Macau:A contingent of 26 Thai professional golfers is gearing up to compete in the SJM Macao Open, which features a total prize pool of US$1 million (approximately 33 million baht). The tournament will take place at the Macau Golf and Country Club in the Macau Special Administrative Region of China, with the first round beginning on Thursday, October 15th.
According to Thai News Agency, the SJM Macao Open is being hosted by the Sports Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region in collaboration with main sponsor SJM Resorts S.A., along with IMG, the Asian Tour, and the Macao Golf Association. The event will run from October 15-18 at the 6,713-yard, par 70 course, featuring 144 golfers from 27 countries. The winner will receive a prize of US$180,000, or approximately 6 million baht.
Past Thai winners of the Macau Open include Thaworn Wiratchant, Pavith Tangkamolprasert, and Rathanon Wannasrichan. Pavith, who claimed victory in 2016, is currently leading the 2026 Asian Tour Order of Merit standings and aims to repeat his success in Macau. He fondly remembers his first Asian Tour title there, achieved in memory of King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Pavith expressed his determination to maintain his form and potentially secure the top spot on the Asian Tour by continuing to perform well in the remaining tournaments.
Other Thai golfers with a chance to make a mark include Suthipat Prateepthienchai and Phum Saksaensilp, each with four Asian Tour wins; Sadom Kaewkanjana, a three-time champion and recent Asian Games bronze medalist; along with Danthai Boonma and Saris Suwannarat, both two-time champions.
The tournament will also feature renowned global golfers such as Henrik Stenson, the 2016 Open Championship winner from Sweden; Im Sung-jae, a two-time PGA Tour champion from South Korea; Paul Casey, a former world number 3 from England; and American golfer Peter Ueline. Paul Casey, participating in the SJM Macau Open for the first time, expressed enthusiasm about playing in Macau, highlighting the city's vibrant atmosphere and energy.