Panuwat begins climb up Order of Merit

India's Gaurav Ghei rose to seventh place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit following his third career victory on Sunday but a man whom many are predicting will rise into prominence is Thailand's Panuwat Muenlek.

Ghei's convincing two-stroke triumph at the inaugural Pine Valley Beijing Open reaffirmed his stature as one of Asia's leading stars as his triumph was the second in the space of seven months.

However, the name that was on everybody's lips in Beijing was the unheralded 21-year-old Panuwat. The young Thai belied his inexperience by taking a share of the lead after the second and third rounds and although he tumbled out of contention with a closing 76, many observers believe it will only be a matter of time before he joins a growing chorus of Thai winners on the Asian Tour.

Panuwat eventually settled for a share of 10th place in Beijing, which was his second top-10 from only three starts in Asia this season. It moved him up to 67th place on the UBS Order of Merit, raising his hopes of ending the year in the top-60 to gain full playing rights in 2008 and a place in the elite season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok in December.

"I am very happy to be where I am this week. It has been a good week and I am confident that more results, and even better ones will come in the future," said Panuwat.

"My aim is to finish in the top-60 of the UBS Order of Merit but to do that, I need to keep doing what I did this week. I will be aiming for better results, that’s for sure but playing with the big boys on the Asian Tour has definitely been a great experience for me."

Panuwat, who lives in the northern Thai town of Chiang Rai, picked up the game at the age of eight through the influence of his father and developed into a fine amateur, winning 10 titles. After turning professional in 2005, he claimed two domestic wins last year but it is on the Asian Tour that he hopes to succeed.

His arrival onto the big stage has reinforced Thailand's position as a golfing powerhouse in Asia as the likes of Chapchai Nirat, Prom Meesawat and Chinarat Phadungsil, all below the age of 23, are already Asian Tour winners alongside the more established names like Thongchai Jaidee, Thaworn Wiratchant, Prayad Marksaeng and Chawalit Plaphol.

Strangely though, Panuwat said he did not idolise any of his more famous compatriots when he was growing up despite the fact that Thailand has produced two Asian Tour number ones in the shape of Thongchai and Thaworn.

"I don’t have a golf idol as I work hard with my own game and style, and it has been working out for well for me," he said. "I’ve enjoyed many wins in Thailand but I still feel like the big one has not yet arrived.

"This result has made me believe that I can do much better and from now on, I hope to produce top-10 finishes all the time."

South Africa's Anton Haig remained atop the UBS Order of Merit after finishing in a share of 58th place in Beijing as he made his first cut since winning the Johnnie Walker Classic in Phuket in March.

Haig has accumulated US$427,685 and leads from second-placed Liang Wen-chong of China, who enjoyed a 10th place outing on home soil. Liang, winner of the Clariden Leu Singapore Masters this year, has a season's collection of US$342,817.

Australian Scott Hend remained third with US$327,450, followed by Chapchai in fourth place with US$246,768 after his third-place finish at the weekend. Australian Adam Blyth used his runner-up outing on Sunday to leapfrog from 23rd to 11th position on the UBS Order of Merit.

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

1. Anton HAIG (RSA) 427,685
2. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 342,817
3. Scott HEND (AUS) 327,450
4. Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 246,768
5. Simon DYSON (ENG) 216,260
6. Simon YATES (SCO) 193,351
7. Gaurav GHEI (IND) 189,164
8. Iain STEEL (MAS) 185,556
9. Frankie MINOZA (PHI) 165,622
10. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 152,999
11. Adam BLYTH (AUS) 128,967
12. Scott STRANGE (AUS) 117,887
13. Shiv KAPUR (IND) 104,504
14. Jason KNUTZON (USA) 102,153
15. David BRANSDON (AUS) 98,929
16. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 96,824
17. LEE Sung (KOR) 92,535
18. Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 91,852
19. Tony CAROLAN (AUS) 89,202
20. Scott BARR (AUS) 88,676

April 30, 2007

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