Hua Hin, Thailand: Malaysian prospect Gavin Green is on a mission to seize the number one spot on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit when he tees up at the ADT Thongchai Jaidee Foundation which starts on Thursday.
The 22-year-old Green trails current Merit leader Johanness Veerman of the United States by slightly over US$5,000 but with the American not in the field this week, he hopes to make the most of the opportunity at the four million baht (approxixmately US$115,770) ADT tournament.
Green, who has won two ADT titles this seasons and finished runner-up twice, will challenge for the likes of defending champion Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand, John Catlin of the United States, who won last week and Itthipat Buratanayarat of Thailand.
European Tour winner Johan Edfors of Sweden, Thai veteran Boonchu Ruangkit and former tennis star turned professional golfer Paradorn Srichaphan will also feature at the award winning Black Mountain Golf Club.
With the Merit title stake, big-hitting Green needs to finish fourth or better result to replace Veerman at the top of the ADT Order of Merit.
“This is a good week to take over the Order of Merit lead. With that said, it is also one of the toughest weeks because of the players in the field,” said Green, who represented Malaysia in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in August.
“I'm definitely fighting for that number one spot. It gives you an extra advantage heading into the new 2017 Asian Tour season. I'm not far behind but it will be a tough challenge.”
Green is delighted to play in the event hosted by Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee, who is the only player to win three Asian Tour Order of Merit crowns.
“Thongchai has done so much for golf in Asia and the young players including myself hope to have a great career like his. I'm proud to be playing in his tournament,” he said.
The ADT Thongchai Jaidee Foundation is the penultimate event on the ADT 2016 Schedule and players are fighting for top-five positions on the Order of Merit to earn Asian Tour cards for 2017.
With Pavit Tangkamolprasert and Poom Saksansin, ranked third and sixth on the Order of Merit, having already earned their cards by winning on the Asian Tour this year, the next two highest ranked players on the ADT ranking will be promoted onto the Asian Tour.
With approximately US$19,000 going to the winner this week, Panuwat Muenlek, John O’Toole and George Gandranata, who are ranked eighth, ninth and 10th on the Order of Merit, also have a fighting chance to earn playing rights on the region’s premier Tour.
