Macao Open to bring back champions from near and far

The 2025 SJM Macao Open will return this October, bringing not only the reigning champion Rattanon Wannasrichan but also one of the tournament’s first winners, the 1999 champion Lee Westwood, organizers announced yesterday at a press conference unveiling this year’s event.

These are just some of the highlights of an event entering its 22nd edition this year.

At the press conference, the Sports Bureau (ID) acting vice president See Lei noted that the bureau will continue to push and advance the development of Macau’s sports culture, adding that sports events are essential platforms to attract more athletes and tourists to Macau, which will boost Macau’s reputation as a global center of tourism and leisure.

In a video speech, Daisy Ho, chairman and executive director of SJM Holdings, expressed the company’s long-term support for developing both local and national-level sports, adding that the company remains a key contributor to advancing the preparation of “sports + tourism” in Macau.

At the same time, Cho Minn Thant, the commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, remarked on the importance of the local event, one of the longstanding tournaments on the Asian calendar.

“We are here today to recognize the SJM Macao Open as one of the most important tournaments on the Asian Tour calendar. It boasts an outstanding reputation and a proud history. Launched in the late 1990s, it has been an ever-present on our schedule and continues to be one of the most popular tournaments on the Asian Tour today,” he said.

“It’s one of our longest-running tournaments. There are not many tournaments on the Asian Tour or any tour around the world that can boast this kind of longevity. It is an honor for the Asian Tour to be part of the event and showcase what a truly interesting and vibrant destination Macau is,” he added.

Regarding the tournament’s lineup, Cho said, “This year, as always, the tournament will welcome a strong field of golf’s global stars as well as Asia’s best players. I’m proud to say that this great venue has always been a very popular hunting ground for Asian Tour members, and I hope one of them will follow in the footsteps of last year’s champion, Rattanon Wannasrichan, and have their name on this legendary trophy.”

In addition to last year’s winner Wannasrichan and the 1999 champion Westwood, the lineup also includes South Korea’s Sungjae Im, currently ranked 29th in the PGA Tour’s world rankings.

The tournament will also feature China’s top player, Liang Wenchong, and a young local talent, Kelvin Si.

Cho added that the Macao Open is part of the second half of the Asian Tour schedule, which includes 13 events with prize money exceeding USD20 million (MOP 161 million) and will unveil Asia’s best player later this year.

Last year, Wannasrichan won the local Open in a podium filled with Thai nationals, as Gunn Charoenkul finished second and Poosit Supupramai third.

SJM extends collaboration for another two years

In one of the key announcements at yesterday’s press conference, Daisy Ho, chairman and executive director of SJM Holdings, revealed that SJM will extend its collaboration as title sponsor of the Macao Open for another two years (2026 and 2027).

“In 2023, SJM proudly assumed the title sponsorship of the Macao Open, supporting its revival through a three-year partnership. Over the past two editions, SJM has worked closely with the Sports Bureau, IMG, the Asian Tour, and the Macau Golf Association to elevate the tournament and bring it new vitality. Today, SJM is pleased to announce that, by building on this strong foundation, the company will extend its collaboration for two more editions, continuing the shared efforts to support the long-term development of Macau,” Ho said in a video speech.

Cho Minn Thant, commissioner and CEO of the Asian Tour, also commented on the extension.

“Today’s announcement that SJM is extending for another two years gives us tremendous pride, and it’s great news to see the tournament continue into the near future. The tour has enjoyed working with SJM over the past two years, and we’re confident that this year’s edition will also be an instant classic.”

The tournament runs from October 16 to 19 at the Macau Golf and Country Club in Coloane.

Organizers also announced that, as in previous editions, a qualification tournament will be held in early September, allowing local and regional talent to compete in the main event in October.