John Catlin, the runaway leader on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings, is one of the headliners in a powerful field at this year’s BNI Indonesian Masters.
The American, who has also been enjoying success on the LIV Golf League this season, will be joined by LIV Golf stars Richard Bland from England and Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra, plus New Zealand’s Ben Campbell – another player in eye-catching form this year.
They are the first of what will be a long list of world-class golfers to confirm their participation in the US$2million event which will return to Royale Jakarta Golf Club from October 31-November 3.
It will also be the seventh of 10 stops on The International Series – the multi-million dollar series of upper-tier events that provide a pathway to the LIV Golf League, and the 17th leg of the season on the Asian Tour.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said: “The BNI Indonesian Masters provides local Indonesian golfers the chance to compete against top international players, and in doing so allows BNI to support the development of golf in Indonesia.
“In addition, the tournament, which we have sponsored since 2015, always provides BNI with the opportunity to strengthen its Go Global branding, as we are proactive in promoting our branding and exploring new global business opportunities.”
Added Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO, AsianTour: “With less than two months to go before the 12th edition of the BNI Indonesian Masters, we are thrilled to confirm that John Catlin, Richard Bland, Eugenio Chacarra and Ben Campbell, all proven winners, will grace the tournament with their presence.
“This is great news to start build-up preparations for a tournament that is so important to golf in Indonesia and the region as a whole. The BNI Indonesian Masters has been a consistent, popular and ever-present force for over a decade and we are thrilled to see things are taking shape for this year’s event.
“We thank BNI, The International Series and Royale Jakarta Golf Club for their firm commitment in making this event such a great success, which ensures it plays a key role in helping to contribute to another exciting conclusion to the season.
Catlin has won twice this year on the Asian Tour: winning the International Series Macau presented by Wynn and the Saudi Open presented by PIF back-to-back.
He also nearly claimed the International Series Morocco, but was stopped in his tracks by Campbell, after the Kiwi won on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off. It was Campbell’s second Asian Tour victory after his success in last year’s Hong Kong Open – also part of The International Series.
Both players have made appearances on the LIV Golf League this year as reserve players, with Catlin, in particular, performing well. He finished seventh in Nashville showing he feels completely at home on the game-changing franchise.
Bland, who plays for Cleeks GC on the LIV Golf League, hit global headlines this year by winning two Senior Majors in the US: the Senior PGA Championship in May and the US Senior Open two months later.
It has been an incredible run of form in the twilight of his career, with fans in Indonesia soon able to watch him play.
Chacarra is a winner on both The International Series, having triumphed in last year’s St Andrews Bay Championship – after an incredible 10-hole sudden-death play-off, an Asian Tour record – and the LIV Golf League, with victory in LIV Golf Bangkok in 2022.
Said Hendro Sutandi, President Director, Royale Jakarta Golf Club: “Since the debut of the Indonesian Masters in 2011, Royale Jakarta Golf Club has consistently been a trusted venue. We are honoured to be part of this tradition and to remain a valued partner of the event. The BNI Indonesian Masters is a major highlight for everyone at Royale Jakarta, from our members to our staff.
“Hosting such a distinguished group of players and gaining international exposure through its global television broadcast is a remarkable opportunity and privilege that we truly appreciate.”
India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar won last year’s BNI Indonesian Masters, succeeding Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand – who triumphed the year before, when the event first became part of The International Series.
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “The BNI Indonesian Masters is an important date on The International Series calendar. The past two editions have played a huge part in determining the end-of-season rankings race, and we anticipate that this season will be no different.
“It is important that we continue to bring The International Series to the traditional Asian golf markets as well as the new territories that we diversify into. The International Series offers opportunity at many levels, a direct pathway to the LIV Golf League and a wonderful chance for local talent to compete with some of the best in the world.”
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
