The Open gatecrashed by former monk as golf superstar tears up Portrush

It's not unusual for golfers to look to a higher power for divine intervention when it comes to improving their golf game. But for one competitor at this week's Open Championship, they'll have a different type of spiritual influence on their performance.

Introducing Sadom Kaewkanjana, a professional golfer from Thailand who competes on the Asian Tour. But two years ago, Kaewkanjana took a hiatus from golf so that he could live as a Buddhist monk and practice meditation.

It wasn't for a lack of talent though, given Kaewkanjana had shot an impressive seven under at St. Andrews to finish T11 at the 2022 Open the year before. When quizzed about his unusual career move, Kaewkanjana said: "I was ordained because I wanted to return the greatest merit and repay my parents."

On his experience, Kaewkanjana later added: "I was cut off from the rest of the world when I was ordained. That made me feel more calm. I was able to concentrate more, which will help me improve my game of golf."

Kaewkanjana is back on the golf scene and qualified for this year's Open after winning the Korea Open back in May, and after his impressive victory, the 27-year-old credited becoming a monk for improving his golf game. He said: "It's a new experience being a monk.

"They help like more concentrate on the golf course or outside the golf course. It's made me a lot of focus. Forget everything outside, just live in the present. So I really enjoy being a monk. Forget everything outside, just live in the present. My goal is like I want to play in the Masters my whole life. I want to play one time. So to get in the world ranking into the top 50, that's my goal."

Kaewkanjana wasn't there to make up the numbers, with the golf ace having enjoyed a stellar opening round on Thursday. He hit just one bogey throughout a strong three-under round of 68, including a stunning eagle on the par-four fifth early in his round.

Speaking after his opener, he told the PGA Tour: "It is a big thing in Thailand, the thing is I have a new experience being a monk. It helps me concentrate more on the golf course, it's given me a lot of focus and helps me live in the present."