Kuala Lumpur: Liang Wen-chong’s victory on the Asian Tour on Sunday signalled his strong intentions to earn a spot in Team Asia which will face Team Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM in March, 2014.
The talented Chinese defeated Prom Meesawat of Thailand in a play-off at the US$750,000 Resorts World Manila Masters for his third Asian Tour title which moved him up to fourth position on the Order of Merit with earnings of US$398,798.
The leading available four Asian players from the final 2013 Asian Tour Order of Merit will earn automatic places in the Ryder Cup-style showdown at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club from March 28-30, 2014.
Three more spots are available from the Official World Golf Ranking while there will also be a playing captain and two captains’ picks to complete Team Asia.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat has virtually sealed his place in Team Asia as he leads the Merit rankings with US$1,117,074.
However, it will be a close battle for the three other spots as Siddikur (US$449,167), winner of the Hero Indian Open two weeks ago, Liang, Anirban Lahiri (US$387,608), Gaganjeet Bhullar (US$327,378), Baek Seuk-hyun (US$323,743), Shiv Kapur (US$263,013) and Thongchai Jaidee (US$248,991) all have a fighting chance to break and stay inside the top-four on the final Order of Merit.
Liang became the first golfer from China to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit in 2007 and he will now stake his claim to qualify for Team Asia in the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM.
“It will be an honour for me if I get to represent Team Asia. Now that I’m back in the top-five of the Order of Merit, I believe I have a strong chance to qualify. It is great to see such big events happening in Asia and I’m really looking forward to it.
“It has been six years since I last won the Asian Tour Order of Merit. I’m really happy to see myself in the top five again after winning. I have a few more tournaments coming up, so I’m definitely looking forward to finishing well,” said Liang.
The EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM will be played over three days with five Fourball, five Foursomes and 10 Singles matches. The Team Captains for both Asia and Europe will be announced in due course.
