Thawon bids to regain Merit lead in Taiwan Open

Thailand 's Thaworn Wiratchant headlines the US$300,000 Taiwan Open starting on Thursday where he bids to regain his top spot on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Thaworn was dislodged from his perch last weekend by compatriot Thongchai Jaidee, who finished fifth in the Singapore Open. The difference between the top two players is US$2,107 and with Thongchai not competing at Chung Kung Golf Club this week, a top-35 finish by Thaworn should see him regaining his merit lead.

"My aim last week was to make the cut at Sentosa (Golf Club) as the course wasn't suited to my game," said Thaworn. "The course was really difficult but we're now at a different event this week."

Thaworn finished 45th in Singapore , earning a cheque of US$10,200 to swell his season's earnings to US$344,313. Thongchai, the Asian number one last year and in 2001, has accumulated US$346,420.

A good week will also boost Thaworn's confidence ahead of his title defence of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, also in Taipei next week. But the Thai must first contend with a strong field at Chung Kung.

Australian Andrew Buckle, enjoying a terrific rookie season on the Asian Tour, will be looking to build on last week's success where he finished third behind winner Adam Scott and Lee Westwood.

The former Australian amateur champion will be amongst the contenders in Taipei , having moved up to fourth place on the latest Asian Tour merit list. A total of six players from the top-10 will tee up at Chung Kung.

"It was nice (to finish third). It was great experience playing the weekend with top players like Adam Scott and Lee Westwood and it will stand me in good stead in the future.

"This is my first year on the Asian Tour and I am really enjoying it. Hopefully it will be a stepping stone to greater things (in golf)," said Buckle, who has now posted four top-10s this season and earned US$189,478.

The local challenge will be led by the likes of veterans Wang Ter-chang and Lu Wen-teh. Wang, winner of this season's Macau Open, is presently the highest ranked Chinese Taipei player on the Asian Tour ranking at 19th place.

The last local player to win the Taiwan Open was in 1998 by Lu Chien-soon, who is also in this week's field. Chang Tse-peng, a distant cousin to former tennis star Michael Chang, was the best local performer last year where he finished third behind winner Charlie Wi of Korea and Terry Pilkadaris of Australia .

Wi is unable to defend as he is concentrating on his efforts to retain his US PGA Tour card while Pilkadaris, who is presently fifth on the Asian Tour money list, will be looking to challenge this week after placing 14th in Singapore .

Other top-10 players in the field include Korea 's Ted Oh, who was fourth last week, and Australians Scott Barr and Marcus Both.

Hsieh Min-nan, who skippered Asia to victory in the Visa Dynasty Cup over Japan in April, will also play this week along with team members Angelo Que of the Philippines, Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand, Singapore's Mardan Mamat and India's Amandeep Johl.

At 65, Hsieh, the Taiwan Open champion in 1977, still keeps himself active on the senior tour and enjoyed a top-10 finish in the championship 12 months ago.

The Taiwan Open was inaugurated in 1965 and past champions include Chinese Taipei legend Lu Liang-huan, Frankie Minoza of the Philippines, Vijay Singh of Fiji and Korea's Kang Wook-soon, Asia's number one in 1996 and 1998.

Recent winners include Jason Dawes of Australia (2003), Malaysia 's Danny Chia (2002) and American Andrew Pitts (2001) who are all in this week's field.

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