The Cobra Course – Challenge Vs. Opportunity
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
At most tour events there are a few key holes that have the possibility to make or break a round, scoring wise and mentally. Holes that can prove pivotal to a win or top finish on Sunday afternoons if they are managed successfully or mean a missed opportunity if not executed well.
They can be risk/reward type of holes such as reachable par-4’s or par-5’s where eagles and birdies can be had, but with trouble waiting for errant shots bringing bogeys or worse into play. They can also be difficult holes where par is a good score that players will have to navigate safely to keep a good round going.
At Saujana Golf and Country Club’s Palm Course, also nicknamed the Cobra, holes number 2, 13, 17 and 18 has been key to victory in the last two editions of the Maybank Championship:
KEY HOLES
- Hole 2*: A long 493-yard par-4 and the hardest hole on the course, playing to an average score of 4.265, or 0.265 over par the last two years. Only one eagle and 31 birdies were made on this hole in 2017/2018, but 232 bogeys, 31 doubles and 8 triple bogeys or worse. It has proven to be the most difficult green to hit in regulation, with a GIR percentage of only 45.63%. (*This hole was played as number 9 in 2017)
- Hole 13: The shortest par-5 on the Palm course playing only 523 yards on the card, and downhill as well. Should be reachable in two for most if not all players in the field, assuming they find the fairway off the tee. There is water to be found in front of and right of the green, so hitting the fairway will be key in order to go for the green on the second shot. Only 46.79% of players found this fairway off the tee in 2017/2018, but those who do should have an excellent chance for a birdie or better. The hole has played to an average of 4.735 or 0.265 under par with 14 eagles and 340 birdies made, but also 10 doubles and 4 triple bogeys or worse.
- Hole 17: This dogleg left hole is the shortest par-4 on the course and reachable off the tee for long hitters. An aggressive tee shot also brings a lot of trouble into play with out-of-bounds to the right and water on the left, so virtually all players elect to lay up and have a wedge left to the green for a low risk birdie chance instead. The average score on the 17th was 3.775 or 0.255 under par in 2017/2018, with 2 eagles and 301 birdies made, but also 17 doubles and 2 triple bogeys and worse.
- Hole 18: The final hole on the course has played as the third easiest hole in the last two Maybank Championships, and offers up a chance of a grandstand finish for a player needing some last-minute heroics. At 569 yards dogleg right and slightly uphill, players will need to drive the ball in the left side of the fairway to have a clear shot at going for this green in two. Anything right of center of the fairway will require a cut around the palm trees to get to the green, or a layup to a good yardage for the third shot. It has played to an average score of 4.685 or 0.315 under par with 8 eagles and 336 birdies made, but also 5 doubles.
View from the 18th fairway
ANALYSIS
Saujana GCC’s Palm course offers players some good birdie opportunities on the back nine coming down the stretch on Sunday, and in both the last two years we have seen low-scoring come from behind victories. India’s Shubhankar Sharma won the 2018 edition with a closing 10-under-par 62 from four shots back, and Fabrizio Zanotti from Paraguay won with a 9-under-par 63 coming from six behind in 2017.
Sharma won the Maybank Championship in 2018 by playing these key holes in 8-under-par for the week, a 50% birdie average, while his closest pursuer Jorge Campillo navigated them in 5-under par.
Although both players birdied number 17 and 18 to finish their rounds on Sunday, Campillo only managed a par on the very reachable par-5 13th hole where he missed the fairway off the tee.
Zanotti’s key hole route to victory was similar in that he played them in 8-under-par vs. 5-under-par for his closest challenger David Lipsky, but also very different.
The Paraguayan played the difficult second hole (then ninth hole) in 2-under-par for the week, a gain of just over three shots vs. the field average, and three shots less than Lipsky.
It should also be noted that Zanotti indeed had the grandstand finish that can be had at Saujana, making an eagle three on 18 after also making a birdie on the penultimate 71st hole.
A walk down memory lane with three-time Asian Tour champion and golf commentator Anthony Kang, who tamed the Cobra course at the Saujana Golf and Country Club for his career’s biggest victory 10 years ago.
By Anthony Kang
I stood on the tenth tee of Saujana Golf and Country Club with a two stroke lead just past 1:30 PM on Sunday, February 15, 2009 with an overwhelming conviction that I was going to win the Maybank Malaysian Open. Like a fanatic, a radical, or an extremist, I could not be convinced out of my belief. I turned my head 90 degrees to the right to look at the 18th green, the hospitality marquee, and the crowd standing behind the ropes and I was positive, without question, that I would walk off that green as the champion.
A little over two hours later I arrived at the right half of the 18th fairway, a dog leg right par 5, where my tee ball sat 260 yards away from the front edge of the green. Tied for the lead at -16, I endured a decision as I waited for the group ahead to clear the green … lay up or go for the green.
From the right half of the fairway on this hole, which bends right, a direct line to the green was non-existent. The ball had to start at least 15 yards to the left of the left border of the green and it had to cut. If the ball took off even one yard to the right, it would clatter into the trees immediately ahead and leave me with a third shot in excess of 200 yards, at best, or no shot to the green at all. Miss the green to the left because the ball did not cut and I am left with a down hill chip with a severe curve from left to right, like standing at the top of a spiral staircase, out of the thick and gluey rough. Over-cut the ball and rows of dense palm trees, extending the entire length of the hole on the right, await to catch my ball. A baseball coach would be proud of how many balls those palm trees nab out of the sky.
The most serious concern, however, was the cross bunker in the center of the fairway just 15 yards shy of the green, which left a 50 yard bunker shot to the hole … no man’s land. 245 yards was the carry distance to clear the bunker but a light breeze was against me. The carry distance of my three wood, a 14 degree Ping G10 at the time, was 255 yards … Can I fly the ball at least 245 yards into this breeze?
Attempt to go for the green and bogey was a definite possibility just as much as a birdie. Lay up and I saw no birdie, just par.
The intensity of my conviction, that I will win, had never been this high prior to this moment, or since for that matter. In that situation of anxiety, with adrenaline pumping though my body ferociously and a rapid beating heart, as if I ran from the tee to the ball in the fairway, I asked myself a question internally. ‘When will I have a chance to hit a shot like this?’ No answer was necessary. I did not want look back to this moment and regret not hitting that shot. I needed to hit that shot.
A 50 yard bunker shot on a peaceful afternoon at my home course is an unpleasant experience. A 50 yard bunker shot at the final hole of a major tournament with title implications, the scrutinizing attention, and the ceaseless pressure could be an excruciating one. Much like standing naked on the stage in a sold out theater, I would be completely exposed. That was the risk I had to take if I was going to win and there was no other way.
Fast forward ten years to now and I play tournaments sparingly, am a part of the broadcast team during live Asian Tour events, and have written a couple of articles for the Asian Tour website. If I were asked on that Sunday in Malaysia ‘where do you see yourself in 10 years?’ my answer would be ‘playing the PGA Tour and getting ready for The Champions Tour.’ The thought of an ineffective golf game was not fathomable, TV commentary was never on my radar, and writing articles was not in my universe.
The reality is, my golf game is not competitive and my past golf is easily brighter than my future golf but I am still a part of the organisation that has provided myself an abundance … the Asian Tour.
Perhaps because I hit that shot, I was afforded the opportunity to sit next to Dom Boulet, the ‘Voice’ of Asian Golf and a man I consider my mentor, and Richard Kaufman, who possesses a remarkably diligent work ethic which I try to emulate. Working with them, the ultra smooth Tim Low, and the resolute individuals that comprise the Asian Tour Media have opened my eyes to not only the TV production of golf, but the business of golf.
Everyone has a story to tell but maybe because I hit that shot, I was given the opportunity to keyboard my thoughts and put it on a screen for golfers to read. The creative team responsible for Asian Tour’s website content has also enabled me to observe golf from another context.
Through these endeavors, I have gained a greater perspective, knowledge, awareness and an appreciation for the decisions and the actions of the personnel behind the scenes that make a golf tournament possible. The unseen man power and the unnoticed work hours required, to stage a smooth and successful event, is staggering. A Ferrari is a visually stunning vehicle but little thought goes into the engine parts that work in unison to provide the power and the speed. No thought goes into the nuts and bolts that hold the engine parts together. Now I am grateful for the nuts and bolts that create a platform for professional golfers.
By the way, the three wood second shot at the 18th on that Sunday at Saujana cleared the bunker by two yards, maybe one, and bounced on to the green. I hit the shot of my life to win the Malaysian Open.
Maybank is a tremendous supporter of golf and has graciously enriched the lives of golf professionals worldwide, from Argentina to Zimbabwe, with over US $31 million in prize money since 2006.
I will always be thankful towards Maybank for providing an occasion where, financial benefits aside, I made a bit of history and an invaluable memory.
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
March 13: With lucrative events such as World Golf Championships (WGC), Majors and the Players Championship looming, the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) becomes all important. Here, we follow the Asian Tour players that are making a charge up the rankings and their quest to play their way into these events via the OWGR.
Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, currently ranked number 39 on the OWGR, will already be eligible for all the above events.
Kiradech and India’s Anirban Lahiri both have a huge week coming up at this week’s US$12,500,000 Players Championship in Jacksonville, Florida. It has arguably the strongest field in golf and regarded by many as the “fifth major”. Kiradech and Lahiri have a much-coveted opportunity to challenge for the 80 OWGR points and perks that go to the winner of the Players Championship.
The fringe benefits of winning this event are staggering in the world of professional golf:
- Five-year PGA TOUR exemption
- Three-year Masters exemption
- Three-year U.S. Open exemption
- Three-year Open Championship exemption
- Three-year U.S. PGA Championship exemption
Plus, a large share of one of the biggest purses in golf.
Last week’s Commercial Bank Qatar Masters saw a number of Asian Tour members competing on the weekend, and a big make move up the ranking list was, of course, made by the champion, two-time Asian Tour winner, Justin Harding.
Harding won his maiden European Tour event by finishing in style with birdies on his last two holes for a closing 6-under-par 66, continuing his incredible Sunday scoring run in 2019. Since the start of the year, his round four scores have been: 70 (-1) at the SMBC Singapore Open, 63 (-9) Omega Dubai Desert Classic, 63 (-7) Saudi International, 68 (-4) Vic Open and 66 (-6) last week in Qatar. An enviable average of 66 or -5.4 under par.
For winning the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, Harding collected 24 OWGR points and rose 22 positions in the rankings all the way up to 52nd place. This means he has now secured a place in the WGC Dell Matchplay in Austin, Texas at the end of march for the top 64 available on the OWGR, even if the deadline is not until March 18.
He is also very close to the magic number 50 needed for an invitation to the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia that is happening from April 11 to 14. The deadline to get into the top-50 is March 31, and one more top finish before then could see Harding book his first Masters Tournament appearance.
Harding is scheduled to play in the Magical Kenya Open in Nairobi this week on the European Tour.
With a tied-20th place in Qatar, Kurt Kitayama remains at number 105 in the OWGR rankings and is still within striking distance of the top-100 needed for a special exemption into the U.S. PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in New York that is happening from May 16 to 19.
Kitayama is not playing this week and will return to action in next week’s Maybank Championship in Kuala Lumpur.
Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond did not play last week and dropped a couple of spots on the OWGR to 77 from 75, but he is still well positioned for a special invitation to the U.S. PGA Championship.
With two big co-sanctioned events coming up on the schedule, the Maybank Championship and Hero Indian Open, the Masters Tournament is also within reach, although a tall order. A win in Malaysia and a high finish in India the week after could see Jazz follow in Shubhankar Sharma’s footsteps from last year.
March 11: It was another week to remember for South Africa’s Justin Harding in Qatar. After setting the Asian Tour alight with two back-to-back victories in Indonesia and Thailand last year, Harding is now taking the European Tour by storm with his breakthrough in the Middle East.
Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional, Olle Nordberg breaks down Harding’s latest win and recaps the performances of our Asian Tour stars from Qatar to Orlando. – All in this week’s edition of Overseas Watch.
By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional
European Tour- Commercial Bank Qatar Open
It was a breakthrough European Tour win for South Africa’s Justin Harding at the Commercial Bank Qatar Open yesterday. Firing a final round six-under-par 66 on Sunday, Harding beat nine players in tied second place to take home the trophy by two shots with his winning total of13-under-par 275. In a round that included eight birdies and two bogeys, Harding birdied his last two holes, and three out of his last four.
With the victory also comes 24 very important Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points which propelled Harding to 52nd place. What this means is that he now has a lock on a start in the WGC Dell Matchplay in Austin, Texas at the end of March, and is closing in on the OWGR top 50 and an invitation the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia in April.
The winner of the Oman Open on the European Tour a couple of weeks ago, American Kurt Kitayama closed the week with an even-par 72 and a tie for 20th place together with fellow Asian Tour players Jake McLeod (73) and Masahiro Kawamura (71) after signing off with a four-day total of seven-under-par 281.
Malaysian number one and 2017 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Gavin Green finished the week tied for 31st with a one-under-par 71 and a five-under-par total, a score that he also shared with Gaganjeet Bhullar (68) of India.
Also making the weekend in Qatar was Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee who settled on a one-over-par total and tied 72nd place.
Kiradech finishes tied-23rd at Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
Over in the United States, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat wrapped up his week in Orlando with a one-under-par 71 that included three birdies against two bogeys.
Kiradech, who is the first player from Thailand to gain full membership from Thailand, finished in a share of 23rd place after closing with a four-day total of four-under-par 284.
In the field at Bay Hill was also India’s Anirban Lahiri, who after making the cut, had to endure a rough weekend at the difficult course and eventually finished in tied-69th place after he signed off with a one-over-par 73 for an eight-over-par 296 total.
The event was won by Italy’s Francesco Molinari who posted a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 to finish two shots clear of overnight leader Matthew Fitzpatrick on 12-under-par 276.
March 11: Justin Harding of South Africa closed with a six-under-par 66 to win his maiden European Tour title by two shots at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters on Sunday.
The 33-year-old Harding had a three-shot deficit going into the final round, but he closed the gap early in the day on the overnight leader, England’s Oliver Wilson, by sinking three birdies in his opening four holes at the Doha Golf Club.
Even though he dropped shots on the sixth and seventh, Harding recovered brilliantly by responding with birdies on the 10th and 12th. With the wind in his sails, two-time Asian Tour winner birdied three out of his last four holes before signing for a 13-under-par 275 total.
At that juncture, Harding took over the clubhouse lead from Korean Jinho Choi, who set the early target of 11-under-par after carding the day’s best score of 64. The South African then had to endure a long, agonising wait, with 15 golfers still yet to finish their rounds.
An hour later, he was conferred the winner. He joins Ernie Els, Darren Fichardt, Retief Goosen and Branden Grace as South African winners of the Mother of Pearl trophy.
“I didn’t quite think it was enough, I thought there might be a play-off but I’m happy to get over the line eventually. I’ve been knocking on the door a little recently. It’s rewarding seeing the hard graft and change in mindset, seeing what’s involved and what’s going on. I’m really happy,” he said.
Harding has been in supreme form since winning the Indonesia Open and Royal Cup in quick succession last year. He went on to secure four more top-10 finishes to emerge third on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings.
He carried his momentum to 2019, evident from his results on the European Tour. His victory in Qatar earned him 24 Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points, which elevated him from 74th to 52nd.
With WGC-Dell Technologies Matchplay spots reserved for the top-64 available golfers on the OWGR as of March 18, Harding will be packing his bags for Austin, Texas, United States in a few weeks’ time.
Prom wins second Singha Thailand Masters title
Thailand’s Prom Meesawat also enjoyed a celebratory weekend, as he shot an even-par 72 to win the Singha Thailand Masters by one shot on Sunday.
Prom started the day with a one-shot lead and even though he could not get his round going, trading five birdies against five bogeys, the Big Dolphin hung on for the victory at the All Thailand Tour event after signing for a 13-under 276 at the Santiburi Country Club.
The 34-year-old Prom credited his win to World Cup teammate and friend, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who helped him improve his game during the off-season.
Said Prom: “We practised together and he gave me good tactics and also equipment before leaving for the United States. I want to thank him for that.
“This is a big event and everyone wants to play here. I had good memories of playing here and so, winning here again is very special.”
Prom, a three-time Asian Tour winner, earned seven OWGR points, and he has risen more than a hundred places from 407 to 301 on the world rankings.
Khan continues his resurgence with a win at the City Bank American Express Chittagong Open
India’s Rashid Khan was miles ahead of the field as he shot a final-day nine-under-par 63 for a seven-shot, wire-to-wire victory at the City Bank American Express Chittagong Open.
His winning total of 24-under-par 264 is a new record for the lowest-ever winning score achieved at Bangladesh’s Bhatiary Golf and Country Club.
Khan, who had a two-shot cushion at the start of the day, tightened his grip on the lead after shooting four birdies on the front nine. His lead was virtually unassailable after sinking three consecutive birdies on the 10th, 11th and 12th.
His victory in Bangladesh was his 11th professional win and his second one in four months.
In December last year, Khan ended his two-year title drought by emerging victorious at the CG Open 2018, a tournament on the PGTI.
Said that two-time Asian Tour winner: “The putts rolled in for me today and I also capitalised on the par-fives. My week can be summed up by the fact that I dropped only one bogey in the whole tournament. It’s great to win two events in quick succession. I feel my confidence and game are back on track.”
Khan earned five OWGR points, which pushed him up from 867 to 581 on the world rankings.
Sentosa, Singapore, February 15: Chikkarangappa S. and Danthai Boonma have both become landmark champions on their home Tours. Not only have they won their respective season openers, but they have gone down in history as the first winners to have received Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points following their victories on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT)
This is the first time the Tours’ where their tournaments are awarded world ranking points following the OWGR’s decision to include the PGTI and AGTI into the OWGR system.
The OWGR is used to determine eligibility to lucrative events such as Major championships, World Golf Championship tournaments, the World Cup, Olympic golf tournament and several other high-profile events worldwide.
With these domestic Tours attaining OWGR points, golfers will have more opportunities to earn points and work their way up the rankings.
India’s Chikkarangappa claimed a two-shot victory at the Golconda Masters 2019 Powered By Telangana Tourism & Incredible India, the season-opening event on the PGTI. The 26-year-old received five OWGR points, which lifted him from 461 to 357 on the world rankings.
Danthai Boonma of Thailand
Thailand’s Danthai Boonma was dominant at the Singha E-San Open 2019 as he finished the tournament five shots ahead of the field. He earned seven points and rose from 395 to 315 on the OWGR.
Chikkarangappa and Danthai are regular competitors on the Asian Tour, which has worked closely with the PGTI and ATGT in developing professional golf in the region.
In 2018, the Asian Tour co-sanctioned the Hero Indian Open, TAKE Solutions Masters and the Panasonic Open India with the PGTI. The year also saw the emergence of India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who started his professional career on the PGTI.
The All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT) has nurtured the likes of two-time Asian Tour winner Jazz Janewattananond and three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion Thongchai Jaidee.
The Asian Tour has been in close collaboration with the ATGT over the last 20 years.
This week the Asian Development Tour (ADT) is holding a joint-sanctioned event in Lopburi at the home of Thai Legend Thongchai Jaidee. Last year, the Asian Tour worked with the ATGT to put together two events on the ADT, the Singha Laguna Phuket Open and the Betagro Championship.
The top five golfers on the respective Order of Merit lists at the end of the season will receive spots at the Final Stage of the Asian Tour Qualifying School, with the top-ranked player earning playing rights on Asia’s premier circuit.
Said Cho Minn Thant, Asian Tour Chief Operating Officer: “The Asian Tour would like to congratulate Chikkarangappa S. and Danthai Boonma for winning their respective tournaments. It’s great to see two of our members victorious and boosted their positions on the world rankings.
“The PGTI and ATGT have reached a significant milestone with their inclusion into the OWGR system. The Asian Tour will continue to collaborate with local golf bodies to collectively develop the game of golf in the region.”
By Olle Nordberg, founder of golf equipment survey company, Northmountain International.
Perth, Australia, February 12: As the saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. The modified format that mixes both stroke play and match play will be used at the 2019 ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth for the third consecutive year, proving that it has gained acceptance among golf aficionados.
Perhaps, it’s the unpredictability and excitement of the format.
Case in point: Brett Rumford and Kiradech Aphibarnrat won the 2017 and 2018 editions of the tournament in a vastly different manner.
Rumford was the leading player after three days of stroke play in 2017 at 17-under-par. He went on to win the knock-out match play rounds on Sunday.
Aphibarnrat, on the other hand, barely managed to squeeze through the first three rounds of stroke play at five-under-par for a tied-17th place, before emerging victorious in the Sunday match play. In a normal 72-hole stroke play format, a five-stroke deficit after three rounds would have been more challenging to overcome.
Neither Rumford (who is out injured) or Aphibarnrat (playing on the PGA Tour) will be in the field this week at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Perth, but there’s a good chance that some of the following players in strong form will be in with a chance to win on Sunday afternoon
Justin Harding
Arguably the hottest player in the field, coming off a fourth-place finish in last week’s Vic Open on the European Tour and Australasian PGA Tour, as well as tied-11th at the Saudi International and tied-seventh at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on the European tour. He is the highest ranked player on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) in the field at 65th.
Jazz Janewattanond
He is already a winner this year at the SMBC Singapore Open, and in doing so, broke into the top-100 on the OWGR. Jazz finished the 2018 Asian Tour season very strongly by finishing third at the Queen’s Cup Hosted by Jaidee Foundation, and 2nd at the BNI Indonesian Masters. He’s also pretty adept at match play, evident from his performance at the Friendship Cup between Thailand and Japan in late December, where he won all his five matches. He was in tied-10th going into the last round at the Vic Open last week, before falling back a bit in the last round.
Lucas Herbert
Herbert has had top-10 finishes in this event the last two years by finishing third in 2018 and tied-ninth in 2017. Both years, he finished tied-second after the stroke play rounds. Recently, he finished tied-seventh at the star-studded Omega Dubai Desert Classic in late January. Recent form and previous performances at the ISPS HANDA World Super 6 Perth put him in good stead.
A Numbers Game
From the statistics from the last few years, players who can hit Greens-In-Regulation (GIR) will have an edge at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club, at least, for the stroke play rounds. A couple of very strong players that ranked highly in this statistic on the 2018 Asian Tour should also be good picks for a possible victory this week:
Scott Vincent
The Zimbabwean finished fifth on the 2018 Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, racking up nine top-10s during the season including three second-place finishes. Vincent was ranked third in GIR on the Asian Tour last with 73.8 per cent. He is very much due for a breakthrough win in 2019, evident from his solid statistics across the board last year. In addition to his GIR, he was also ranked commendably in Stroke Average (69.84, third on Tour), Putts per GIR (1.74, 12th), birdies (306, first), as well as Birdies per Round (4.43, third).
Jake McLeod
McLeod is the reigning Australasian PGA Tour Order of Merit Champion. In his rookie season on the Asian Tour, McLeod hit 70.7 per cent of his GIR (ranked 16th on Tour), and even more impressive was his Birdies per Round at 4.78 (second).
OWGR Watch
With lucrative events such as the World Golf Championships (WGC), Majors and the Player’s Championship looming, players will be jostling for top positions on the OWGR. Two members making a significant charge up the rankings are Harding and Jazz. They could make some big strides with some high finishes in the weeks to come.
Of course, Kiradech Aphibarnrat will already be eligible for all of the above.
In Harding’s case, he is currently 65th on the OWGR and is very close to qualifying for the Dell Technologies Match Play in Austin, Texas at the end of March, where the top-64 available players get a spot. The cutoff date is still five weeks away, but another top finish in Perth this week could put him inside this number. The U.S. PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in New York on May 16 to 19 will usually give a Special Exemption to players ranked within the top-100 of the OWGR. Harding earned one of these spots last year after winning the Bank BRI Indonesia Open and Royal Cup consecutively in 2018.
Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand
Jazz, now in 77th place on the OWGR, will need to do a bit more to get inside the top-64 for a spot at the Dell Technologies Match Play. However, a couple of high finishes in Perth or at the upcoming New Zealand Open could edge him over the line. Jazz is also currently in line for one of the Special Exemption spots into the U.S. PGA Championship.
For both players, what’s more desirable is sure the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia. Although, it will be a tough task. To get an invitation to the year’s first Major, they have to be inside the top-50 on the OWGR as of March 31st.
The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass from March 14 to 17 in Jacksonville, Florida is another event that gives exemptions to the top-50 on the OWGR. The cutoff is coming up soon on March 4 after the New Zealand Open, and a huge move up the rankings would require some stellar play in the three weeks ahead.
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