John Catlin delivered a golf masterclass at the Hong Kong Open, not only securing the victory but also the highly coveted Masters ticket for his debut. The 35-year-old American made a clear statement with a five-shot lead, claiming his seventh Asian Tour title. And as if that weren't enough, he also earned a spot at the 2027 British Open.
Catlin, who had secured the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit, entered the final day at Fanling in a four-way tie for the lead – alongside Anirban Lahiri, Thomas Pieters, and Caleb Surratt. The tension was palpable, but then Catlin hit the gas: a stellar round of 64, six under par, with the only small blemish being a bogey on the par-3 fifth hole. This catapulted him to an impressive 20 under par overall and secured his triumph. While his rivals faltered on the course, Catlin played with steely resolve, leaving no doubt about the eventual winner.
Local favorite Matthew Cheung and Finland's Kalle Samooja shared second place at 15 under par. Trailing by another two shots were Jazz Janewattananond from Thailand and Nick Voke from New Zealand. Among the co-leaders from the previous day, Caleb Surratt and Thomas Pieters finished the tournament in a tie for sixth at 12 under par. India's Lahiri, however, posted a round of 74 (+4) and finished in 17th place.
At the 65th edition of the Hong Kong Open, Matthew Cheung made history with his shared second-place finish, becoming the best local player of all time. What a finish to 2026 for Catlin and a strong statement for the Masters field next spring!
