It’s been a week of dominance by Kevin and Tom Whitcraft and their crew on the TP52 THA72. Other than a fourth place on Day 3, they haven’t put a foot wrong across a wide range of conditions and have won eight from nine races, defending their IRC Zero title with a 17 point winning margin.

When you delve into the results deeper, however, the racing has been much closer than it at first appears with winning margins of eight seconds in Race 1 and only four seconds in Race 3, a trend that can be seen across the seven-strong class.

Today the battle was more about second and third places. Tensions were high with individual recalls for Ark 323 and Freefire in the first race and a general recall in the second. A second in Race 8 by the much improved Chinese team on Ark 323 (less than 60 seconds behind THA72 on corrected time) helped put some breathing space between them and Freefire (HKG) in the overall standings while a third for Zannekin (HKG) saw them leapfrog Alive.

Heading into the final race, Sarab Singh’s team on WindSikher were sitting second overall with a five point lead over Zannekin and bearing any major mishap, had their place secured. A fifth in the final race for WindSikher was enough for them to finish second overall while a third for Alive saw them claim third place, two points ahead of Zannekin.

Seeing two or three TP52s on the startline of any regatta in Asia is quite special, but four is almost unheard of. A fifth TP52 was expected to compete this year but sadly had to pull out last minute, and there’s talk of two more joining the circuit in the not-too-distant future – seven TP52s on a startline is a distinct possibility come next year.

Over Samui Regatta week all four have made it on to the podium but it was THA72’s consistency that saw them claim the division win. Second and third place went down to the wire with Sam Chan’s Freefire having a single point lead over Ark 323 with just one race to go. Freefire drove their advantage home in the final race finishing second, and in the process claimed second overall in the TP52 division. Ark 323 had to settle for third, two points back.

Timothy Fox and crew on the chartered Fujin (AUS) saved their best for the final day – two wins from two races. A second for Mandrake III (HKG) in Race 8 meant Loco (SIN) had an uphill battle needing to reign in a three point differential in the final race. Ultimately, it was too big of an ask. While they finished second ahead of Mandrake III, their third place was enough for them to win the IRC One class.

Nick Burns and Fred Kinmonth, co-owners of Mandrake III have been competing on the Asian circuit for more years than perhaps they would care to remember. Based in Hong Kong, they are stalwarts of the regional racing scene and have travelled far and wide competing in regattas with a number of Mandrakes and predominantly a Corinthian crew. Not only have they defended their IRC One title at Samui Regatta this year, but this win is the cherry on top of their 2017/18 AsianYachting Grand Prix season. Having competed in eight regattas on the 13-regatta circuit this season, their top six scores count. Class winners at the China Coast Regatta (13pts), Phuket King’s Cup Regatta (13pts), Samui Regatta (12pts), IRC Overall at Rolex China Sea Race (16pts), Commodore’s Cup (13pts) and second place at the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta (11pts), Mandrake III and the formidable Fred Kinmonth and Nick Burns duo are deservedly crowned 2017/18 AYGP Skipper and Yacht of the Year.

It was all change in Performance Cruising today when SailQuest Hi Jinks (THA) won the first race – their first win of the series. A second for Souay 1, despite some sail damage, was, however, enough for them to secure the title with one race to spare while they went on to wrap up the series with a win in the final race by 20 seconds on corrected time. Two DNS’ brought Moon Shadow’s (THA) series to an early end and a third place overall.

After a slow start for Thailand and Asian Champion, Narapichit Pudla, he came out all blazing in the Hydrofoil Kites – Men’s class today. Three bullets saw him jump to the top of the standings and crowned inaugural Men’s winner in the first stop of the KTA Asia Pacific Hydrofoil Series, while compatriot Benyapa Jantawan went on to claim the Women’s class.

In the Master’s class Daniel Leow (MAS) showed his class with six wins from nine races to dominate the class while Singapore’s Maximillian Maeder won the Boys division undefeated and racing off the startline was never out of the top three places when all class results are combined.

In Samui to observe the action was the team from JS Concert who following the conclusion of racing signed a contract for the Malaysia round of the KTA Asia Pacific Hydrofoil Series, which is set to take place later this year in November at Desaru Coast, in Johor. An area of 3,900 acres along a pristine 17km unspoiled beachfront, the location offers perfect conditions for the KTA to bring international kiteboarding competition to Malaysia for the first time.

Sharapova, who Williams has beaten 18 times in a row, claimed in her recent memoir ‘Unstoppable’ that Serena “hated” her for hearing her cry after the 2004 Wimbledon final.

The fourth-round match at Roland Garros on Monday will be the first time the two have faced off since the American’s win in the 2016 Australian Open quarter-finals — Sharapova’s last match before serving a 15-month doping ban.

“I think the book was 100 percent hearsay, at least all the stuff I read and the quotes that I read, which was a little bit disappointing,” said Williams after her 6-3, 6-4 third-round win over Julia Goerges.

“I have cried in the locker room many times after a loss, and that’s what I have seen a lot of people do. I think it’s normal.

“It’s a Wimbledon final, you know. So it’s just, like, I think it would be more shocking if I wasn’t in tears…

“The book was a lot about me. I was surprised about that, to be honest. You know, I was, like, ‘oh, okay. I didn’t expect to be reading a book about me, that wasn’t necessarily true’.”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who holds a 19-2 record over Sharapova, is playing her first major tournament since winning the 2017 Australian Open, after giving birth to her daughter Olympia.

Williams’s only two losses to fellow former world number one Sharapova came 14 years ago — in the 2004 Wimbledon final and at the WTA Tour Championships — before even the birth of Twitter and YouTube.

But both are on the road back towards the top of the sport after their recent absences.

Williams had played only four matches since taking time off due to pregnancy before arriving at Roland Garros.

Sharapova is seeded for the first time at a Grand Slam since her suspension for using meldonium and is playing her first French Open since 2015 after being refused a wildcard by tournament organisers last year.

But the 36-year-old thinks the Russian should be the favourite on Monday as she lacks playing time, while Sharapova produced her best tennis since returning to the court in dismantling former world number one Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 6-1.

“Quite frankly, she’s probably a favourite in this match, for sure,” added Serena.

“She’s been playing for over a year now. I just started. So I’m just really trying to get my bearings and trying to feel out where I am and see where I can go.”

Russia’s Maria Sharapova returns the ball to Czech Republic’s Karolina Pliskova.

– ‘Numbers don’t lie’ –

The rivalry between the two has been a bitter one since the Russian’s shock victory over Williams as a 17-year-old at Wimbledon, but she admitted that the “numbers don’t lie”.

Sharapova has lost their last seven meetings in straight sets and has managed to take only three sets in those 18 straight losses.

“Any time you play against Serena you know what you’re up against,” said the 31-year-old.

“You know the challenge that is upon you. You know, despite the record that I have against her, I always look forward to coming out on the court and competing against the best player.

“I think there is a lot of things in her game that she’s done much better than I have… Numbers don’t lie.”

But for all the bad blood between the two over the years — often involving claims and counter-claims over their private lives — Sharapova added in her book that reconciliation may come once the on-court battles are over.

“Serena and I should be friends; we have the same passion. But we are not. I think, to some extent, we have driven each other. Maybe that’s what it takes,” she wrote.

“Only when you have that intense antagonism can you find the strength to finish her off. Who knows? Some day, when all this is in our past, maybe we’ll become friends.”

“If we play like that in Russia, then we have no chance,” fumed Germany head coach Loew in Klagenfurt on Saturday.

Less than a fortnight before the World Cup kicks off in Russia, Germany have now suffered back-to-back defeats after also sliding to a 1-0 loss to Brazil in Berlin in March.

The good news from a German perspective is that Bayern Munich goalkeeper Neuer looks set to go to the World Cup, having proved his fitness despite eight months on the sidelines due to injury.

However, when the Germany defence buckled in the second half, Neuer was powerless to stop Martin Hinteregger and Alessandro Schoepf scoring after Mesut Ozil had given the Germans an early lead.

“That was a good comeback from Manuel Neuer after so long out,” said Loew. “He made one or two outstanding saves, but the defeat annoys me.

“We didn’t put into practice what we had planned.

“After the break, we fell into a pattern which I didn’t like at all and we were far too sloppy in our game going forward.”

However, Loew was keeping calm with one eye on the World Cup.

“There is a lot of work to do, but we won’t drive ourselves crazy,” he said.

“In two weeks, the team will be very differently prepared and I won’t be having sleepless nights.”

Loew left out World Cup winners Thomas Mueller, Toni Kroos, Mats Hummels and Jerome Boateng, but the Germans only controlled the rain-delayed game for the first half an hour.

Loew declined to comment when a poll by national broadcaster ZDF showed the majority of German fans would rather see Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen than Neuer play at the World Cup.

– ‘Keep calm’ –

Both Neuer and Ter Stegen are set to fly to Russia.

Despite missing 259 days with a fractured foot, Neuer looked sharp but Loew says he will see how his goalkeeper’s problematic left foot reacts on Sunday.

This was Austria’s first win over their neighbours in nearly 32 years – dating back to October 1986 when Rudi Voeller scored West Germany’s only goal in a 4-1 defeat in Vienna.

Austria’s match-winner still sees Germany as among the favourites to defend their world title in Russia.

“It’s always fun to win, but it is especially nice against Germany,” said Schalke midfielder Schoepf.

“But they have some quality players and are still one of the favourites for the title.

Loew must cut four names on Monday before Germany name their final 23-man World Cup squad and several players have reason to worry.

“After the break, we couldn’t find a structure that deserved to win against Austria,” said Nils Petersen.

The Freiburg striker was the top scoring German in the Bundesliga, but is one of the chief candidates to be axed after making his debut for 76 minutes against Austria.

“I’ll keep calm and let myself be surprised by whatever happens on Monday,” said the ex-Bayern Munich striker.

Germany play Saudi Arabia in Leverkusen on Friday in their final warm-up match before facing Mexico in Moscow in their opening World Cup match on June 17.

The Marcello Lippi’s squad proved more accurate in their scoring attempts despite playing on the wet pitch caused by heavy downpour in the second half.

Assisted by Zhi Xiao, Lei Wu put China up-front first with his attempt in the 34 th minute.

Just before the start of the second half, heavy rain shower caused unplayable condition, forcing a 30-minute delay.

Consadole Sapporo’s striker Chanathip Songkrasin almost found an equalizer in the second half but he failed to capitalize on his two attempts.

China extended to 2-0 in the 74^th minute after a brilliant kick from Lei went past Thai goalie Kawin Thamsatchanan and found the net.

Rahil Gangjee will be the highest-ranked player in the elite field where he currently sits in third place on the Habitat for Humanity Standings. He will be joined by new Asian Tour winner John Catlin and an in-form Sihwan Kim of the United States at the Thai Country Club from June 7 to 10.

Australia’s Scott Hend, the 2016 Asian Tour number one, Scott Vincent of Zimbabwe, Berry Henson of the United States and Indian stalwart Gaganjeet Bhullar will also feature in the US$300,000 Asian Tour event which also marks the start of the new 2018/2019 Panasonic Swing series.

Thailand will also be well represented in her National Open by defending champion Rattanon Wannasrichan, Jazz Janewattananond, Danthai Boonma, Panuphol Pittayarat and Pavit Tangkamolprasert, who won his sixth Asian Development Tour (ADT) title last week.

Korean-American Kim is enjoying a splendid season on the Asian Tour so far. The 29-year-old finished tied third at the Hero Indian Open in March and followed up on that performance with a fourth-place finish at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship in Japan in April.

Kim is playing in his second full season on the Asian Tour and he hopes to land his first victory. He is currently ranked fifth on the Habitat for Humanity Standings and is determined to improve on his tied 15th place finish at the Thailand Open last year.

“If I can play well, things will take care of itself. I’ve had good results and that will get my confidence up. If I continue to play like how I did in India and Japan, then I’ll be fine,” said Kim.

New Asian Tour winner Malcolm Kokocinski of Sweden, who is based in Hua Hin, Thailand, is determined to continue his winning form.

The Swede played primarily on the ADT earlier this year where he secured three runner-up finishes before going on to win his first Asian Tour title at the AB Bank Bangladesh Open last month.

“The victory in Bangladesh means a lot to me. I didn’t have a status on the Asian Tour so I’m pleased with how I won. I have had some good results on the ADT so I decided to stay in Thailand and see what the year has to offer,” said Kokocinski.

The Thailand Open will also see a charity drive initiated by the Asian Tour’s Sustainable Development Partner, Habitat for Humanity. The non-profit organisation, which focusses on providing low-income families in need of decent shelter, will raise funds by selling their merchandise at the Thai Country Club.

Nothing lost from a sailing perspective and following the storm Samui Regatta was re-booted with 10-15 knots of fresh breeze today and some great sailing around the Northern tip of Samui.

A 32nm passage race for the IRC racers and 22nm for the Performance Cruising and Multihull classes allowed the sailors to mix it up.

Keen to get going, the IRC Zero class were recalled after a number were OCS and at the second attempt, Alive (AUS) used their superior waterline length to power up and lead the class around the course claiming their sixth line honours of the series. After almost three hours of racing they corrected out in second place – their best result so far – and with that move up into third in the overall standings.

The win, however, went to THA72 who’s fourth place blip on Day 3 seems a distant memory as they corrected out more than 10 minutes clear of the rest of the pack, with Freefire (HKG) finishing third. The top three had a clear lead over the rest of the class but fourth, fifth and sixth were separated by just 60 seconds – Zannekin, Ark 323, WindSikher respectively – showing how close the racing can be.

THA72 leads the TP52 Division comfortably while second and third places look set to go down to the wire tomorrow. Currently Freefire (HKG) has the edge over AKR 323 (CHN) with Team Ulumulu (MAS) five points further back in fourth.

In IRC One, Fujin’s (AUS) second place today has a big impact on the overall series results. A first for Mandrake III (HKG) and third for Loco (SIN) ensures Mandrake III has a two point lead going into the final day. If the wind’s up and the Race Officer sets multiple races, expect some high pressure racing in this class.

Souay 1 (CAN) had the better of the rest in Performance Cruising today adding another win to their scorecard which reads five wins from five races, while SailQuest Hi Jinks (THA) had to settle for second ahead of Moon Shadow (THA) in third.

Andy Pape’s Sudu Red (GER) suffered daggerboard damage in racing today, forcing him to retire. Sudu Grey (THA), skippered by Thai sailor Nut Thongtoam, saw the opening and sailed an excellent race to score the daily line honours/ handicap double. Mick Tilden’s Pixalux (AUS) had to settle for second ahead of Paul Baker’s Sudu Yellow (AUS) in third – their best performance of the series.

Hydrofoil Kites started their series in earnest today. While the keelboats and multihulls enjoyed a day off racing yesterday (Thursday) the kiteboards were prepping for the first day of their series. The weather, however, had different ideas – no wind, followed by storms and lightening, meant their Day 1 was called off. Today, however, the conditions were ideal and it was spectacular to see the 11 kiteboarders from seven countries enjoying the first round of the newly established Asia – Oceanic Hydrofoil Kiteboard Tour.

Racing off Maenam Beach in a fresh breeze reaching 15 knots, the four kiteboard classes were off on time. Two quick windward/ leewards were followed by a 12.8 nm long race during which the lead riders reported speeds in excess of 22 knots. After a brief stint back on the beach, the riders were off for a second salvo – three more windward/ leewards.

Despite a DNF in the last race of the day, Teerarat Sudpumkaew (THA) has a two point lead in the Men’s class while Benyapa Jantawn leads the Women’s class.

In the Masters Class the racing is close as five riders have placed in the top three so far. Daniel Leow (MAS) is the stand; never out of the top three his consistency places him top of the standings ahead of Rachan Taktin (THA) who’s retirement in Race 2 has hurt is pointscore. Kazumasa Sugihara (JPN) sits third overall.

With a focus to develop the grassroots, the Asia – Oceanic Hydrofoil Kiteboard Tour has a Boys class and it’s Singapore rider Maximillian Maeder leading from Huang Qibin (CHN) in second.

Racing for all the classes finishes tomorrow with prizes presented at the Gala Dinner hosted by Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui.

Smith carded her second straight five-under round for a 10-under total of 134 at Shoal Creek, where thunderstorms led to extensive delays on a course that had been soaked earlier in the week.

Seventy-eight players were unable to complete the second round, which was to resume early Saturday morning. Ariya was six under after eight holes.

Smith’s fellow Australian Su Oh made it into the clubhouse on six-under 138 after a second-round 68.

Oh said  her effort included “nothing outstanding” although she putted well and dealt calmly with the challenges of the soggy course.

“It’s weird, because it’s playing longer because it’s so soft, but it’s hot so the irons are going really far,” said Oh, who said she was also constantly on the lookout for mud that might affect the flight of her ball.

Smith had shared the overnight lead with Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn and South Korea’s Lee Jeong-eun — who uses the numerical designator “6” with her name to distinguish her from five other Korean pros with the same name.

Ariya had birdied her first hole and was six-under for the tournament through eight holes when the horn sounded to end play for the day.

Lee, meanwhile, slipped down the leaderboard with a second-round 75 that left her eight adrift.

Smith, 33, is hoping for a breakthrough victory despite lacklustre results so far in a season in which her best finish was a tie for 26th at the Kia Classic.

“I was definitely nervous, but not like I’ve been in the past,” Smith said of heading out early with a share of the lead. “I was actually kind of happy with how I handled it a bit more today.”

Smith teed off on 10 and promptly birdied 11, 12 and 13. She nabbed two more birdies before the turn and another at the par-five third before her only bogey of the day, a three-putt at eight.

“I just felt really easy,” said Smith, who is seeking a first win since joining the tour in 2006.

Smith said a switch back to her old irons, a reversion to a conventional putting grip and advice from coach Sean Foley — who basically told her to just stick with it — had helped her pull her game together.

Now she’ll just try to stay on an even keel throughout the weekend.

“I hope to show up like it’s another day,” said Smith, whose husband, Duane, is her caddie. “I’m happy with the way I’m playing. I feel comfortable on the greens which has been something that has been a little bit off. So it’s nice to feel like I’m seeing the greens really well and seeing some putts go in. Hopefully that keeps going.”

World number 29 Dzumhur also served for the match in the fourth set, but Zverev clung on and claimed a 6-2, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 victory.

Zverev, 21, who is seen as the main threat to Rafael Nadal’s expected coronation as champion for an 11th time, endured a nightmare outing on Court Philippe Chatrier that lasted almost four hours.

He hit 73 unforced errors, dropped serve eight times and served up seven double faults.

He had to save a match point in the 10th game of the decider before breaking and holding to make the last 16 for the first time where he will face either French 15th seed Lucas Pouille or Russia’s Karen Khachanov.

The match between Pouille and Khachanov was one of two men’s matches not completed as rain curtailed play at 1910 local time (1710 GMT), before being called off for the evening an hour later with the Russian leading 6-3, 7-5, 1-1.

“It was an amazing, high level match,” said Zverev after his first-ever win on Chatrier.

“It was the first time I have won on this court and I hope there are many more to come.”

Zverev, who also had to fight back from two sets to one down in the second round against Serbian Dusan Lajovic, is looking to become the first German man to win the title since 1937.

But he has never reached a Grand Slam quarter-final, although the longer best-of-five format has worked twice in his favour now at Roland Garros.

– Djokovic battles through –

Djokovic claimed a hard-fought 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 victory over a grieving Roberto Bautista Agut.

The 31-year-old former world number one struggled at times on Suzanne Lenglen court, but eventually came through the four-set battle in three hours and 48 minutes.

Djokovic has now made the last 16 of a Slam for the 43rd time, tying Jimmy Connors on the all-time list, second only to Roger Federer’s tally of 60.

Djokovic, seeded 20 after struggling to find his best form since returning from an elbow injury, will take on Fernando Verdasco for a last-eight place after the Spaniard knocked out fourth seed Grigor Dimitrov.

The Serbian has now made the second week at Roland Garros for the last nine years in a row.

Bautista Agut was playing in Paris despite the death of his mother last week.

“Fours hours for the match, I’m a bit tired, Bautista Agut plays with too much patience for me, but I’m very happy to have won the match,” said Djokovic.

The 34-year-old Verdasco inflicted an early exit on Dimitrov, with the Spaniard winning 7-6 (7/4), 6-2, 6-4 in his 350th clay-court match.

Bulgarian Dimitrov, a two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist, has still never reached the second week at Roland Garros in eight attempts.

“You have to draw the line and, you know, look for the next chapter,” said the world number five.

Japan’s Kei Nishikori made short work of home hope Gilles Simon as he cruised into the fourth round for the fifth time.

The 28-year-old, seeded 19 in his first Grand Slam since Wimbledon last year after struggling with a wrist injury, saw off Simon 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.

Nishikori will next play Austrian Dominic Thiem, the only man to beat Nadal on clay this year, after the seventh seed beat Italian Matteo Berrettini 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2.

In the women’s draw, Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki eased past Frenchwoman Pauline Parmentier 6-0, 6-3.

The second seed, a quarter-finalist in Paris last year, will face Daria Kasatkina for a place in the last eight after the Russian beat Maria Sakkari 6-1, 1-6, 6-3.

US Open runner-up Madison Keys saw off Japanese 21st seed Naomi Osaka 6-1, 7-6 (9/7), setting up a last-16 tie with 31st seed Mihaela Buzarnescu.

Buzarnescu, a 30-year-old Romanian with a doctorate in sports sciences who had never won a Grand Slam match before this week, downed Ukraine’s fourth seed Elina Svitolina with a shock 6-3, 7-5 victory.

 Five years ago Thailand dished out a 5-1 victory in an exhibition game in Anhui province.

This time, with Milovan Rajevac in charge for Thailand and the widely-revered Italian Marcello Lippi in the opposite dug-out China, it will be a daunting task for the hosts to overcome.

“This is a great challenge for us. Marcello led Italy to the World Cup [in 2006]. He is one of the best coaches in the world,” said the Serbian Rajevac, whose career highlight includes leading Ghana to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2010.

Rajevac used to work in China as assitant coach for Beijing Guoan between 2000-2003 and noticed a huge improvement in Chinese football.

“China is moving in right direction. They have invested a lot of money. In the next World Cup Qualifiers China will be one of the serious challengers,” Rajevac said.

Asked if Thailand focused too much on defence and were not very successful in attack, Rajevac said: “In modern football you have to play an attacking game but also have a good defence to achieve good results. Even the Italian team with Lippi as coach played defensively but were able to score goals, too.”

Milovan Rajevac 

China will be represented by several young players who impressed Lippi during a 1-0 win over Myanmar in a friendly last week.

“This is a chance to see how much they have improved and how ready they are for the Asian Cup,” the Italian coach said.

The game will mark the 100th cap for China’s 37-year-old captain Zheng Zhi.

Marcello Lippi 

“Zheng is a very disciplined player, which is why he is the most successful player in China,” said Lippi. “He is the most important player in the team and the young players look to him as a role model.”

The Guangzhou Evergrande’s midfielder has represented China since 2002 and has scored 15 goals.

“To play professional football for China for the 100th time is a great honour for me. I’m looking forward to a good result for my team,” he said.

Thai midfielder Thitipan Puangchan of Bangkok Glass said: “We have several new players who have shown potentails to be at this pointt. We used ot beat China but it was a long time ago. I expect an entertaining match.”

The match will be shown live on Thai Rath TV 32.

 Thitipan Puangchan and Zheng Zhi

The 22-year-old Jazz, who earned the coveted berth by finishing tied-fourth at The Open Qualifying Series at the SMBC Singapore Open in January, is excited to make his first Major appearance at the venue where he watched his idol Tiger Woods in action in 2007.

“My father brought me to watch Tiger at Carnoustie when I was around 10 years old so earning my Major debut to play at the same venue this year makes me feel really special. It has been a long journey since.

“I’m just trying to gather as many information as I can before I head there. It’s going to be a different kind of golf tournament for sure. I have never played there before so I need to expect the unexpected and go there with an open mind and see what I can do,” said Jazz.

Jazz reckons that playing in the unfamiliar conditions will be his biggest test when he tees off in the year’s third Major championship from July 19 to 22.

“I’ve been asking around to find out how it is like to play on a links course. I played with Thongchai (Jaidee) and Kiradech (Aphibarnrat) during a practice round at the Volvo China Open last month and they gave me some good advices on what I should be prepared for,” he added.

Jazz turned professional at the end of 2010. Earlier that year, he played his way into the history books of the Asian Tour by becoming the youngest ever player, at the age of 14 years and 71 days, to make the halfway cut at the Asian Tour International.

He failed to retain his Asian Tour card for the first time at the end of 2016 but a breakthrough win at the 2017 Bangladesh Open saw him turned his career around and eventually finished the season in a career-high ninth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

“It’s difficult to find something that’s similar to the links course here. The weather is different and the ground is firmer. Everything is going to be different. Sometimes, when a big event comes, you try and do something different. But it doesn’t necessarily work all the time.

“I just want to give it my best. I will prepare to my best capability and see what happens. My parents will be heading over to Carnoustie with me so I am looking forward to it. Playing in a Major tournament is every professional golfer’s dream. I can’t wait to be there,” Jazz said.

This July, Jazz will represent his country alongside Kiradech Aphibarnrat, world number 30, and Danthai Boonma, who also secured his Major debut after finishing tied-fourth at the season-opener in Singapore in January.

Reigning Order of Merit champion Gavin Green of Malaysia and India’s Shubhankar Sharma, who leads the current Habitat for Humanity Standings, will also feature at The Open, golf’s oldest Major championship.

Other players expected to spearhead the Asian Tour challenge at The Open include 2015 Order of Merit champion Anirban Lahiri of India, South African Shaun Norris, Japan’s Yuta Ikeda and Mashiro Kawamura.

The upcoming Kolon Korean Open, co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Korean Golf Association, will be part of The Open Qualifying Series.

Two spots will be awarded to the leading two players (not otherwise exempt) finishing in the top-eight and ties in the event, which will take place at the Woo Jeong Hills from June 21 to 24.