Thitiphun Chuayprakong and Park Hyun-bin: New discoveries for Asia
Asian Tour’s Qualifying School standards were again recognized on the highest level when two of the newest players from school level finished tied for third in the Indonesian Masters, right behind Lee Westwood and Thongchai Jaidee.
Park Hyun-bin of South Korea and Thai teenager Thitiphun Chuayprakong earned their tour card earlier this year and both decided to participate in the inaugural Indonesian Masters in order to elevate their rankings on the tour, much the way Asian star golfer
Noh Seung-yul did.
24-year-old Park finished joint 33rd at the Qualifying School in Hua Hin, Thailand in January to earn his playing status on the tour after he turned professional five years ago.
“I like the way the Asian Tour is run and I’m enjoying myself. I’m also used to the weather because I always practice in Thailand during the winter season,” said Park.
With this win under his belt, Park has moved to the 24th place in the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Thitiphun, with his stellar performance, provided another evidence of Thailand’s depth in the sport. The young golfer is only 18 years old and has moved over to the 20th place in the Order of Merit. Nicknamed by his friends as “Tote” meaning “slow”
as the golfer takes a lot of time analyzing the shot before really hitting the ball, Thitiphun is poised to be a promising golfer for the country in the future.
“You won’t get many opportunities to play with one of the world’s best golfers,” said Thitiphun.
Westwood, who was continuously threatened by the two young Asians in the third and final rounds, spoke high of the standard of the sport on the circuit. With his win in the Indonesian Masters, Westwood regained the World number one spot. He was dethroned
by Germany’s Martin Kaymer in the WGC Accenture Match play Championship earlier this year and has moved back to the top slot after a lapse of eight weeks.
“They are obviously two young players and they’ve got a big future in the game. You have to have a lot of confidence in yourself and do your own thing,” said Westwood of Park and Thitiphun.
Park and Thitiphun both earned a share of US$34,725 for their Top-3 finishes.
India’s S.S.P Chowrasia is still leading the Order of Merit with his whopping haul of US$410,077, most part of which came from his victory in the Avantha Masters.
Bangladesh’s Siddikur, who was the first round leader, is number two in the Order of Merit with US$152,332.
Thongchai Jaidee, who is three times Asian Tour Order of Merit Champion, has soared to the number three spot after earning a runner-up share of US$81,375.
The Tour will now move on to Seoul to stage Ballantine’s Championship, jointly sanctioned by the European Tour and the Korean PGA. The $2.2million championship is scheduled to tee-off from April, 28th at the Blackstone Resort with a star studded
field comprising of Westwood, Ernie Els and Ian Poulter.
Defending champion Marcus Fraser of Australia will be pitched in a tight battle to defend his title against world class challengers of the sport.
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