hi hsien wants to be first Taiwanese to win T Order of Merit

PETALING JAYA: Hsieh Chi-hsien has set his sights on becoming the first Taiwanese to win the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit and earn the right to play in next year’s Asian Tour.

The 24-year-old is the money list leader after making US$39,245 (RM149,700) from nine tournaments thus far in the first half of the season.

Chi-hsien picked up his second ADT title at the Charming Yeangder ADT on home soil in March and, since then, has held on to the Order of Merit lead thanks to five other top10 results.

“I’m impressed with my performances on the ADT so far this season,” said Chihsien.

“I played well and worked hard in the first half of the season. I’m glad that I’m still leading the Order of Merit.

“I’ll continue to work hard and focus on my game. My aim is to win the Order of Merit at the end of the season and secure my playing rights on the Asian Tour next year.

“No one from Taiwan has won the ADT Order of Merit ... so, it will be great if I can be the first.”

Malaysia’s Arie Irawan Fauzi, who has won twice this season, trails Chi-hsien in second place with earnings of US$28,980 (RM110,000). Australia’s Jake Stirling is third with US$27,585 (RM104,700) after notching one victory and three other top-10 finishes.

The ADT will resume with the US$160,000 (RM607,500) Taifong Open at the Taifong Golf Club in Taiwan from July 30- Aug 2. It’s the richest of all the 22 tournaments in this season’s calendar.

The ADT will reward the top-five finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2016.

Wilson Choo is another Malaysian with a chance of making the top five.

Wilson earned US$15,700 (RM59,514) from 13 events, including a maiden victory at the Langkawi Championship in February, to be placed 12th. He is about US$8,000 (RM30,325) from the Asian Tour berth currently occupied by Chan Shih-chang of Taiwan.