Shanghai: Australia’s Scott Hend signed off from the WGC-HSBC Champions with a final round five-over-par 77 but is already looking forward to ending his season on a high by capturing the Asian Tour Order of Merit title.
While earnings from the US$9.5 million Chinese showpiece do not count towards the merit race, Hend already has a comfortable lead over compatriot Marcus Fraser by slightly more than US$300,000.
With the season heading towards a close in Hong Kong in December, the big-hitting Australian is aware he already has one hand on the prestigious merit crown.
“It’s out of my control now and it really depends on how good the other boys behind me can play,” said Hend.
A merit win at the close of the season will finally be a vindication of sorts for Hend having finished second on the money list on two occasions in 2013 and 2015.
It will also help ease the memories of a tough week in Shanghai for the Australian who closed with a four-day total of five-over-par 293 to finish in a share of 54th place that included Major winner Bubba Watson of the United States.
“I really want to win the Asian Tour Order of Merit title and maybe it will all come down to Hong Kong. It’ll be interesting to see what happens then,” said Hend, who has enjoyed a distinguished record on the Asian Tour with nine victories.
“It has been a grind for me this week. I hit a lot of errant shots and I couldn’t really control my ball. I got to do some work in Turkey next week,” added Hend.
