,” explained Kanaya, who trains with Australian Gareth Jones, Japan’s National Team coach.

“Thankfully, I managed to sort out my issues with the driver on the back nine. Hopefully, I can do even better tomorrow and get into contention by Sunday afternoon.”

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The post Hideki Matsuyama’s heir apparent has made a steady start to his Desert Classic debut appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

By Joel Beall
Seven amateurs have been added to the 2020 U.S. Open field.

The USGA’s flagship event, which will be comprised solely of exempt players due to the cancellation of local and sectional qualifying in wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, bestowed exemptions to the top seven in the World Amateur Golf Ranking on Wednesday. The seven are Takumi Kanaya, Ricky Castillo, Chun An Yu, Davis Thompson, Eduard Rousaud, Sandy Scott, John Pak.

Kanaya, 22, is the World No. 1 amateur, who won the Asia-Pacific Amateur in 2018 and finished runner-up in the event last year. He also tied for third in December’s Australian Open. Castillo was a first-team All-American at Florida in his freshman campaign, with Thompson also earning first-team honours at Georgia. Scott and Pak both competed in the Walker Cup in 2019. Yu will be playing in his third straight U.S. Open, while Rousaud won two events in Spain this year.

The addition of these seven brings the U.S. Open amateur pool to 13, joining Andy Ogletree and John Augenstein (the 2019 U.S. Amateur champion and runner-up, respectively), Preston Summerhays (U.S. Junior Amateur), Lukas Michel (U.S. Mid-Amateur), Cole Hammer (Mark H. McCormack Medal as the world’s top-ranked amateur in 2019) and James Sugrue (2019 Amateur Championship).

The 120th U.S. Open begins on Sept. 17 at Winged Foot Golf Club West Course in Mamaroneck, N.Y. Gary Woodland is the defending champ.

The post USGA adds seven amateurs to 2020 U.S. Open field appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

The 18-year-old Dubai star isn’t grumbling after a sensational run to joint second place at the 10th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Singapore on Sunday.

It’s the best performance by an Indian at an event ranked among the world’s top five amateur tournaments and earns the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club member a start in the qualifying series for the next year’s 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

But Thomas was left to rue a four-over-par opening round of 74 at Sentosa Golf Club’s new Tanjong course on Thursday. He went on to play the final 54 holes in -15 with rounds of 64-65-66 to eventually finish -11 with a 269 aggregate.

Consider that the winner, Japanese 20-year-old Takumi Kanaya, won with a -13 total to earn exemptions to next year’s U.S. Masters, the Open and the 124th (British) Amateur Championship.

Still, Thomas is the toast of Middle East golf after getting within a shot of the lead on Sunday at Sentosa before settling for second with Kanaya’s countryman Keita Nakajima.

The silver medal is the biggest result of Thomas’ career and earns him a place in one of the Open Championship’s qualifying series events of his choice, among them the Australian Open, Joburg Open, SMBC Singapore Open or the Gateway to The Open Mizuno Open.

The top-five finish also guarantees Thomas a start in next year’s Asia Pacific Amateur Championship in Shanghai during a year where he’ll further his golf education in the U.S. at Oklahoma State, the university where Rickie Fowler honed his game.

“I’m pretty proud. It’s been a good week,” Thomas said in the understatement of the day.

“I mean the four-over start wasn’t good but I was able to pull it together and have a good last three rounds. Birdie on 12 put me in a place where I thought I maybe could just about grab it but I think Takumi’s in a good spot, he’s not going to do anything wrong. But it’s good to know I was in contention.”

The result is also a further nod to Thomas’ coach Justin Parsons and the MENA Tour, the developmental circuit on which the teen created history as the first amateur winner at his home Dubai Creek Open in 2016 as well as a joint world record for successive birdies in a pro event in his defence of the event in September last year.

David Spencer, a strategic advisor to the MENA Tour, led the chorus of online applause to Thomas’ performance.

We are all so proud @RayhanThomas and your SILVER MEDAL @AAC_Golf ! A massive moment for Indian Golf and for your legion of fans, friends, & Family in #MyDubai who were cheering you on today!!!You are an amazing young person!!! @theMENATour @rejwilliams @BUAMIMMj @OMEGAGolfDubai

— David Spencer (@thestripegroup) October 7, 2018

How about getting a doff of the cap from the son of Butch Harmon:

Still remember this kid, beyond proud of him! pic.twitter.com/x1B3MlKX83

— Claude Harmon III (@claudeharmonIII) October 7, 2018

Joy Chakravarty was on hand at Sentosa G.C. to enjoy the biggest moment from the region’s best performing amateur:

Such a proud moment for Indian golf – @RayhanThomas with the silver medal at the @AAC_Golf! pic.twitter.com/4RLn4Rq1tN

— Joy Chakravarty (@TheJoyofGolf) October 7, 2018

This from his coach, Parsons:

Great playing in the Asia Pacific from Rayhan Thomas- what a comeback after a bad start. #butchharmondubai #golfinstruction #titleist #golfswing #golf @ Dubai, United Arab Emirates https://t.co/K8oqDfAeXh

— Justin Parsons (@JParsonsGolf) October 7, 2018

Thomas not only did the Emirates Golf Federation region proud as this tweet from India highlights:

Congratulations to Rayhan on this fantastic silver medal . Great show and you have made all of India very proud. Best wishes for your very bright future.

— IndianGolfUnion (@IndianGolfUnion) October 7, 2018

The post Thomas eyes the 148th Open Championship at Royal Portrush after sensational run to joint second at Asia-Pacific Amateur appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.