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Thongchai claims record third Order of Merit

Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee lifted an unprecedented third Asian Tour Order of Merit crown on Sunday to underline his stature as one of Asia’s most accomplished players.

Having won the title in 2001 and 2004, Thongchai was crowned Asia’s number one for a record third time after fending off the challenge of closest rival Liang Wen-chong of China at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

Liang needed at least a second place finish to keep his merit hopes alive this week but finished in tied-11th place with Thongchai after taking the joint halfway lead.

“Winning the Asian Tour Order of Merit title really means a lot to me. The competition is always getting tougher and tougher each year and to win it again shows that my game is improving each year as well,” said Thongchai, who took his season's earnings to an unassailable US$976,693.80 with two events remaining.

“This win will mean a lot to the Thai people and all my sponsors. I would also like to dedicate this win to my family and my manager who have been supporting me throughout my career,” added the 40-year-old Thai carded rounds of 64, 71, 68 and 67 at the US$2.5 million showpiece this week.

The race for the prestigious Order of Merit crown was down to a two-horse race between Thongchai and Liang after Liang emerged as the only remaining contender with his second-place finish in Singapore earlier this month.

The Chinese looked to have brought the race down to the wire when he was in a four-way tie for the lead after the second round.

However Liang failed to find the form that gave him the share of the lead on the third day and his two-over-par 72 saw him spiral down the leaderboard to tied-19th.

The 31-year-old tried to salvage his merit prospects on the final day but left it a little too late.

“To be honest, I’m a little bit disappointed that I lost out to Thongchai in the title race. I had a bad round yesterday and that really made a difference to my Asian Tour Order of Merit hopes. But that’s how golf is and I’ll try harder again next year,” said Liang, who returned with a final 67 to sign for a 270 total.

Meanwhile Thongchai’s form has been sky high all season with wins at the Enjoy Jakarta Indonesia Open and the Ballantine’s Championship in Korea followed by a noteworthy tied 13th finish in the British Open at Turnberry, Scotland.

As the 2009 Asian Tour season draws to a close, the Thai now looks back at his achievements over the past year with pride and distinction, especially his heroics at Jeju Island, Korea in April.

“My best memories for this year would be my win at the Ballantine’s Championship. To be able to win the event in such wet and chilling conditions back then is always something I’ll never forget,” said the newly-crowned Asia’s number one for 2009.

November 16, 2009