Sergio Garcia. Asian Tour

The Asian Tour’s elevated-event International Series marked its one-year anniversary at its most recent tournament in Thailand at Black Mountain Golf Club.

With an increased in competitions this season, boosting the overall Asian Tour prize fund by $19 million in the process, the International Series will comprise 10 enhanced events at world-class venues, with increased prize funds, and featuring some top golfers from across the globe.

More than 200 competitors, representing 36 nations across six continents have teed up in The International Series over three events so far in 2023 alone and, as Rahul Singh, Head of the International Series, explained, there is great pride taken in the global fields being attracted to the tournaments so far.

“The Asian Tour has always attracted global players, but the entry criteria for The International Series has deliberately been expanded to help ensure the world’s most talented golfers, wherever they might normally tee up, are welcome.

“Golfers on the Asian Tour are relishing the opportunity to compete against their peers from North and South America, Europe, Australasia, Africa, the Middle East, plus the Indian subcontinent and South East Asia, as they tee it up in in varying conditions, at some of the most iconic golf courses in the world.”

The 2023 schedule has already welcomed a number of major winners and former world No. 1s, plus many more acclaimed golfers with numerous professional wins, not to mention the game’s most up-and-coming talents.

Brooks Koepka in action in Doha. Asian Tour

At the highest level, four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, past Masters champions Sergio Garcia and Charl Schwartzel, 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell, and 2010 Champion Golfer of the Year Louis Oosthuizen have all played in 2023.

So, too, have Joaquin Niemann and Mito Pereira, who, aged just 24 and 27 respectively, have 19 professional victories between them. Meanwhile Eugenio Chacarra (22) and David Puig (21), whose exceptional amateur careers only ended in 2022 when the two turned professional, have also chosen The International Series to augment their LIV Golf League schedule.

Recently in Thailand, the inimitable Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who became a national hero long before he became the first Thai player to join the PGA Tour, competed in his third International Series event and has extolled the virtues not only of playing on home soil, but also venturing farther afield.

Speaking on his return, the 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit Champion said: “To me, the more players who can get different experiences the better. You need to experience different types of player, different types of grass and different types of weather.

“Everything can change, and you see a lot of Asian Tour members playing Majors and big events but with little success because we only play once or twice a year. We don’t get used to the grass or the cold weather.

“It’s definitely a good way to build a golfer to play at the highest level in the world.”

This too, as Singh explained, is also part of The International Series philosophy. “At the heart of what we do is providing new playing opportunities to the Asian Tour members,” he said. “That is No. 1.

“But these are elite events, offering enhanced experiences to these players and we do that in a number of ways — prize money, world-class fields and prestigious golf venues in both Asian Tour heartlands and beyond.

“We have enhanced the prize purses in recognition of the extraordinary talents you’ll find here on the Asian Tour as well as to also help attract top talents from elsewhere in the world, at the same time we also have to ensure that every time we tee-up we are providing players with an exceptional experience, on and off the golf course.

“All our tournaments are staged at tour-proven or otherwise award-winning venues across a mix of established and emerging golf markets, helping give Asian Tour players exposure and experience both where existing golf fans live and in places still learning to love golf.”

The connection between The International Series and the lucrative LIV Golf League can-not be understated. The number one player from each season of The International Series will earn automatic qualification to the innovative14-event league the following year.

Andy Ogletree, the first player to win two International Series titles, said after his victory in Qatar last month: “I’m really focused, and trying to win the Order of Merit out here is my No. 1 goal this year, and that’s all I’m really focused on.”

Singh explained how The International Series and LIV Golf League exist in harmony. “Each tournament is scheduled to avoid any overlap and with The International Series’ open entry criteria, LIV golfers have multiple opportunities to play at International Series tournaments,” he said.

“Playing The International Series provides a great opportunity for the LIV League players to stay on top of their game and get into a competitive groove outside the league’s schedule — especially in periods of the year where there are gaps between events.”

Paul Casey

Following events in Oman, Qatar and Thailand, the International Series moves next to KN Golf Links in Cam Ranh, Vietnam. Already touted to tee-up on the 7,165-yard Greg Norman-designed layout that meanders through natural sand dunes not unlike a traditional Scottish links, are Englishman Paul Casey and Anirban Lahiri from India. The duo, aged 45 and 35 respectively, has accumulated 40 worldwide tour wins.

Further into the year, the next stop on the schedule is the famed Colt Course at Close House in England, home to golf legend Lee Westwood. The 49-year-old has racked up an astonishing 44 career victories and has a proven track record for playing globally with wins on five continents in 20 countries.

Singh added: “Everyone loves a little star power and as well as giving Asian Tour members a great opportunity to play against greats of the game, there is a broader appeal for fans and sponsors when we welcome players from the League and other Tours.

“We are expecting to make some very exciting announcements about the remaining International Series venues for 2023 in the coming weeks.

“What the International Series has achieved in year one is nothing short of extraordinary. Year two promises even more.”