English legend Lee Westwood and Korean star Sungjae Im will headline a star-studded line-up at the SJM Macao Open 2025, which tees off from 16-19 October at the scenic Macau Golf & Country Club.

Jointly organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (MSB), title sponsor SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and IMG, and co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Macau Golf Association, this year’s edition will feature a prize purse of USD1 million.

Former world number one Westwood, who won the Macao Open in 1999, was thrilled to be returning to the scene of one of his earliest victories on Asian soil.

“I am thrilled to be playing at the SJM Macao Open this October. I have fond memories from my win here 26 years ago. The course always brings out the best in me, and I am looking forward to performing well this year and hopefully bringing home a second Macao Open crown,” said the globe-trotting Westwood, who counts two Malaysian Open victories among his 40-plus professional wins worldwide.

Im, a two-time PGA Tour winner with three Presidents Cup appearances to his name, is looking forward to playing in Macao for the very first time.

“I am excited to be part of a very competitive field at the SJM Macao Open this year. I have heard excellent things about the SJM Macao Open and the city. Fellow players have told me about the beautiful but challenging course at Macau Golf & Country Club, and I cannot wait to make my first trip to Macao a successful and enjoyable one,” said Im, whose best Major finish was tied second at the 2020 Masters Tournament.

Joining Westwood and Im in the 144-player field will be defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand, who delivered a wire-to-wire victory in 2024 to claim his second Asian Tour title. The 30-year-old Wannasrichan will be hoping to emulate the achievement of Chinese golf trailblazer Zhang Lianwei, winner in 2001 and 2002, by successfully defending his title.

“I am delighted to announce my return to the SJM Macao Open. The tournament is one of my favorite weeks on the golfing calendar, and I am even more excited to be returning as the defending champion and to perform in front of the fans in Macao in October,” said Wannasrichan.

Another legendary Chinese golfer, Liang Wenchong, will be in the mix as well. Liang was the first Chinese player to reach the top 100 in the world ranking and in 2007 became the first Chinese player to top the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

“I have played the Macao Open a number of times over the last two decades. There’s something about the course and the city that makes me want to return. I love that everything is close by and convenient in Macao, and hospitality for the players is always world-class,” said Liang, whose mentor was Zhang as he transitioned onto the professional tours.

Fans can also look forward to cheering on homegrown hopeful and six-time Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship participant, 22-year-old Kelvin Si Ngai.

“The SJM Macao Open always features a highly competitive field, and competing in my city allows me to test where my game’s at against world class professionals. I hope to bring my best and give the home crowd something to cheer about,” said Si, who earned his 2025 Asian Tour card through Qualifying School.

The SJM Macao Open Qualifier returns on September 8 at the Macau Golf & Country Club. Introduced last year, the qualifier aims to provide more opportunities and pathways for rising stars in the Greater Bay Area, by competing for spots into the main draw.

Ms. See Lei, Acting Vice President of the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, said: “Since its inception in 1998, the Macao Open has grown to become a hallmark championship on the Asian Tour, and an event that has come to epitomize Macao's capability to host major international sporting events. The Sports Bureau will continue its mission to advance the development of Macao’s sports culture, and to ensure that visitors from around the world who come to watch some of the world’s top golfers receive the best experiences both on and off the course. Leveraging the unique synergy between sports and tourism, we aim to attract athletes and tourists to Macao through this sporting platform, and to bolster Macao's reputation as a global center of tourism and leisure.”

Ms. Daisy Ho, Managing Director of SJM commented: “SJM has long been a dedicated supporter of both national and local sports development, and we remain firmly committed to advancing the integration of ‘Sports + Tourism’ in Macao. In 2023, we proudly assumed the title sponsorship of the Macao Open, supporting its revival through a three-year partnership. Over the past two editions, we have worked closely with the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, IMG, the Asian Tour, and the Macau Golf Association to elevate the tournament and bring new vitality. Today, we are pleased to announce that, building on this strong foundation, we will be extending our collaboration for two further additions, continuing our shared efforts to support the long-term development of golf in Macao.”

Mr. Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour added: “The SJM Macao Open is one of the premier events on the Asian Tour – boasting an outstanding reputation. The tournament was launched in the late 1990s and has been ever present on our schedule since. Our relationship is now set to continue further following today’s wonderful news that SJM has extended the partnership for two more years. We are truly grateful to them, the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Macau Golf Association, IMG, and all the event partners.”

Fans are encouraged to register for free admission tickets, with each person able to request up to four. For more information and to secure your tickets, please visit www.sjmmacaoopen.com

Thailand’s rising amateur star Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul enjoyed a career first on Tuesday, making a hole-in-one to take a commanding five-shot lead after the opening round of the Maybank Championship ASEAN Qualifier.

The 17-year-old Thai national team player pulled off the ace on the 147-yard par-three fourth hole at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West Course. She hit a nine-iron off the tee and found her way into the cup, helping her post a superb five-under-par 67.

Her round consisted of five birdies on holes 3, 10, 11, 15, and 18, against two bogeys on holes 2 and 17. Ranked 53rd in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Kritchanya holds seven career titles, including the 2025 APGC Junior Championship and the 2025 Singha SAT Prachin Buri Ladies Championship.

“I am very happy with this result,” said Kritchanya. “My approach shots and putting were good, and today I also got my first hole-in-one ever. I will just stick to my plan tomorrow and stay calm.”

She leads by five shots from Malaysia’s Zulaikah Nasser and fellow Thai amateur Achiraya Sriwong, who both carded even-par 72s.

Only the top five finishers after Wednesday’s final round will qualify for the three million USD Maybank Championship that will be held from October 30 to November 2.

Malaysia's Zulaikah Nasser, a three-time PGM Tour winner, bounced back with a birdie on hole 18 after bogeying the 17th, putting her in contention to be one of the five ASEAN qualifiers for the upcoming championship.

“It was a bit up and down,” she said.

“I bogeyed holes nine and ten but bounced back and finished strong. I will just keep doing the same things and keep my mind present," she added.

Four players are tied for fourth on one-over-par 73, namely Malaysians Genevieve Ling and Aretha Pan, Thai amateur Namo Luangnitikul, and Thai professional Chakansim Khamborn. One shot behind and rounding up the top ten are Indonesia's Tatiana Wijaya and three professionals, Thitapa Pakdeesettakul, Onkanok Soisuwan, Kan Bunnabodee from Thailand.

Five rising stars from Thailand have secured their places at the Maybank Championship 2025 after coming through the ASEAN Qualifier at Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club’s West Course.

Following two days and 36 holes of competitive golf, Thailand’s 17-year-old amateur Kritchanya Kaopattanaskul claimed top spot with a total of seven under par 137. She followed her opening 67, which included a hole-in-one, with a composed second round of 70.

“I am very happy I have qualified to play in the Maybank Championship on the LPGA Tour. It means a lot to me. It will be my first professional tournament outside of Thailand. I hope I can play as well in October as I did over the past two days in front of my Malaysian friends,” said Kritchanya.

Her victory led to a clean sweep for Thailand in the qualifier, with Achiraya Sriwong, Namo Luangnitikul, Cholcheva Wongras, and Kan Bunnabodee taking the remaining four spots. Sriwong, the highest-ranked amateur in the field at world number 41, carded the day’s lowest round of 67 to finish solo second, two shots behind the winner. Luangnitikul was third with an even-par finish of 144 after a 71, while Wongras and Bunnabodee tied for fourth with rounds of 71 and 72, respectively, to complete the top five qualifiers for the USD 3 million Maybank Championship to be played from October 30 to November 2.

Malaysian duo Ng Jing Xuen, who signed for a 70, and Genevieve Ling, who closed with a 74, finished in a tie for sixth, just one shot short of qualifying.

This year’s ASEAN Qualifier saw a significant increase in participation, with 69 players in the field compared to 35 last year. Maybank’s vision for the event is to provide regional golfers with opportunities to compete at the highest level. In a new initiative, the highest finishing ASEAN Invite at the Maybank Championship will also earn a place in one event on the 2026 Epson Tour, the LPGA’s official development circuit.

Now in its third edition, the Maybank Championship has established itself as one of Asia’s leading golf events with the richest purse in the region at three million US dollars. Past editions have attracted top players, including former and current world number ones Nelly Korda and Jeeno Thitikul, and major champions Grace Kim and Ayaka Furue. France’s Celine Boutier and China’s Ruoning Yin are the two previous winners of the Tiger Trophy.

As the 2025 edition approaches, the five ASEAN qualifiers will join an elite field in Kuala Lumpur to compete against some of the world’s best players, carrying the hopes of the region into one of the most prestigious tournaments on the LPGA calendar. Find out more about the championship here:

It was a testing but fulfilling outing at the AIG Women’s Open for Malaysian amateur Jeneath Wong, who made her first ever cut in a Major championship en route to a 71st place finish at Royal Porthcawl Golf Club in Wales.

Surviving the halfway cut of two-over-par on the number with rounds of 72 and 74, Wong struggled in the harsher weekend conditions. Following a third round 77, the 20-year-old signed in a closing 82 for a tournament aggregate of 17-over-par 305.

“Definitely not the finish I was hoping for, but making my first Major cut is still a big positive. I learnt a lot this week about managing my game under pressure and staying patient out there. I also felt like my ball-striking held up well against a really strong field, which is a big confidence booster,” said Wong.

This was Wong’s third Major start of 2025 as the reigning Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific champion, and fourth overall having made it into the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open via a qualifying tournament. “Today was definitely tougher as the ‘real’ links weather came, with the wind and rain picking up a lot during my round. The course played a lot more difficult with the strong winds. It made every round seem like I was playing a totally different course,” noted Wong.

Born in Kuala Lumpur, Wong moved to Australia when she was ten and played a lot of links golf in the Melbourne area during her junior days. However, the pint-sized golfer admitted that she still has a lot to improve on.

“I think I can get better at controlling my ball flight and shape as links golf demands creativity, and that’s something I want to keep improving on,” Wong acknowledged.

Wong gushed over the experience of playing in the fifth and final Major of the year at Royal Porthcawl, one of the most highly-rated links layouts in the United Kingdom.

“Overall, it’s been an amazing experience playing at Royal Porthcawl. The atmosphere was incredible, the fans were so supportive, and off the course I really enjoyed soaking in the history and the whole vibe of a links Major. It’s definitely motivated me to keep working hard to be back in more of these events,” shared Wong, who will now head back to the United States for her senior year with Pepperdine University in California.

Wong chalked up her second LPGA Elite Amateur Pathway (LEAP) point for making the cut, inching towards the 20-point threshold that would earn her LPGA membership.

LPGA rookie Miyu Yamashita of Japan chalked up her maiden Major victory and first LPGA title with a composed final round 70 for an 11-under-par 277 total, two shots clear of compatriot Minami Katsu and England’s Charley Hull.

Yamashita, who turned 24 on Saturday, is the third Japanese golfer to win the storied championship following Ayako Okamoto (1984) and Hinako Shibuno (2019).