Asian wave coming, suggests OWGR

Edited by Anand Datla

Singapore, November 4: A strong presence of Asian players is featured in the world’s top-200, according to the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) released on Monday. A growing number of players on the ranking suggests that an Asian wave is about to hit the dynamic landscape of golf.

Thai legend Thongchai Jaidee, a three-time Asian Tour Order of Merit champion, currently sits in 42nd position on the OWGR after finishing tied-28th at the European Tour’s BMW Masters in Shanghai last week. He is currently the second highest-placed Asian following Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who is ranked 23rd in the world.

India’s Anirban Lahiri, who won the Venetian Macau Open a fortnight ago, is ranked 73rd followed by 2010 Order of Merit champion Noh Seung-yul of Korea in 91st place and Asian Tour honorary member K.J. Choi, also of Korea, in 96th position.

Australian Scott Hend rose to a career-high 117th position courtesy of his victory at the Hong Kong Open last month and a tied-second finish the week after at the Venetian Macau Open.

Asian Tour Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States, who won the Omega European Masters in September, took 140th place on Monday while Thailand’s Prom Meesawat rose 25 rungs to 141st after enjoying a commendable tied-eighth finish at the US$7,000,000 CIMB Classic in Malaysia last week.

The other Asian Tour members in the world’s top-200 include reigning Order of Merit champion Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand (144th), Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna (149th), Thailand’s Prayad Marksaeng (157th), China’s Liang Wen-chong (189th) and Chapchai Nirat of Thailand (193rd).

EurAsia Cup stars Koumei Oda of Japan, who won on the Japan Golf Tour recently, sits in 54th while Korea’s Kim Hyung-sung and Japan’s Hideto Tanihara are ranked 93rd and 94th respectively.

The trio, together with Anirban, Kiradech and Prayad, were part of Team Asia led by captain Thongchai in the inaugural EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM held in Malaysia earlier in March. Team Asia had shared the trophy with Team Europe after fighting back from an opening round 0-5 defeat.