BARCLAYS SINGAPORE OPEN RELATED STORIES Barclays Singapore Open home page Barclays Singapore Open Preview Round 1: Lam raises local hopes as weather calls a halt Round 1: Zhang enjoys return to Lion City Round 1: Els hits the front in early morning Round 2: Els and Dyson lead as weather strikes again Round 2: McIlroy edges Noh in battle of the teen titans Round 2: Els & Dyson two ahead as second round completed Round 3: Chapchai leads from star-studded chasing pack Round 3: Chapchai in charge by three from Lam Round 4: Jeev holds off major champions for victory Round 4: Lam secures Tour card despite closing 79 Final Scores & Prize Money Asian Tour Order of Merit standings after the Barclays Singapore Open About the course Lahiri gets a slot thanks to Poulter's lost driver Choi tips Noh and Lee for big time In-form Els relishes Singapore swing Adam Scott going for Singapore hat-trick Seven to watch this week Asia's stars tee it up with world's best Harrington looks to Singapore for final 2008 victory Order of Merit chase resumes at Barclays Pornsakon books last Barclays Singapore berth Kiradech wins a place in elite Barclays Singapore field Thai tigers earn their Barclays Singapore stripes Best of Asia headed for Barclays Singapore Open Kiwi Lee gets Barclays Singapore slot Huge field for Barclays Singapore Open qualifying Prom looks for strong return to Sentosa In-form Atwal targets cross-Straits double Mark Brown - What a difference a year makes McIlroy joins Barclays Singapore field in search of maiden title Harrington to play Barclays Singapore Open Big names sign up for $5m Barclays Singapore MORE ASIAN GOLF NEWS Han Will Speak At IHT Sports Summit Volvik Agree With Asian Tour Over Sponsorship Memories Inspire Rai In Singapore Break Gives Mamat Route To Success Singapore Classic Welcomes Kia Motors PGA Malaysia Moves To OneAsia CCM Extends Sponsorship Of Impian Masters Faldo To Play In Pro-Am In Cambodia

Lam secures Tour card despite closing 79

Singaporean Lam Chih Bing held his head high despite his final round collapse at the Barclays Singapore Open on Sunday.

The 31-year-old had brilliantly played his way into contention after three rounds at Sentosa Golf Club, going into the final 18 holes three off the pace but stumbled home with a 79 and settled for tied 18th place.

The only consolation for Lam was that his cheque of US$60,666, the biggest of his career, saw him earn his full Asian Tour card for next season. Lam moved up from 71st to 45th position on the Order of Merit with earnings of US$113,441, his career best.

He played in the final pairing with third round leader Chapchai Nirat and world number three Phil Mickeson but all three players were never in contention for the title with the Thai shooting a 78 and Mickelson carding a 75.

"It was pretty amazing playing the last round of the Barclays Singapore Open with Phil, it can't get better than that. At least I know that for three rounds, I can hang out with the best in the world. I can take a lot of positives out of this week," said Lam.

"I didn't hit it close to the pins. I had several three putts out there and it was disappointing. I wish I drove it a little better and made a few more putts but I'll learn from this and come out as a better player.

"I felt really good playing with Phil. A couple of bogeys early threw me off my game and I lost some confidence. I am not that far off. At least I've got my full Asian Tour card. I've got that done and that's a big step for me."

Lam next heads to the UBS Hong Kong Open after qualifying for the event and knows that he must start showing more confidence in his abilities after underachieving on the Asian Tour for so many years.

"I think I need to believe in myself. I could hang out with the best players in the world and with some hard work, I can do something. Phil was very encouraging. He told me I have got the game and he was very nice about it," said Lam.

"My game is a work in a progress. I know it's a tendency for me to get very quick with my swing and I've got to work on that. I think swing wise, I'm working on it. It's gotten much better and it's going to get better.

It was an unbelievable tournament for me. It shows that I can compete and I'll learn from this."

Australian David Gleeson, the Macau Open champion this year, sweetened his year even further by picking up a cheque of US$225,750 after finishing tied fourth with a closing round of 69.

"We concentrated really well for four days. I got a lucky break on 15 when I hit the rocks and bounced back onto the fairway. But not many people holed many putts as the pins were so tough.

"You build on some confidence and you build on where your game is at. I'm quite still frustrated as I didn't hole enough putts. I'm happy to perform well," said Gleeson.

November 16, 2008