Liang one step closer to Order of Merit crown

China’s Liang Wen-chong has taken another purposeful stride towards the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit title following the conclusion of the Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open on Sunday.

Liang finished joint 12th at the Woo Jeong Hills Country Club where a cheque of US$14,973 increased his season’s tally to US$469,708. Fijian star Vijay Singh won the tournament by two shots.

The 29-year-old, bidding to become the first Chinese to lift the prestigious UBS Order of Merit title, is now US$42,023 ahead of second-placed Anton Haig of South Africa while his lead over third-ranked Scott Hend of Australia is US$124,900.

With seven events remaining this season, Liang is hoping to build on his advantage especially with several lucrative events lined up towards the closing stages of the 2007 Asian Tour Schedule.

“I am happy with my performance in Korea. I was unwell over the past two weeks and the course was really tough. So taking these two points into consideration, I am quite pleased with my result,” said Liang.

“There are several big events coming up and a lot can still happen. These next few weeks will be crucial and we might see some big movers. But I focus on my own game and hope to continue with my steady form.”

Last week’s finish was Liang’s 10th top-15 outing of the year which also includes a career breakthrough triumph at the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters.

The race to finish inside the top-60 of the UBS Order of Merit also intensified at the weekend where players are fighting to earn full playing rights for the 2008 season and also a place in the season-finale Volvo Masters of Asia at the Thai Country Club in December.

Korean-American Anthony Kang registered a timely third top-10 of the year to leap from 50th to 31st place while Australian Adam Groom also moved into the comfort zone with a tied eighth finish which saw him rise from 65th to 47th place on the UBS Order of Merit.

American Bryan Saltus, who did not play in Korea, slipped three rungs into 60th position, with Australian Gavin Flint, Angelo Que of the Philippines and India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia sitting just above him after all three players missed the cut last week.

Kang was relieved with his week’s work. “It was a solid week. It was the break that I was waiting for and hopefully I can have a more relaxed time on the golf course without having to worry about my card for next year,” said Kang, a two-time winner on the Asian Tour.

A first top-10 of the year has also taken the pressure of Groom, who has finished inside the top-60 in his first three seasons on the Asian Tour. His season has been littered with many missed cut appearances but the Australian, who made his major debut at the British Open in July, is happy to regain his form.

“I am playing good again and I’m looking forward to the big events towards the end of the year. My confidence is back and I’ve found my rhythm again. I want to put the past behind me. I hope this is the start of a string of good results and end my worries of not making it for next year,” said Groom.

The Asian Tour heads to New Delhi for this week’s US$500,000 Hero Honda Indian Open. Title holder Jyoti Randhawa of India and last year’s UBS Order of Merit champion Jeev Milkha Singh will headline the event.

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

Pos. Name Country Earnings (US$)
1. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 469,708
2. Anton HAIG (RSA) 427,685
3. Scott HEND (AUS) 344,802
4. Simon YATES (SCO) 282,446
5. Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 271,525
6. Gaurav GHEI (IND) 230,649
7. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 223,623
8. KIM Kyung-tae (KOR) 222,048
9. LU Wen-teh (TPE) 220,572
10. Simon DYSON (ENG) 216,260
11. Iain STEEL (MAS) 202,644
12. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 190,989
13. Frankie MINOZA (PHI) 165,622
14. LEE Sung (KOR) 163,883
15. BAE Sang-moon (KOR) 160,909
16. Scott BARR (AUS) 160,174
17. Adam BLYTH (AUS) 148,987
18. Jason KNUTZON (USA) 137,428
19. Scott STRANGE (AUS) 121,795
20. Unho PARK (AUS) 119,412

October 8, 2007

Bookmark page with:

Return to Top of Page