Previously LIV Golf Competitor Secures Second Open Championship Appearance, Three Years Post-Surprising Top-15 Performance at St Andrews
Winning the 2025 Kolon Korea Open: Sadom Kaewkanjana's Triumphant Return to Victory
In a thrilling finale at the La Vie Est Belle Golf Club's Dunes Course, Thai professional, Sadom Kaewkanjana, secured a two-stroke victory at the 2025 Kolon Korea Open. This win marked his second Open Championship start and third Asian Tour triumph.
This triumphant event was part of the R&A's global Open Qualifying Series, where only the winner secured a spot at the Royal Portrush in July. The Dunes Course, known for its tough layout, tested even the most skilled players, raising eyebrows before the competition even started due to a video showcasing a scarily-tight fairway on a long par-5.
The final round was a nail-biting cat-and-mouse game between Kaewkanjana and fellow countryman, Poom Saksansin. They exchanged the lead numerous times, but it was the former who ultimately managed to overcome a one-stroke deficit to claim the $360,000 first-prize check.
Speaking after his win, Kaewkanjana expressed his excitement and pride, "Yeah, honestly, I'm absolutely chuffed, of course! I'm completely stoked. It is a massive honor to win this event - it's one of the biggest in the region. After a memorable debut at St Andrews in 2022, I told myself I'd be back at The Open one day. And I did it today!"
The course proved to be a brutal test, yet the former LIV golfer persevered, securing his first Asian Tour victory since 2022. In 2022, he won the Singapore Open, earning a spot at the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews, where he surprised many by finishing tied for 11th.
At a time when he was in the middle of a strong run of form, Kaewkanjana was offered a place in the inaugural LIV Golf League campaign. However, he was dropped ahead of the season's penultimate event in Jeddah after a series of disappointing results. Between this setback and his return to the winner's circle, the 26-year-old had come second on three occasions and recorded five other top-five results.
Now, with his Korea Open win, Kaewkanjana ranks atop the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, edging past Carlos Ortiz from Mexico and Ollie Schniederjans from the USA. The Asian Tour's next tournament, the International Series Morocco, is scheduled for July 3-6 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam.
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The R&A's Open Qualifying Series is an essential part of the global golfing circuit, offering opportunities for golfers to qualify for The Open. The series includes various tournaments where leading players can earn exemptions to participate in The Open. While specific events for the 2025 Open Qualifying Series are not detailed, the series usually offers exemptions to top performers at certain tournaments, allowing a diverse range of golfers to compete in The Open.
For the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush, the qualification process involves Regional and Final Qualifying events, with the Regional Qualifying happening on June 23 at 15 venues across Great Britain and Ireland. Successful golfers from these events advance to Final Qualifying events on July 1. Additionally, the Open Qualifying Series includes exemptions for players performing well in other international tournaments, and there's a pathway for players from the LIV Golf League.
The Amateur Series in Europe, which includes events like the St Andrews Links Trophy and The Amateur Championship, also offers exemptions to The Open for amateur golfers who accumulate the most WAGR points across these events.
Despite his brief stint with the LIV Golf League, Sadom Kaewkanjana demonstrates his adaptability and resilience in the world of sports as he excels in sports-analysis events like the R&A's Open Qualifying Series, with his triumphant return to victory at the 2025 Kolon Korea Open securing him a spot in the upcoming Open Championship. Furthermore, the Dunes Course of La Vie Est Belle Golf Club tests even the most skilled players in golf, making it a challenging yet exciting platform for the showcase of sporting prowess.
