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Ormsby seen here with the 2020 Hong Kong Open trophy, the catalyst to his Asian Tour OOM lead.
South Australian Wade Ormsby retains his position atop the Asian Tour money list following his share of 14th place at this week’s Laguna Phuket Championship in Thailand.
Ormsby finds himself with earnings of US$250,000 in Asian Tour events over the 2020 / 2021 period, US$10,100 ahead of this week’s winner in Phuket, Pachara Khongwatmai, with another US$21,0000 back to Joohyun (Tommy Kim of Korea).
There are two events remaining on the current Asian Tour Order of Merit, those tournaments to be played in Singapore in January to determine the final breakdown.
A win on the money list provides access to several events internationally and so, if Ormsby is to hold on to claim the mantle and become just the second Australian to do so in the last twenty years, then there is a lot at stake for the 41 year old from Adelaide.
Ormsby put together consecutive weekend rounds of 68 on the demanding Laguna Golf Phuket layout to earn US$13,550, although the honour of the leading Australian this week went to Scott Hend who on Friday recorded the second-best round of the week (63).
Hend was unable to build on that great start to the week and consecutive rounds of 70 over the weekend saw him finish in a share of 10th with three others.
NSW’s golfer Travis Smyth finished in a share of 24th, which, after an opening round of 63, will be a little disappointing although it followed a good week at last week’s event also in Phuket when he finished 10th. Smyth is currently in 20th place on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.
New Zealand’s Ben Campbell finished 30th in just his second Asian Tour event in over two years, Victorian Ben Eccles was 34th, Andrew Martin was 57th and Cory Crawford 75th.
The winner, Pachara Khongwatmai, is 22 years old but has played the Asian Tour since turning professional at the age of 14 in 2013.
This was his first win on the Asian Tour but he has won several events on development tours and has been six times runner-up at this level.
The winner this week, Pachara Khongwatmai – photo Paul Lakatos Asian Tour
