Written by: Anjali Mishra 

 

The Asian Tour has suffered more than any other professional golf tour as a result of Covid-19, but they are back this week for their third event after a 20-month hiatus with two major tours - The Singapore International and SMBC Singapore Open.

 

The Singapore International is a new event on the schedule, but it'll receive a lot of attention because it'll be held on one of Singapore's best courses.

 

 Phachara Khongwatmai, while hitting the shot

 

The opportunity to simply tee up is a welcome one for the players, and the chance to see Tanah Merah Country Club's rebuilt Tampines course is a source of curiosity for local and foreign fans alike.This tournament is the first of a two-week Singapore swing, culminating in the season-ending SMBC Singapore Open at Sentosa Golf Club next week.

 

While the club is no stranger to hosting professional events, this week marks a first for the recently revamped Tampines layout with the majority of top tier events previously played on the facility’s Garden Course.

 

Some of the Asian Tour's greatest stars are in the field, as well as some up-and-coming local players who made a name for themselves on the area's smaller development tours during the pandemic.

 

At the top end, Order of Merit leader Wade Ormsby and fellow DP World Tour members Jazz Janewattananond and Shubankar Sharma will rightly attract plenty of attention.

 

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond

 

Also, There is particular interest in Thai players Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai, the top two on the All Thailand Pro Tour Order of Merit last year. Khongwatmai won the second event back at Laguna Phuket in November and there will be much interest in his form outside his home country this week. Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and Gavin Green from Malaysia are back in action this week after a much-needed break following a long and grueling 2021 that left them both exhausted.

 

As Order of Merit leader, Ormsby would seem Australia’s best chance though Travis Smyth showed signs of good form at the back end of 2021. Smyth is now ranked 20th on the Order of Merit, and the top 30 finishers will qualify for the lucrative 2023 season start in Saudi Arabia in two weeks, so expect a strong showing this week.