Thai Golfer Atthiwich Eyes Fourth SJM Macau Open Title

Pro Jazz Atthiwich Janwathananon said he believes the SJM Macau Open 2026 is favorable for Thai golfers, pointing out that three Thai pros have previously won the tournament. He aims to become the fourth Thai champion. The Asian Tour event SJM Macau Open will kick off with a total purse of US$1 million (around 33 million baht) at the Macau Golf and Country Club, a par-70 venue in the Macau Special Administrative Region of China, running from October 15 to 18. The field includes 144 talented golfers, headlined by Henrik Stenson, the 2016 Open Championship major champion from Sweden, and Im Sung-jae, a two-time PGA Tour winner from South Korea. Meanwhile, Pro Jazz Atthiwich Janwathananon, former Asian Tour number one in 2019, hopes to etch his name as the fourth Thai golfer to win the event, following Taworn Wiratchant (2009), Pawin Kulprasert (2016), and Ratthanon Wannasrichan (2024). The Macau Special Administrative Region Sports Bureau (MSB) together with SJM Resort S.A. (SJM), the main sponsor, along with IMG, the Asian Tour, and the Macau Golf Association, are organizing the SJM Macau Open at the Macau Golf and Country Club. On October 13, a promotional warm‑up activity was held ahead of the first round, which begins Thursday. The same day served as the official practice round. Thai representative “Pro Jazz” Atthiwich Janwathananon, who has played on the Asian Tour for 16 years and captured 11 professional titles—including seven Asian Tour victories—and once rose to world No. 38, said he is ready to compete again in the SJM Macau Open after his last appearance in 2024. He hopes to become the fourth Thai golfer to win the tournament, after Taworn Wiratchant (2009), Pawin Kulprasert (2016), and Ratthanon Wannasrichan (2024). Atthiwich Janwathananon, 30, the former Asian Tour leader in 2019, noted his strong form after finishing fifth in three recent Asian Tour events. He said: “Macau is a popular tourist destination for Thais, and golfers like us always feel great whenever we play here. I am quite familiar with this course and believe Thai players have a good chance to win, including myself wanting to be the next Thai champion of this event. Midway through the year I tweaked my swing slightly, which has helped my form; over the past two‑to‑three weeks I’ve seen clear improvement. It took me over two and a half years to iron out my flaws. Looking ahead, there are still three or four tournaments left this season, and I would love to claim at least one title.” Henrik Stenson, 50, a world‑class golfer with 22 professional wins—including the 2016 Open Championship and the 2009 Players Championship—said about his debut at the SJM Macau Open: “I am delighted to be playing in Macau for the first time. Many world‑class golfers have competed here; the course is beautiful and in excellent condition. This week’s competition will be challenging given the strong field, but I am pleased to have this event on my schedule despite the long travel. I hope to adjust quickly and maintain my momentum through the week.” Among the Asian Tour’s top players taking part this week, the contingent is led by seven golfers ranked in the top ten of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.