Staff WriterThe International Series Macau is set to dazzle golf fans everywhere, as a promising quartet of local Macau players steps onto the fairways to face a heavyweight field competing for one of three spots at The Open Championship this year.
This star-studded event, presented by Wynn, offers not only a proven path onto the LIV Golf League but also a coveted chance to qualify for the final major of the 2025 season at Royal Portrush.
The International Series, comprising 10 elevated events across the Asian Tour, has drawn three major champions and 17 LIV Golf League stars to Macau Golf and Country Club from 20-23 March.
The mix of global talent also paves the way for local standouts, who hope to seize the moment and sharpen their skills against some of the best in the business.
Amateur Lei Kun Wang will launch his quest in the first group on day one at 06:45 am.
Meanwhile, local player Ronnie Pui (Pui In Hun) tees off from the 10th at 11:35 am. Scotsman Ollie Roberts, an ambassador for Macau Golf and Country Club, takes to the course in the final group from the first tee at 1:30 pm, while Kelvin Si (Ngai Si) will start at the 10th hole at the same time.
It’s the second appearance at International Series Macau presented by Wynn for both Kelvin and Ronnie.
Their debut last year saw them finish two over par, missing the cut by six. Yet they’re both convinced the lessons learned will pay dividends in the long run.
Kelvin’s subsequent run—making the cut at the SJM Macao Open and earning his 2025 Asian Tour card at Q School in December—speaks volumes about the leaps in his game.
Kelvin, who’s pursuing a master’s degree in finance at the University of San Diego, credits his recent growth to facing high-calibre players.
He said: “You can watch all these incredible players and you can improve in lots of different areas.
For me, I took the experience (the missed cut), and I made the cut for the weekend at the Macao Open later in October.
It was fantastic; I now have some experience of making the cut I can carry with me into this week, along with my experience of the course.
“I think it will be really scorable if the wind calms down. But it is a really good field, especially with the opportunity for The Open qualifying, so I guess everyone is just looking at the opportunity they have this year.
Because of that, I think this particular edition of The International Series has taken things to another level.“
Ronnie is also hoping his familiarity with Macau Golf and Country Club will give him a leg up.
He said, “Hopefully because I have the course knowledge, I can put less pressure on myself. It is my home course. I grew up here.
I have played golf here for 18 years. I know the course, and so I am feeling confident.
“The conditions are actually a little different than I’m used to and the rough is a little thicker and greens are way faster. But besides that, I am still playing four rounds on my home course.”
He vividly recalls the excitement of last year’s event, when he found himself shoulder to shoulder on the practice green with a Ryder Cup icon.
“Actually, last year, I saw Ian Poulter putting on the putting green. I was putting on the hole at the time, and he came over and putted on the same hole with me.
So that was kind of cool. It is great to be able to play a tournament with such great players, and having such great players in our field playing in Macau.”
Standing at six-foot-six, Scotland-born Ollie Roberts is gearing up to make his own impression in a field that includes major winners Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell, and Patrick Reed, as well as former champions on this course like John Catlin, Anirban Lahiri, and two-time victors Gaganjeet Bhullar and Scott Hend. With deep roots in Macau—his father, Iain Roberts, is a pro at the host club—he knows precisely how tricky the course can be.
“It is quite an old-school Asian golf course. If the wind gets up, you have got to be accurate and hit the fairways,” he explained.
“The wedge game is really important, and big bombers do not really have much of an advantage out here.
You have to hit it straight, and on the greens if you leave yourself any sliders, you just cannot make that many. It is more about strategy and picking your spots.
“I think the biggest thing is just to have no expectations. It is nice to have local support; it is great when the members come out and cheer us on so I just have to make sure I play my own game and see what happens.
We know how to tear it up. We also know where the danger lies, so local knowledge is an advantage and a disadvantage.”
International Series Macau presented by Wynn takes place from 20-23 March. Entry is free for all four days, and tickets can be secured at: www.tixr.com/groups/internationalseriesmacau/events
For more information on The International Series, visit: www.internationalseries.com
