Some of the brightest talent from the UK golf scene have been given the chance to compete alongside the cream of the Asian Tour and some stellar names from the LIV Golf League as International Series England gets underway on Thursday at Foxhills Club & Resort.
A field of 148 lined up in a qualifying event on the Longcross course in June, and competition was fierce with six places up for grabs at the fourth of 10 Asian Tour-sanctioned events which form part of a global roadmap onto the LIV Golf League.
England’s Jason McGuiness finished top of the leaderboard on the day, with a superb bogey-free five-under-par round of 67. He cannot wait to make the most of the opportunity – his first taste of life on the Asian Tour in a field that also includes big names from the LIV Golf League such as Harold Varner III and Richard Bland.
He said: “The qualifier was an incredible opportunity and a platform for us to compete and to show what we could do. It gave guys like me the chance to make that jump and get comfortable in the environment. With LIV Golf League players and Asian Tour players in the field, it is obviously an awesome place to be. It is a great stepping stone.”
McGuinness, a former California State University student, has been turning out in the Clutch Pro Tour and is aiming to compete at the Asian Tour Q-School this year.
With Thai heritage on his mother’s side, McGuinness admits a place on the Asian Tour has genuine appeal.
Some words of encouragement from Saudi professional Othman Almulla have also gone a long way as he prepares for the biggest week on the calendar.
He said: “This week it is about trying not to feel too much pressure. It is still a golf tournament, and even though there is a lot more on the line, I have to get into the right headspace.
“I can do that by making sure that I get my prep work done, write all my notes from the practice rounds, and prepare as best as possible. It is such a fantastic opportunity.”
Jack Madden from Dungannon in Northern Ireland is another promising youngster looking to shine, and he is hoping to replicate his form from the qualifier after finishing tied second on four under alongside Robbie Busher, just a shot behind McGuinness.
Madden, an Arkansas State alum, may still be in the early days of his career, but he’s taking a bold approach to his rivals and hopes not to be overawed by the big names in a field which includes current rankings leader John Catlin.
The American has consistently proved his class this season with back-to-back victories at International Series Macau presented by Wynn and Saudi Open presented by PIF, a runners-up spot at International Series Morocco, four strong showings as a LIV Golf League alternate and a T16 in The Open Championship at Royal Troon last month.
He said: “Everyone starts level on Thursday morning, regardless of rankings. Obviously with the likes of John Catlin doing so well this year, and other big names in the field, it is amazing to think that for this week, they are like peers.”
Madden, who has his brother Danny on the bag this week, added: “It really was a no-brainer to play the qualifying tournament, giving myself the opportunity to challenge myself against such a strong field. I have had a few weeks now to think about it and it has been nice to get a bit of a plan in place for the week.”
Haider Hussain was one of three players who progressed from a thrilling eight-man play-off at Foxhills alongside Ryan Harmer and Robert Dinwiddie, and the 28-year-old is eager to make the most of his opportunity.
He said: “Opportunities like this do not come by very often, so to have a qualifier here for The International Series is an incredible pathway. Obviously it is still a dream but if you have a good week you have a pathway onto the Asian Tour and that could ultimately lead to a place on the LIV Golf League. That is a big dream, but it is also a big opportunity.”
Bristol-based Hussain, who also currently plays on the Clutch Pro Tour, is feeling bullish about his chances on the Longcross Course after holding his nerve to qualify from the play-off.
He said: “From, what I can see already, the event looks amazing. It is definitely nothing like I have played before. We have a lot of great players here, and the prize funds are bigger than I have played for, but the main thing is I feel comfortable.
“I do not feel out of place. Foxhills is a place I love. It is a course I have played a number of times and I have got myself in a good position a few times now.
“I feel good. I have got the game to be here, and now it's just about having a good week and enjoying myself.”
The International Series is the most prized pathway in golf. It consists of 10 elite tournaments sanctioned by the Asian Tour and offers the year-long Rankings leader promotion to the LIV Golf League
