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Yasin continues rise up Order of Merit

Rookie Yasin Ali continued his rise on the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit after the conclusion of the Volkswagen Masters-China on Sunday.

Yasin has been growing in confidence after his joint third place finish at the Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters last month. With his tied sixth place outing at the Taiwan Open two weeks ago and a tied fourth place at the Volkswagen Masters-China, the 24-year-old has already secured his card for next season as he is now ranked 29th on the UBS Order of Merit.

His efforts over the weekend in Sanya, China not only earned him US$13,545 which increased his total earnings for the season to US$105,576, but the result placed him as the leading contender for the Rookie of the Year award.

“I think when you've made US$70,000 to US$80,000, you kind of realise that's your card is secured and you reassess your goals which is what I've done,” said Yasin.

“I've moved the goal posts a little bit and will try to achieve different goals now. I'm hoping to win one of the tournaments over the next few weeks, that's for sure.

“I think Johor (Pulai Springs Malaysian Masters) was huge for me. I finished third there with Jyoti Randhawa and that gave me a lot of confidence. It made me believe that I could compete with the best as it was a strong field as well. I shot 20-under and then had a nice week in Singapore (Barclays Singapore Open where he finished tied 15th) and since then, I'm kind of trying to enjoy it a bit more,” he added.

Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng, who finished in joint fourth spot alongside Yasin on Sunday, improved to ninth place on the UBS Order of Merit with a total of US$225,957. The Thai was one spot above India’s Gaurav Ghei who had spiraled up the ranks when he ended an 11-year-wait to win the Mercuries Taiwan Masters earlier in the month.

Thai youngster Prom Meesawat has edged closer to UBS Order of Merit leader Jeev Milkha Singh after his joint 14th place finish in Sanya. The 22-year-old Thai, who won the SK Telecom Open in May and finished runner-up at the Crowne Plaza Open in August, is ranked second and has earned a total of US$336,891.

Singh, the Volvo China Open winner, continues to lead the way with US$470, 108.

The 17-year-old Thai young gun Chinarat Phadungsil, who produced his fifth top-10 finish on Sunday, moved quietly up to 24th spot on the UBS Order of Merit.

Filipino rookie Juvic Pagunsan earned US$5,544 for his efforts at Yalong Bay Golf Club as he inched forward to 51st place.

Danny Chia produced his best result this season when he claimed 24th spot in Sanya but the Malaysian talent remains on shaky ground as he is ranked 59th on the UBS Order of Merit. Scotsman Barry Hume is right on the mark in 60th position after his 28th place finish on Sunday.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT - TOP-20
Pos Player Country Winnings (US$)
1 Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) $470,108
2 Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $336,891
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) $243,193
8 Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) $237,402
9 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $225,957
10 Gaurav GHEI (IND) $218,532
11 WANG Ter-chang (TPE) $212,503
12 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) $205,872
13 Scott STRANGE (AUS) $201,538
14 Anthony KANG (USA) $188,255
15 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) $180,317
16 Unho PARK (AUS) $162,755
17 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) $157,544
18 Rahil GANGJEE (IND) $153,588
19 LEE Sung (KOR) $148,254
20 Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) $144,333

October 16, 2006