Sentosa: Pavit Tangkamolprasert secured his first Asian Tour victory at the Venetian Macao Open on Sunday to become the third Asian Development Tour (ADT) player to triumph on the region’s premier Tour this season.
The 27-year-old Thai, who won five titles on the secondary circuit and was crowned the Order of Merit champion in 2014, rose to the occasion when he defeated Anirban Lahiri of India a on the first extra hole at the Macau Golf and Country Club.
Pavit follows in the footsteps of Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang, also a five-time ADT winner, who won two Asian Tour titles this season. Thailand’s Poom Saksansin, a one-time ADT winner, also won his maiden Asian Tour victory a fortnight ago in Indonesia.
The rise of another ADT winner on the Asian Tour is testament that the secondary circuit is a breeding ground for champions.
Pavit, who had limited playing opportunities on the Asian Tour before arriving in Macao, showed he has the capabilities to defeat some of the region’s best players, thanks largely to the experiences and confidence gained from competing on the ADT.
“I actually didn’t plan to play on the Asian Tour this year but now I’ll play everything and try my best to keep myself inside top-60 every year. This win will give me a lot of confidence to play on the Asian Tour. I have won multiple times on the ADT but it’s a big difference from this week. Experience helps. Every time I win, I kept my focus,” added Pavit.
His success over the weekend will serve as an inspiration to his peers on the ADT.
“That's the form we see every other week on the ADT, no surprise he's finally doing it on main Tour. Rooting hard for him!!” James Byrne of Scotland wrote on Twitter.
Michael Tran of Vietnam also said in a Facebook post dedicated to Pavit: “Congratulations to my boy Pavit!!! What a great win! Very motivated now, got to work harder!”
Chan kept up his hopes on contending for the Order of Merit crown after a tied-third place finish in Macao moved him up one rung to third on the Merit rankings. His season’s haul swelled to US$528,750 after taking home US$62,150 last week.
“I’m looking forward to the CIMB Classic this week. It’s a good chance for me. It’s very exciting as there are many superstars there. I’m happy. Maybe I will have a chance for the Order of Merit. My game is feeling good. My attitude changed and my putting has also improved,” said the 30-year-old Chan.
Pavit, who took home US$198,000 following his victory, propelled from 91st to 12th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit. His current haul of US$226,103 also made him the first reserve for the lucrative CIMB Classic in Kuala Lumpur this week.
His breakthrough victory also lifted him from 446th to 244th on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR).
Australian Scott Hend continues his reign atop the Order of Merit where he leads with total earnings of US$770,842 while compatriot Marcus Fraser trails in second with US$679,053.
This week the Asian Tour heads to TPC Kuala Lumpur for the US$7 million CIMB Classic which is sanctioned by the PGA TOUR and the Asian Tour.
Asian Tour Order of Merit – Top-20
Pos Player Order of Merit (US$)
1 Scott HEND (AUS) 770,842
2 Marcus FRASER (AUS) 679,053
3 CHAN Shih-chang (TPE) 528,750
4 Jeunghun WANG (KOR) 499,643
5 Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 483,663
6 Soomin LEE (KOR) 348,724
7 S.S.P. CHAWRASIA (IND) 323,607
8 Yuta IKEDA (JPN) 292,849
9 Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 280,707
10 Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 277,787
11 Younghan SONG (KOR) 272,757
12 Pavit TANGKAMOLPRASERT (THA) 226,103
13 LU Wei-chih (TPE) 220,166
14 Piya SWANGARUNPORN (THA) 207,980
15 Phachara KHONGWATMAI (THA) 201,956
16 Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 188,834
17 Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) 187,142
18 Carlos PIGEM (ESP) 177,756
19 Shaun NORRIS (RSA) 176,621
20 Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN) 172,455
