Liang takes over Order of Merit top spot

Liang Wen-chong is on a mission this season hoping to stay at the top of the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit after chalking up his seventh top-10 result at the Macau Open on Sunday.

Thanks to his fourth place finish last week, Liang took a giant step forward when he dislodged South African Anton Haig at the top of the rankings with total earnings of US$438,252. He collected US$14,790 for his efforts on Sunday as the 28-year-old talent is now determined to become the first ever Chinese UBS Order of Merit winner.

“Every player on Tour wants to win this title, that's for sure. Since I won the Singapore Masters, that has given me a lot of confidence. I was telling myself that I'm not going to win just the small ones but I want to go for the big ones including the UBS Order of Merit,” said the Zhongshan-born golfer.

Liang first broke into the top-100 on the rankings seven years ago and enjoyed his best finish in Asia in 2002 when he was ranked 12th. He remained steady in 2006 missing the cut in only two out of the ten events competed to finish in 16th place on the standings.

With one win under his belt and six other top-10 finishes this season, the three-time China Amateur Open winner has now embarked on a new challenge hoping to compete in as many events as possible to reach his target of becoming Asia’s number one.

“Since winning in Singapore, it opens up my goal to win the Order of Merit,” said Liang, who finished second best at the GS Caltex Maekyung Open three weeks ago.

“That's the direction that I want to keep. I know golf is very competitive. I am leading the UBS Order of Merit but it could be a clubhouse lead as there could be some other player who can take over the lead. I'm always thinking about this as this is a title that I want. There is still a lot of golf to play,” admitted Liang, who has already set his sights on the big prize.

“I'm going to play in most of the events after the Johor Classic. But the important one will be the Singapore Open as there is a big prize money in that event. We'll be chasing in this event.”

In hot pursuit is in-form Indian star Gaurav Ghei who enjoyed a third place finish on Sunday. Ghei was gunning for his second success this season after having won the Pine Valley Beijing Open last month. He climbed up to sixth on the rankings with earnings of US$207,464.

South African Haig is currently in second spot with US$427,685 while Australian rookie Scott Hend lurks in third place and trails Liang by US$105,792. The big-hitting Hend will be on the chase as he has already delivered four top-10s this season that included two runner-up finishes.

Chinese Taipei veteran Lu Wen-teh took the top prize of US$47,550 on Sunday. He leaped to 26th place on the rankings with total earnings of US$82,198 while Richard Moir of Australia, who finished second last week, was ranked 50th with $42,492.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT TOP-20 (click here for the full ranking):

Pos Player Earnings (US$)

1. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) $438,252

2. Anton HAIG (RSA) $427,685

3. Scott HEND (AUS) $332,460

4. Chapchai NIRAT (THA) $246,768

5. Simon DYSON (ENG) $216,260

6. Gaurav GHEI (IND) $207,464

7. Simon YATES (SCO) $198,895

8. Iain STEEL (MAS) $191,609

9. Frankie MINOZA (PHI) $165,622

10. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $152,999