Triple delight for Gavin after Asian Tour season finale in Jakarta
PETALING JAYA: Christmas and birthday celebrations have come early for Gavin Kyle Green.
Malaysia’s top golfer – who turns 24 next Thursday – was voted the Asian Tour Players’ Player of the Year on Sunday.
The award was in recognition of his strong performance throughout the year. Gavin earned his maiden victory at the Taiwan Masters and finished runner-up thrice (Indian Open, Yeangder Heritage in Taiwan and at the Shinhan Donghae Open in South Korea) en route to winning the Order of Merit with season earnings of US$585,813 (RM2.4mil).
Gavin also won in the driving distance category during Sunday’s Asian Tour Awards Night – held after the completion of the Indonesian Masters – the Asian Tour last stop of the season.
He averaged 287.2m off the tees – 1.3m more than second-placed Johanes Veerman of the United States.
Gavin was delighted to cap off a wonderful year with several recognitions.
“This is another feather in the cap in my career and I will continue to work hard and strive for more success,” said Gavin, who also received his Order of Merit trophy during the ceremony.
“I want to thank all the Asian Tour players who voted for me. This is a major highlight in my career and it is an acknowledgement which I will remember for many years to come.”
Gavin certainly lived up to his status as the next big thing in the Asian golf scene by becoming Asia’s top player barely three years since turning professional in June 2015.
He is also the first Malaysian to accomplish the feat in just his first full season on the Tour.
As the Order of Merit champion, Gavin secures a five-year exemption on the Asian Tour and a spot in his first Major at the British Open in July. He also gets to compete at the World Golf Championship (WGCMexico Championship) in February.
Gavin will start the new season at the EurAsia Cup next month. He will be representing Team Asia against Team Europe in the biennial team match-play showdown at the Glenmarie Golf and Country Club from Jan 12-14.