Paul and Galven earn exemption spots for Asian Tour, Suttinon rules

Tickets well earned: Galven Green are among the top six finishers at the Toyota Tour Championships who were given the Asian Tour card.

PETALING JAYA: The country’s two leading professionals Paul San and Galven Green earned country exemption slots for the Asian Tour next year after sharing fourth spots in the Toyota Tour Championships which ended yesterday.

Only the top six finishers are given the Tour card.

Suttinon Panyo of Thailand romped to a comfortable three-stroke victory over India’s Khalin Joshi to clinch the title at the Saujana Golf and Country Club yesterday.

Suttinon, who aced the second hole during the third round on Friday, carded a two-under 70 on the Palm Course, to add to the 67, 69 and 67 rounds for a 273 total.

The 20-year-old Suttinon’s flight mate Khalin had a one-under 71 for a 276 total to finish second while another Thai Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng finished third with 279.

Galven, also on the same flight as Suttinon and Joshi, scored two-over 74 to finish joint-fourth 280 with compatriot Paul and Newport Laparojkit of Thailand.

“I’m very happy with my game,” said the Chiang Mai-born Suttinon.

Tickets well earned: Paul San are among the top six finishers at the Toyota Tour Championships who were given the Asian Tour card.

“I kept it simple and went for the pin whenever I was in a good position. This course is in superb condition and it allowed us to hit good, clean shots and make birdie putts.”

Suttinon, who jumped 26 spots in the ADT Order of Merit to ninth position after his victory yesterday, took home RM61,250 and another RM3,000 bonus for his hole-in-one effort.

Suttinon is hopeful of another good performance at the season-ending Asian Development Tour’s (ADT) Aramco Saudi Invitational (Nov 29-Dec 2) to secure his Asian Tour card.

The top 10 finishers in the ADT Order of Merit will secure their Asian Tour cards.

Paul and Galven, and another Malaysian Ervin Chang, who are currently ranked 22nd, 24th and 25th position in the ADT Order of Merit, will also play in the Saudi tournament.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Malcolm Ting, who turned pro after competing in the Asia Pacific Amateur Championships in Melbourne last month, will be heading to Thailand next month for the final stage qualifying for the All-Thailand Tour.

Malcolm had finished joint 28th at one-under 287 with local player Khor Kheng Hwai, Sydney Chung of the United States and Saptak Talwar of India.

“I just couldn’t putt this whole week. I played solid from tee to green but just couldn’t find the hole,” said Malcolm, who intends to play more Asian Development Tour events and eventually gain his Asian Tour card in the coming years.

RESULTS

Final round scores

(Malaysians unless stated)

273: Suttinon Panyo (Tha) 67-69-67-70;

276: Khalin Joshi (Ind) 68-71-66-71;

279: Witchayanon Chothirunrungrueng (Tha) 69-70-71-69;

280: Newport Laparojkit (Tha) 74-69-70-67; Paul San 72-69-70-69; Galven Green 68-67-71-74.

281: Ekpharit Wu (Tha) 73-67-72-69, Nopparat Panichphol (Tha) 71-68-69-71;

282: Phanuvich Onchu (Tha) 72-75-65-70, Tawit Polthai (Tha) 71-72-69-70, Pisitchai Thippong (Tha) 71-70-74- 67;

283: Varanyu Rattanaphiboonkij (Tha) 74-70-68-71, Michele Ortolani (Ita) 68-73-72-70, Jeremy Wendelken (US) 71-68-72-72, Ahmad Baig (Pak) 71-70-70-72, Gordon Brixi (Cze) 68-75-73-67, Witchayapat Sinsrang 68-76-70-69