Terrific Thaworn crowned Asia's number one

Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant achieved his career pinnacle when he was crowned the Asian Tour Order of Merit winner after the completion of the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia on Sunday.

Thaworn sealed his position as Asia’s best player when he walked away with US$7,857 for his tied 14th place finish in Bangkok which added to his record earnings of US$510,122. After taking the money list race down to the wire, countryman Thongchai Jaidee settled for second on the merit list with US$454,335.

“I am happy and relieved as it has been a very big year for me,” said Thaworn. “All the hard work paid off and I have learnt from past mistakes…that has led to my success today."

The Order of Merit race came to a decider at the Thai Country Club where the odds were stacked against Thongchai who needed at least a second place finish in the Volvo Masters of Asia to topple Thaworn. However, Thongchai settled for tied 27th position.

Thaworn said: “My luck has been very good this year, it’s not often you get years like this. The Indonesian Open is not an easy tournament to win but I was impressive with almost every shot in the tournament,” he said.

His career high comes with several perks where he will earn exemptions into next month's Sony Open in Hawaii on the US PGA Tour and also the British Open next July, which will be his maiden Major appearance.

The high-flying Thaworn became the first player to win four times in a single season and also surpassed the half million dollar mark in earnings. He won titles in Indonesia, Chinese Taipei, India and Vietnam and is now looking to break his duck in Thailand, where he has not won on home soil.

"I really want to win in Thailand and I gave it my all this season but I hope for better results in Thailand in 2006.”

Thaworn Wiratchant Thaworn blazed through the 2005 season in magnificent fashion when he won an unprecedented four Asian Tour titles in a single season. He kicked it off with a win in the 2005 Enjoy Jakarta Standard Chartered Indonesia Open. He also took the 2005 Taiwan Open title and was crowned the 2005 Indian Open and the 2005 Carlsberg Masters Vietnam presented by Thai Airways International champion.

In the Indonesian Open, Thaworn breezed through the Cengkareng Golf Club in Jakarta when he carded an impressive 25-under-par 255, which is the Tour's lowest winning total although it will not enter the record books due to the preferred lie ruling in operation that week.

Thongchai, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief after an exhausting season ender. "I am satisfied with how I played. But I was very tired as I could not control the ball with wayward drives that often landed on the rough,” said Thongchai.

“It has been a very good season and I am satisfied with my overall performance this year.”

“The fight for the Order of Merit depended on how well I fared in the first two rounds. But I am proud and happy to see a fellow Thai winning the Order of Merit and all credit to Thaworn who played exceptionally well throughout the season.

India's Jyoti Randhawa, who finished second in his defence of the Volvo Masters of Asia, finished third on the merit list with US$329,835. Sunday's big winner Shiv Kapur took home US$108,000 and clinched fourth spot with US$242,101.

December 11, 2005

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