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Josh Ball

Hong Kong pair Leon D’Souza and Matthew Cheung needed invitations to get into the International Series Macau event this week, they both made the most of the opportunity.
While Taichi Kho was missing the cut, his compatriots were busy putting themselves in the middle of a packed Asian Tour leaderboard that had 73 players all within seven shots of the lead at the start of Saturday’s third round.
The pair shot matching four-under-par rounds of 66, leaving Cheung at 11 under for the tournament, and D’Souza two strokes further back.
Catching leader John Catlin, who produced a historic 59 to move to 18 under, is unlikely on Sunday, but another solid day would certainly give both players a financial boost.
D’Souza produced his second bogey-free round in two days, with his birdies coming in the span of four holes, starting on the par-5 13th.

“You have a stretch like that, it kind of changes things,” D’Souza said. “John, my caddie, and I picked good targets and the birdies came from there.
“I mean bogey-free again, but today could have been pretty low as well as yesterday, but still happy with the score.”
Just playing in these events is a rare chance for the Hong Kong pair this season, neither of whom has status on the Tour after failing to make it through Q-School.
Cheung was on the Asian Tour last year, but aside from a top 10 finish at the International Series event in Vietnam did not do enough to retain his card.
Instead he has worked to get China Tour, and Taiwan PGA Tour spots to go along with his Asian Development Tour status, and said it was better “to have more options than none at all”.
The 28-year-old spent part of the winter in Australia with coach Jonathan Wallet, who also works with D’Souza and Kho, having had a long-standing relationship with the trio since their days as amateurs.
“I feel like I’m playing better now than I did last year,” Cheung said. “I just need to keep getting better, at the end of the day that’s all that really matters. Good golf solves all.”

While D’Souza was going bogey-free, Cheung was having a more up-and-down day, with an eagle and four birdies, offset by two bogeys.
A good start took Cheung to three under at the turn, although the first of two “sloppy bogeys” pegged him back. A birdie at 12 was followed by an eagle at the 13th hole to move to 12 under, although a bogey at the next undid some of that good work.
“I started off well, very solid on the front, then a couple of sloppy bogeys,” Cheung said. “But had a really good eagle at 13, hit a really good shot to like five feet and holed the putt, that was a nice little surprise.
“Made a good putt on 17 for par and then didn’t just quite make birdie on the last, but I’ll take four under any day.”
D’Souza, meanwhile, has spent the past 18 months grinding it out on the All Thailand Tour and also has status on the Asian Development Tour, while occasionally getting invites to bigger events.
Wallet has been caddying for D’Souza this week, and the pair had a discussion before the season started on how to approach another year of working to reach the next level.
“It was just figuring out, you know, how to be a little better than I was last year, how to be a little more focused and disciplined on the things that I can control,” D’Souza said. “And then, you know, see where that takes you.”
Chasing status on minor tours is not for everyone, but getting the chance to play regularly is something all golfers trying to make a living at the game need to be doing.
One of the Tour’s elevated events, this week’s event in Macau, which is being backed by casino and hotel Wynn Palace, has a prize purse of US$2 million.
“Even if you play well at Q-schools you don’t make any money, and it’s a grind,” D’Souza said. “But coming out here, being able to play well the first two days, it’s a little more freeing.
“But that’s the thing about Q-school right, if you don’t do well you have to wait for a year. Fortunately, I played well on the All-Thai and ADT, but if you don’t have that it’s Monday qualifying, and it’s even more of a grind, because you’re not sure where you’re going to play.
“Occasionally you’ll get an invite, but they are few and far between right now, and it’s difficult.”


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Asian Tour

Asian Tour: Hong Kong pair Cheung and D’Souza making most of rare International Series invites

Leon D’Souza (right) and coach/caddie Jonathan Wallet discuss a tee-shot during the third round of the International Series Macau. Photo: Asian Tour

Leon D’Souza gets himself out of a tough spot during the third round at Macau Golf & Country Club. Photo: Asian Tour.

Matthew Cheung tees off on the third hole, where he made his first birdie of the day on Saturday. Photo: Asian Tour.

American John Catlin makes Asian Tour history, shoots 59 at International Series Macau event

John Catlin celebrates his eagle putt on the 18th green and a score of 59 in the third round of the International Series Macau. Photo: Asian Tour

Asian Tour eyes US, Europe and deepens LIV Golf ties, as International Series head says event will ‘grow and grow’

MACAU, CHINA: David Puig of Spain pictured during Round One on Thursday March 14, 2024, at the International Series Macau, presented by Wynn, at the Macau Golf and Country Club. The US$2 million Asian Tour event is staged from March 14-17, 2024. Picture by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour.

David Puig of Spain during Thursday’s round one of the International Series Macau at the Macau Golf and Country Club. Photo: Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour

International Series head Rahul Singh says “we want to be global”. Photo: Asian Tour

Hong Kong’s Taichi Kho is a drawcard at the US$2 million International Series Macau. Photo: Asian Tour.

Sport

Golf

Matthew Cheung and Leon D’Souza shoot matching four-under-par 66s in third round in Macau
Neither has Asian Tour status this season, and are battling on minor tours until Q-school chance comes again


Matthew Cheung and Leon D’Souza shoot matching four-under-par 66s in third round of Asian Tour event in Macau.


Hong Kong Golf Association (HKGA)

Taichi Kho

Asian Tour: Hong Kong pair Cheung and D’Souza making most of rare International Series invites

Matthew Cheung and Leon D’Souza shoot matching four-under-par 66s in third round in Macau Neither has Asian Tour status this season, and are battling on minor tours until Q-school chance comes again

Matthew Cheung and Leon D’Souza shoot matching four-under-par 66s in third round in Macau

Neither has Asian Tour status this season, and are battling on minor tours until Q-school chance comes again