SHANGHAI – Nov. 30, 2004 – Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand maintained his position at the top of the heap in the Asian Tour Order of Merit ranking following the US$1 million Volvo China Open on Sunday.
The former paratrooper skipped last week's event but still heads the merit race with his haul of US$354,635. However, the gap at the top was narrowed by second ranked Simon Yates of Scotland, who finished tied 11th at Shanghai Silport Golf Club and won US$16,750, increasing his season's tally to a career high of US$302,238. Thai-based Yates now trails the merit leader by US$52,397 with two events remaining on the Asian Tour this season. India's Jyoti Randhawa stayed in third place with US$252,709.
Thongchai's compatriot Thaworn Wiratchant is launching a late charge on the Order of Merit crown after finishing tied third in the Volvo China Open, which was jointly sanctioned with the European Tour. Welshman Stephen Dodd won the title on Sunday. Thaworn, who has one of the most unorthodox swings in the game, won US$51,666 and moved to fourth place on the ranking with US$242,920. Veteran Boonchu Ruangkit of Thailand slipped down a place to fifth after missing the cut last week.
The Asian Tour moves to the US$800,000 Omega Hong Kong Open this week at The Hong Kong Golf Club. Thongchai will return to action in the season's penultimate event, ready to put one hand on the Order of Merit trophy with a strong performance. The Omega Hong Kong Open is also jointly sanctioned with the European Tour.
At the opposite end of the Asian ranking, the battle is also on for players fighting to keep their Tour cards for 2005 season. Japan's Eiji Mizoguchi currently lies in 60th place, the cut off for players to keep their full playing rights for next season. The reward for the top-60 finishers after Hong Kong is also a place in the season-ending US$550,000 Volvo Masters of Asia in Kuala Lumpur from December 9-12.
Amongst those jostling for their cards include China's upcoming star Liang Wen-chong, who is ranked 62nd on the list after playing in only seven events on the Asian Tour this year due to his commitments in Japan. Liang boosted his hopes with a tied 15th outing at the weekend. Gerald Rosales of the Philippines, an amateur star before joining pro ranks, is in danger of losing his card as he is in 63rd place after missing last week's cut. Other players fighting for a place in the top-60 include Malaysia's Danny Chia (76th), winner of the Taiwan Open in 2002, Singapore's Lam Chih Bing (78th) and India's Arjun Singh (79th).
Asian Tour Order Of Merit – TOP 20
Pos player 2004(US$)
1. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 354,635
2. Simon YATES (SCO) 302,238
3. Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 252,709
4. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 242,920
5. Boonchu RUANGKIT (THA) 208,878
6. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 197,401
7. Terry PILKADARIS (AUS) 183,843
8. Simon DYSON (ENG) 176,018
9. Greg HANRAHAN (USA) 169,013
10. Charlie WI (KOR) 167,483
11. Brad KENNEDY (AUS) 165,537
12. Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 139,677
13. Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 128,168
14. Edward LOAR (USA) 112,409
15. Adam GROOM (AUS) 105,607
16. Rick GIBSON (CAN) 104,433
17. MO Joong-kyung (KOR) 102,217
18. Jason KNUTZON (USA) 93,772
19. CHUNG Joon (KOR) 93,120
20. ZHANG Lian-wei (CHN) 93,037
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