Thaworn targets Order of Merit race

Thaworn Wiratchant’s record ninth career victory on Sunday has given him the impetus to challenge for his second Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit crown.

The Thai star, Asia’s number one in 2005, secured a thrilling play-off win in the inaugural Midea China Classic against young compatriot Chinarat Phadungsil and Scotsman Simon Yates and moved up to 10th place on the latest UBS Order of Merit.

With China’s Liang Wen-chong leading the merit race with eight tournaments remaining, the 40-year-old Thaworn is not writing off his chances despite trailing the leader by over US$278,000.

“It is going to be a challenge but I will strive for the UBS Order of Merit title,” said Thaworn, who has accumulated earnings of US$176,323 this season.

“The gap is quite big but in golf you will never know. I feel proud to have won an event this year. Whether the player is old or young, golf is like your pulse, it goes up and down.

“It’s up for me now and I hope to stay up there more often in the near future. If my game remains good, I can go for more wins.”

The Asian Tour heads to Taipei this week for the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, an event Thaworn won in 2004. With several other lucrative events including the US$1 million Kolon Hana Bank Korea Open, US$4 million Barclays Singapore Open, US$2 million UBS Hong Kong Open and the season-ending US$750,000 Volvo Masters of Asia lined up, Thaworn knows that he needs another win to launch a serious assault at the UBS Order of Merit.

Two years ago, Thaworn claimed the mantle as Asia’s number one player in a season which included a record four titles. Subsequently, he endured a lean spell and the veteran was pleased end his two-year title drought and become the player with the most number of wins on the Asian Tour.

“Winning my ninth title is a great feeling. The quality of the players on the Asian Tour is so much higher than before and I’m glad to come out on top,” said Thaworn.

Liang failed to mount a serious challenge on home soil as he settled for a share of 13th place but the tenacious Chinese star was still pleased with his week’s work where he earned US$6,312 to increase his lead over second-placed Anton Haig of South Africa to over US$27,000.

“I was aiming to win but I am still satisfied as I did my best,” said Liang, who leads with US$454,734 and is bidding to become China’s first winner of the UBS Order of Merit.

Chinarat, who turns 19 in November, missed what would have been an amazing third Asian Tour title but the teenager showed once again that he can challenge for Asian supremacy in the near future and live up to his nickname of “Neung” which means the number one.

“I am disappointed. I was hoping for a win and I will continue to pursue that goal. Moving up the rankings is great but I will be equally pleased if I get a win soon.

“I will reflect on what happened in China and I will practice even harder,” said Chinarat, who jumped to 22nd place on the UBS Order of Merit.

Yates, who picked up US$33,900 for his 13th runner-up finish in Asia, moved up to fourth place on the UBS Order of Merit and predicted that Thaworn could yet challenge for the season-ending crown.

“Thaworn deserves the praise. He was putting awesome and if he keeps trying, he can be a real threat for the remainder of this season,” he said.

India’s Rahil Gangjee sits on the bubble in 60th place, the cut off for players to earn full playing rights for the 2008 season and also qualify for the year-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok in December.

UBS ORDER OF MERIT – TOP-20 (click here for the full Order of Merit):

Pos. Player Country Winnings (US$)

1. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 454,734
2. Anton HAIG (RSA) 427,685
3. Scott HEND (AUS) 339,615
4. Simon YATES (SCO) 273,655
5. Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 257,098
6. Gaurav GHEI (IND) 227,174
7. Simon DYSON (ENG) 216,260
8. Iain STEEL (MAS) 192,789
9. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 185,549
10. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 176,323
11. Frankie MINOZA (PHI) 165,622
12. LEE Sung (KOR) 150,150
13. Adam BLYTH (AUS) 143,907
14. Scott BARR (AUS) 140,226
15. KIM Kyung-tae (KOR) 137,556
16. BAE Sang-moon (KOR) 128,824
17. Scott STRANGE (AUS) 121,795
18. LU Wen-teh (TPE) 120,572
19. Jason KNUTZON (USA) 116,118
20. Unho PARK (AUS) 114,332

September 17, 2007

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