Liang extends Order of Merit lead

China’s Liang Wen-chong has stretched his lead in the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit race thanks to a sixth place finish at the Iskandar Johor Open on Sunday.

Liang’s eighth top-10 of the year, which includes a maiden title in Singapore, saw him increase his season’s earnings to US$448,422, opening up a gap of over US$20,000 from second-placed Anton Haig of South Africa.

The tenacious Chinese star challenged for the title in Johor before finishing three shots behind winner Artemio Murakami of the Philippines and is now looking forward to the upcoming events, including this week’s Brunei Open.

“It’s still be a good week especially after a good final round (where he shot the day’s best of five-under-par 66). Anton did not play and I had a decent finish to extend my lead. I hope to do even better in the next few tournaments to strengthen my position. I hope to play in as many events as possible and pull further away. Overall I’m quite pleased,” said Liang, who is bidding to become the first Chinese winner of the prestigious UBS Order of Merit.

Thai-based Scotsman Simon Yates broke into the top-five of the UBS Order of Merit after finishing tied second with a blazing finish where he birdied three of his last five holes at Royal Johor Country Club. He has earned US$239,755.

The other contenders did not make up ground on Liang. Haig skipped the Johor event in Malaysia while third-ranked Scott Hend of Australia and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, fourth on the list, failed to make an impact by missing the cut and retiring through illness respectively.

With 10 more events remaining on the Asian Tour this year before the new UBS Order of Merit champion is crowned, India’s Gaurav Ghei, sixth on the ranking, was disappointed that he did not hold on to his third round lead in Johor as he settled for fourth place.

“It’s not been the best of weeks as I was inconsistent in Johor. It’s not a good feeling going into the final round as the leader and not finishing on top. However that’s how the game goes and I am determined to be more consistent to stay amongst the frontrunners,” said Ghei, who has earned US$227,174 this year.

The biggest mover on the UBS Order of Merit was Murakami, who showed the calmness of a veteran to seal a breakthrough victory, becoming the 11th first time winner on the Asian Tour this season.

Trailing by two strokes going into the last day, the Filipino fired a bogey free 68 to triumph by one and jumped into 41st place on the UBS Order of Merit with US$63,530. He also moved into position to qualify for the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok, which is limited to the top-60 players.

“This is a wonderful result for me. I have secured my card for the next two years and also moved up the UBS Order of Merit. It has been a great week but I hope to chalk up another win this season. I don’t want my win in Johor to be seen as a fluke and I am determined to produce a second win. It does not stop here as I will push hard and improve myself,” said the 24-year-old.

The Asian Tour moves to the US$300,000 Brunei Open at Empire Hotel and Country Club this week where Chinese Taipei veteran Wang Ter-chang is the defending champion.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT – Top 20 after the Iskandar Johor Open (click here for full ranking)

Pos. Player Country Winnings (US$)

1. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 448,422
2. Anton HAIG (RSA) 427,685
3. Scott HEND (AUS) 332,460
4. Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 252,138
5. Simon YATES (SCO) 239,755
6. Gaurav GHEI (IND) 227,174
7. Simon DYSON (ENG) 216,260
8. Iain STEEL (MAS) 191,609
9. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 185,549
10. Frankie MINOZA (PHI) 165,622
11. LEE Sung (KOR) 145,140
12. Adam BLYTH (AUS) 139,997
13. KIM Kyung-tae (KOR) 137,556
14. BAE Sang-moon (KOR) 128,824
15. Scott STRANGE (AUS) 121,795
16. Jason KNUTZON (USA) 112,788
17. Unho PARK (AUS) 112,332
18. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 109,045
19. Scott BARR (AUS) 105,376
20. Shiv KAPUR (IND) 104,504

August 26, 2007

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