Kuala Lumpur – Oct. 25, 2004 – Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit has reached a new career high on the Asian Tour following his second-place outing in the inaugural Crowne Plaza Open, Shanghai 2004 on Sunday.
The 48-year-old Boonchu earned a cheque of US$22,260 after finishing one stroke behind first-time winner Terry Pilkadaris of Australia. The effort increased the Thai's season earnings to $185,878, which has surpassed his previous best haul of $173,377 achieved in 1995.
A total of 17 events have been staged, with five events remaining for the 2004 season. The Asian Tour will stay in China for the Sanya Open at Yalong Bay Golf Club in Hainan Island this week. Boonchu's fine week saw him move from ninth to sixth place on the latest Order of Merit where the top-10 is sprinkled with some of Thailand's finest players.
Thongchai Jaidee continues to lead the ranking with $332,375 with Prayad Marksaeng in fifth place on $188,801 and Thaworn Wiratchant two rungs below with $182,254. Pilkadaris' cheque of $32,300, which was the perfect wedding gift as he got married three weeks ago, saw him move to 12th place on the money list with $136,068, which is also a career best.
Like vintage wine, Boonchu keeps getting better. After winning his home Open in January to become the oldest winner on Tour, he has gone on to post four other top-10 finishes. With a trusty golf swing that needs very little maintenance, Boonchu said that he is enjoying the twilight of his career and is eyeing a possible assault on the US Champions Tour (Seniors) when he hits the 50 years mark.
"I can't spend long hours at the driving range hitting golf balls unlike the young players," said Boonchu in a recent interview. "Instead I spend my practice time wisely and work on areas which I feel is lacking. Furthermore, my wife looks after me very well and I am able to focus on my golf," added the veteran.
Marcus Both of Australia will defend his Sanya title this week with his confidence given a huge boost following his joint third result in Shanghai. It was his best finish since his breakthrough victory at Yalong Bay Golf Club a year ago.
Following the Sanya Open, which will offer $250,000, the Asian Tour will head to Hanoi for the first time this season for the inaugural $200,00 Carlsberg Masters 2004 Vietnam at Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club.
After a two-week break, the Tour steps into its final stretch with the staging of the Volvo China Open from November 25-28, Omega Hong Kong Open from December 2-5 and the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Kuala Lumpur from December 9-12.
The events in China and Hong Kong are jointly sanctioned by the Asian and European Tours while the Volvo Masters of Asia is restricted to the top-60 players on the Order of Merit plus 12 invites.
Asian Tour Order of Merit – Top-20
Points Player 2004 (US$)
1. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 332,375
2. Simon YATES (SCO) 285,488
3. Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 248,309
4. Hideto TANIHARA (JPN) 194,197
5. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 188,801
6. Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA) 185,878
7. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 182,254
8. Simon DYSON (ENG) 170,118
9. Brad KENNEDY (AUS) 165,537
10. Greg HANRAHAN (USA) 164,288
11. Charlie WI (KOR) 160,608
12. Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 136,068
13. Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 133,757
14. Edward LOAR (USA) 112,409
15. Adam GROOM (AUS) 103,170
16. MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 98,692
17. Jason KNUTZON (USA) 93,772
18. Rick GIBSON (CAN) 88,258
19. CHEN Yuan-chi (TPE) 85560
20. ZHANG Lian-wei (CHN) 84,437
Media Contact
Chuah Choo Chiang
Asian Tour
Communications Manager
T: +603 7880 3714
E: chuah@asiantour.com
www.asiantour.com
