File photo of International Series England winner and RangeGoats GC member Peter Uihlein of the US. Image courtesy asiantour.com.
By Rahul Banerji
International Series England champion Peter Uihlein heads a strong LIV Golf contingent as the Series makes two stops in Thailand for back-to-back tournaments on the Asian Tour calendar.
First up is the Black Mountain Championship from October 17 to 20 where the RangeGoats GC star will compete alongside Kieran Vincent of Legion XIII plus Jinichiro Kozuma and Scott Vincent from Iron Heads GC.
They then head to Thai Country Club in Bangkok for the International Series Thailand, from October 24 to 27, the Asian Tour website said.
They will be joined by Fireballs GC youngster Eugenio Chacarra, 2022 LIV Golf Bangkok champion and an International Series winner last year at the St Andrews Bay Championship.
South African Branden Grace of Stinger GC, Danny Lee of Iron Heads GC and Sam Horsfield of Majesticks GC are the other LIV Golf stars joining the field for the Bangkok event.
Rankings leader John Catlin, International Series Macau presented by Wynn winner, is also in the field for both events alongside nearest challenger Ben Campbell, who beat the American in a play-off at International Series Morocco.
Also in the field is Australian Wade Ormsby, last year’s International Series Thailand champion at Black Mountain Golf Club.
All three were alternates to cover for injury to the LIV Golf roster, and Catlin in particular caught the eye with a T7 at LIV Golf Nashville in June while representing Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC.
Good run
Uihlein is heading to Thailand with good form behind him having taken a maiden victory on both the Asian Tour and The International Series at Foxhills Club & Resort in Surrey, England.
He is eager to maintain that winning streak on return to Thailand for the first time since 2022, where he secured a top-20 finish at the LIV Golf Invitational Bangkok.
The former world amateur no. 1 said he expected competition to be fierce.
“There’s plenty of talent, really good players, and I think they just haven’t really had as big a platform to showcase their skills.
“The International Series helps, knowing these guys and seeing the quality of their game go to a different level. The International Series is just going to continue to keep growing and getting better, and I think you’ll start seeing more talent be recognised.”
Aside from the race for the LIV Golf League spot, Uihlein believes the Series plays an important role in player development.
“Playing a global schedule is beneficial long term. Being able to play different types of courses, different types of grass, different cultures, really enhances your ability to play quality golf around the world.
Broader scope
“Getting outside of Asia and going into Africa and Europe has been great for the Asian Tour and The International Series, and it’s only continued to keep getting better and better.”
The two events herald a six-tournament stretch over eight weeks, with the overall rankings champion ultimately claiming a spot on the LIV Golf League for the 2025 season.
A number of high-ranking players will also earn places on the season-ending LIV Golf Promotions event which last year yielded three additional places on the roster.
International Series head Rahul Singh, said: “With six events left on the calendar, we have two-thirds of the season’s rankings points and $US 15.5 million in prize purses still available.
“There is an opportunity for anyone to make a move, and we are delighted that this thrilling conclusion gets started with two tournaments in the heartlands of Asian golf.”
Also read: Hatton wins his third Alfred Dunhill Links trophy at St Andrews
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