Sawt Falasteen - John Catlin wins Hong Kong Open and secures first Masters invitation

American golfer John Catlin won the Hong Kong Open by five shots on Sunday, collecting his seventh Asian Tour title and earning his first invitation to the Masters.

The 35-year-old also secured a return to the British Open in 2027. Catlin entered the final round at Fanling in a four-way tie for the lead with India’s Anirban Lahiri, Belgium’s Thomas Pieters and fellow American Caleb Surratt.

Catlin separated himself from the field with a six-under-par 64. His only dropped shot came with a bogey at the par-three fifth, and he finished the tournament at 20 under par as the other overnight leaders lost ground.

Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung and Finland’s Kalle Samooja shared second place at 15 under. Cheung’s runner-up result was the best finish by a local golfer in the tournament’s 65-year history.

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond and New Zealand’s Nick Voke finished two further shots back. Surratt and Pieters ended in a tie for sixth at 12 under.

Lahiri struggled to a four-over 74 in the final round and fell to 17th place. Catlin’s victory added another title to the record of the 2024 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion and delivered two major-championship opportunities.

W.AbuLaban--SF-PST