Monk-Turned-Golfer Surprises Field at Royal Portrush

The Open Championship teed off at Royal Portrush, and while the buzz centered around stars like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, a name unfamiliar to many is playing his way into the spotlight: Sadom Kaewkanjana.

Buddhist Golfer From Bangkok Making Noise at The Open

He’s not just another longshot trying to make the cut. The 27-year-old from Thailand comes into the tournament with a unique perspective shaped by a brief but meaningful break from golf to live as a Buddhist monk. In 2023, Kaewkanjana stepped away from the tour to embrace spiritual training in a monastery back home. He said the decision was about honoring his family, particularly his parents.

That meditative experience seems to be paying off on the course.

Kaewkanjana secured his place in the Open field by winning the Kolon Korea Open earlier this year. On Thursday, he opened his tournament with a sharp 3-under 33 on the front nine, just one shot behind the leaders. That kind of performance is eye-catching, especially from a player many casual fans have never heard of.

MORE: Meet Sadom Kaewkanaja, the Thai golfer, who once liced in a buddhist monk

He credits his time in the monastery with reshaping his approach to golf. “When I was ordained, I disconnected from the world. It made me feel calm. I can focus better now, which helps my golf,” he said after his round.

It certainly showed. He finished at that same -3 score, which remained in the Top 10, and tied with Scottie Scheffler.

Kaewkanjana has proven he belongs on this stage before. He tied for 11th at the 2022 Open at St. Andrews. With three Asian Tour victories and five wins on Thailand’s domestic circuit, he’s already built a solid career, though most of it has flown under the radar outside Asia.

Coming into the tournament as a 200-1 underdog, Kaewkanjana didn’t carry much outside expectation. But if he keeps swinging with the poise and calm he displayed on Thursday, he might turn a few more heads, and maybe even find himself in contention come Sunday.

This monk isn’t here just to meditate. He’s here to compete.

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