Who is Sadom Kaewkanjana, the Buddhist monk from Thailand participating in British Open

Fickle weather and funny bounces are classic features of links golf, making the British Open a test of the mind as much as anything else.

Perhaps, then, it’s no surprise to see Sadom Kaewkanjana near the top of the leaderboard at Royal Portrush.

Kaewkanjana is an ordained Buddhist monk from Thailand who took a break from golf in 2023 to practice meditation. He said being a monk was helping him “concentrate on the golf course” and improve his focus.

“Forget everything outside, just live in the present,” he said after shooting a 3-under 68 in his first round to be one stroke off the clubhouse lead in his second appearance at golf’s oldest championship.

In his first — in 2022 — he finished tied for 11th place at the home of golf in St. Andrews. That was his only previous experience of links golf.

Sadom Kaewkanjana places his ball on the 18th green on the opening day of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush golf club in Northern Ireland on July 17, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

“When I play links course, it’s a new experience for me,” the 27-year-old Kaewkanjana said. “I really enjoy to play a links course. It’s fun to play with a windy course and tough conditions.”

Kaewkanjana had the most fun at No. 5, a drivable par 4. He reached the green with his tee shot and holed an eagle putt from 20 feet.

Kaewkanjana, ranked 262nd in the world, qualified for the Open by winning the Kolon Korea Open in May.