John Catlin Wins Back-To-Back Asian Tour Titles Whilst LIV Golfer Likely To Remain Outside World's Top 100 Despite Strong Showing
The American cruised to the Saudi Open title by seven shots, while David Puig is likely to stay outside the world's top 100 despite finishing fifth


John Catlin's excellent run of form continued at the Saudi Open, with the American claiming a second Asian Tour open in a second start, as he decimated the competition at Riyadh Golf Club.
Going into the final day, Catlin had a comfortable eight shot lead following a third round 62. On Saturday, he never looked challenged, with the lead only decreasing by a few shots as a final round 66 gave Catlin a second win in a month's span.
Catlin during the Saudi Open
Claiming the International Series Macau back in mid-March, an event he carded a 59 in, Catlin produced two birdies and seven pars for a two-under-par front nine and maintained a huge lead.
Birdieing the 10th and 13th, the American did bogey the 14th to see his lead trimmed to six but, with back-to-back birdies at the 17th and 18th, Catlin extended his lead to seven over Australian, Wade Ormsby.
Along with Catlin, LIV Golf's David Puig was looking for a big week as he continues his push towards the world's top 100. One of the five LIV Golf players in the field, the Spaniard is looking to qualify for the PGA Championship via the world rankings, where he must be inside the top 100 the week before the event.
Despite a strong week, finishing solo fifth at 14-under, it appears that Puig will just miss out on the top 100, with the PGA Championship getting underway on the 16th May.
Currently, LIV Golf doesn't offer Official World Golf Ranking points and, with two LIV Golf tournaments coming up in Adelaide and Singapore, it is unclear as to where Puig will tee it up next in an event that offers OWGR points.
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Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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