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Brown consolidates Order of Merit lead

New Zealand's Mark Brown is back on track for the Asian Tour's Order of Merit race after a solid outing at the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open on Sunday.

Thanks to his tied fifth place performance in Japan, Brown extended his lead at the top of the money list with total earnings of US$725,597.

It marked a positive comeback for Brown who had led the rankings since his back-to-back wins at the Sail Open in February and the Johnnie Walker Classic in March. His last appearance on the Asian Tour was at the BMW Asian Open in April.

"This was what I was looking for. I didn't play very well in Europe but the swing is starting to feel better now. I can't wait to get to Korea (Kolon-Hana Bank Korea Open) and India (Hero Honda Indian Open) which I'm really looking forward to.

"I played great tee to green and hit a lot of good shots. I'm not thinking about the Order of Merit. It's just nice to finish well.

"I was pleased with how I found my driving game. I did hit a few loose ones but generally I hit my driver a lot better. I haven't thought about the Order of Merit. Obviously, I've come out here to play to try and chase it but I can't worry about it," said Brown, who will be hoping to find the winning combination for a third success this year.

"I like India. I like the food and the golf course. Hopefully it continues this year. February seems like a long time ago. Hope to track my old caddie and bring him out of retirement," he added.

Brown, who turned professional in 1996, had taken a sabbatical several years ago before earning full playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2007. He produced four top-10 finishes last year.

China's Liang Wen-chong, who was the 2007 Asian Tour's number one, will be eyeing for a title charge this year after chalking up his best result on Sunday when he finished in a tie for third place.

"I still need more practice. My game is getting better. I think with more practice, I'll keep going and hopefully will win again soon," said Liang, who is ranked seventh on the money list after earnings of $260,003.

The Asian Tour will now head to the Kolon-Hana Bank Korean Open where local star Bae Sang-moon, who recorded his third top-10 result in Japan, will be among the top contenders.

"Japan is a good confidence booster for me. I'm now looking forward to the Korean Open. My confidence is high and I'll try to make it again in Korea. My putting is nearly perfect now which is a good feeling," said Bae.

Asian Tour's 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 LIN Wen-tang (TPE) 306,470
6 Scott STRANGE (AUS) 283,340
7 LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 260,003
8 Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 256,643
9 Kane WEBBER (AUS) 233,845
10 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 232,709
11 Scott HEND (AUS) 221,947
12 Taichiro KIYOTA (JPN) 220,842
13 Simon GRIFFITHS (ENG) 211,091
14 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 208,415
15 NOH Seung-yul (KOR) 200,551
16 LU Wen-teh (TPE) 194,429
17 BAE Sang-moon (KOR) 165,862
18 Digvijay SINGH (IND) 152,781
19 Scott BARR (AUS) 139,839
20 Gaurav GHEI (IND) 130,986

September 29, 2008