Travis Smyth. Asian Tour

Playing on the International Series has brought the best out of Travis Smyth, following recent qualification for the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, and he is hoping his consistent form of late can continue at this week’s inaugural International Series Vietnam.

The Australian has enjoyed a blistering start to the 2023 season on the Asian Tour, recording three top-10 finishes at the PFI Saudi International, International Series Qatar and most recently at the World City Championship at Hong Kong Golf Club.

“If there was one word to describe the start of the season so far it would be fight, I feel like I fought really well,” the 28-year-old said.

His third-place finish at the World City Championship saw him secure one of the four spots available in The Open in July as the event had the honour of being part of The Open Qualifying Series, but speaking of his LIV Golf experience last year Smyth added: “It might be controversial, but I feel like I’ve played three majors already with the three LIV events that I have already played.”

Smyth played in those LIV Golf events by virtue of finishing second in the International Series England last year, which at the time was his best performance on the Asian Tour. But he bettered that by the only way possible later in the year by winning the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship, for his maiden Asian Tour victory.

He admits that he is now fuelling his confidence tournament-by-tournament.

“I’ve knocked off a number of top 10s on the Asian Tour now and I’ve had a win last year, so I am starting to get really comfortable at this level of competition.

“It has been really good for my confidence to play well in Saudi against all the LIV players and even at all The International Series events now we’re getting a handful of LIV players competing every time,” he said. “When you start to beat those guys, you do get a little chip of confidence.”

Bio Kim, Taichi Kho, Travis Smyth, and Michael Hendry secured their places in The Open at the World City Championship recently. Asian Tour.

The International Series Vietnam, which starts on Thursday, will be held at the Greg Norman-designed KN Golf Links, situated on the south-central coast in Cam Rahn, and is set to be the biggest and most lucrative golf tournament ever staged in Vietnam.

Smyth shared his excitement for the week ahead: “I can’t wait, I looked at the photos online and I’ve spoken to a couple of the guys who have played there, and they said it’s amazing, so I’m really looking forward to it.

“I’ve heard it’s really good, Vietnam has blown up in terms of resort golf and they’re definitely trying to push it.”

The Sydney native is enjoying the opportunities that the International Series provides, allowing him to develop as a player and play in different parts of the world where there are many similarities to his home city.

“It’s been amazing,” he said “I am loving that aspect, getting out to other parts of Asia and other parts of the world and learning and competing to play in all different types of conditions, it can only improve us as players if you look at it the right way.

“When you turn up to those countries and the harsh weather, these are climates and conditions that I am used to coming from Sydney because we kind of get all four seasons in a day almost.”

The $2 million Vietnam event is the fourth tournament on The International Series this season and the eighth stop on the Asian Tour.