With the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit secured, John Catlin now has his sights set on topping the International Series Rankings, the next step in his ambitious ten-year plan to win a Major Championship and become a LIV Golf team captain.
Although the Asian Tour’s 2024 season will officially conclude at next week’s Saudi International, Catlin’s unassailable lead atop the Order of Merit - clinched after a top 20 finish at the International Series Qatar - ensures he cannot be caught.
Ending the season as the Tour’s No. 1 marks a remarkable turnaround for the American.
Just last year, he lost his DP World Tour playing privileges following a poor run of form that saw him miss 27 cuts between 2022 and 2023.
Failing to regain his card at the Tour’s qualifying school, Catlin returned to the Asian Tour, the scene of his breakthrough having previously won four titles between 2018 and 2019, after coming through Q School in January.
Since then, he has been the Tour’s standout performer.
Earlier this season etched his name into the record books as the first player in Asian Tour history to card a 59 en route to winning the International Series Macau, before adding another victory the following week at the Saudi Open.
Alongside those wins, six additional top-ten finishes have cemented his place at the summit of the Order of Merit.
“It’s hard to put it into words,” Catlin told Gulf News after his final round at the International Series Qatar.
“To go from not knowing where you’re going to be playing this year to winning the whole Order of Merit, yeah – I know what I’m capable of, and I know I put in the hard work.
“As long as I keep doing what I’m doing, maybe I’ll win multiple.”
Job not finished
While wrapping up the Order of Merit with a tournament to spare was cause for celebration, Catlin’s season is far from over.
LIV Golf’s Peter Uihlein’s victory at the International Series Qatar, propelled the 35-year-old past Catlin to the top of the season-long International Series Rankings. The No. 1 player on the Rankings after next week’s Saudi International will earn a coveted spot in the 2025 LIV Golf League.
If Uihlein - or any other LIV Golf member - finishes atop the standings, the exemption to join the LIV Golf League will not be passed down to the leading player outside the Saudi-backed circuit.
With 1,000 points up for grabs at Riyadh Golf Club, much of the field, which includes 44 members of LIV Golf’s 54-man roster, remains in contention for one of the sport’s most exclusive prizes.
“It was always going to come down to Saudi and who plays well there with two and a half times the points (on offer),” said Catlin, who now finds himself off the top of the Rankings for the first time this season.
“I would have liked to have had a head start, but the winner of next week’s tournament could only have 200 points (coming into it) and win the whole International Series.
“You show up, you give it your all, try to finish as high as you can and see where the chips fall.”
‘No place I’d rather be’
Catlin is no stranger to the LIV Golf League, having served as a reserve player across six events this year, showcasing his talents for three different teams.
The 34-year-old stepped in for the injured Charles Howell III on Crushers GC during four tournaments, with his best individual finish being a tie for seventh at LIV Golf Nashville. During that stint, Crushers GC achieved strong team results, finishing T4, T2, T2 and solo third.
At LIV Golf Greenbrier, Catlin filled in for Graeme McDowell of Smash GC and played a pivotal role in the team’s victory. He wrapped up the season as a substitute for Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm at the Team Championship in Dallas.
On Sunday, when all players’ scores counted, Catlin shot a 2-under 70 - the second-lowest score among the team’s players - helping Legion XIII secure a fourth-place finish.
Those experiences have made him hungrier than ever to cement a full-time position in 2025.
“100%,” he said.
“Like I’ve said multiple times, there’s no place I’d rather be right now. That’s where I want to be; that’s been my main goal ever since I’ve been on top of the International Series Order of Merit.
“I’ve had the chance to play in six of them (LIV Golf events), I think I’ve done quite well. I think I’ve shown I can compete out there. I want to win the International Series, for sure.
“I love the team aspect; I think that’s really cool, and I think that’s going to be something that draws a lot of fans in the future – I want to be a part of that.
“I was asked earlier what’s my goal ten years from now – I’d love to be a Major champion and a LIV Golf team captain.”
Should Catlin fall short of topping the International Series Rankings after the Saudi International, next week’s tournament could still prove pivotal with the majority of LIV Golf captains and team managers expected to be on-site.
The PIF-backed league is in its offseason window for player movement, free agency, and roster updates, giving teams the chance to strengthen ahead of the season opener next February.
Catlin has already made a strong case for himself, proving he can compete with the likes of Rahm, Cameron Smith and Dubai resident Adrian Meronk during his six-tournament stint. With teams like Stinger GC, Legion XIII and Fireballs GC all having roster gaps to fill, Catlin could well find himself in their plans.
“I think so; I think I definitely have,” said Catlin when asked if he had staked his claim as a potential signing.
“I’d put my record up against just about anybody. I’m not sure how much better I can play all season.
“It is what it is. It comes down to how next week shapes up - how team captains and general managers see it.
“All I can do is keep playing good golf and see what happens.”
