The SJM Macao Open is fast approaching, with the tournament taking place from tomorrow through Sunday at the Macau Golf and Country Club in Coloane.
The free-admission Asian Tour and Macau Golf Association co-sanctioned event is one of the highlights of the Asian Tour schedule. A total prize purse of US$1 million (8.015 million patacas) is on offer.
The star-studded line-up at the SJM title-sponsored tournament comprises 144 players, according to the SJM Macao Open website, and six of them met with the media at a press conference yesterday morning at the Grand Coloane Resort.
The star players at the press conference were former world number one and 1999 Macao Open winner Lee Westwood, from the United Kingdom, two-time PGA Tour winner Sungjae Im from South Korea, the Chinese mainland’s number one and eight-time tour winner Li Haotong, defending SJM Macao Open Champion Rattanon Wannascrichan from Thailand, Hong Kong number one and 2023 Asian Games gold medallist Taichi Kho, and local star and six-time Asia Pacific Asia Amateur Championship Participant Kelvin Si Ngai.
Each player noted their excitement and expectations for the tournament as well as their hopes to do their best on the course. Among them, Wannascrichan, who won his third Asian Tour title last month, told reporters at yesterday’s press conference that he was happy to be back in the city. He said he hoped to enjoy the tournament and not to pressure himself so much, and to enjoy the tournament as much as possible to achieve a better result.
Meanwhile, Westwood said that it was nice to be back in Asia and compete in the tournament, having last played in it when he won in 1999. He remarked on the recent bad weather that the city experienced, but the sun has been out and the course has been drying out, looking to be in “fantastic condition”. He added: “I’m really looking forward to the week”.
Li was also asked about the development of the sport in the Chinese mainland, noting that the game has been growing in the nation while there are also a lot of bright stars.
Westwood’s son Samuel will also be competing at the tournament. In a post press conference interview, Westwood was asked by media if he had any advice for him, saying: “Just have a good week, really. Enjoy it. It’s a good opportunity to play against some of the best players in Asia on a very good golf course”, as well as to learn something during the week.
Star golfers Kelvin Si Ngai (from left to right), Li Haotong, Lee Westwood, Sungjae Im, Taichi Kho, and Rattanon Wannascrichan pose for a group photo after yesterday’s press conference at Grand Coloane Resort.
Lee Westwood poses with his son Sam Westwood on the Macau Golf and Country Club course after yesterday’s press conference. – Photos: Rui Pastorin
