Noh continues to lead Asian Tour Order of Merit
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Korea's Noh Seung-yul maintained his lead on the Asian Tour Order of Merit despite missing the cut for the first time this season at the Barclays Singapore Open.
The 19-year-old teen titan still leads the rankings on US$801,986 and will turn his attention to Hong Kong this week to continue his pursuit of becoming the Asian Tour's youngest ever Order of Merit champion.
Marcus Fraser of Australia also retained his second place on the Order of Merit on US$ 558,766 even though he failed to mount a significant challenge in Singapore.
The Australian, who took up the Asian Tour membership to expand his playing opportunities after his win at the Ballantine's Championship in Korea, failed to make the weekend cut after rounds of 69 and 74.
Sweden's Rikard Karlberg made the biggest move up the Order of Merit after finishing in tied-third place alongside US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland on identical 271 totals.
The 23-year-old rookie's third place finish was worth US$337,800 and propelled the Swede from 35th place to third place on the rankings.
"It's certainly nice to know that I've made a huge move up the Asian Tour Order of Merit with this finish. I'm happy that I'm able give the leaders a run for their money now. I'll now go to Hong Kong tonight, regroup myself, recharge the batteries and get ready for another week," said Karlberg who made a glorious start to his rookie year on the Asian Tour when he bagged his first victory at the 2010 SAIL Open in India.
South Africa's Keith Horne climbed up 42 places to take 12th place on the Order of Merit after posting his best result this season on the Asian Tour with a tied-eighth placing at the Sentosa Golf Club.
"I came here needing to at least make the cut to bump my position on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and I did a lot better than that," said Horne.
"I always play well in Singapore and I'm happy to get my best finish on the Asian Tour this season. Mission accomplished, without a doubt," added the South African.
The Asian Tour heads to Hong Kong this week for the UBS Hong Kong Open where France's Gregory Bourdy will defend his title at Hong Kong's oldest professional sporting event.
With five events remaining on the Asian Tour this season, the race for the Order of Merit title is still wide open as a first and second place finish in Hong Kong is worth US$416,660 and US$277,770 respectively.
Asian Tour Order of Merit – Top-20
Pos. Player Order of Merit (US$)
1. NOH Seung-yul (KOR) $801,986.03
2 .Marcus FRASER (AUS) $558,766.56
3. Rikard KARLBERG (SWE) $396,732.07
4. Andrew DODT (AUS) $393,041.90
5. Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN) $237,992.98
6. Mardan MAMAT (SIN) $227,232.44
7. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) $207,007.75
8. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $205,935.72
9. Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) $199,285.29
10. SIDDIKUR (BAN) $198,000.46
11. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) $196,019.58
12. Keith HORNE (RSA) $181,961.16
13. LIANG Wen-chong (CHN) $179,194.66
14. Pariya JUNHASAVASDIKUL (THA) $177,304.06
15. Jason KNUTZON (USA) $165,627.73
16. CHAN Yih-shin (TPE) $160,435.52
17. Rhys DAVIES (WAL) $159,156.60
18. Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) $144,849.79
19. Rahil GANGJEE (IND) $141,043.69
20. Angelo QUE (PHI) $132,771.31
