The Australian Travis Smyth (-15) claimed on Sunday the first International Series of the season played in Japan. He prevailed at the Caledonian Golf Club with a sensational comeback. He therefore puts himself in pole position to secure an LIV Golf card next season. A poor final day for Pablo Ereño (+7), trapped in a rollercoaster he could not escape.
Smyth achieved victory in epic fashion. First, because he began the tournament with a bland even-par round that left him in 73rd place. And second, because he won with an eagle on his final hole. In doing so, he prevailed by one shot over the Thai Pavit Tangkamolprasert (-14) and the Japanese Ryosuke Kinoshita (-14). Both waited in the clubhouse convinced they had at least earned the right to a playoff after returning rounds of 62 and 63, respectively. Maybe next time.
Smyth built his victory on a sensational performance over the final 27 holes. It all started yesterday on his tenth hole, immediately after making a double bogey. From there, an impressive 11-under-par run. The eagle at the 18th was a possibility, but it wasn’t handed to him. A total of five had been made before the Australian arrived at the green. He holed a difficult left-to-right putt of about five metres.
It is Smyth’s second victory on the Asian Tour, after winning the Yeangder TPC in 2022. At 31, he has spent virtually his entire career on the Asian Tour, with the odd foray into LIV Golf, immediately after that 2022 win. His main objective is to secure a card for the Saudi league through the International Series.
Pablo Ereño (+7) finished with a poor tee-to-green day. He hit six fairways and ten greens and endured a crushing sequence of three consecutive double bogeys between holes 14 and 16, for a +7 score from 14 to 18. He started on 10 and still had the grit to keep fighting with three birdies at holes 3, 4 and 6, but finished with two more bogeys to close with a round of 75, in 71st place. A poor card on a day that produced some of the best scores in the Japan tournament.
Despite everything, there are positives. Ereño adds another experience to his fledgling career. He made the cut, responding brilliantly to a high-pressure moment, and continues his preparation to be as ready as possible for the return of the HotelPlanner Tour, his main goal this year.
