John Catlin Aims To Secure LIV Golf League Spot At Black Mountain Championship

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John Catlin leads the International Series Rankings, heading into the Black Mountain Championship in Hua Hin, focused on securing his spot in the LIV Golf League next season.

John Catlin, the red-hot leader on the International Series Rankings, heads into the Black Mountain Championship in Hua Hin, Thailand, with a relentless focus on securing his spot in the prestigious LIV Golf League for next season. The championship, part of the International Series and the first of six events marking an intense eight-week finish to the season, promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with Catlin determined to maintain his lead in the rankings.

Catlin, an American who has become a dominant force on the Asian Tour this year, has been in exceptional form. His season has been nothing short of spectacular, starting with a memorable victory at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn in March. He then followed that win with a runner-up finish at the International Series Morocco in July, both results coming in nail-biting play-offs. These performances have firmly established him as one of the top players to watch in the International Series.

Beyond these standout achievements, Catlin’s season includes another win, a second-place finish, a third, and a fourth-place finish on the Asian Tour. This remarkable consistency has seen him rise as a force to be reckoned with. His strong form has also opened doors for him to compete in the LIV Golf League as an alternate, where he has proven his ability to hold his own against the world’s elite golfers. A season-best T7 finish at LIV Golf Nashville highlighted his potential on the global stage, giving him the confidence to continue his quest for the top spot.

As the Black Mountain Championship approaches, Catlin feels ready for the challenge. The Hua Hin-based golfer has a distinct advantage over many of his international competitors—he calls the Thai city his second home. Having lived in Hua Hin for the past five to six years, Catlin is familiar with the Black Mountain Golf Club, a course he has played on for nearly a decade. This gives him a significant edge as he seeks to maintain his momentum.

Ahead of the action in Hua Hin, the first of two tournaments on the spin in Thailand, he said: “Obviously I feel very confident. You are always striving to be better than you were. I don’t think that process ever changes. “The fact we have these six events left basically means it’s completely up for grabs, and whoever plays the best golf is going to win it. And I’m just making sure that I’m that guy.”

Catlin, also the Asian Tour Order of Merit leader, has a distinct advantage over other international players: he calls Hua Hin his second home. He said: “It’s nice playing a course I’ve played for eight or nine years. I’m very comfortable around here. It’s a town I’ve lived in for five or six years and any time I get to be around here, that’s always a bonus.

The Black Mountain Championship, which takes place from October 17-20, 2024, is a critical tournament not only for Catlin but for many other players who are eyeing the coveted LIV Golf League spot. With six tournaments left in the season, competition is fierce, and the leaderboard is still wide open. Thai players, in particular, will look to take advantage of the home turf, with several local stars poised to make an impact on the International Series Rankings.

“The drive is a key success to this course, and I will put all my effort to this tournament. The hot and humid weather conditions could be a bit of an advantage for local golfers, so I am hoping one of the Thai players can win the tournament.”

“To be in good form is one more bonus on top of that. So I’m looking forward to the week. It’s going to be fun. I’ve played here quite a bit. I have seen how the course has developed over time, and I’ve seen it under a lot of different conditions as well.

“If it dries out a bit, I know how the course will play. If it stays soft, like this, I’ve seen it like that. I’ve seen it fast, I’ve seen it slow. I’ve seen it under all different kind of conditions. So that will definitely be an advantage.”

As the first of two consecutive events in Thailand, the Black Mountain Championship is expected to set the tone for the remainder of the season. With top golfers like John Catlin, Rattanon Wannasrichan, and Suteepat Prateeptienchai all in prime form, the competition is sure to be fierce. The stakes are high, with players not only chasing victory but also crucial ranking points in the race for the LIV Golf League ticket.

He said: “Since I have been playing for a long period of time, I will play my conservative game. I will not play an aggressive one, to save my physical strength and fitness though this tournament. The course condition is rather difficult this year – the rough is longer. It will be a tough tournament for sure.”

With the Black Mountain Championship just days away, the stage is set for an exciting battle between some of the world’s top golfers. Whether Catlin can maintain his lead on the International Series Rankings and secure his place in the LIV Golf League remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the race to the top will be nothing short of thrilling.