Launched last year to nurture emerging golfing talent, this year’s SJM Macao Open Qualifier Tournament saw 15-year old Hong Kong, China representative squad member Ethan Tian Jun and regional pro Brian O’Donovan secure spots at the exciting SJM Macao Open 2025 as the top two finishers at the Macau Golf & Country Club on Monday. The one-day, 18-hole Gross Stroke Play competition offers two coveted spots in the SJM Macao Open 2025, scheduled for 16-19 October.

The tournament win was claimed by Tian outright with a two-under-par 68 in hot conditions. Second qualifier O’Donovan’s route to the SJM Macao Open was more challenging after finishing in a three-way tie on 70 with Lai Qin-wen and William Tang, before emerging victorious after a single-hole play-off.

Tian, who has been golfing since the age of seven, said: “I had a great experience. The course is amazing and in great condition even after the typhoon. Playing the Qualifier Tournament was a great experience for me to get used to playing under pressure, which is something that I am working on,” said the winner of this year’s Nick Faldo Hong Kong Series.

Proving the priceless opportunity offered by events like the SJM Macao Open Qualification Tournament, Tian played a superb round at the Macau Golf & Country Club to secure his place in the main draw, having missed qualifying last year by just two strokes.

“Last year I had some regrets, so this year I used my score to wipe that away. This experience will help me stay patient, stay calm and play the conditions better at the SJM Macao Open. I hope to play on tour in the future, but for now I just want to learn from the players playing at the SJM Macao Open, because they are world class, and playing with them I can learn a lot and help my game a lot,” said Tian, who is most excited to play alongside Hong Kong, China no. 1 Taichi Kho next month.

“The round was scrappy to be honest, but my short game was good,” said O’Donovan.

“I played here last year, and I think I finished one over, so I knew that around par would be close, and I just held on for it. The course is good, the greens are great, and this course really suits the way that I play golf. I’m quite looking forward to it; it should be a good week.

“I’ve done well in the past when I’ve qualified, but we’ll take it one stroke at a time and see how we go,” said the genial Irishman, who famously made the cut at the Hong Kong Open 2023 as a club pro.

O’Donovan paid tribute to the quality of the field saying, “It’s great to see the standard coming through in the region. Ethan is a good player and he has got what it takes. The SJM Macao Open Qualifier tournament is an awesome opportunity for those young guys, it gives them an insight into what professional golf is like.

“Amateur events are good and there are some big ones, but when you tee it up with the pros you have to have it nailed down in your routines, your practice, and what you do in the week. It is a great insight into what life will be like next month at the SJM Macao Open.”

The field featured a strong mix of emerging overseas talent, with the majority of the field from Hong Kong, Macao and across the mainland China, highlighting the vibrant development of golf in the region.

Tian and O’Donovan will now get the opportunity to compete against some of the biggest names in golf, including defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan fresh off of an Asian Tour win in Chinese Taipei this past weekend; Lee Westwood, Sungjae Im, Li Haotong and Taichi Kho, from 16-19 October.

Another entrant, 26-year-old aspiring Macao amateur, Chen Jia-sheng, embodies the vision behind the SJM Macao Open Qualifier tournament- having grown up watching the world’s best play at the Macao Open, and now participating in his first professional event on his home course.

Chen failed to qualify but found his confidence and skill level enhanced by the experience – and his appetite for the game.

“I have been playing golf since I was nine, but for fun. I picked up golf more seriously after university, and was my first chance to play in a tournament with professionals; it was a really good experience. I felt pressure playing against professionals, but I could compete because this is my home course. It’s super challenging, but I want to try again next year to see if I can make it.”

Not only did watching the Macao Open as a kid help turn him on to golf, it helped him prepare for the Qualifier Tournament.

“100% I am coming to the SJM Macao Open, it’s incredible seeing major winners playing in Macao. Before the tournament, I even watched videos of where those guys were hitting here, and it helped me.”

Chen also sees significant growth in the game in Macao.

“The development of golf in Macao is good now, I see a lot of young amateurs around 15 or 16 years old playing really well; you can see they have had extensive training. I want to work more on my game, but if I come back next year my confidence will be better. I don’t know if the score will be better, but my confidence will be better. It’s 8 out of 10 for me, but I definitely want to come back next year.”

The USD 1 million tournament, a highlight on the Asian Tour, is jointly organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (MSB), title sponsor SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and IMG, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Macau Golf Association.

In its 22-year history, the Macao Open has grown to become a highlight on the Asian Tour calendar, and has been graced by the presence of major champions such as Ernie Els, Nick Faldo, Fred Couples, Padraig Harrington, and Vijay Singh. Zhang Lianwei, the pioneer of golf in China, has won the prestigious event twice, and is the only golfer to have defended his title in the tournament’s history; he will also return to the Macao Open.

In keeping with SJM’s commitment to the community, admission to the SJM Macao Open 2025 will be free with prior registration. Fans are encouraged to register in advance, with each person able to request up to four tickets. For more information and to secure your tickets, please visit www.sjmmacaoopen.com