Malaysian star Ervin Chang will make a much-awaited return to the Asian Development Tour (ADT) at the upcoming Singha Phuket Laguna Open in Thailand, marking his third consecutive appearance in the THB4 million (approx. US$120,000) event.

Coming off a solid T39 finish at the International Series Japan presented by Moutai earlier this month, Chang is hoping to maintain his return to form following a rocky start to this year’s Asian Tour season. Co-sanctioned with the All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT), the Singha Laguna Phuket Open is staged at the highly-rated Laguna Golf Phuket course on the famed Thai resort island of Phuket, writes Jonathan Ponniah.

“I’m looking forward to going back to Laguna Golf Phuket which is one of my favourite tournament venues. The competition in Thailand is always tough, so it’s a good place to test yourself and gauge where your game’s at,” said Chang, whose last ADT start in August 2024 produced a top-10 finish at the BNI Ciputra Golfpreneur Tournament in Indonesia.

Chang has good memories of the Laguna Golf Phuket course, which opened for play in 1993 but was extensively upgraded and redesigned in 2014. He finished tied 31st at last year’s Singha Laguna Phuket Open, following a missed cut by just one shot the year before.

“Laguna Golf Phuket is an excellent golf course with a great layout and nice views. There are some tricky par-threes, some long holes, and a lot will depend on how the wind blows,” noted Chang.

While his ball-striking in Japan was solid, Chang was dissatisfied with his strategic play and course management at Caledonian Golf Club.

“Overall, I’m pleased with my performance but there’s a lot of room for improvement in terms of strategy and course management. I’m working a little bit differently with my coach, focusing on how to be more effective and efficient on the golf course,” said Chang.

Chang is a graduate of the ADT, having earned his Asian Tour card with a late season surge that catapulted him to 10th spot on the 2023 ADT Order of Merit. His first full Asian Tour season proved to be a real eye-opener, mixing solid performances with lacklustre outings en route to 103rd place on the 2024 Order of Merit. Chang went back to Q-School Final Stage last December and regained his card with a T23 finish at Lake View Resort in Hua Hin, Thailand.

“I played decently at certain tournaments in the first half of 2024, and then over the back half I kind of fell off a little bit. A lot of things came into play; mentally, physically and technically. I learnt a lot about what needed to be done … managing travel, recovery, practice plans, and also how to manage myself during tournaments,” revealed Chang, who turns 27 this July 17.

Chang’s best finish on the ADT came early in his professional career at the 2022 OB Golf Invitational presented by Jababeka in Indonesia, where he was runner-up by just one shot to Suteepat Prateeptienchai of Thailand. He turned professional in late May that year following his historic gold medal at the 2022 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Vietnam, giving Malaysia its first-ever individual golf gold medal at the regional meet.

In 11 ADT starts in 2022, Chang did well enough to finish 15th on the Order of Merit and earn the Asian Tour’s inaugural Kyi Hla Han Future Champions Award.

Indeed, in less than three years as a professional, Chang has already racked up a closet-full of experiences but is still hunting for an international tour victory. He will be looking to fill that space on his CV at Laguna Golf Phuket against a strong field that includes 2025 ADT winners Aldric Chan of the Philippines and Tawit Polthai of Thailand, as well as established players and rising talents from the ATGT. Asian Tour stalwarts Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh, American Berry Henson, and the Filipino duo of Angelo Que and Juvic Pagunsan, are also in the mix.

“I love playing in ADT events. It’s a great tour with a friendly vibe, and provides you a platform to the Asian Tour. The ADT gives you the chance to compete outside your own country against players from all around the world,” said Chang.

For 2025, Chang will be aiming to finish high enough on the Asian Tour Order of Merit to keep his card, while slotting in ADT and domestic events during off-weeks. Having been totally immersed in golf since he was a junior and subsequently for Liberty University on the U.S. collegiate circuit, Chang has also set some personal life goals.

“It would be great if I can win a tournament, locally or internationally. I’ve set some statistical goals and mental goals, and a few personal goals to maintain a little bit of balance in my life,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season. I’m doing a lot of things differently and just hoping to have a good 2025.”