HUMBLE, Texas – League-leading Crushers GC will have a new player in its lineup for this week’s LIV Golf Houston.
Current Asian Tour points leader John Catlin will replace Charles Howell III, who is out with a tibia injury in his left leg. The 44-year-old Howell, currently 19th in points, is expected to return for the next LIV Golf tournament in Nashville, June 21-23.
Crushers Captain Bryson DeChambeau said he received a text a few days ago from Howell, who apologized for not being able to play at the Golf Club of Houston. It will be the first tournament that Howell has missed since joining LIV Golf for the third event during the inaugural 2022 season.
“He told me it was a little hairline something in his leg, and he said he just couldn’t do it this week, but he’s trying to be ready for Nashville, which is great,” DeChambeau said.
Catlin has been in excellent form. He won two Asian Tour events in the spring, the International Series Macau and the Saudi Open, with scores of 23 under and 24 under respectively. He also tied for third at the Malaysian Open.
Although he leads the Asian Tour points standings by more than 900 points over the next closest full-time Asian Tour player, he’s second in points on the International Series behind Carlos Ortiz. But because he is already an active LIV Golf regular as a member of Torque GC, Catlin was the next player in line to earn a reserve spot. He was a reserve in Miami but did not get to play.
“He’s been playing some amazing golf,” DeChambeau said. “I thought he would be a great fit for the Crushers this week.”
“It’s a great opportunity, a chance to move another step up in my career,” said the 33-year-old Catlin, who currently resides in Florida. “I’m looking forward to seeing if I can help the team as well.”
Catlin and DeChambeau have known each other for many years, going back to their Northern California roots as junior golfers. Catlin grew up in Sacramento, DeChambeau in Clovis.
“I remember playing with him when he first started changing his clubs to the same length,” Catlin said. “Basically feels like old times.”
Most of Catlin’s 13 professional wins have come in Asia. He won seven times in the region across three different tours between 2016-19. A year later, he won two DP World Tour events, and added another victory in 2021.
After losing his DP card late in 2023, Catlin returned to the Asian Tour, going through qualifying to regain his status. The move quickly got him back on track.
“I’ve gone through some things,” Catlin said. “Didn’t have my best form for a year-and-a-half. Had to figure out why, assess it, and then put in more work.
“Going through that made me a stronger competitor, a stronger golfer. I’m looking forward to continuing that process.”
(Photo by Paul Lakatos/Asian Tour)