JEFFREY SHEN TRIUMPHS AT QUALIFIER AS FOUR LOCAL PLAYERS EARN SPOTS AT SJM MACAO OPEN 2026 FOLLOWING RECORD QUALIFIER TURNOUT
[Macao SAR, 25 September, 2026]: Hong Kong, China’s top ranked amateur Jeffrey Shen has secured his spot at the prestigious SJM Macao Open 2026 after defeating first-year China Tour pro Li Shen at the single-day, 18-hole Gross Stroke Play Qualifier Tournament held at the Macau Golf & Country Club yesterday.
In total, six players have earned their places at the USD 1 million SJM Macao Open, which takes place from 15 to 18 October at the same venue.
The 23-year-old Shen, who was part of the Golf Association of Hong Kong, China’s first-ever Nomura Cup (The Asia-Pacific Amateur Golf Team Championship) winning team, and won the Putra Cup Individual Trophy said: “I am incredibly thrilled to have qualified for the SJM Macao Open; it is a major milestone for me to play my way into such a prestigious tournament for the first time.”
“I’ve been in a great rhythm lately, coming off a strong performance and capturing the Asia-Pacific Team Championship title with my Hong Kong teammates last month. Carrying that strong momentum here has given me immense confidence. It’s an incredible opportunity to test myself against world-class players, and I’m eager to watch how the top pros navigate difficult short-game situations around the greens. There is so much I can learn from them,” added Shen.
Joining Shen and Li are the top four finishing golfers from Macao, China.
21-year-old Jim Huang, who currently competes at top university division level in the Netherlands, was the top finishing Macao player after shooting 73.
Huang said: “I am incredibly excited because this will be my first time competing in a tournament of this immense calibre. While I have competed in tournaments across China before, this is next-level. The course setup was fantastic, the greens were rolled out beautifully and played really well. I am not a naturally long hitter so this course perfectly suits my game as it demands precision and accuracy over raw distance.”
Looking ahead to testing himself against an elite international field in a few weeks, Huang added:
“Playing alongside Asian Tour professionals is an extraordinary opportunity. I want to absorb as much as I can, not just from a technical standpoint, but more importantly, their mental game and how they maintain composure when things don’t go their way on the course.”
Behind Huang were Asian Tour professional Kelvin Si Ngai, who finished tied second with 17-year-old local talent Hung Chi Che, both on 74.
The fourth placed finisher was Bryan Luo, who reached the main draw on his maiden Qualifier Tournament appearance, with a score of 76. Three players were tied on 76 but Luo won on countback.
Of the four Macao qualifiers, two reached the main draw in their very first Qualifier Tournament appearance in 2026, underscoring the immense value of this unique pathway for local talent.
Overall runner-up China’s Li Shen was also playing in his first Qualifier Tournament and was delighted with his finish.
“I am incredibly excited and proud of how I fought back to secure my spot in the Macao Open,” said Li.
“My long game was flawless, but I struggled to adjust to the speed of the greens early on, which led to a few three-putts. Finding myself at one-over par by the 15th hole, I told myself to never give up. I managed to dig deep, striking back with consecutive birdies on the 16th and 17th holes to safely seal my qualification.
“Having only just turned professional this season, making it onto the Asian Tour stage through the Qualifier Tournament is a massive breakthrough for me. I am eager to test my game against world-class players and absorb as much knowledge as possible from them,” said the first-year pro who is just 17 years old.
First introduced in 2024 to nurture emerging golf talent in the region, the SJM Macao Open Qualifier Tournament provides a competitive platform for international players while also reserving dedicated spots for Macao golfers. The top two finishers earn coveted places in the SJM Macao Open 2026 field, while the four highest-placed Macao players also qualify. This allocation expands opportunities for local players to test and hone their skills against some of the world’s best, reinforcing the tournament’s commitment to local golf development.
The qualifying round attracted a record field of 53 competitors from Hong Kong, Macao and mainland China in 2026, including 11 aspiring Macao golfers – nearly a quarter of the total field – reflecting the rising profile of golf in Macao, China.
Shen, Li, and the Macao, China quartet will now compete against some of the biggest names in world golf at the SJM Macao Open 2026.
The star-studded lineup for the SJM Macao Open 2026 includes 2016 Open Champion Henrik Stenson, Korean star Sungjae Im, Chinese professionals Sampson Zheng and Ding Wenyi, Thai favorite Jazz Janewattananond, two-time Asian Tour winner Travis Smyth, and trailblazing Chinese golf legend and two-time Macao Open Champion Zhang Lianwei.
Jointly organized by the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR Government (MSB), title sponsor SJM Resorts, S.A. (SJM) and IMG, and co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Macau Golf Association, the SJM Macao Open 2026 will once again offer free public admission. Fans can register for complimentary tickets now, with each person eligible for up to four tickets. For more information and to secure your tickets, please visit www.sjmmacaoopen.com.