Airil is first Malaysian to lead Order of Merit

Airil Rizman Zahari has become the first Malaysian to sit atop the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, bringing plenty of cheer to a country which has been short of golfing success.

Airil's thrilling two-stroke triumph in the Pakistan Open on Sunday created a small slice of history as the winner's cheque of US$47,550 propelled him to the summit following the conclusion of the Tour's season-opening event in Karachi.

It was a memorable weekend that extended Malaysia's recent fine run as highly rated youngster Ben Leong won the Qualifying School in Thailand last month and is widely tipped to challenge for honours this year.

Airil, 27, is only the second Malaysian to win on the Asian Tour after the heroics of Danny Chia who was victorious in the 2002 Taiwan Open. But since then, the nation has been starved of international success.

Chia created some buzz by qualifying for the British Open two years ago, Iain Steel, who had a stint on the US PGA Tour during the 1990s, enjoyed a solid rookie year in Asia in 2006 while the country's last appearance in the World Cup was some six years ago.

But with the emergence of Airil and Leong, who is 21, the duo could well represent the future of Malaysian golf.

Airil readily admits that his stay at the top of the UBS Order of Merit may not be for very long, with several big-money events, starting with this week's US$2.2 million Commercialbank Qatar Masters, coming up on the schedule.

But the slightly built Malaysian is determined to pull up his socks and remain in the spotlight. "I am delighted to lead the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit but it is still in the early stages of the season and anything can happen," said Airil.

"It feels really good to be up there and I will try hard to stay in the forefront this year. This is definitely a great start for me," he added.

As an amateur, Airil was the country's number one player, winning the Malaysian amateur championship three times and helping the nation lift the Southeast Asian Games team gold medal on home soil in 2001.

But like most upcoming youngster, Airil needed time to find his feet on the Asian Tour after joining the paid ranks in 2002. He found success on the domestic Malaysian circuit, winning seven times but on the Asian Tour, he struggled and missed 16 cuts from 30 starts.

It was only last year that he saw light at the end of the tunnel by being in the money on six occasions in nine appearances. He played his way into contention in several events at the halfway stage but slipped down the leaderboard with his impatience.

"I've played well for two rounds in the past but made too many mistakes at the weekend. I just needed to let things happen for me," said Airil. "After I won the Malaysian Order of Merit a few years ago, my coach told me that it was time for me to swim with the big fishes."

On Sunday, he finally came of age in Karachi, completing a commanding victory in 19-under-par, which included a course record equaling 64 in the third round, and outlasting experienced hands in the form of Australian Scott Hend, who played on the US PGA Tour in 2004 and 2005, and England's Simon Hurd.

"I can't believe I did it. I'm so happy with my performance," said Airil, who will be fully exempted on the Asian Tour until the end of 2009.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT (after the Pakistan Open) – TOP-20
(for the full Order of Merit table, click here)

Pos. Player Country Winnings (US$)

1. Airil Rizman ZAHARI (MAS) 47,550
2. Scott HEND (AUS) 32,550
3. Simon HURD (ENG) 18,300
4. Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 11,235
4. Chris RODGERS (ENG) 11,235
6. YEH Chang-ting (TPE) 7,620
6. Ashok KUMAR (IND) 7,620
6. Olle NORDBERG (SWE) 7,620
9. Uttam Singh MUNDY (IND) 5,124
9. Barry HUME (SCO) 5,124
9. Gavin FLINT (AUS) 5,124
9. Mark MOULAND (WAL) 5,124
9. Roy MOON (USA) 5,124
14. S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 3,703.33
14. Digvijay SINGH (IND) 3,703.33
14. Vivek BHANDARI (IND) 3,703.33
14. Tony LASCUNA (PHI) 3,703.33
14. LIN Chien-bing (TPE) 3,703.33
14. Mitchell BROWN (AUS) 3,703.33
14. NAM Young-woo (KOR) 3,703.33
14. Richard LEE (NZL) 3,703.33
14. Ross BAIN (SCO) 3,703.33

January 22, 2007

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