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Buddhist Monk Sadom Kaewkanjana's Clear Message Amid The Open

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sahil Goswami | Last updated Jul 17, 2025 12:52 PM ET

The 2025 Open Championship is officially underway at Royal Portrush. While the spotlight is on big names like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, a surprising contender is quietly making waves, Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana.

One might not have heard of him before today, but Kaewkanjana is no ordinary golfer. The 27-year-old isn’t just chasing birdies; he’s also an ordained Buddhist monk. In 2023, he stepped away from the game to live as a monk in Thailand, focusing on meditation and spiritual growth. “I was ordained because I wanted to return the greatest merit and repay my parents,” he shared.

Kaewkanjana qualified for this year’s Open by winning the Kolon Korea Open in May and came out swinging at Royal Portrush.

The monk opened with a 3-under 33 on the front nine, putting himself just one shot off the early lead. It's the kind of start that raises eyebrows and maybe even spirits.

His mindset might just be his biggest asset. “I was cut off from the rest of the world when I was ordained,” he said. “That made me feel more calm. I was able to concentrate more, which will help me improve my game of golf.” That calm focus showed on Thursday as he carved his way around the links like a seasoned vet.

Meet the Buddhist monk who’s contending @TheOpen ⬇️

Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana took a short hiatus from professional golf in 2023 to live as a Buddhist monk and practice meditation.

He won twice on the Asian Tour and finished 11th at the 2022 Open at St. Andrews before… pic.twitter.com/qFYaoGa6n5
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 17, 2025

This isn’t his first taste of Open success either; he finished tied for 11th at St. Andrews in 2022. With three Asian Tour wins and five titles on the Thailand Golf Tour, Kaewkanjana’s resume is no joke.

He may have entered the week at 200-1 odds, but don’t count out the monk from Bangkok just yet. If he keeps playing like this, he could deliver one of the most remarkable stories of the tournament.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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