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Jazz Janewattananond is aiming for a turnaround in fortunes as he returns to the demanding Red Course at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam this week. His goal: to defend the Morocco International Series title he clinched two years ago in Rabat.
The Thai golfer secured his seventh Asian Tour victory on this prestigious course in 2022. A remarkable finish of birdie-par-eagle-birdie in the final round left him six-under for the day and twelve-under overall, narrowly defeating Canada’s Richard T. Lee by a single stroke, with Spain’s David Puig, the overnight leader, one shot behind.
Ahead of the tournament, Jazz showcased his skill with a T11 finish at the International Series Thailand and a T15 at the International Series England—both inaugural events of the revamped Asian Tour calendar that year.
In the weeks leading up to Rabat, Jazz’s form surged with two impressive top-six finishes in European events, providing a significant confidence boost heading into tournament week.
Jazz is philosophical about his game as he prepares for his title defence, with a T13 at the season-opening IRS Prima Malaysian Open his best result so far this campaign. He said: “Before that point (in 2022) I had struggled for around a year. But I had come off two amazing finishes and my confidence was quite high, and I got there and got the job done.
“I’m in a similar position now, trying to find my swing again, and maybe it will help going back to a great course with such fond memories.”
Referring to his incredible run on the last four holes, he added: “Birdie-par-eagle-birdie, yes that was a good finish. I felt I was close the whole day but was not quite there, and then I hit an amazing shot on 15 for birdie and I just knew I could do it, I could win this thing.”
Jazz made headlines by clinching victory in Morocco with his girlfriend at the time, German professional golfer Sarina Schmidt, caddying for him. Since then, they have tied the knot. However, they won’t be partnering up this week as Sarina is competing in a tournament in Sweden.
Jazz is trying out a new combination on the bag this weekend, but he knows all too well what is needed to get around the testing Red Course. He said: “It is a great tree-lined course and when you are playing well it really suits your game. But you must hit down the middle or you are going to struggle.”
Last year, the 28-year-old achieved a respectable T6 at the International Series Thailand and an impressive T4 at the International Series Vietnam. However, this season has proven disappointing in the series that serves as a gateway to LIV Golf. A setback due to injury led to his withdrawal after just one round in Oman, followed by a failure to make the cut in Macau.
Jazz is optimistic about his chances moving forward, as he said: “I have had a little problem off the tee in last year or so, but everything else about my game is in place for me to win. I just need to get the ball in play off the tee, and if I can get it on the dance floor then I will have a good week.
“It is all part of golf really. It is a long journey and just part of the game. But I have spoken to a lot of amazing people, and I feel it (my game) is going to come back soon and hopefully Morocco will be the place where it does.”
Jazz joins a prestigious lineup featuring nine players from the LIV Golf League: former US Open champion Graeme McDowell (representing Smash GC), Peter Uihlein (RangeGoats GC), Pat Perez (4Aces GC), Branden Grace (Stinger GC), Caleb Surratt (Legion XIII), Scott Vincent (IronHeads GC), Kieran Vincent (Legion XIII), Eugenio Chacarra (Fireballs GC), and Jinichiro Kozuma (IronHeads GC).
Leading the charge alongside them is American John Catlin, currently topping the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Catlin has already secured back-to-back victories this season at the International Series Macau presented by Wynn and the Saudi Open presented by PIF, showcasing exceptional form and confidence. His standout performances earned him a spot as an alternate for Bryson DeChambeau’s Crushers GC in the LIV Golf League, where he demonstrated his ability with a T24 finish in Houston and a T7 in Nashville.
Also in contention are Hongtaek Kim, fresh off his maiden Asian Tour win at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open in May, and Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam, who narrowly missed out on victory in a sudden-death playoff at Namseoul Country Club.
The field includes multiple Asian Tour champions such as Gaganjeet Bhullar and Scott Hend, alongside notable winners on the International Series circuit like Wade Ormsby, Nitithorn Thippong, Sarit Suwannarut, Ben Campbell, and Sihwan Kim.
Local favorite Ayoub Lguirati, an Asian Development Tour standout who made the cut and finished T28 last year, leads the Moroccan contingent. He is joined by fellow professionals Othman Raouzi and Ayoub Id-Omar, as well as promising amateurs Hugo Mazen Trommetter, Aissa Elkhadri, Adam Bresnu, and Soufiane Dahmane, all banking on their familiarity with the challenging par 73 Red Course in Rabat.
The International Series Morocco tees off from July 4-7 at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, marking the third event on The International Series calendar and the eighth stop on the Asian Tour season.
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