SJM Resorts announced in a press conference yesterday at the Grand Coloane Resort that major champion Henrik Stenson from Sweden will make his debut at the SJM Macao Open tomorrow, joining a strong international field for the US$1 million Asian Tour tournament running through Sunday at Macau Golf & Country Club in Coloane.
The tournament is jointly organised by SJM, the Sports Bureau (ID) and IMG (International Management Group), and co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Macau Golf Association.
The 23rd edition of the tournament will feature seven of the top 10 players in the 2026 Asian Tour Order of Merit, with several leading contenders sharing their expectations with the media yesterday.
Stenson, 50, joined the PGA (Professional Golfers’ Association) Tour Champions earlier this year after a career that includes 22 tour titles, among them The Open Championship in 2016 and The Players Championship in 2009, according to a SJM statement yesterday.
“It’s the first time in Macau for me, and it’s a beautiful trophy. It’s one of the biggest trophies I’ve seen in a long time. Anyone would want to get their hands on this one,” Stenson said, adding that he would have limited time to familiarise himself with the course, describing the competition as “strong” and saying he would need to work out his strategy quickly.
Australian golfer Travis Smyth, currently second in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, will also make his tournament debut. The four-time professional tour champion said the course was in excellent condition and that he felt refreshed after two weeks off.
South Korean golfer Sungjae Im will return after finishing tied seventh last year with a seven-under-par total of 269. The seven-time professional tour winner said he hoped to build on his previous performance with a better understanding of the course.
The Chinese mainland’s Ding Wenyi, who finished third last year, will seek another strong result after recording nine top-25 finishes on the tour this season. “My form has had some ups and downs this year, but I performed very well during the Asian Games week. I hope to carry that momentum forward and strive for an even better result in Macau than last year,” Ding said.
Other contenders include 2019 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner from Thailand Atiwit “Jazz” Janewattananond and Thai former champions Rattanon Wannasrichan, who won in 2024, and Pavit Tangkamolprasert, the 2016 champion.
Speaking to the media ahead of the press conference, Chinese golfer Wu Ashun, a seven-time tour champion whose titles include five on the DP (Dubai Ports) World Tour, highlighted the importance of course management ahead of his return to the SJM Macao Open.
“This golf course has a lot of character. It’s a hillside course with beautiful views overlooking the sea. There are birdie opportunities out there, but there are also holes where a small mistake can cost you,” Wu said, adding that strategy would be crucial to achieving a strong result: “Course management and strategy will be very important this week. If you play smart and your game is in good shape, there’s definitely the potential for a strong result.”
Major champion Henrik Stenson (third from left) poses alongside other professional golfers – (from left to right) Atiwit “Jazz” Janewattananond, Ding Wenyi, Sungjae Im, and Travis Smyth – for a group photo with the 2026 SJM Macao Open trophy after yesterday’s press conference at Grand Coloane Resort. – Photos: Khalel Vallo
Chinese golfer Wu Ashun speaks to the media ahead of the presser.
