The International Series Rankings leader John Catlin still has his eyes on the big prize of a LIV Golf League berth in 2025 after unexpectedly missing the cut at the Link Hong Kong Open and opening the door to his nearest rivals.
Going into the tournament, the American held a 240 point lead over nearest rival and BNI Indonesian Masters champion Richard T Lee, who has roared into contention after finishing T9, T2 W in the last three tournaments.
With 360 points for the win in Hong Kong, there is everything to play for this weekend, especially with defending champion Ben Campbell - currently fourth in the rankings and within touching distance - holding the lead at the halfway stage.
Catlin carded six birdies, including three on the bounce, and four bogeys in his two-under 68, not ultimately enough to overcome his three-over first round. He said: “That was a lot better than yesterday , a lot more tidy and lot of very good golf shots. It is just one of these courses if you are just a little off, it exposes you and I didn’t have my best. It is what it is.”
There are 450 points up for grabs to the winner at International Series Qatar next week, and a bumper 1,000-point haul at the season-ending PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers, so Catlin is still upbeat about his chances.
He said: "I’ll go and work on some things and tidy some things up. I have played Doha Golf Club three of four tournaments and I know it pretty well, and I have already had some success at Riyadh Golf Club.
"It is all in a lifetime, sometimes you make a few mistakes and you learn from them and you move on. I’ve still got plenty to play for, I know where I want to be and I know what I have to do and do it, it’s all about going out there and doing it.”
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
