Kuala Lumpur, Nov 18 (IANS): Liang Wen-chong’s victory on the Asian Tour Sunday signalled his strong intentions to earn a spot in Team Asia which will face Team Europe at the inaugural EurAsia Cup in March 2014.
The talented Chinese defeated Prom Meesawat of Thailand in a play-off at the $750,000 World Manila Masters for his third Asian Tour title which moved him up to fourth on the Order of Merit with earnings of $398,798.
The leading available four Asian players from the final Order of Merit will earn automatic places in the Ryder Cup-style showdown at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club from March 28-30.
Three more spots are available from the Official World Golf Ranking while there will also be a playing captain and two captains’ picks to complete Team Asia. Kiradech Aphibarnrat has virtually sealed his place in Team Asia as he leads the Merit rankings with $1,117,074.
However, it will be a close battle for the other three spots as Siddikur ($449,167), winner of the Indian Open two weeks ago, Liang, Anirban Lahiri ($387,608), Gaganjeet Bhullar ($327,378), Baek Seuk-hyun ($323,743), Shiv Kapur ($263,013) and Thongchai Jaidee ($248,991) all have a fighting chance to break and stay inside the top-four.
“It will be an honour for me if I get to represent Team Asia. Now that I’m back in the top-five of the Order of Merit, I believe I have a strong chance to qualify. It is great to see such big events happening in Asia and I’m really looking forward to it," said Liang, who became the first golfer from China to win the Order of Merit in 2007.
“It has been six years since I last won the Asian Tour Order of Merit. I’m really happy to see myself in the top-5 again after winning. I have a few more tournaments coming up so I’m definitely looking forward to finishing well.”
The EurAsia Cup will be played with five Fourball, five Foursomes and 10 Singles matches.