10 LIV stars to play Asian Tour series event in England
Major winners Patrick Reed and Graeme McDowell will join former world No 1 Lee Westwood at his home course in England, as the Asian Tour’s International Series returns after a summer break in August.
The trio are among a group of 10 from the LIV Golf circuit who will play in the International Series England event on the Colt Course at Close House Golf Club near Newcastle.
Also expected to take part in the US$2 million tournament are the likes of this year’s PIF Saudi International victor Abraham Ancer, and India’s Anirban Lahiri.
“I’ve had the privilege of playing at home in tournament situations before, and there is truly nothing quite like it,” Westwood said. “I’ve been embraced by the people of Northumbria since I set up home there; their passion for sport is unrivalled and the full field will feel that during the tournament week.”
Spain’s Eugenio Chacarra and American Jason Kokrak make International Series returns after playing in the first Asian Tour 2023 event in Oman.
England’s Richard Bland, Brendan Steele of the United States and South Africa’s Dean Burmester will make their debuts.
Signalling the halfway stage of this year’s International Series, the event at Close House will be pivotal for players looking to climb the order of merit, led by the only two-time winner, Andy Ogletree.
There is already fierce competition to finish in the top 32 places come the end of the season.
While the player who finishes top will earn a spot in the 2024 LIV Golf League, the remaining 31 players will secure entry into the LIV Golf Promotions Event, where they will battle it out for one of three more places up for grabs.
Among those leading the charge to dethrone the current No 1 are several of the Asian Tour’s brightest stars, including a quartet of Thai golfers: Gunn Charoenkul, Chonalatit Chuenboonngam, Sadom Kaewkanjan and Phachara Khongwatmai. All currently sit within the top 10 of order of merit and are looking to secure their first International Series wins.