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Bae surges into fifth in Order of Merit chase

Korea’s Bae Sang-moon has jumped into fifth spot on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit after securing a home victory at the Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open on Sunday.

The talented 22-year-old earned a winner’s cheque of US$240,384 after defeating England’s Ian Poulter and American world number six Anthony Kim with a polished performance at Woo Jeong Hills Country Club.

The victory, Bae’s second on the Asian Tour, reinforced his stature as one of Asia’s rising stars as he moved into the top-five of the rankings with his season’s haul of US$406,246.

New Zealand’s Mark Brown uncharacteristically missed the halfway cut in Korea but retained his top spot on the Order of Merit with US$725,597, followed by India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, Asia’s number one in 2006, in second place on US$540,694.

Bae’s triumph culminated a fantastic past one month as he had earned a maiden trip to the Omega Mission Hills World Cup in China after partnering Kim Hyung-tae to win the Fortis International Challenge in Malaysia.

He was also in contention in the Panasonic Open in Japan a fortnight ago and his rich vein of form carried him to a memorable triumph in his home Open as he eclipsed Ryder Cup stars Poulter and Kim.

“I'm extremely happy and I don’t think I’ve realised the magnitude of my win. I'm very proud of myself,” said Bae.

Last year, Bae broke through at the SK Telecom Open on home soil and it was only this season that the big-hitting Korean decided to compete regularly on the Asian Tour where he posted three-top 10s prior to his Korea Open success.

Teenage phenomenon Noh Seung-yul kept up his chase for the Rookie of the Year award by finishing ninth at Woo Jeong Hills. A cheque of US$17,227 pushed him up to 14th place with a total collection of US$217,778.

The Asian Tour heads to Delhi for the US$1 million Hero Honda Indian Open this week which will be headlined by title holder Jyoti Randhawa of India, compatriots Jeev Milkha Singh and S.S.P. Chowrasia, current Merit leader Brown and US PGA Tour star Daniel Chopra, who is of Swedish-Indian parentage.

Asian Tour Order of Merit Top-20 (click here for full list):

Pos. Player Earnings (US$)

1. Mark BROWN (NZL) 725,597
2. Jeev Milkha SINGH (IND) 540,694
3. S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 439,930
4. Arjun ATWAL (IND) 430,418
5. BAE Sang-moon (KOR) 406,246
6. LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 306,470
7. Scott STRANGE (AUS) 283,340
8. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 260,003
9. Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 256,643
10. Kane WEBBER (AUS) 233,845
11. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 232,709
12. Scott HEND (AUS) 221,947
13. Taichiro KIYOTA (JPN) 220,842
14. NOH Seung-yul (KOR) 217,778
15. Simon GRIFFITHS (ENG) 211,091
16. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 208,415
17. LU Wen-teh (TPE) 194,429
18. Digvijay SINGH (IND) 152,781
19. Scott BARR (AUS) 139,839
20. Anthony KANG (USA) 136,932

October 6, 2008