ATGT GETS A SHOT IN THE ARM WITH OWGR POINTS
The tour is likely to attract sponsors, star players and that would make it more stronger, writes Kittipong Thongsombat
As the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT) celebrates its 20th anniversary, it could not have asked for a better gift when it was recognised by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR). Starting next January, the winner of an ATGT tournament will get five world ranking points. Another plus is that the top-five players will also get points.
“The All Thailand Golf Tour... will be introduced to the OWGR at a minimum level of five first place points for their tournaments that are played over 72 holes,” the OWGR said in a statement.
The announcement came during this month’s British Open at Carnoustie.
The Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and Japan Golf Tour Oranisation’s Abema Tour also got recognition on the same day.
“I am really happy after hearing the good news,’’ said world No.30 Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who made the cut for the first time at Carnoustie in his fifth appearance at the British Open.
Kiradech, Thailand’s highestranked player at the moment, has won two ATGT titles — the Thongchai Jaidee Foundation event in 2015 and 2017.
The 29-year-old feels grateful to the 20-year-old domestic circuit which, he says, gives young players chances to hone their skills before moving on to the international stage.
“I started my career on the ATGT which helped make me what I am now,” said Kiradech, who is set to become the first Thai to earn a PGA Tour card at the end of this season.
“I am happy that the tour will offer world ranking points. If there is a chance, I will play on the circuit again.”
Two-time ATGT winner Danthai Boonma, who missed the cut in his British Open debut, said he was very excited by the news.
“This is important for its members,” said Danthai, who is 299th in the world.
Since its debut in 1999, the tour has played a vital role in shaping the golf-related industry. With its venues across the country, the tour not just inspires the golfers in the region but also the tourism industry.The everincreasing number of golfers and golf tournaments, both in professional and amateur ones, propels Thailand to be a golf destination in the region.
Apart from Kiradech, all the country’s leading golfers, including Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng and Phachara Khongwatmai, have played on the tour with Prayad winning a record 20 titles.
A world record was registered here in 2013 when Phachara, who as an amateur, won the Singha Hua Hin Open. At the age of 14 years, 2 months and 18 days, he became the youngest winner of a professional golf tournament.
Being mainly supported by Singha from the start, the tour has also worked closely with the likes of Asean PGA and ADT to get their players to battle against the foreign golfers.
Its commitment to develop the sport is further recognised by a huge group of big name European Tour players, who have accepted invitations as honorary members. They include Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts, Thomas Pieters and Thomas Detry, Denmark’s Thorbjorn Olesen and Lucas Bjerregaard, Finland’s Mikko Korhonen and Mikko Ilonen, Alexander Levy of France, Lee Slattery of England, Marcel Siem of Germany and Ricardo Gouveia of Portugal.
Colasaert also played in the tour at the Singha Classic 2015. The latest golfer added to the honorary list is England’s Barry Lane, who is now playing on the senior tour.
“I love coming down to play in Thailand,” said the Englishman during his preparation for the Senior Open.
ATGT’s commissioner Jakraphong Thongyai said that everyone has worked hard to get the nod from the OWGR board and he specially thanked Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour’s chief operating officer for his help.
Jakraphong said that at the heart of the tour’s success is the contribution of the partners who spend considerable time, effort and commitment to promoting the sport. “Without them, success is out of reach,” he said.
Since winning the trust of the OWGR board, the tour is expected to welcome more sponsors and star players and that would definitely make it even more stronger. The tour, which features 12 events a year, will conduct the Singha Championship at the Rayong Green Valley Country Club on Aug 2-5.