What Is 2018 All Thailand Golf Tour

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2018 All Thailand Golf Tour was a professional golf series featuring 12 tournaments across Thailand, sanctioned by the Asian Tour, with a total prize purse of approximately $1.2 million distributed among local and international players.

Key Facts

12 tournaments were held in 2018 across Thailand
Total prize money was approximately $1.2 million
Sanctioned by the Asian Tour for player development
Featured both Thai and international professional golfers
Tournaments took place from February to November 2018

Overview

The 2018 All Thailand Golf Tour was a landmark season in Thai professional golf, designed to elevate domestic talent and strengthen regional competition. Organized under the auspices of the Asian Tour, it provided a structured platform for players to earn ranking points and prize money while preparing for higher-tier international events.

With a focus on accessibility and national development, the tour spanned urban and provincial courses, promoting golf across diverse regions of Thailand. It served as a critical stepping stone for emerging professionals aiming to qualify for global circuits like the Asian Tour and the DP World Tour.

Twelve official events were held between February and November 2018, including the Singha All Thailand Golf Tour Championship, providing consistent competitive opportunities throughout the year.
Each tournament featured a minimum prize purse of $80,000, with the season finale offering a boosted payout to incentivize peak performance during the final stretch.
The tour was co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour, allowing players to earn Official World Golf Ranking points and improve eligibility for larger international events.
Participants included over 60 professional golfers, primarily from Thailand but also featuring competitors from Japan, South Korea, and Australia to enhance competitive depth.
Key venues included the Phoenix Gold Golf & Country Club and the Royal Hua Hin Golf Club, both of which hosted multiple events due to their tournament-ready infrastructure.

How It Works

The All Thailand Golf Tour operates as a developmental circuit, blending national accessibility with international standards to nurture golfing talent. Each event follows a standard 72-hole stroke-play format with cut rules after 36 holes, ensuring only top performers advance.

Format: All events use a 72-hole stroke-play structure with a 36-hole cut, typically retaining the top 40 players and ties for weekend competition.
Eligibility: Entry is open to professionals and top amateurs ranked in the top 200 of the national order of merit or those with Asian Tour status.
Scoring: Players earn points based on finishes, contributing to the season-long Singha Order of Merit, which determines exemptions and invitations.
Prize Distribution: The winner typically receives 18% of the purse, with payouts extending to 60th place to encourage broad participation.
Ranking Impact: Results contribute to the Official World Golf Ranking, with top performers gaining access to Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour qualifying events.
Season Structure: The 2018 season ran from February 8 to November 25, strategically spaced to avoid clashes with major international tournaments.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2018 All Thailand Golf Tour with other regional circuits to illustrate its competitive positioning and developmental role.

Tour	Number of Events (2018)	Total Prize Fund	Top Player (2018)	Global Recognition
All Thailand Golf Tour	12	$1.2 million	Kantaphon Wannasricha	Asian Tour-sanctioned
Asian Development Tour	15	$1.8 million	Scott Barr	Direct pathway to Asian Tour
Japan Challenge Tour	18	$1.5 million	Ryosuke Kinoshita	Feeds into Japan Golf Tour
PGA Tour China	14	$1.4 million	Wu Ashun	Suspended after 2015, restarted
Thai LPGA Tour	10	$500,000	Nannapat Phendin	Women’s domestic circuit

The 2018 All Thailand Golf Tour occupied a mid-tier position among regional tours, offering more events than most national circuits but with a slightly lower total purse than China or Japan’s tours. Its co-sanctioning with the Asian Tour gave it an edge in global visibility and player development value.

Why It Matters

The 2018 season was pivotal in advancing Thailand’s presence in professional golf, creating a sustainable pipeline for homegrown talent. By aligning with international standards, it helped raise the overall quality of domestic competition and inspired greater youth participation.

Boosted local careers: Players like Kantaphon Wannasricha used strong performances to gain Asian Tour cards, showcasing the tour’s role as a launchpad.
Increased sponsor interest: Singha Corporation’s continued backing demonstrated corporate confidence in golf’s growth potential within Thailand.
Enhanced course standards: Hosting events pushed regional clubs to meet international maintenance and operational benchmarks.
Encouraged regional participation: The tour attracted players from neighboring countries, fostering regional sports diplomacy and competitive exchange.
Supported gender inclusivity: While men’s-focused, it inspired parallel growth in the Thai LPGA Tour, promoting broader golf development.
Strengthened national identity: Successes on the tour became sources of national pride, featured in mainstream Thai media and sports coverage.

The 2018 All Thailand Golf Tour not only elevated individual careers but also contributed to the long-term sustainability of professional golf in Southeast Asia, setting a benchmark for future seasons.