Wang's stock rises on UBS Order of Merit

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Wang's stock rises on UBS Order of Merit

Chinese Taipei veteran Wang Ter-chang proved that old is still gold a week after Thai phenom Chinarat Phadungsil struck a winning shot for the young guns.

The 44-year-old Wang was the last man standing at the Brunei Open on Sunday where his play-off victory hauled him to seventh place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit with a career high of US$199,568.

Wang's success against a revitalised David Gleeson of Australia, and a pair of Asian rising stars in Juvic Pagunsan of the Philippines and India's Rahil Gangjee, was his career fourth title in the region and he remains as the fourth oldest player to win in Asia.

It was also a wonderful reminder that golf is certainly a game for the ages, and it came a week after the 17-year-old Chinarat displayed his magnificent potential with a second Asian Tour victory at the Crowne Plaza Open in China.

India's Jeev Milkha Singh continues to head the pack on the UBS Order of Merit with his collection of US$441,758, followed by Korea's Charlie Wi (US$329,680) and Australian Andrew Buckle (US$280,212).

“I played very well over the last two days in Brunei and I now have renewed confidence and I hope to carry on my form throughout the rest of this year. I am also delighted that I have made a strong move up on the UBS Order of Merit,” said the ever-smiling Wang.

A self-taught golfer, where he used to pound 800 balls at the range daily, Wang's first Asian title was posted on home soil in 1997 before he claimed the 1999 Myanmar Open crown. It was only six years later that he ended his title drought at the Macau Open last season before Sunday's success at the Brunei Open, which was celebrating its second edition.

The 28-year-old Gleeson, once rated a rising star in Australia and a former teammate to the likes of Adam Scott and Geoff Ogilvy during his amateur days, also enjoyed a welcome return to form after two years of being in the doldrums.

A bogey at the 72nd hole dropped him into a play-off with Wang but with a cheque of US$32,550, Gleeson jumped into 53rd place on the UBS Order of Merit, giving himself a chance of regaining his full playing rights on the Asian Tour after his breakthrough victory in the 2002 Volvo China Open.

“It was disappointing towards the end as it was so near yet so far. But overall I have been satisfied with my performance,” said Gleeson, whose form dipped dramatically with 19 missed cuts in his last 35 events.

India's Gangjee, who secured a stunning victory at the Volkswagen Masters-China in 2004, showed he is also on track to a return to winning ways with a tied third finish while rookie Pagunsan also enjoyed a third place outing to signal his growing potential.

Gangjee's second top-10 of the year moved him to 39th place on the UBS Order of Merit with US$60,426 while Pagunsan rose 29 places to 61st with his season's haul of US$27,640, in with a fighting chance now to break into the top-60 which will offer full playing privileges for the 2007 season.

The Asian Tour moves to the inaugural US$300,000 Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters at the Pulai Springs Resort in Johor, located south of Malaysia, this week.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT – TOP-20

Pos. Player Winnings (US$)

1. Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 441,758

2. Charlie WI (KOR) 329,680

3. Andrew BUCKLE (AUS) 280,212

4. Simon DYSON (ENG) 269,265

5. Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 226,691

6. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 223,902

7. WANG Ter-chang (TPE) 199,568

8. Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 194,422

9. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 191,112

10. Tadahiro TAKAYAMA (JPN) 173,460