Andy Ogletree is heading to the mega bucks on the LIV Tour after securing the No. 1 Asian Tour title following the final round of the Hong Kong Open
Olgetree, 25, really only needed to make the cut in Hong Kong but he’s secured the ‘reward’ of a place on the 2024 LIV Tour next year and he did that comfortably en-route to a final-round 69 for a 12-under tally on the host Hong Kong club course.
With just two events remaining, including this week’s Indonesian Masters, the Mississippi-born golfer cannot be beaten for the money list title while he’s been one of the form players on this year’s Asian Tour contesting 10 events, winning twice and securing five other top-10s.
Despite his conditional status on the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour not gaining him entry to play in any PGA Tour sanctioned tournament that week, Ogletree was not granted a release to play in the LIV Golf event by the tour and was subsequently suspended from all PGA Tour sanctioned events until January 2023.
The 2019 US Amateur champ didn’t play any further part in the LIV Golf series during 2022, but through playing in the first event he was granted exemptions into the Asian Tour’s International Series events. It was last November, he won his first tournament as a professional at the International Series Egypt, giving him a two year exemption on the Asian Tour.
In February earlier this year Ogletree won the International Series Qatar and in June succeeded in winning the second edition of the International Series England.
“It’s awesome! I am so excited to win the Order of Merit”, said Ogletree who this month also celebrates just three months in the pro ranks.
“It’s been a lot of hard work this year and a lot of great golf has gone into this. I just want to thank everyone that’s gotten me to this point: the Asian Tour for all that they’ve done, and my team back home for allowing me to play the way I’ve played this year. I couldn’t be more excited, and I can’t wait to play LIV next year.
“I’ll definitely play a few events on The International Series along with all the LIV events that I’m going to play, so next year should be a great year and I just can’t wait to get started.”
Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner & CEO of the Asian Tour said: “Andy has played some outstanding golf this year and has been head and shoulders above his peers on The International Series. The way he has worked his way back to the top after some injuries has been very admirable and it’s a testament to his hard work and determination. It can’t have been easy for him to travel halfway across the world to play the Asian Tour and we are glad to have him as our International Series Order of Merit Champion.”
Rahul Singh, Head of The International Series, said: “Andy is a worthy champion and an outstanding ambassador for The International Series. As an emerging young international player, competing in this series of marquee Asian Tour events and wonderful venues around the world, he has exemplified what The International Series is all about.
“His example shows the pathway that is open and available to top golfing talent from all over the world, an opportunity we are committed to delivering on The International Series, and we look forward to seeing him play in the LIV Golf League as well as future events on The International Series.”
Leave a comment