A recent Inside Golf reader competition, coupled with articles I’ve either written or edited in the
past 12 months relating to golf in Asia, brings fond memories flooding back from my time playing and traveling throughout the region in the mid to late 1990’s. 

Every week was a unique experience, with different countries and their distinct cultures, while more often than not we played on quality golf courses, against elite competition. 

It was a period in my life I’ll never forget, a time which broadened my horizons and opened my eyes to a whole new world, not only as a golfer, but for someone who had led a relatively sheltered existence, knowing little about Asia and what it was all about.  

My Asian golf experience began with a flight to Bangkok, a trip to Hau Hin and a successful tilt at a qualifying school, one which allowed me to join what was then called the Omega Asian Tour. 

The Omega Tour was an ambitious project, a breakaway organisation to one that had previously existed, which had been run and administered by an American named John Benda who worked with the various local golfing bodies. With a couple of smart people and investors in charge and with the assistance of a few heavy hitters from around Asian golf, the Omega Tour was born and the new entity succeeded in becoming the premier professional circuit in the region. 

We played almost everywhere, from the traditional destinations to emerging golfing nations. The Tour would visit Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Korea, India, Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Dubai, the Philippines, Macau, even Myanmar and Pakistan, and I’ve likely forgotten a few. Probably the places where I didn’t play well!! 

And the local players were world class, the world at the time just didn’t know about them, while most had little ambition to try their luck in the US or Europe. 

KJ Choi dominated in Asia before he headed for the US, however there were a collection of exceptional players who never ventured further afield. Kang Wook Soon, a Taiwanese professional won everything for probably a two-year period, a stocky little Thai named Prayad Marksaeng was super impressive and there was another golfer from Thailand, Thaworn Wiratchant, who won multiple events, over a number of years, with what would be best described as an unorthodox swing. I still to this day don’t know how he did it, produced the scores he did, but he definitely beat me on more occasions than I beat him.  

Plenty of Australians also cut their teeth on the Asian Tour, John Sendan, Greg Chalmers played a couple of seasons before heading for the US and the PGA TOUR, Scott Hend before he carved out a career in Europe, Robert Allenby was an occasional visitor during his prime, just to name a few. Good times, good golf and if you played well enough you could make a decent living. 

So then, what is this editorial all about? Firstly to congratulate our prize winner, Greg Slocum from Hawthorn, Victoria who has won a trip for two, including round trip flights, accommodation and golf at a couple of Kuala Lumpur’s premier courses. Recently retired, Greg is a regular at Morack Public Golf course in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. His 25-word response in our Win a Golfing Trip To Malaysia competition must have done the trick, with Tourism Malaysian choosing Greg as the winner and while he has previously played golf in Asia, to say he was excited to be going back again is an understatement. Well done Greg, and we hope you enjoy your prize. 

Secondly, I’m here to say I am very envious. Asian golf has come a long way since I was travelling and playing throughout the region. More Asian golfers are now on the world stage, particularly regarding women’s golf where they are a dominant force. 

Added to that, the game has become increasingly popular in the region, there has been a surge in demand from locals and visiting golfers alike and as a result numerous big name professionals and best in the business course designers have, and are continuing to, put their names to new projects. 

All of the above considered, I read through the editorials for Asian golf and consider the possibilities of returning to experience the courses on offer, albeit for fun these days rather than as a way of earning a dollar. Maybe you should too. 

Australian golf is obviously in great shape, the game is accessible, our courses outstanding wherever you want to play, therefore far be it from me to discourage anyone from venturing to a regional area or maybe interstate to tackle a new golfing destination. 

However, for something a little out of the ordinary, maybe think about packing the clubs and booking a golfing vacation in Asia. Every chance you won’t be disappointed if you do. 

The post Golf in Asia. Why not?  first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

ESTABLISHED stars, a sprinkling of international talent and a crop of young guns ready to make their mark all adds up to an exciting summer of golf. 

Jason Day is heading home to Queensland to play his first tournament on Australian soil since 2017 when he contests the BMW PGA Championship, where he will be joined by the likes of Cam Smith, Lucas Herbert, Marc Leishman and defending champ Min Woo Lee, before a stellar field is then set to assemble in Melbourne for the ISPS Handa Australian Open at the Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club’s. 

Prior to competing in the two Aussie ‘majors’, Smith and Herbert will be in the field for the NSW Open at the Murray Downs Golf and Country Club, while Smith will also play the Queensland PGA to kick off his Australasian Tour season. Herbert has committed to compete at the Webex Players Series Murray River event at Cobram Barooga early in 2025. 

“The support of players like Cam and Lucas for the Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia is tremendous and will help to bring added attention to the amazing group of players contesting 19 events across the season,” PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman said.

South African Ashleigh Buhai and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann will also be in Melbourne to defend their Australian Open titles, with Hannah Green to headline the field at the women’s Open.

The post Stars set to shine during the Australian summer of golf  first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

JUST weeks after confirming her participation in the upcoming ISPS Handa Australian Women’s Open, Hannah Green has claimed her third LPGA Tour title in 2024 with a victory at the BMW Ladies Championship in Korea. 

In a tournament played at the Seowon Valley Country Club, Green birdied the difficult 17th hole in posting a 19-under par total, holding off Frenchwoman Celine Boutier to win by one shot. 

The event boasted a stellar field including eight of the LPGA Tour’s top 10 ranked players and 17 of the 18 tournament winners from 2024. 

Following a win in South Korea, her third on the LPGA Tour in 2024, Hannah Green is heading home to compete in the Australian Women’s Open.

“Obviously it’s difficult to win tournaments, but I think having experienced it and having confidence on the right side of things, it makes it easier,” Green said. 

“But don’t get me wrong, I was still really nervous playing those last three holes.”

The win saw Green become the first Australian woman since Karrie Webb in 2006 to win three LPGA Tour events in the same year. She can now look forward to returning home and to trying to claim a maiden Australian Open title.  

“I’ve come close a couple of times and hopefully this is the year I can get my hands on the trophy,” Green said.

Green will be joined in the field at the Australian Open by two-time defending champion Ashleigh Buhai and young Australians Gabriela Ruffels, Stephanie Kyriacou and Grace Kim.

The post Hannah’s coming home…..with a third LPGA Tour title in 2024 first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

PGA Australia has announced its post-Christmas Tour schedule, with four Webex Players Series events, where the men and women compete together, amongst the eight events planned. 

The brother-sister combination of Minjee and Min Woo Lee host the opening tournament of 2025 at the Royal Freemantle Golf Club, while the 2024-2025 tour schedule concludes with two events in Victoria, the first at The Heritage Golf and Country Club, the second to be played on the Old Course at The National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula. 

All tournaments are to be televised on Foxtel, Kayo and on Sky Sport NZ.

2024/25 CHALLENGER PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA 2025 DATES

January 11 – 12
Webex Players Series Perth hosted by Minjee and Min Woo Lee – Royal Freemantle Golf Club

January 23 – 26
Webex Players Series Victoria – Rosebud Country Club

February 1 – 2
Webex Players Series Murray River in honour of Jarrod Lyle – Cobram Barooga Golf Club

February 8 – 9
Tournament TBC

February 22-23
Webex Players Series Sydney – Castle Hill Country Club

February 27 – March 2
NZ Open presented by Sky Sport – Millbrook Resort

March 22 – 23
Heritage Classic – The Heritage Golf and Country Club

March 29 – 30
The National Tournament – The National Golf Club, Old Course

The post Post Christmas Challenger Australasian Tour schedule released  first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

US PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has reached out to young Aussie golfer Jeffrey Guan who was released from the Sydney Eye Hospital in early October after being struck by an errant golf ball during a pro-am tournament on the NSW south coast.

The freak accident occurred at a pro-am in Bateman’s Bay and just a week after the 20-year-old had made his PGA Tour debut in September at the Fortinet Championship in California.

Despite being released from hospital and also no longer under constant medical supervision, there remains “no clear timeline” for Guan’s recovery.

And the long-term prognosis remained uncertain as this issue of Inside Golf went to press.

The golf-related organisations – Golf Australia, Golf NSW and the PGA of Australia – continue to maintain close daily contact with Guan’s family, offering support as they navigate the challenges ahead.

Aussie journalist Bernie McGuire catches up with Jay Monahan at St Andrews.

Monahan was approached by renowned Australian-born and occasional Inside Golf correspondent Bernie McGuire at St Andrews during the recent Dunhill Links Championship where Monahan was making his first appearance as a player.

“I heard the terrible news about Jeffrey and obviously our thoughts are with him and his family at this very difficult time,” said Monahan.

“It was such an unfortunate situation and we say our prayers and reassure Jeffrey that the Tour will be there for him on his road to recovery.

“I am aware the leading golf bodies in Australia are doing all they can for Jeffrey, with some of their officials present last week in Canada at the Presidents Cup where I managed to spend time with them.

“So, Jeffrey is very much in our thoughts.”

The post Thoughts with Guan following freak accident  first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

RORY McIlroy is heading Down Under.

But don’t get too excited because the four-time major champion is going to bypass Australia and head for New Zealand in the next few weeks.

It will be the first time in his professional career that McIlroy has headed to the Shaky Isles.

And sadly for golf fans the Irish star won’t be teeing it up in any New Zealand-sanctioned Tour event.

The world No 3 will instead join a handful of close friends playing some of New Zealand’s world-renowned golfing gems.

“I’m going to join some good friends and play some of the great golf courses of New Zealand such as Tara Iti, Kauri Cliffs and great courses like those,” McIlroy told Inside Golf’s European Tour correspondent Bernie McGuire while playing in the recent Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns in Scotland.

“I have a friend who owns a house in New Zealand, so he is organising us to be there for five days.

“It’s going to be nice playing golf down there and just hanging out at the end of the year.”

Rory McIlroy, competing at the recent Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland, is planning a golfing vacation down under.  

This will be the first time McIlroy has taken his golf clubs to New Zealand as a professional.

In 2006, when he was just 18, a young amateur McIlroy was a member of the winning European Team that played the Sir Michael Bonallack Trophy at the host Auckland Golf Club.

Among McIlroy’s victorious team-mates that year were Scotland’s Richie Ramsay, Dutchman Joost Luiten and England’s Oliver ‘Mr.59’ Fisher.

McIlroy’s return to New Zealand will mark the close of a busy year for the 35-year-old, who will have played 27 regular DP World Tour and US PGA Tour events.  

He was planning to wind-up formal competition just prior to his New Zealand golfing holiday by teaming with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in a made-for-TV match against LIV stars Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka in Las Vegas.

“It’s been a busy year with the Dunhill being my 25th tournament, while the Abu Dhabi HSBC and the following week’s DP World Tour Championship will be my 26th and 27th of my year,” he said.

“I’ve then still a bit going-on as I have that match in Vegas later in November and will then look forward to going to New Zealand.

“I will still be keeping busy these next few months but I’m already looking forward to doing other things that I am interested in and spending time doing other stuff.”

The post Rory to enjoy a New Zealand golfing vacation  first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

THERE was wind, torrential rain and a determined challenge from his two closest pursuers on the final day, however it was Elvis Smylie who prevailed, the 22-year-old winning his first professional tournament with a victory at the Bowra & O’Dea Nexus Advisernet WA Open played at the Mandurah Country Club. 

Heavy rain over the closing holes, coupled with wind gusts exceeding 50kph, meant Smylie had to fight hard for his win, the Queensland lefty hitting a sublime approach shot on the first playoff hole to beat South Australian Jak Carter. 

The pair had finished level on 19-under par at what was the 100th year of the WA Open, one shot clear of Perth native Curtis Luck. 

Smylie shot rounds of 67-64-65-69 around the par-71 layout, while Carter opened with a tournament low 62 on Thursday and took a one stoke lead into the final round. 

At the first extra hole when Carter, who made a spectacular birdie of his own on the 72nd hole to force the tie, bogeyed after finding the trees off the tee, it was Smylie’s wedge shot to within a metre which saw him come out on top and collect the $31,500 winner’s cheque.  

Elvis Smylie battled atrocious weather conditions on the final day to take out the 100th WA Open. 

“It means absolutely everything,” Smylie said. “I’ve been busting my backside out here for the last three years and to be able to get my first win, it means absolutely everything.” 

Speaking of the shot that sealed his victory, Smylie says he turned to a gap wedge that was responsible for another memorable moment a day earlier. 

 “I actually used the exact same club that I used on 16 in the third round to hole-out with. So definitely have some good vibes with the 50-degree wedge at the moment,” he said.

“Hit a nice low flighted wedge shot and I’m not sure exactly where it landed. It’s an elevated green, but obviously hit it to about two foot and really nice to knock it in and notch my first win that way.”

Coming off a third-place finish at the WA PGA Championship the week prior, Smylie takes over the top spot on the Order of Merit.

Sixteen-year-old West Australian Ollie Marsh was the low amateur, finishing the tournament tied for 25th in taking home the Terry Gale Cup, while NSW golfer Lochie Smith made it back-to-back wins in the All Abilities championship.

The post Elvis all smiles after WA Open win first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

Australian Amateur Champion Quinn Croker has made the jump into the professional ranks. 

AUSSIE young guns Jasper Stubbs, Quinn Croker and Phoenix Campbell have turned professional after competing in the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Japan in early October.

The trio were part of a seven-strong Australian contingent at the Asia-Pacific, won by China’s Wenyi Ding, who shot four consecutive rounds of 67, for a 12-under par total, in gaining redemption after being beaten in a playoff by Stubbs in the same event when played at Royal Melbourne 12-months ago. 

As for the Australians, while none were able to mount a serious challenge at the Taiheiyo Club Gotemba in Japan, with Campbell the best placed 10-shots behind the winner, all three will take strong amateur records into the professional ranks. 

Campbell, who finished his amateur career with a tie for 34th at the Japan Open at Tokyo Golf Club the week following the Asia Pacific, took up the two-year exemption available to him courtesy of his win at the Queensland PGA Championship last year. The Victorian’s debut as a pro came at the 100th WA Open where he made the 36-hiole cut before finishing in a tie for 52nd.

Stubbs, 32nd in defence of his Asia Pacific title, became the first to play as a professional when he teed it up at Kalgoorlie at the WA PGA, missing the 36-hole cut, while Croker, the reigning Australian and Queensland Amateur champion, travelled to the US in mid-October, where he was successful in winning his way through the first stage of Korn Ferry Tour Qualifying School in Florida. 

Croker earned Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia membership by winning the Future Tour category last season. His first Australasian event as a professional was scheduled to be at the Webex Players Series South Australia in Willunga.

The 2025 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship will be played in Dubai from October 23-26.

The post Aussie young guns enter the professional ranks  first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.

Metropolitan’s venerated teaching professional, Brian Twite, is now 98 years old and as such the oldest living player who took part in the 1951 Open Championship at Royal Portrush in County Antrum, Northern Ireland. It was the first time the event had been played outside Scotland or England.

Metro members led by Damian Quirk, eager to take their beloved professional to next year’s Open at Royal Portrush, alerted the R&A to the fact that Twite was perhaps the oldest living player in that first Open. Naturally, the game’s governing body quickly responded by inviting Twite to next year’s championship as their guest.

Twite, who arrived at Metro as a young teaching professional from Sunningdale in 1955 was still giving the odd lesson or two at the club until recently coming down with a kidney illness.

“I’ve accepted the invitation which arrived six weeks ago from the R&A and it was very nice of Damian and the members to do all they could to get me there. I still have a few months to get well and hopefully be able to go.”

Twite still remembers his appearance in the Open 73 years ago.

Revered Metropolitan GC teaching professional, Brian Twite, now 98 years old, will return to Royal Portrush as the oldest living player to have competed at the 1951 Open Championship.

“I was 24 and played with the Scottish international Eric Broun. He was a train driver before he turned golf professional. Before we hit off he said to me, ’Brian, remember you have to play around the wind, here, don’t fight it.’

“That’s what I did and played well from tee to green. Unfortunately, I had 36 putts on the first day and 37 during the second round for two rounds of 81 and missed the cut. Broun, had a total of 53 putts on the first two days and easily made the cut.

“The greens were very undulating and if you picked the wrong undulation, even from as little as two feet away, you could end up 10 feet past the hole, worse off than you were with your approach shot.”

Flamboyant Englishman Max Faulkner – he was a natty dresser for the conservative times – won the event in 1951 after being runner-up twice in the Irish Open at Portrush.

Such was Faulkner’s confidence, rumour had it that the evening before the final two rounds he was signing autographs and adding ‘Open Champion 1951.’

A more accurate tale came to the fore after the victory, that this had simply been acceding to a request from a fan to add the title to the signature he was giving to his young son.

Or maybe it could have been an embellishment at the time by Faulkner’s  ‘ghost’ writer for a London newspaper – a fresh-faced Ian Wooldridge.

The post Twite returns to Portrush – 73 years on first appeared on Inside Golf. Australia's Most-Read Golf Magazine as named by Australian Golfers - FREE.