Jaidee breaks into world

October 30, 2013. Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee achieved his long cherished goal of breaking into the world’s top-50 after a stellar performance where he finished tied-second in Shanghai last week.

The decorated Thai, who holds an unprecedented three Asian Tour Order of Merit titles, is the highest-ranked Asian Tour member in the Official World Golf Rankings (OWGR) based on the latest rankings and will have the opportunity to make a further move if he produces another solid performance at this week’s WGC-HSBC Champions.

Compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat earned 20 OWGR points courtesy of his tied-third finish at the CIMB Classic and moved to 66th place on the rankings.

A total of 15 Asian Tour stars have staked their place inside the world’s top 200.

[highlight] India’s Anirban Lahiri is the highest ranked Indian (152nd) with compatriots Gaganjeet Bhullar (185th) and Shiv Kapur (200th) trailing behind [/highlight]

Reigning Order of Merit winner, Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand is in 128th place followed by Fiji’s Vijay Singh (141st) and China’s Liang Wen-chong (146th).

India’s Anirban Lahiri is the highest ranked Indian (152nd) with compatriots Gaganjeet Bhullar (185th) and Shiv Kapur (200th) trailing behind.

Korea’s Noh Seung-yul, who earned the distinction of becoming the youngest Asian Tour Order of Merit champion in 2010, is in 157th place while seven-time Asian Tour winner Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand occupied 177th place.

Apart from events on the Asian Tour, all Asian Development Tour events also receive OWGR points, which is a huge boost for players as they get more opportunities to play and improve on their world rankings.

The OWGR was used to determine the top 60-man field at the ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf in Australia next month and will also be used to determine the field at the Olympics in Rio De Janeiro in 2016.

13 of the region’s top stars from seven nations, including first-timer Siddikur of Bangladesh, have qualified for the prestigious World Cup based on their world rankings earned from the Asian Tour.