In a thrilling finish at the Black Mountain Golf Club, Michael Maguire, a relatively unknown American player, stunned the golf world with a dramatic sudden-death playoff victory over the red-hot John Catlin.
The US$2 million Black Mountain Championship, part of The International Series and the Asian Tour, came to a nail-biting conclusion as the two players faced off under heavy rain on the par-five 18th hole in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Maguire, in only his second season on the Asian Tour, came through with a win that felt like a breakthrough for the 31-year-old Floridian.
“Big weight off my shoulders,” Maguire shared, the relief palpable in his voice. “I’ve been close, kind of a journeyman, played on every tour you can think of, and finally getting a win on a big, big tour like this is huge!”
Maguire managed to make par on the second playoff hole, while Catlin missed a crucial 15-footer, handing the title to the underdog.
Both players had finished the regulation 72 holes tied at 23-under-par, with Maguire shooting an impressive seven-under 65 and Catlin right behind with a 66.
Heading into the final round, Catlin, joint leader with India’s Gaganjeet Bhullar, was the favourite, having already bagged two titles this season.
However, Maguire was determined to change that narrative, and in a battle that went back and forth, he found himself tied with Catlin by the seventh hole. By the time they reached the 18th, it was anybody’s game.
In a stunning turn, Maguire almost holed his bunker shot for eagle, setting himself up for an easy birdie putt.
Catlin, with a chance to clinch it on the green, couldn’t convert his 12-footer for birdie, sending the match into overtime.
The sudden-death playoff, soaked by rain, saw Maguire hold his nerve to seal his first career win on the Asian Tour.
Despite Catlin’s earlier victories this year in Macau and Saudi Arabia, the Black Mountain Championship slipped from his grasp in the final moments.
“I gave it everything I had, went bogey-free,” Catlin said afterward. “I thought I had it in regulation and again in the playoff, but Michael hit an amazing bunker shot.”
Catlin’s frustration was palpable, as this was not the first time he had lost in extra-time this year, having suffered a similar fate in Morocco.
Still, his performance today extends his lead in both the Asian Tour Order of Merit and The International Series Rankings, giving him momentum as he heads into next week’s International Series Thailand.
Chinese Taipei’s Max Lee Chieh-po narrowly missed joining the playoff, finishing third with a strong 65.
New Zealand’s Ben Campbell and Italy’s Stefano Mazzoli were tied for fourth, along with local favourite Suteepat Prateeptienchai from Thailand.
For Michael Maguire, this victory is a career-defining moment, marking his rise from an unheralded qualifier to a champion on the world stage.
As he hoisted the trophy, the magnitude of his accomplishment began to sink in—a triumph that could set the tone for the rest of his career.
As the season continues, the intensity of The International Series ramps up, and fans will be eager to see if Maguire can build on this momentum and whether Catlin will bounce back from yet another close call.
Either way, the Black Mountain Championship has delivered on its promise of high-stakes drama, and the season is far from over.
For more information about The International Series and upcoming events, visit www.internationalseries.com.
