Staff WriterJohn Catlin is back on familiar turf at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn, and his return promises to be nothing short of exhilarating.
The American, a name synonymous with brilliance on the greens, once etched his legacy here by recording an 11‑under‑par 59—the Asian Tour’s first-ever sub‑60—a round that still sparks conversation among golf enthusiasts.
There’s a certain magic in the way golf writes its stories, and few narratives are as compelling as Catlin’s.
That record-breaking round wasn’t just a fluke—it became the cornerstone of a season where he clinched the Asian Tour Order of Merit title for the first time.
“I would love to repeat that this year, but we’ll see,” said the American. Reflecting on that surreal day, he recalled, “I was playing well last year; I knew I was playing well but that kind of round, a 59, is never planned.
I remember on 18, when I holed for an eagle Patrick [Reed] said to me, ‘was that for a 59?’ I said, ‘oh yes’.”
The drama continued with rounds of 67, 66, 59, and 65 that led him into a tie with Spain’s David Puig—before Catlin finally prevailed with a birdie on the second extra hole.
“I was up against it on both play-off holes. I just never gave up. I came back to Asia and the Asian Tour last year after struggling in Europe.
I struggled for a season there but rediscovered myself in Asia. Shooting 59 showed that,” he added, underscoring his relentless determination.
Adding another layer of excitement to the event, the stakes extend beyond personal glory.
The leading three players not already exempt who make the cut in the International Series Macau presented by Wynn will qualify for The 153rd Open at Royal Portrush.
This Asian Tour event, taking place at the Macau Golf and Country Club, China from 20–23 March, is the fifth stop in the Open Qualifying Series, and notably, no players in the field are already exempt for The 153rd Open.
In the event of a tie for a qualifying place, the player with the higher ranking in the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) at the beginning of the week commencing 17 March will be awarded the coveted spot.
Furthermore, the place of a successful qualifier who later becomes exempt via another category will not pass to the next non‑exempt golfer from that Open Qualifying Series event.
At a press conference, his compatriot Patrick Reed offered his own admiration: “It was an honour to be part of that. We also played with Andy Ogletree, and we were watching in disbelief.”
Notably, Reed would later echo Catlin’s feat by shooting 59 en route to winning the Link Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Golf Club.
In a nod to their shared brilliance, Catlin remarked, “Funnily enough we both had similar length, left to rights putts on the last for 59s.”
The accolades kept coming. After receiving his Asian Tour Order of Merit trophy at the Gala Dinner at Wynn Palace, Catlin expressed heartfelt gratitude: “I have so many people to thank for last year.
It was the culmination of so much hard work. I absolutely love being here in Macau. I hope this week will be the catalyst for another great season.”
At 34, the schedule remains as vibrant as ever. Fresh from his triumph in LIV Golf Singapore—where he won the multi‑million dollar circuit’s first-ever pre‑qualifier for reserves—and a top‑10 finish at the New Zealand Open, he acknowledged, “The season has started well. Not quite as good as last year but it’s early days. There’s a lot to play for with so many opportunities ahead.”
Yet, Catlin’s journey hasn’t been without its twists. When he ventured to Europe in 2020 with dreams of conquering the DP World Tour, there were whispers that the Asian Tour might lose one of its brightest stars.
His subsequent wins in Spain, Ireland, and Austria during the pandemic defied those doubts.
However, an inconsistent 2023 season saw him lose his European playing privileges—forcing him to make a bold choice about his future.
Returning to Asia was a natural step, even if it meant tackling the daunting Final Stage of the Tour’s Qualifying School without a current playing status.
Staged in Hua Hin, a place he fondly calls his second home, Catlin secured the 19th card from 35 on offer—setting the stage for what many now consider the finest season of his career.
As the International Series Macau presented by Wynn unfolds from 20–23 March, all eyes will be on John Catlin—a player whose blend of grit, skill, and a hint of unpredictability has long captured the imagination of golf fans worldwide.
Entry is free for all four days; register for tickets at: www.tixr.com/groups/internationalseriesmacau/events/
For further details on The International Series, please visit www.internationalseries.com.
In the grand theatre of golf, where every round is a story and every shot a sentence, Catlin continues to remind us why the game remains as enchanting as ever.
