The first international golf tournament in the country’s history will be played on the acclaimed Sir Nick Faldo–designed East Course at Vattanac Golf Resort, which was recently crowned Cambodia’s Best Golf Course. The layout features dramatic water features and Khmer architectural replicas woven into the landscape, creating the perfect stage for a memorable first chapter of the Legends Tour’s journey in Cambodia.
The event also marks the beginning of a $1.9million trilogy of Legends Tour tournaments – in Cambodia and Mauritius – that will close out the 2025 season and see the Order of Merit champion crowned. Australian Scott Hend holds a sizeable lead with three events to go, following wins in Barbados and Spain, but South Africa’s Keith Horne and the 2023 Order of Merit winner, Peter Baker, will look to take advantage of Hend’s absence this week to close the gap at the top.
In a unique extension of the Tour’s first Cambodian chapter, there will be back-to-back Legends Tour events at Vattanac Golf Resort, as the following week play moves from the East to West Course for the Vattanac Legends Championship Legacy Edition.
Sweden’s Johan Edfors is one player looking to make an impact in Cambodia as he continues his first season on the Legends Tour. The three-time DP World Tour winner turned 50 recently and made an immediate impression, finishing tied 2nd on debut at the Sergio Melpignano Senior Italian Open, producing a composed and confident performance at San Domenico that underlined the impact he could make for seasons to come.
The Swede – who has previously lived in Thailand and still has a house there – is clearly very comfortable in the surroundings of the Cambodian capital, and also appreciative of the welcome from this week’s hosts at Vattanac Golf Resort.
“It’s been quite amazing so far,” said Edfors. “From the moment we landed we have been treated incredibly. Everything here is of the highest quality, from the hotels to the golf course. I’ve really enjoyed playing the East Course and I’m really looking forward to competing this week and next. I had a good start to my Legends Tour career in Italy and I hope I can continue to improve and get into contention to win during the final few events.”
Former Ryder Cup player Jamie Donaldson, who also made his debut in Italy, has already done just that, claiming an impressive victory last time out at the Champions UK plc Senior European Masters at La Manga Club in Murcia. The Welshman’s gritty final-round 67 – including a decisive birdie at the last – gave him a one-shot win over Mikael Lundberg, Thomas Gögele and Van Phillips.
“It was fantastic to win in Spain,” said Donaldson. “I said to myself after Italy that if I wanted to win on the Legends Tour then I’d really have to up my game because the standard is so high and the scoring is so good. The courses are not as long as on the DP World Tour as we are all a bit older but everybody is really aggressive in terms of trying to make birdies so you have to play really well to win. Thankfully I was able to do that in Murcia and I’m absolutely delighted to have been able to win quite early on.
“I’m excited to be playing in Cambodia here at the Vattanac Golf Resort for the next two weeks. The weather is lovely and warm, and we’ve all been impressed by the quality of the set-up here – everything has been superb and I can’t wait to get going.”
Ahead of the tournament, the Legends Tour was honoured to take part in a formal courtesy visit at the Office of the Council of Ministers in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Managing Director, David Adams, joined an international delegation of Legends Tour representatives and golf professionals, welcomed by Oknha Som Aun and Oknha Chhun Leang, co-founders of Vattanac Group, alongside Oknha Som Aun Vattanac, CEO of Vattanac Group.
The delegation was received under the high patronage of H.E. Dr. Neth Savoeun, Deputy Prime Minister, representing Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
Play begins on Friday, for more information, CLICK HERE.
