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Macao Open: Sarit Suwannarut goes driver on 15 for key birdie

Bold play at the SJM Macao Open: Sarit Suwannarut pulls driver on the 15th and converts for birdie — a crisp example of risk-reward golf.

The Asian Tour shared a short clip of Sarit Suwannarut going for the bold option off the tee on the 15th and being rewarded with a birdie. While the video is brief, it captures a classic tournament scenario: a player weighing control against distance, choosing driver, and executing under pressure.

Risk-reward at the Macao Open: why driver can be the right call

On many par 4s, especially those offering a shorter second shot when the tee ball finds the fairway, driver can be the most efficient scoring play. The upside is obvious: a wedge or short iron into the green, more spin control, and a higher birdie probability. The downside is equally clear: tighter landing areas, fairway bunkers pinching the ideal line, or rough that blunts spin on the approach.

Judging from the Asian Tour clip, Suwannarut committed to the aggressive line and found a position that allowed him to attack the flag. The caption notes it was “another birdie,” suggesting momentum — and in golf, momentum often encourages confident, assertive decisions when the numbers fit.

What makes the driver decision work

Three elements typically green-light the driver on a hole like 15:

  • Numbers and fit: Yardage to preferred wedge distance, carry to clear the primary hazard, and a landing window that matches the player’s stock shape.
  • Wind and firmness: Downwind or neutral conditions and a fairway that isn’t running out into trouble can turn a borderline call into a green light.
  • Pin and green complex: A front or accessible pin often rewards a full-swing wedge far more than a mid-iron from a lay‑up.

Execution-wise, elite players manage tee height and shape to hold fairways. A slightly lower tee can reduce spin loft and tighten dispersion; choosing a fade to work against a left miss (or a draw to hold against the right) is about matching shape to the hole. The key is total commitment: once the decision is made, tempo and start line trump over-swinging.

Takeaways for club golfers

There’s a lesson here for amateurs. “Be aggressive” doesn’t mean swinging harder — it means choosing the club that yields the best expected score. If driver brings a straightforward wedge and the trouble is carryable, it can be the percentage play. If the landing zone narrows to single digits and the penalty is severe, a fairway wood or long iron may win on average. Build a simple pre-shot checklist: carry to trouble, preferred leave, miss bias, and wind. If three of four items say “go,” commit to the driver and focus on your stock shot.

Suwannarut’s birdie at 15 underscores the modern scoring blueprint on firm setups: leverage length to create short approaches, then convert. It’s not reckless — it’s calculated aggression backed by a clear plan.

Suggested additional embeds

  • Asian Tour’s daily highlights clip from the SJM Macao Open (official account).
  • Post-round interview snippets with players discussing strategy on the back-nine par 4s.
  • Official tournament graphics summarizing the day’s best holes or birdie leaders.