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Lin breaks into top 25 on Order of Merit

Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang is enjoying the best spell of his career as he climbed up to the top-25 on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit.

Playing in his 12th event this season, Lin broke through in a big way when he won his maiden Asian Tour title at the Taiwan Open on Sunday and took home the winners cheque of US$47,550. The win moved him up to 25th place on the UBS Order of Merit with a haul of US$122,238.

The 32-year-old talent has been in action in the region since 1998 and with four UBS Order of Merit events remaining this year, Lin is on course for his best ever season-ending performance.

“It feels wonderful. I feel great,” said Lin, who was runner-up at the Crowne Plaza Open this year. He also chalked up top-10 finishes at the Brunei Open in August and the Mercuries Taiwan Masters two weeks ago.

“Although I've won several local events in the past, winning the Taiwan Open is so special as it's my first major title. Hopefully, I can go on to win another one this season,” he added.

Another big mover was Scottish talent Simon Yates who surged up 20 spots after his runner-up finish in Taipei that earned him US$32,550. He rises to 29th place with US$103,909.

With two runner-up finishes and success at the Volvo China Open this year, India’s Jeev Milkha Singh continues to head the UBS Order of Merit ranking with US$470,108.

Thailand’s Prom Meesawat solidified his position in second place when he claimed US$2,190 for his tied 33rd place finish at the Taiwan Open. With his season total of US$332,661, Prom, who won the SK Telecom Open in May, extended his lead over Korea’s Charlie Wi who remained in third place with US$329,680.

Chinese Taipei veteran Wang Ter-chang, competing in his 12th year on the Asian Tour, is enjoying his most lucrative season this year. Wang, who won the Brunei Open in August, finished in joint sixth spot at the Taiwan Open and earned US$9,450 as he moved up to 11th place on the UBS Order of Merit with a total of US$209,018.

Scotsman Barry Hume, who finished tied alongside Prom in Taipei, was right on the bubble in 60th place with a fast-charging American Gary Rusnak a spot below.

Australia’s Tony Carolan, who finished in tied eighth place on Sunday, leaped into the top-60 in 53rd place with US$60,486.

The Asian Tour will now head to Sanya, China this week for the US$300,000 Volkswagen Masters-China where South African Retief Goosen will defend his title against a strong line-up that include China’s Zhang Lian-wei and 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT - TOP-20
Pos Players Winnings (US$)
1 Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 470,108
2 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 332,661
3 Charlie WI (KOR) 329,680
4 Andrew BUCKLE (AUS) 301,512
5 Shiv KAPUR (IND) 261,857
6 Brad KENNEDY (AUS) 252,664
7 Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 241,922
8 Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 237,402
9 Gaurav GHEI (IND) 218,532
10 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 212,412
11 WANG Ter-chang (TPE) 209,018
12 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 205,872
13 Scott STRANGE (AUS) 199,828
14 Anthony KANG (USA) 184,770
15 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 180,317
16 Unho PARK (AUS) 157,211
17 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 154,059
18 Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 153,588
19 LEE Sung (KOR) 148,254
20 Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 140,848

October 9, 2006