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Thaworn continues rise up Order of Merit

Thai star Thaworn Wiratchant continued to make an upward move on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit following the conclusion of the Korean Open on Sunday as his search for an elusive first title of the season continues.

Displaying some of the short-game magic that landed him a record four victories last year, including the prestigious Order of Merit crown, Thaworn inched closer to a first win in 2006 by finishing sixth in Seoul.

The 39-year-old has posted a string of top-10 performances which include a fifth place finish at the Okinawa Open, eighth at the Bangkok Airways Open and fourth at the Crowne Plaza Open in China.

His weekend work in the Korean Open saw him rake in US$20,615 and swelled his season's earnings to US$192,327, good for 13th place on the latest UBS Order of Merit. He was previously ranked 15th.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, the winner of the Volvo China Open in April, is firmly on top of the list with of US$470,108, well ahead of second place Korean Charlie Wi who has US$329,680.

Regarded as one of the most consistent players on Tour this season, Thailand’s Prom Meesawat, who lifted the SK Telecom Open title in May, solidified his position in third when he added US$5,179 from his 34th place finish in Korea for a total haul of US$326,371.

Compatriot Chapchai Nirat recorded his fifth top-10 result of the year on Sunday and is three rungs below Thaworn in 16th place with earnings of US$152,439.

Thai young gun Chinarat Phadungsil, after playing in his 16th event this season in Korea, moved up to 25th spot with a total to US$112,658. Finishing third in Korea pushed Rahil Gangjee into the top-30 as the Indian talent is now ranked 29th with US$93,588.

Korea's Kang Ji-man made a big move up on the rankings with his runner-up finish on Sunday, accumulating a total of US$75,880 for 41st position on the UBS Order of Merit.

While the race for number one heats up, the battle is also on for players looking to retain their full playing rights for 2007 with a top-60 finish on the UBS Order of Merit. Malaysia’s Danny Chia presently sits on the bubble with US$49,724, where his missed cut outing in Korea adding to his anxieties.

The top 60 players from the UBS Order of Merit will also qualify for the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Thai Country Club from December 14-17.

The Asian Tour moves to Taipei for the US$500,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters at Taiwan Golf and Country Club this week. Home hero Lu Wei-chih will defend his crown.

UBS Order of Merit – Top 20
Pos. Player Country Earnings (US$)
1 Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) $470,108.90
2 Charlie WI (KOR) $329,680.36
3 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $326,371.38
4 Andrew BUCKLE (AUS) $301,512.23
5 Simon DYSON (ENG) $269,265.00
6 Shiv KAPUR (IND) $256,107.59
7 Brad KENNEDY (AUS) $248,864.89
8 Mardan MAMAT (SIN) $241,922.01
9 Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) $237,402.86
10 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $212,412.10
11 Scott STRANGE (AUS) $199,828.61
12 WANG Ter-chang (TPE) $199,568.68
13 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) $192,327.28
14 Anthony KANG (USA) $182,940.50
15 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) $180,317.50
16 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) $152,439.82
17 Unho PARK (AUS) $151,540.13
18 LEE Sung (KOR) $145,104.02
19 Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) $140,848.37
20 Jarrod LYLE (AUS) $136,270.35

September 25, 2006