Lee continues to climb the Order of Merit with BMW fifth spot<

Locked in a world of silence, Korea's Lee Sung quietly goes about his business on the golf course, and in his father's words, takes it one shot at a time in the search for an elusive first victory.

But judging from his outstanding display at the BMW Asian Open on Sunday where he finished tied fifth alongside world number five Ernie Els, it will not be long before the Korean, who was born deaf, hoists a trophy.

The 27-year-old Lee picked up his season's biggest cheque yet of US$76,130 to rise to 16th place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit and earned the plaudits of his more illustrious playing partners in Shanghai, including Els.

"Lee is very good. He putted really well and he's got a good golf swing. I'm not sure how old he is but he seems to be a very good player. He's a solid player. Keep working and he's going to have a big future," said the Big Easy.

Lee was born deaf and played baseball as a child. But because he couldn't communicate with his teammates, he discarded the bat for golf clubs at the age of 16, with his father Kang-kun teaching him the game.

“My son’s strategy has always been to play it one step at a time,” said the father.

Kang-kun has modelled Lee's swing after Els and Fred Couples and the young Korean has shown some wonderful repertoire of shots in his solid week in Shanghai.

When asked how he approached tournaments, Lee wrote down on the notepad “enjoy”.

His peers have been astounded that Lee has coped with his impairment in a young career which has seen him play four seasons on the Nationwide Tour in the US and finish 20th on the UBS Order of Merit last season.

Els, who played with Lee in the final round in Shanghai, said: "It's amazing. So much that we do comes from feeling and sound. A good golf shot sounds good and when you hit a good putt, it comes from good sound. It must be very difficult for him doing what he is doing and he's doing unbelievable."

BMW Asian Open winner Raphael Jacquelin played with Lee in the final group on Saturday and he too tipped his cap to the talented Korean. "It must be really difficult but it's amazing to watch as he does his job well.

"He can read the lips when we say good shot, it was fun playing with him. He must create a lot of touch and feeling because he can't hear anything. I don't know, he's pretty good," said Jacquelin, who finished four shots ahead of Lee.

As an amateur, Lee had all the talent as he amassed 16 tournament wins in Korea from 1990-1997. He later moved to America after turning professional in 2000 and featured on the Nationwide Tour, the secondary circuit in America from 2000 to 2003. After losing his card, he was encouraged by compatriot Choi Kyung-ju to switch his focus to Asia and subsequently won the Qualifying School in January, 2004.

Choi, a four-time winner on the US PGA Tour, has been a big brother to Lee, offering him financial assistance previously and plays practice round together whenever he is in Asia.

With earnings of US$426,035 so far this season, South African Anton Haig, who won the Johnnie Walker Classic last month, leads the field on the UBS Order of Merit. China’s Liang Wen-chong is in second spot with US$334,277 and followed closely by the big-hitting Australian Scott Hend in third place with US$318,910 as he enjoyed his second successive top-three finish on Sunday.

The Asian Tour moves to the inaugural Pine Valley Beijing Open this week where top stars in the likes of American John Daly, Chinese duo of Zhang Lian-wei and Liang alongside Thai stalwart Thaworn Wiratchant will compete for glory at the Pine Valley Resort and Golf Club. Golf legend Jack Nicklaus will also be in Beijing making a guest appearance in the US$500,000 event.

UBS Order of Merit top-20

Pos Player Earnings (US$)

1 Anton HAIG (RSA) 426,035

2 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 334,277

3 Scott HEND (AUS) 318,910

4 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 219,193

5 Simon DYSON (ENG) 216,260

6 Simon YATES (SCO) 193,351

7 Iain STEEL (MAS) 185,556

8 Frankie MINOZA (PHI) 165,622

9 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 152,999

10 Gaurav GHEI (IND) 109,914