For Uihlein, a member of RangeGoats GC in the LIV Golf League, it was a maiden Asian Tour victory and the first win on any tour since his move, where he has come so close with runners-up finishes on four occasions.
Uihlein is a big fan of the set-up for the Asian Tour’s elevated events which offer a lucrative pathway onto the LIV Golf League.
He lined up for the third time in the series this season after taking part in events in Oman and Morocco, and revealed he had his sights set on three of the six remaining elevated events; the Black Mountain Championship in Thailand, from 17-20 October, the Hong Kong Open from 21-24 November and the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers from 4-7 December.
He said: “I love them because for the most part, we have played them all before LIV events, which I love.
“I like playing before so these events have been perfect. They are just a great way to get four rounds in, in good competition. It is also great to see what you are working on under pressure.”
The 34-year-old had shot a stunning 10-under course-record of 61 in round two as he roared back from a level-par opening day that left him seven off the lead shared by RangeGoats GC teammate Thomas Pieters from Belgium and Richard T Lee of Canada.
He hit back on the final day with an incredible eight-under 63 after a two-under 69 had kept his nose in front going into Sunday. Compatriot Caleb Surratt and Andy Sullivan of England were the nearest challengers seven shots back, with Chinese rising star Sampson Zheng a shot further back alongside Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Harold Varner III.
Uihlein acknowledged the strength of the field on the 10 elevated events which provide high-stakes game time and the chance to accrue rankings points for LIV Golf League stars.
He said: “So it felt like under the gun, the stuff I was doing felt really, really good. Which is what is most important, right? It is not something I would know, being at home practicing. Having competition, getting some pressure under you and trying to execute under the pressure is what this is all about. It has been great. If they keep scheduling events and it works for my schedule. I am going to come play.”
For Surratt, it was a second top-three finish in consecutive events on The International Series after an impressive display in Morocco last month. The 20-year-old, who turned pro at the start of the season to join the LIV Golf League, managed a three-under 68, and had to settle for a share of second with Sullivan after missing a makeable putt on the last.
The youngster still did enough to impress Uihlein over the weekend. He said: “I love Caleb. I love that he is playing. I know he played Morocco. I do not think he was playing much early in the year – he was trying to settle in turning pro and getting used to pro life but I think now he is going to start playing a bit more.”
Uihlein emphasised the importance of The International Series for LIV Golf League players seeking additional experience and game time to complement their regular season. The series frequently features appearances from LIV Golf stars and major champions such as Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel.
Younger players such as Fireballs GC star David Puig, the 2023 International Series Singapore champion, and his teammate Eugenio Chacarra, the St Andrews Bay Championship winner the same season, are also regular participants alongside promising young Australian Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC.
Former champions Andy Ogletree, Scott, and Kieran Vincent have all advanced to the LIV Golf League through the pathway provided by the Asian Tour and The International Series.
Uihlein said: “I love what David (Puig) has done. I love what Andy (Ogletree) did, and Eugenio (Chacarra). Those guys keep playing and I love that path. I think playing is imperative. You can’t just play 14 events a year. You have to keep getting some reps in.
“So some of those guys are continuing to play, which is great for the game and great for the market globally. So I am happy to see it.”
Surratt was delighted with his week, an invaluable trip that offered competitive golf in an elite-level field, game time ahead of LIV Golf Greenbrier, and much more.
The former University of Tennessee student said: “I love The International Series. It is not often that a player has the opportunity to come out here and play a Tour that is on such a high level. It is also nice to get some extra travelling in as a younger guy.
“Until this past year I had only been out of the country one time and now I have gone from that to travelling outside the country every week, so I am a little bit like, quotation marks, seasoned I guess. I am starting to learn how to travel. Heading to LIV Golf Greenbrier next week and then a few weeks off.”
After the win at the weekend, Uihlein moved up from 15th to third in the International Series Rankings race behind Macau champion John Catlin and Morocco winner Ben Campbell with Surratt up to fifth spot from 11. Thailand’s Kaewkanjana also leapt from 28 up to 11.
The players will next compete on The International Series at the Black Mountain Championship from 17-20 October, the first of two back-to-back tournaments in Thailand and the first of six events in a thrilling eight-week run that will determine who wins the rankings race and the guaranteed LIV Golf slot, while also offering the chance to compete for a place on the innovative LIV Golf Promotions event.
