Seven years after helping Singapore win SEA Games silver, three familiar faces are back together.
This time, they are chasing Asian Games honours.
Nicklaus Chiam, Hiroshi Tai and James Leow will reunite in Nagoya for the 20th Asian Games, having first teamed up at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.
Older and more experienced, the trio will once again pull on the Singapore colours when the golf competition gets underway on September 30 at the Kasugai Country Club East Course.
While much has changed since 2019, one thing remains the same — the pride that comes with representing Singapore.
The three have also enjoyed significant individual progress over the past seven years.
Leow and Chiam have since joined the professional ranks. Leow secured his Asian Tour card after winning the Asian Development Tour (ADT) title in Saudi Arabia in 2025, while Chiam claimed his maiden professional victory at the PKNS Selangor Masters in February 2026.
Tai, the reigning SGA Male Golfer of the Year, made history in 2025 by becoming the first Singaporean to compete at The Masters Tournament. The Georgia Tech graduate has also established himself as one of the country’s leading amateur golfers, highlighted by his victory at the 2024 NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championship.
Now, they return to the international stage together — this time at the Asian Games.
“I played with Nicklaus and James at the SEA Games in 2019. That was a very memorable week for all of us as we made it to the finals and won a silver medal,” said Tai.
“We have all grown a lot since then, and it will be a lot of fun to compete together. I hope to learn how they prepare themselves for the rigours of professional golf and look forward to hanging out with them.”
The Asian Games will present a different challenge from the one they faced seven years ago. With some of Asia’s leading golfers in the field, the Singapore team will need to remain focused and consistent across four rounds as they look to challenge for honours.
For the trio, however, the tournament will also be about reconnecting with teammates who shared an important chapter of their golfing journeys.
The memories of 2019 remain, but so does the desire to represent Singapore.
“It is always great to represent my country. I’ve enjoyed representing Singapore at SEA Games, World Amateur Team Championships and look forward to doing so again in Nagoya,” said Tai.
Leow, who is making his second Asian Games appearance, added: “I’m really proud to represent Singapore and excited for the opportunity to compete alongside the best athletes from across Asia.
“Hopefully, I can use the experience I’ve gained from professional golf, both on and off the course, to contribute to the team and make Singapore proud.”
Seven years in sport can feel like a lifetime. For Chiam, Tai and Leow, their journey from SEA Games silver to the Asian Games is a reminder of how much can change — and what can remain constant.
“Representing Singapore is always an honour and I do not take that for granted. That has never changed, and I always aim to do my best each time I tee up,” said Chaim.
They have taken different routes, experienced individual highs and grown as golfers. Now, they have another opportunity to come together and compete for Singapore.
The countdown has begun.
The flag will be on their bags.
The memories of 2019 will be with them.
And a new chapter will begin.