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Randhawa up to 14th on Order of Merit
 Jyoti
Randhawa has risen to 14th on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit
following his play-off victory at the Hero Honda Indian Open which
concluded on Monday.
The 2002 Asian Tour number one ended his two-year winless run at
Delhi Golf Club, beating compatriot S.S.P Chowrasia with a birdie
on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off.
The winner's cheque of US$63,400 took Randhawa's season winnings
to US$188,485, which sweetens his year further as he also enjoyed
a solid rookie campaign in Europe where he retained his Tour card
comfortably.
A six-time winner on the Asian Tour, the Indian stalwart conceded
that his second Indian Open triumph was one of his hardest in his
career. "This victory was the most difficult of all as there
was a lot of pressure on me.
"In my previous victories, such as when I won here in 2000,
there was no expectation on me. I was an up and coming golfer then.
Now there is much more pressure on me. I am very proud and honoured
to have won the Open again," said Randhawa.
While Randhawa celebrated a second triumph in his home Open, the
Indian fans embraced a new hero in Chowrasia, who performed admirably
against his seasoned compatriot.
The 28-year-old, who is nicknamed "Chipputtsia" as he
is the son of a greens keeper from Calcutta, had a glorious chance
to steal victory but missed a 15-foot putt on the 72nd hole. Still,
he earned Randhawa's admiration.
"He has a great attitude and is a great golfer with a very
good golf swing. I think he has a great future and has a lot of
years left in him. He definitely will win the Indian Open one day,"
predicted Randhawa.
Chowrasia's biggest career cheque of US$33,900 pushed him up to
36th on the UBS Order of Merit and in contention to lift Rookie
of the Year honours with two events remaining, the UBS Hong Kong
Open and the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Thailand.
The young Indian, whose second place finish saw him earn full playing
rights next year, has accumulated US$90,944 but England's Yasin
Ali is ahead of the race for the top rookie award as he has ranked
29th with US$109,296.
Thailand's Prom Meesawat chipped into Jeev Milkha Singh's lead at
the top of the UBS Order of Merit with his fifth place finish at
the Hero Honda Indian Open. Prom earned US$14,9080 to raise his
season's earnings to US$351,871 but trails India's Singh by approximately
US$119,000. Singh, winner of this year's Volvo China Open, leads
with US$470,108.
At the opposite end of the ranking, Australian Adam Groom's missed
cut outing in India saw him slip to 60th place on the UBS Order
of Merit.
The top-60 players following the conclusion of the UBS Hong Kong
Open from November 16-19 will qualifying for the Volvo Masters of
Asia and subsequently retain their full playing rights on the Asian
Tour in 2007.
UBS ORDER OF MERIT – TOP-20
Pos. Player Winnings (US$)
1. Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) $470,108
2. Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $351,871
3. Charlie WI (KOR) $329,680
4. Andrew BUCKLE (AUS) $301,512
5. Shiv KAPUR (IND) $266,177
6. Brad KENNEDY (AUS) $252,664
7. Mardan MAMAT (SIN) $243,193
8. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) $237,402
9. Gaurav GHEI (IND) $228,692
10. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $225,957
11. WANG Ter-chang (TPE) $212,503
12. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) $211,392
13. Scott STRANGE (AUS) $209,418
14. Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) $188,485
15. Anthony KANG (USA) $188,255
16. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) $180,317
17. Unho PARK (AUS) $172,915
18. Rahil GANGJEE (IND) $160,348
19. Chapchai NIRAT (THA) $159,192
20. Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) $150,333
October 24, 2006
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