Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung and Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand displayed true grit at the Resorts World Manila Masters last week to reinforce their status as Asia’s rising stars.
Fung and Jazz, aged 23 and 17 respectively, were in contention at the inaugural US$750,000 event before settling for tied fifth at the Asian Tour tournament that was won by China’s Liang Wen-chong.
Despite missing out on an emphatic first Asian Tour win, the immensely talented duo soaked in the positives and the experience that will further strengthen and enhance their games.
Jazz has come a long way since becoming the youngest ever player to make the halfway cut at the 2010 Asian Tour International in Bangkok at the age of 14 years and 71 days.
He missed only one cut in 13 Asian Tour events this season and his result in the Philippines was his second top-five finish this year which propelled him to 39th place on the Order of Merit with a haul of US$84,306. The top-60 players at the end of the 2013 season will earn an Asian Tour card for 2014.
After missing out on an Asian Tour card at Qualifying School in Thailand earlier this year, Jazz made full use of his limited playing opportunities to earn a spot among the elite Asian Tour cast next year.
“I’m glad I managed to keep my card. My game has been pretty consistent this season and if you continue playing consistently and make cuts in every event you play, you will pretty much be able to keep your card,” said Jazz.
“I played really well last week and it is good to see myself in contention. I had a lot of fun on the last day even though I got a bit stressed towards the end but I guess I just have to learn how to deal with it,” he added.
Asian Tour rookie Fung enjoyed his best result on the region’s premier Tour which is celebrating its 10th season in 2013. The result pushed him to 88th on the Merit list with earnings of US$32,608 to give him a battling chance to break into the top-60 by the end of the season.
The young Malaysian, who is also the current Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit leader said: “This is my first ever top-five on the Asian Tour and I’m very happy with my game right now. It has been a great season so far. I’m glad that I’m doing well on the ADT too and I’m happy to earn world ranking points from my performances this year.”
Spaniard Carlos Pigem’s tied third finish at the Resorts World Manila Masters was also his career’s best result since turning professional earlier this year.
The Asian Tour graduate took his season’s haul to US$80,647 and is currently placed 41st on the Order of Merit which should be enough to retain his Asian Tour card for next season.
“It has been a great year playing in Asia. I have a few more events coming up so hopefully I can maintain my good form till the end of the season,” said the 23-year-old Pigem.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand stayed in the forefront to win the Order of Merit with winnings of US$1,117,074. Scott Hend of Australia is in second place on US$569,464 while Siddikur, winner of the Hero Indian Open two weeks ago, sits in third on US$449,167.
Liang moved up to fourth position on the Order of Merit with his victory on Sunday which swelled his winnings to US$398,798. Indian duo Anirban Lahiri (US$387,608), Gaganjeet Bhullar (US$327,378) and Korean Baek Seuk-hyun (US$323,743) are ranked fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.
ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT – TOP-20
Pos Player Order of Merit (US$)
1. Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) 1,117,074
2. Scott HEND (AUS) 569,464
3. SIDDIKUR (BAN) 449,167
4. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) 398,798
5. Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 387,608.
6. Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 327,378
7. BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) 323,743
8. Shiv KAPUR (IND) 263,013
9. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 248,991
10. Wade ORMSBY (AUS) 213,349
11. S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND) 186,773
12. Angelo QUE (PHI) 185,031
13. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 173,558
14. Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 163,353
15. Berry HENSON (USA) 158,451
16. KIM Gi-whan (KOR) 152,167
17. Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 145,663
18. Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) 140,004
19. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 139,594
20. KANG Sung-hoon (KOR) 135,000
