Luke Walker/WME IMG

There are many critical skills that are required as a professional golfer, but nothing matters more than being cool, calm and collected. While the world’s best golfers in make their way to England for the Open Championship, one pro decided to make a different trip … a spiritual journey of meditation and enlightenment that might just provide some mental assistance to his golf game.

Sadom Kaewkanjana took advantage of the Asian Tour’s mid-season break, as the Thai pro decided to go on a spiritual retreat, living as a Buddhist monk. Just one year ago, Kaewkanjana had a strong showing at St. Andrews, finishing T-11 thanks to a blistering final-round 65. This is a decidedly different way to spend the summer, but it looks equally meaningful.

The World No. 117 is a two-time winner on the Asian Tour and even held off Tom Kim at last year’s Singapore Open, which is how he wound up with a spot at the 150th Open. The 25-year-old even tee’d off in the last two PGA Championships. With all this meditation and introspection, he’s certainly someone to watch out for in future majors.