Veteran golfer Mardan Mamat may make his final Singapore Open swing
The 58-year-old says it’s ‘getting tougher to keep pace’ with big-hitting youngsters
[SINGAPORE] This week’s Singapore Open could be the final one in the long career of Singapore’s most celebrated golfer, Mardan Mamat, with the 58-year-old admitting that he is finding it tough to keep up with the sport’s younger and hard-hitting players.
The Moutai Singapore Open tees off on Thursday (Nov 6) at the Singapore Island Country Club’s New Course, with the winner to be crowned on Sunday.
Mardan, who celebrated his birthday on Oct 31, is the oldest participant in the 144-payer field at the US$2 million event, the penultimate tournament on the Asian Tour’s International Series schedule.
He first competed in the Singapore Open as an amateur more than three decades ago in 1992, and later as a professional in 1994.
Speaking to the media after his pro-am round on Tuesday, he said he still feels the same level of love for the Singapore Open, especially the support of the local fans.
“But let’s be realistic. The (younger) guys today are bombing their drives, sometimes hitting past 300 m and leaving themselves with easier approaches. It’s really getting tougher to keep pace with them,” he said.
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“I’m not chickening out. Let’s see how I play this week, after which I’ll make a firm decision (about whether to play again next year).”
Mardan played in last week’s Taiwan Senior Open, where he jointly led the field before a poor final round saw him drop to 15th position, earning him over US$4,000 in prize money.
“I’m encouraged by this,” he said of his performance in Taipei. “The only problem is there are not enough senior tournaments in Asia.”
Stacked field from Thailand
Meanwhile, Thailand’s leading stars are gearing up for an important week when valuable ranking points – and potential golden tickets to the LIV Golf League – are on the cards.
For the first time, two players from The International Series Rankings will qualify directly for the 2026 LIV Golf League, while those finishing inside the top 40 will earn a place in the LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida early next year, where another two golden tickets will be up for grabs.
Among those fighting to be in contention are four of Thailand’s most recognisable golfers – Jazz Janewattananond, Nitithorn Thippong, Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Sadom Kaewkanjana – each at different stages of their ranking race and with everything to play for.
A former Singapore Open and International Series Morocco champion, Jazz returns to Singapore as he looks to regain the form that captured multiple titles across Asia.
Currently 29th on The International Series Rankings, he is chasing a top-20 finish that would likely grant him a bye into the first round of the LIV Golf Promotions event.
“It’s definitely good news that there are now more opportunities to get into LIV,” said the seven-time Asian Tour winner. “My ranking is still a bit far off. I’m more in the position of chasing than being chased. I’m just hoping for a big week.”
Asked about playing on the redeveloped New Course, the 2019 Singapore Open champion said: “It’s a very different setup from where I won before, but that’s part of the challenge. It looks like a course that rewards all-around play and precision shots. Hopefully, that suits me.”
Nitithorn, known for his fearless play, is hoping to turn things around this season in a country that has brought rich rewards in the past. The 2022 International Series Singapore champion is still outside the top 50 on the rankings, but is hoping to mount a strong charge this week.
“It’s definitely a great opportunity,” said the 29-year-old about the expanded LIV Golf pathway. “My game hasn’t really been going my way lately. But in golf, one good week can change everything. Having two spots available makes it even more exciting.”
Pavit – one of the most experienced golfers in Thailand – is hitting his stride at the right moment, with the Moutai Singapore Open marking one of his last opportunities to climb the rankings.
A series of consistent performances has lifted him to 19th on the rankings and within reach of an exemption into the second round of the LIV Promotions event.
Also among the strong contenders is defending champion Sadom. Currently fifth on the Order of Merit, he could this week climb The International Series Rankings, where he currently sits at 33rd place.
Other golfers to watch at the Singapore Open are Japan’s Kazuki Higa; Zimbabweans Scott Vincent and his younger brother Kieran; Taiwan’s long-hitter Wang Wei-hsuan; Americans Talor Gooch and Caleb Surratt; Englishman Paul Casey; and Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin.
McKibbin won last week’s Hong Kong Open, with a record 27-under 253, to earn a spot in next year’s US Masters.
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