2025 British Open: There's a Buddhist monk at the top of the leaderboard
Kaewkanjana, of Thailand, isn't just an accomplished professional golfer; he's an ordained Buddhist monk. And after one round of the 2025 British Open at Royal Portrush, he's one stroke off the clubhouse lead at -3.
"Honestly, I play in my country, have no like links course before," he said after his round. "So when I play links course, it's a new experience for me. I really enjoy to play a links course. It's fun to play with a windy course and tough conditions. So very enjoy to play on a links course."
A three-time winner on the Asian Tour, Kaewkanjana missed the cut in the two PGA Championships he's played, and finished at T11 in the 2022 British. After that major, he stepped away from the game
"I was ordained because I wanted to return the greatest merit and repay my parents," he said at the time. "I was cut off from the rest of the world when I was ordained,' he added. 'That made me feel more calm. I was able to concentrate more, which will help me improve my game of golf."
He qualified for this year's Open by winning the Kolon Korea Open on the Asian Tour, and after his round, he discussed how his new calling has helped him prepare for these tournaments.
"It's a new experience being a monk," he said. "They help like more concentrate on the golf course or outside the golf course. It's made me a lot of focus. Forget everything outside, just live in the present. So I really enjoy being a monk."
"Forget everything outside, just live in the present" is pretty much the most perfect advice possible for playing golf, but especially in a tournament of rain and wind like the Open. Kaewkanjana's round included two birdies and an eagle against just one bogey.
While the calm and serenity that comes from his ordination has helped him get to this point, Kaewkanjana has some higher ambitions.
"My goal is like I want to play in the Masters my whole life," he said. "I want to play one time. So to get in the world ranking into the top 50, that's my goal."
Calm, serenity ... and a tee time at Augusta National. That's the secret to a full life right there.
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