John Catlin Just Won The Asian Tour's Order Of Merit By Miles - But Here's Why The American Could Still Miss Out On His LIV Golf 'Dream'
Catlin wrapped up one of the Asian Tour's season-long titles at the penultimate event, but he still has work to do if he wants a lucrative LIV Golf League spot


American pro John Catlin won his first Asian Tour Order of Merit on Saturday after a T19th finish at the International Series Qatar.
Catlin triumphed twice in 2024 and recorded a number of other high finishes to ensure he sits almost 1,280 points ahead of nearest rival Ben Campbell with only 1,000 points available to the winner of the season-ending PIF Saudi International this week.
The 34-year-old's story is made even more remarkable when it's considered that he only earned his card via Q-School back in January. That success arrived not long after Catlin lost his DP World Tour playing rights off the back of 27 missed cuts and a failed attempt at regaining them via the European circuit's Q-School.
But, fast forward through 14 events and Catlin has added his name to a roll of honor which includes Thongchai Jaidee, Tom Kim, and Jeev Milkha Singh.
Speaking to Gulf News after his final round at the International Series Qatar, Catlin said: “It’s hard to put it into words. To go from not knowing where you’re going to be playing this year to winning the whole Order of Merit, yeah...
John Catlin has sealed the Asian Tour Order of Merit title 👑 after finishing T19 today at the International Series Qatar, penultimate event of the 2024 season. 👏The 34-year-old is the fifth and third straight American to achieve the feat in Asian Tour history.🙌#TimeToRise pic.twitter.com/vI4yM7bjXTNovember 30, 2024
"I know what I’m capable of, and I know I put in the hard work. As long as I keep doing what I’m doing, maybe I’ll win multiple.”
Finding out the answer to that particular possibility will not be known for at least another 12 months. However, another of Catlin's dreams could be realized or snatched away inside a matter of days.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Previously a LIV Golf stand-in six times this term, Catlin revealed he aspires to be a team captain in the 54-hole circuit one day while also hoping to lift a Major at some point as well.
Despite being confirmed as the runaway Asian Tour Order of Merit winner, the University of New Mexico graduate is no longer in pole position to earn a place in the LIV Golf League by topping the International Series Rankings.
Having led the elevated group of tournaments' separate standings for the overwhelming majority of the campaign, Catlin now trails RangeGoats GC's Peter Uihlein by less than 100 points going into the final round at Riyadh Golf Club.
Only the top non-LIV player after this week's Saudi International will receive that exclusive spot, so if Uihlein - or any of his league peers - wins the International Series Rankings, the lucrative reward will not be passed down.
Peter Uihlein with the International Series Qatar trophy
Not to be deterred, Catlin still holds full belief in himself and is adamant he has not been shaken by recent events.
Catlin said: "It was always going to come down to Saudi and who plays well there with two-and-a-half times the points (on offer).
"I would have liked to have had a head start, but the winner of next week’s tournament could only have 200 points (coming into it) and win the whole International Series.
“You show up, you give it your all, try to finish as high as you can and see where the chips fall.”
John Catlin holds the Saudi Open trophy
Catlin might well be confident, given he has positive recent history in the Middle East. The American lifted the Saudi Open earlier this season - one week after becoming the first Asian Tour golfer ever to shoot 59 on his way to winning the International Series Macau.
He continued: “Like I’ve said multiple times, there’s no place I’d rather be right now. That’s where I want to be; that’s been my main goal ever since I’ve been on top of the International Series Order of Merit.
“I was asked earlier what’s my goal ten years from now – I’d love to be a Major champion and a LIV Golf team captain.
“I’ve had the chance to play in six of them (LIV Golf events), I think I’ve done quite well. I think I’ve shown I can compete out there. I want to win the International Series, for sure.
“I’d put my record up against just about anybody. I’m not sure how much better I can play all season. All I can do is keep playing good golf and see what happens.”
The PIF Saudi International (December 4-7) is the final event in the 2024 Asian Tour's season and offers a $5 million total prize purse. 144 players will line up at Riyadh Golf Club, with 44 of LIV Golf's 54 players from the 2024 campaign also set to take part.
Jonny Leighfield is our Staff News Writer who joined Golf Monthly just in time for the 2023 Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup. He graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Sport Journalism in 2017 and spent almost five years as the sole sports reporter at his local newspaper. During his time with Golf Monthly, Jonny has interviewed several stars of the game, including Robert MacIntyre, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, and Joaquin Niemann. An improving golfer himself, Jonny enjoys learning as much about the game as he can and recently reached his Handicap goal of 18 for the first time. He attended both the 150th and 151st Open Championships and dreams of attending The Masters one day.
-
How To Watch The Players Championship: Live Streams, TV Channels, Schedule
This year will be the sixth running of the event, with 23 nationalities competing and with the final round played around Augusta National's iconic course.
By Roderick Easdale Published
-
Sun Day Red Launches Azalea Gold Collection, And It Might Be The Best 'Augusta-Themed' Range We Have Seen
Tiger Woods' brand has just released the new collection and we are big fans already...
By Sam Tremlett Published
-
'He’s Over There And We Only See Him Four Or Five Times A Year, And It’s Disappointing For All Of Us' - Curtis Strange Claims Joaquin Niemann 'Needs' To Be On The PGA Tour
Niemann has started 2025 in phenomenal fashion thanks to two victories on the LIV Golf League in three starts. However, Strange believes he should be back on the PGA Tour
By Matt Cradock Published
-
LIV Golf Unveils Its Own Version Of Creator Classic Featuring Grant Horvat, Rick Shiels, Fat Perez And Bryan Bros
Taking place at LIV Golf Miami, six players from the circuit will play alongside six of the game's biggest content creators in a nine-hole scramble event
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Carlos Ortiz 'Overjoyed' To Earn Open Championship Spot After Pulling Away From LIV Rivals During International Series Macau Victory
The Mexican finished with a blistering six-under 64 to earn his second Asian Tour prize and clinch a spot at the 153rd Open Championship
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
YouTuber Luke Kwon Makes Asian Tour Cut On The Number After Dramatic Run To The Line
The former Good Good member looked to be missing out on weekend golf at the International Series Macau prior to a late birdie blast coming home...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golf Leaderboard At International Series Macau - Open Spots Up For Grabs As Multiple LIV Pros In Contention Going Into Final Day
After a busy Moving Day at Macau Golf and Country Club, a number of LIV golfers are in contention for the victory and a potential spot at The Open Championship
By Matt Cradock Last updated
-
'If We Want To Figure Out Why The Game Of Golf Is Not Back Together, Go Ask Those Guys' - Scottie Scheffler Insists LIV Golfers To Blame For Golf's Big Divide
Scottie Scheffler reiterated his stance that LIV golfers were to blame for the continued split in men's pro golf, while insisting the PGA Tour still had a better standard
By Paul Higham Published
-
International Series Macau Prize Money Payout 2025
The second International Series event takes place at Macau Golf and Country Club, and there's more than just a $2 million tournament purse up for grabs
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Paul McGinley Proposes ‘One Of The Things That I Think LIV Have Got Right’ To Be Applied To PGA Tour
The Golf Channel analyst thinks a key change implemented by LIV Golf could make all the difference to the PGA Tour
By Mike Hall Published