GAVIN ONE ROUND AWAY FROM ASIAN ORDER OF MERIT WIN

Gavin close to topping money list but eyes memorable last round

PETALING JAYA: Gavin Kyle Green (pic) is just one round away from being crowned the Asian Order of Merit champion.

The 23-year-old posted a two-under 70 at the par-72 Firethorn Course of the Randpark Golf Club to be in joint 24th after the third round of the US$1.2mil (RM4.9mil) Joburg Open in South Africa.

Gavin, who has an eight-under 207, is four shots above the top 60 that will earn him at least US$3,700 (RM15,000).

Gavin entered this week needing just US$3,211 (RM13,000) to take an unassailable lead over his rivals in the Asian Tour season-long race which culminates in the Indonesian Masters, which starts in Jakarta on Thursday.

“I say I feel it and sometimes I don’t, but in fact you are always thinking about it (on his Order of Merit pursuit),” said Gavin, who leads the money list on US$572,536 (RM2.33mil).

“But if you go out and play solid golf, everything takes care of itself.”

Despite having his one hand on the Asian Tour No. 1 title, Gavin is taking nothing for granted.

“I’m going to approach the final day like any other round. I’m going to see what I can do. Who knows? There might be a low one out there.”

By becoming the Asian Tour No. 1, Gavin will gain entry into two Major meets next year – the WGCMexico Championship in Naucalpan, Mexico, from March 1–4 and the British Open in Scotland from July 19-22.

The Joburg Open, which is jointly sanctioned by the Sunshine, European and Asian Tours, sees India’s Shubhankar Sharma leading the pack.

The 21-year-old has a five-shot lead going into the final round after adding a third-round 65 to finish 20-under 195.