Negeri Sembilan: American Casey O’Toole is determined to extend his lead on the Order of Merit with another commanding performance at the PGM Nilai Springs Championship which starts on Wednesday.
Fresh from winning his maiden Asian Development Tour (ADT) title in Malacca a fortnight ago, the 25-year-old American is targeting another grandstand finish at the RM200,000 (approx. US$50,000) ADT event, which is also the third last event on the region’s secondary circuit.
“I just need to continue playing well and if I can do that, the rest of it will be taken care of by itself,” said the American.
Having enjoyed eight top-10s and one win on the ADT, O’Toole now sits atop the money list, a position which he wants to see himself in when the season draws to a close next month.
“I got my first ADT win in Malacca recently and I’m played well in Singapore, so I’m obviously in good form.
“It’s good to be back on the ADT, competing and I’m looking to finish off the season on a high note,” said O’Toole.
Chinese Taipei’s Hsieh Chi-hsien, who held the pole position on the ADT Order of Merit for more than half the season until he was dislodged by O’Toole, will also feature at the PGM Nilai Springs Championship.
The 25-year-old is prepared to put up a good fight in the merit battle as he aims to become the first player from his country to win the prestigious crown.
“I’ll try my best to get back to the top on the money list. That is my aim right now. It will be great if I can win the Order of Merit as no one from Chinese Taipei has ever done it before,” said Hsieh.
The PGM Nilai Springs Championship will be one of the remaining two events left on the ADT season for players to vie for a place in the top-five so as to secure their playing rights on the Asian Tour in 2016.
With the Olympic Games looming in 2016 where golf will be reintroduced as a medal sport, players in the region could earn their spots in Rio de Janeiro by earning Official World Golf Ranking points through the Asian Tour and ADT.
The winner of the PGM Nilai Springs Championship will take home US$8,371 and receive six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points.
