Getting into the swing of things
Local rookie Si makes his mark at Macao tournament, as veteran Wu shows glimpses of a return to form
With young talent emerging and a veteran reviving his game, Chinese golfers stole the show at the International Series Macao, as the premier Asian Tour event keeps elevating the sport's profile in the region.
Even with three major winners and 17 LIV Golf League regulars featured among a strong field, the host's own hopeful Kelvin Si, a 22-year-old rookie pro, made sure he did not leave the $2 million tournament on his home course unnoticed. In fact, he's etched his name on a piece of history at the Macao Golf and Country Club, a picturesque seaside resort on the southeast coast of the special administrative region.
After two solid rounds, Si made the cut on Friday for the weekend showdown, becoming the first player from Macao to do so in an International Series event, where higher prize money, compared to a regular Asian Tour event, is offered, and ranking points for qualification to next season's LIV league are up for grabs.
Even with the international pros stepping up their game in the final two rounds, Si proved he belonged among them, as he hit four birdies in his two-under final round of 68 to cap off just his second appearance at the event tied for 19th with an eight-under total 272 after four rounds.
Summing up the weekend, Si was stoked for his stronger-than-expected finish, and particularly for the opportunity to benchmark his own progress against the world's best.
"It was a grind. I didn't hit the ball well, but I did manage to save a few pars here and there. All in all, a pretty good week," Si, a graduate from the University of San Diego who turned pro this year, said after Sunday's final round.
"I guess I can compete out here on the Asian Tour, especially as this field is pretty strong. I didn't play my best the last two days, and I'm still, at least currently, top 20. So, I just have to keep working hard.
"I really couldn't have imagined playing in the same field as major champions in my first year in pro golf. Definitely a good learning experience. And I can also see where my game is compared to them."
