Sentosa, Singapore: Australia’s Scott Hend continued to show why he remains as the most successful international player on the Asian Tour following his latest Tour victory at the True Thailand Classic presented by Chang last weekend.
Hend, known for his big-hitting driving distance, used that to his advantage en route to winning his eighth title on the Asian Tour.
And in doing so, becomes the highest ranked international player on the total career earning list with his seventh placing.
Hend’s total earnings of slightly over US$3.3 million since he first earned his Asian Tour card through Qualifying school in 2007 have also given him the belief that he is ready to raise his benchmark even higher.
“This is a great win and I would love to try and kick on now and get another win, try and qualify for the Open and also try and get into the match play and see if I can do anything against the top 50 in the world,” said Hend.
Victory at the Black Mountain Golf Club also moved Hend up to 79th place on the world rankings and fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Meanwhile Thailand’s Piya Swangarunporn, who took home his career’s biggest cheque of US$194,990 over the weekend, surged up to sixth place on the money list.
Although the unheralded Thai fired an amazing course record 63 to finish one shot behind Hend in second place, he knows his time to make his entry into the winner’s circle will eventually come.
“It is a big day for my career and I hope to play more big tournaments like this one in the future because this week has given me a lot of confidence,” said Piya.
Australia’s Marcus Frasers remains on top of the Order of Merit with US$516,260 while Philippines’ Miguel Tabuena is in second after a season haul of US$315,821.25.
The Asian Tour heads to India for the US$1.66 million Hero Indian Open which takes place at the Delhi Golf Club from March 17-20.
Asian Tour Order of Merit – Top-20
Pos Player Order of Merit (US$)
Marcus FRASER (AUS) $516,260.97
Miguel TABUENA (PHI) $315,821.25
Soomin LEE (KOR) $309,970.25
Scott HEND (AUS) $291,660.00
Younghan SONG (KOR) $224,772.50
Piya SWANGARUNPORN (THA) $197,985.00
Shaun NORRIS (RSA) $166,368.75
Masahiro KAWAMURA (JPN) $97,956.80
Jeunghun WANG (KOR) $94,614.57
Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $88,954.17
Thitiphun CHUAYPRAKONG (THA) $88,017.97
Rahil GANGJEE (IND) $80,882.50
Thanyakon KHRONGPHA (THA) $77,634.38
Nathan HOLMAN (AUS) $75,000.00
Casey O'TOOLE (USA) $68,997.18
LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) $63,000.00
Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $62,508.33
Simon YATES (SCO) $59,278.57
David LIPSKY (USA) $58,182.04
Chapchai NIRAT (THA) $55,804.17
