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Order of Merit race gets major boost

Prize money won at HSBC Champions, US Open and the Open Championship will now count towards the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit, it was announced today.

Asian Tour Executive Chairman Kyi Hla Han said that 50 per cent of players’ earnings from the three events will be included in the Merit race from this season onwards.

"Through the introduction of international qualifying for The Open and US Open in recent years, Asian Tour players have the opportunity to qualify for the two Majors.

"The decision to count earnings won from these events is to recognise our players’ efforts and to provide them with added incentive to excel on the world stage.

"Over the years, Asian Tour members have shown the desire to achieve success internationally and we feel it is highly appropriate that they are rewarded and recognised for their good play," said Han today.

Responding to the announcement, Peter Dawson, Chief Executive of The R&A, said: "We are delighted that the Asian Tour has decided to include money won at The Open Championship in its Order of Merit.

"International Final Qualifying was introduced into Asia five years ago to recognise the ever increasing importance of the Asian Tour and its players, and to allow them direct entry into The Open, the oldest of the four major championships. Today’s announcement further enhances and cements this process."

Earnings from the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, a tournament inaugurated in 2005, will also be included on the Order of Merit unlike previously.

Tournament winners from the Asian Tour and the top-five players from the Order of Merit qualify for the limited-field US$5 million tournament, which is sanctioned by the Asian, European, Australasian and Southern African Tours as well as the China Golf Association

"The HSBC Champions has annually attracted world-class fields and over the years, our players have performed well against the internationals stars. In 2006, Korea’s Yang Yong-eun defeated Tiger Woods for one of the most memorable triumphs for Asian golf and it wasn’t recognised on our Order of Merit.

"Hence, we were compelled to change its criteria and importance in the Order of Merit race," said Han.

February 11, 2008