Kuala Lumpur: Chawalit Plaphol is the seventh Thai player to be ranked in the top-20 of the Asian Tour Order of Merit following his remarkable victory at the Queen’s Cup on home soil on Sunday.

Chawalit ended a frustrating five-year title drought on the Asian Tour at the Santiburi Samui Country Club which moved him to 14^th place on the Order of Merit with earnings of US$63,640. He was previously in 57^th position.

He joins countrymen Thongchai Jaidee, ranked third with earnings of US$154,412, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, winner of the SAIL Open in India in March, who lies in fifth place with winnings of US$128,814 and Chinnarat Phadungsil, ranked seventh on US$119,198.

Prayad Marksaeng, who finished second at the Queen’s Cup, Chapchai Nirat and Thaworn Wiratchant make up the last three Thais in the top-20 of the money list where they sit in ninth, 13^th and 16^th places respectively.

Chawalit was delighted to savour victory again as his last title was the Bangkok Airways Open in 2006 at Santiburi Samui. He is now in the running of improving on his best placing on the Order of Merit where he finished in seventh place in 2005.

“I had to be in control and patient with the course conditions. It was in my hands and it feels good because I haven’t had a trophy in five years,” said the 36-year-old. 

This was Chawalit’s third Asian Tour victory which also marked to be a unique double as he had previously won the King’s Cup when it was a local event.

“I’m happy to have the Queen’s and King’s trophies. It is really an honour for me,” said Chawalit.

India’s S.S.P. Chowrasia, winner of the Avantha Masters on home soil earlier this year, remained in the lead on the Order of Merit with earnings of US$410,007 while Siddikur of Bangladesh is in second place on US$175,934.

South African Jbe Kruger, who finished in tied fifth at the Queen’s Cup, is in fourth place with winnings of US$144,449 followed by India’s Shiv Kapur in sixth place on US$122,494.

The Asian Tour will take a month’s break before moving to the Kota Permai Golf and Country Club in Malaysia for the RM1.2 million (approximately US$400,000) Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters from July 20 to 23.

Asian Tour Order of Merit – Top-20

Pos. Player Order of Merit (US$)

1.         S.S.P. CHOWRASIA (IND)  $410,077

2          SIDDIKUR   (BAN)              $175,934

3          Thongchai JAIDEE   (THA)   $154,412

4          Jbe KRUGER   (RSA)           $144,449

5          Kiradech APHIBARNRAT   (THA) $128,814

6          Shiv KAPUR   (IND)             $122,494

7          Chinnarat PHADUNGSIL   (THA)   $119,198

8          Felipe AGUILAR   (CHI)      $109,614

9          Prayad MARKSAENG   (THA) $107,348

10        Sujjan SINGH   (IND)           $103,956

11        Anirban LAHIRI   (IND)       $73,785

12        MO Joong-kyung   (KOR)      $67,236

13        Chapchai NIRAT   (THA)      $64,187

14        Chawalit PLAPHOL   (THA)            $63,640

15        Angelo QUE   (PHI)   14        $61,866

16        Thaworn WIRATCHANT   (THA) $59,637

17        Mardan MAMAT   (SIN)       $56,510

18        Darren BECK   (AUS)           $56,366

19        Berry HENSON   (USA)        $55,192

20        Jeev Milkha SINGH   (IND)  $51,723

Photo - Asian Tour 

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