The 2023 International Series commences with golfing heavyweights teeing up at Al Mouj Golf, Oman

 

The Asian Tour’s LIV funded International Series kicks off for 2023 this week with the International Series Oman marking the first of likely 10 events for the year.

With the final schedule yet to be finalised, there are four confirmed International Series tournaments beginning this week in Oman and the following week in Qatar.

March sees the International Series Thailand and the following month the International Series Vietnam.

The International Series is separate from the main Asian Tour and boasts its own Order of Merit, the winner of which will be awarded a place in the LIV Golf League in 2024.

The Inaugural event will be held at the Al Mouj Golf Course is no stranger to professional golf having hosted both Challenge Tour and main DP World Tour events in the past.

Designed by Greg Norman the course measures a healthy 6,400 metres and plays to a par of 72.

It was generally well received by players during a five-year stint as a Challenge Tour venue then three years on the main Tour.

Laid out hard up against the coast, wind will undoubtedly be a factor this week though the driving areas look generous and the greens plenty big enough the nature of the year round traffic is resort guests.

Having said that the scoring hasn’t tended to be ridiculously low with Joost Luiten’s 2018 winning total of 16-under-par the lowest of the three European Tour events played there.

Given the location there are some spectacular holes at Al Mouj perhaps none more so than the par-3 14th featuring an island green.

While the green is deceptively large the setting makes for an intimidating visual and there will be some uncomfortable pros standing on this tee come Sunday.

The 4th is another par-3 that will test the nerves and if it came later in the round might play a pivotal role in the outcome.

Ocean to the left with the breeze often whipping across from that direction, the green is narrow but long and can require as much as three clubs difference from front to back. Factor in a series of deep bunkers right and this will be a real test of nerve and precision.

As expected at these International Series events there are several high profile LIV players making the trip to Oman including Brooks Koepka and Louis Oosthuizen.

With no world ranking points to play for on the LIV Tour as yet, many of these players are desperate to arrest what has become a rapid slide down the standings.

The Al Mouj Golf Course is accustom to hosting tournament golf. PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images.

But while there may be major winners and high profile players in the field don’t count out the week to week Asian Tour players who are highly motivated in these bigger events.

There is no shortage of talent playing the Asian circuit but perhaps one of the things that has been lacking in this part of the world is the chance to play alongside more world class players.

Since the inception of LIV last year there has been much more exposure to the likes of Koepka and Ian Poulter et al.

The opportunity for local players to learn from those who have scaled the greatest heights of the game cannot be overstated even if players like Sergio Garcia and Charl Schwartzel are past their best.

Two who have stood out in Asia the past two years will be worth keeping an eye on again this week in Sadom Kaewkanjana and Phachara Khongwatmai.

Both from Thailand and prolific winners in their home country both took their games up a level in 2022 and will be looking to continue that move in 2023.

Australia’s Travis Smyth is another player showing continued improvement and with a maiden Asian Tour title now to his name starts every week with added confidence.