The SJM Macao Open 2023 golf tournament, jointly organised by the International Management Group (IMG) and Sports Bureau (ID), title-sponsored by SJM Resorts and sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Macao Golf Association, will be held at the Macau Golf and Country Club from October 12 to 15, bringing 144 players from around the world to compete for a prize pool of US$1 million (8 million patacas).
The event marks the return of the Macao Open to the Asian Tour championship, which last took place in 2017.
The Asian Tour is the leading men’s professional golf circuit in Asia and a member of the International Federation of PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association of America).
The opening ceremony was held yesterday morning at Grand Coloane Resort. It was attended by ID President Pun Weng Kun, SJM Resorts Managing Director Daisy Ho Chiu Fung, IMG Chief Operating Officer David Rollo as well as IMG Executive Vice President and Managing Director (Golf Events) Grant Slack.
On the sidelines of the press conference, Taichi Kho, Hong Kong’s first Asian Tour champion and gold medallist at the just-concluded 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, spoke about his experience at the Asian Games. “Winning the medal was a lot more challenging than I thought, so it was a very hectic week in Hangzhou, but it was a lot of fun celebrating the win with my friends and family,” he said, adding that it was one of the best golfing memories he has ever had. In response to questions regarding his expectations about the upcoming tournament, he said that he did not have a particular winning strategy but would instead try to improve his skills and learn from other players throughout the competition.
The 19th Asian Games held the closing ceremony in Hangzhou on Sunday.
Defending Asian Tour champion Gaganjeet Bhullar from India, who won the Asian Tour held in Macau in 2012 and 2017, said during the press conference that he was excited to be back and competing again in Macau. “I have been coming to Macau since 2007. It was actually my first year on the Asian Tour, and at that time there was really nothing on the Cotai Strip. Now it is packed with five-star hotels. So, Macau has sure changed a lot over the years,” he said, adding that he is bidding to become the first player to win the competition for the third time in Macau.
According to a statement by the SJM Resorts, the event aims to lift Macau onto the world stage as an international sporting destination and at the same time provide ways for young local golfers to compete in international events. In the statement, SJM Resorts added they expected to support the government’s development plan of “Sports+Tourism” by hosting this tournament.
Australian golfer Min-Woo Lee, who is currently ranked amongst the top 50 in the world, Chinese three-time European Tour champion Li Haotong, three-time Asian Tour champion Nitihorn Thippong from Thailand, as well as local golfer Hun Pui In will all be playing in the tournament.
This year’s tournament will be free and open the public, the statement said.
SJM Resorts Managing Director Daisy Ho Chiu Fung (fifth from left), Defending Asian Tour champion Gaganjeet Bhullar from India (second from right), Macau Sports Bureau (ID) President Pun Weng Kun (fifth from right) and other golfers and golfing officials pose for a group photo during the opening ceremony of the SJM Macao Open 2023 at Grand Coloane Resort yesterday.
– Photo: Gabriel Tam
