Evergreen Thaworn eyes top spot in Order of Merit

KUALA LUMPUR: Age holds no barrier for Thaworn Wiratchant as the evergreen golfer has firmly set his sights on becoming the oldest champion on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.

The 45-year-old played some of the best golf of his life to win the Hero Indian Open in a play-off against Scotsman Richie Ramsay to post his third win of the season and a record 15th career title on Sunday.

The Thai wasn’t expecting to win as Ramsay was in total control until a slip-up on the 72nd hole, where he three putted for bogey.

The Scotsman then sent a tee shot into a creek in the first play-off hole, allowing Thaworn to win with a bogey.

“I never thought I was going to win because my driver wasn’t good enough. I was expecting to finish in the top-five. I’m happy to win again,” said Thaworn.

The win helped Thaworn leapfrog into top spot on the Order of Merit list after adding US$198,125 to his season’s haul of US$547,031.

His earnings this year have already surpassed his best of US$510,123 in 2005, the year he become Asia’s number one.

“It’s nice to lead the Order of Merit and there are many big tournaments coming up. I want to win it (Order of Merit) but it’ll depend on how I play in the next few events. I have a good chance of winning but I’ll need to continue my form. I’m looking forward to the end of the season,” said Thaworn, who also moved up 27 places to 84th in the Official World Golf Rankings.

Thaworn will now his attention to this week’s US$6.1mil CIMB Classic at the Mines Resort and Golf Club where he will face the likes of 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods and title-holder Bo Van Pelt in the Asian Tour and PGA Tour-sanctioned event.