The International Series Rankings leader John Catlin continued his sensational run of form this season with a T16 in The Open Championship at Royal Troon.
The tournament proved to be a real test, with a number of big names failing to make the cut or falling by the wayside as Xander Schauffele of the United States claimed his second major this season.
Catlin, a back-to-back champion on the Asian Tour this season,looked to be in big trouble after a five-over first round at Royal Troon on the west coast of Scotland, 11 shots off surprise leader Dan Brown of England.
A one-under second round of 70 was enough to secure a place on the weekend however. The 26-year-old made a blistering start to round three with four birdies on his front nine, and despite two bogeys after the turn he carded a two-under 69 and moved to T15 going into the final round.
Catlin, a six-time winner on the Asian Tour, then carded three birdies on the back nine as he battled to a level-par round of 71. That left Catlin in good company alongside two-time major champion Collin Morikawa and Mackenzie Hughes, in a final day that saw PGA Champion Schauffele card an incredible bogey-free six-under 65 to finish two ahead of Justin Rose and Billy Horschel.
Catlin said: “It's just so special.It's such an amazing event. I was walking up the last, and I was in that greenside bunker, and I still couldn't help but smile. It's just such a cool walk. It's so unique to the Open. That's something I'll always cherish.”
Earlier this season, Catlin edged out Spaniard David Puig in a thrilling play-off to win the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, and he followed that up with victory in the Saudi Open presented by PIF next time out.
Just a fortnight ago, he was on the wrong side of a sudden death play-off, losing out to Ben Campbell of New Zealand in the International Series Morocco on the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam’s Red Course.
That result still put Catlin top of the 2024 rankings and in pole position for that guaranteed place on the LIV Golf League roster next season.
His form had already led to an invite onto the LIV Golf League this season, where he had impressed as a stand-in for Charles Howell III on the Crushers GC team.
In just three tournaments, Catlin has returned a T24 in Houston, a stunning T7 in Nashville and a T23 in Valderrama,and he will head to LIV Golf UK in confident form this week as he continues to cover for his injured American compatriot.
The other two former champions on The International Series enjoyed mixed fortunes in Scotland this weekend.
American Andy Ogletree, a three-time champion with wins in Egypt, Qatar and England, has been battling with a wrist problem but still managed to make the cut finishing in 79th place.
Ogletree had earned his place onto Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC team this season as the 2023 rankings champion.
Fireballs GC player David Puig, the 2023 International Series Singapore champion and third of three winners representing The International Series, missed the cut in difficult conditions at Royal Troon.
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
