The Thai Senior Tour officially launches its new season with the "Sunward Thai Senior Tour Championship/Sekigwa Cup 2026," offering a total prize of 1.5 million baht. Well-known professional golfers from both Thailand and Japan will compete from 17-19 February at Legacy Golf Club in Bangkok.
On 16 February 2026, Mr. Sutin Darunyothin, President of the Thai Senior Professional Golfers Association, together with Mr. Elise Nakamura, founder of Zen Golfer Factory, held a press conference announcing the upcoming Thai Senior Tour professional golf tournament — the "Sunward Thai Senior Tour Championship/Sekigwa Cup 2026," featuring a total prize fund of 1.5 million baht. The event will take place from 17-19 February at Legacy Golf Club, with the announcement held at the Rama Gardens Hotel in Bangkok.
Mr. Sutin Darunyothin said that the association has been preparing for this event for over three months. Supported by Mr. Elise Nakamura, who invited international golfers from Japan to join the competition, this tournament marks the season opener for the Thai Senior Tour, which will feature 4 to 6 events this year. The goal is to promote tourism by inviting foreign golfers to participate, thereby developing the golf industry and advancing the association toward international standards.
During the event, sponsorship contributions were announced: Utility Plus donated 300,000 baht; Mr. Chumphon Chuwilas, Managing Director of Chu Photics Company Limited, contributed 30,000 baht; CSV Energy provided 300,000 baht; Mr. Wichaya Srinaka donated 300,000 baht; and TaylorMade also supported the event with sports equipment.
The participating golfers include Prayad Maksaeng, four-time former number one on the Japan Senior Tour; Udon Duangdecha, former number one on the Thai Senior Tour and multiple champion; Simon Yates from Hua Hin; Thaworn Wiratchant, former Asian Tour two-time champion and former number one; Chaowalit Phalaphol, former Asian Tour champion and current number one on the Thai Senior Tour; and Thammanoon Sriroj, three-time champion of the Japan Senior Tour. They will compete against top Japanese players such as Shinichi Yokota, two-time Japan Tour champion; Hideki Kase, three-time Japan Senior champion; Seki Okuda, six-time Japan Golf Tour winner; and Yoshinobu Tsukada, three-time Japan Senior Tour champion.
The Thai Senior Professional Golfers Association organizes the Thai Senior Tour with support from the Sports Authority of Thailand, the National Sports Development Fund, Sunward Security, Sekigwa, Zen Golf Factory, Primary Walking, Kwanruen Group, Miyata Survey Institute, Resol, Golf In, Reseus Impact, Vol In On, Phuket Country Club, Sogo (Malaysia), Saksayam Group, Utility Plus, Tang, Chu Photics, Sakura Stone Company Limited, Alpine Golf Club, and Legacy Golf Club. The competition is a 3-day, 54-hole stroke play event held at Legacy Golf Club, par 72. After the first 36 holes, the field will be cut to the top 60 players and ties for the final round competing for the prize money.