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Buhrmann victory propels him to 21st on UBS Order of Merit

South African Hendrik Buhrmann has jumped to 21st place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit after his maiden triumph in the region on Sunday.

The 42-year-old broke through at the inaugural Aamby Valley Asian Masters in India with a two-stroke victory, walking away with the winner's cheque of US$63,400. It raised his season's winnings to US$90,735 which is already his highest since 2000.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, who won the Volvo China Open title in April, continued to head the pack on the UBS Order of Merit with US$442,526. Korea’s Charlie Wi stayed in second with US$329,758 while Aussie ace Andrew Buckle was in third place with US$280,212.

England's Simon Hurd, who finished second behind Buhrmann, moved to 34th position with US$55,230 while Australian Terry Pilkadaris, third in India, jumped up by three rungs to 15th place with US$118,370.

“I said earlier in the year my dream is that I want to win on the Asian Tour before I die,” said Buhrmann, who has won eight times in South Africa. “They laughed at me but I really meant it. A few months later, I've got my dreams come true. I'm really happy,” he said.

It could not be more fitting for the South African to win it in India, a place he cherishes close to his heart. India has been a good hunting ground for Buhrmann who was a whisker away from a win last year before finishing third at the Hero Honda Indian Open.

“To do in India is great. I finished third in the Indian Open last year, where I had a chance to win where I was right up there on the back nine. I also like the food, the people. I'm so happy. I nearly didn't play in Aamby Valley but Louis Martin (the Asian Tour Chief Executive) convinced me to come and said it was a beautiful place. I'm glad I listened to him.”

After 20 top-10 finishes and four runner-up places on the Asian Tour, the South African veteran decided that the best way to try and win in Asia was to enjoy his golf and not place pressure on himself.

“The biggest thing is like what Jeev said earlier this year. I've finished second so many times now that we say so what. We must try less and I started enjoying it. I tried to keep a conscience attitude and kept my emotions to myself as I'm an emotional person and can go up and down easily,” said Buhrmann, who is one of the wittiest players on Tour.

The South African earned a two-year exemption on the Asian Tour as he is already gearing up for future tournaments.

“I’m just over the moon. I've got two years exemption now. And I get into the HSBC Champions Tournament as well,” he said.

May 16, 2006

UBS Order of Merit – Top 20

Pos Players winnings (US$)

1 Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) $442,526

2 Charlie WI (KOR) $329,758

3 Andrew BUCKLE (AUS) $280,212

4 Simon DYSON (ENG) $269,265

5 Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) $217,222

6 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $206,192

7 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $177,777

8 Mardan MAMAT (SIN) $174,382

9 Tadahiro TAKAYAMA (JPN) $173,460

10 WANG Ter-chang (TPE) $141,788

11 Jarrod LYLE (AUS) $136,270

12 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) $131,299

13 Shiv KAPUR (IND) $130,407

14 SUK Jong-ryul (KOR) $125,000

15 Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) $118,370

16 Scott STRANGE (AUS) $107,154

17 Amandeep JOHL (IND) $102,739

18 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) $101,637

19 Bryan SALTUS (USA) $93,296

20 Mahal PEARCE (NZL) $91,625