Chiam, Tai, Leow Reunite for Asian Games Golf at Kasugai
Nicklaus Chiam, Hiroshi Tai, and James Leow will compete from September 30 at Kasugai Country Club East Course, seven years after securing a SEA Games silver medal together.
Singaporean Trio Joins Asian Games Field
Singapore will field a familiar trio in the golf competition at the 20th Asian Games, commencing September 30. Nicklaus Chiam, Hiroshi Tai, and James Leow are set to compete at the Kasugai Country Club East Course in Nagoya.
This marks their first reunion on the international stage since the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, where the three golfers, alongside Low Wee Jin, secured a silver medal for Singapore in the men's team finals at Luisita Golf and Country Club. Seven years on, the players will once again represent their nation, aiming for honours against a strong field of Asian competitors.
Their collective experience, significantly enhanced since their last outing, will be crucial as they navigate the four-round tournament.
Significant Individual Achievements Since 2019
Since their last team appearance, each member of the Singaporean trio has made substantial individual strides in their golf careers. James Leow and Nicklaus Chiam have both transitioned into the professional ranks. Leow earned his Asian Tour card in 2025 after claiming an Asian Development Tour (ADT) title in Saudi Arabia.
Chiam secured his first professional victory earlier this year, winning the PKNS Selangor Masters in February 2026. Hiroshi Tai, currently the Singapore Golf Association's Male Golfer of the Year, achieved a historic milestone in 2025 by becoming the first Singaporean to participate in The Masters Tournament.
The Georgia Tech alumnus further cemented his status as a leading amateur by winning the 2024 NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championship.
Renewed Challenge and National Representation
The players have voiced their enthusiasm for competing as a team once more. Tai reflected on their memorable 2019 SEA Games performance, where they reached the finals and earned a silver medal, noting their individual growth since then. He expressed eagerness to compete alongside Chiam and Leow and to learn from their experiences in professional golf.
Leow, making his second Asian Games appearance, conveyed his pride in representing Singapore and his excitement to compete against Asia's top athletes. He plans to apply his professional golf experience to benefit the team. Chiam also reiterated the honour of representing Singapore, stating his consistent aim to perform at his best whenever he tees up.
The Asian Games presents a higher level of competition than their previous team event, requiring sustained focus over four rounds.
Demonstrating Singapore's Golfing Trajectory
The reunion of Chiam, Tai, and Leow for the Asian Games demonstrates the progression of Singaporean golf talent from amateur success to professional achievement. Their participation in a major regional multi-sport event shows a continued commitment to developing elite golfers within the nation's sporting framework.
As these athletes compete against Asia's best, their performance could inspire greater investment in junior golf programmes across Singapore. Success at events like the Asian Games often correlates with increased public and private sector support for national golf federations, potentially leading to more structured pathways for aspiring players.
This engagement at a high level provides a tangible benchmark for future generations of Singaporean golfers aiming for international competition.
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