Ervin, Gavin face Philippine test in Asian Tour card battle

Gavin Green of Malaysia during the May Bank Championship at Saujana Golf Country club yesterday.(20/03/2019/S.S.KANESAN/The star)

PETALING JAYA: The stakes are high for Malaysia’s Ervin Chang and Gavin Green (pic) in the Philippines Open starting in Manila today.

Making the cut in the oldest Open in Asia, which is also the season-ending Asian Tour event should probably suffice for Ervin to retain his Asian Tour card for 2027.

Ervin, the Vietnam SEA Games double gold medallist is currently positioned at No. 35 in the Asian Tour Order of Merit standings after finishing tied for 17th spot in the Hong Kong Open last month.

Gavin will have to make a stronger push in a stacked field this week as he is not out of the danger zone.

The former Asian Tour Order of Merit winner is lying in 64th position and needs a strong result to boost his chances of earning full playing rights next year.

Only the top 65 golfers in the Order of Merit will secure full playing rights on the Asian Tour next year.

Newly crowned Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit winner V. Khavish is also playing in the Philippines and has another chance to elevate his season further after securing the Tour card for next year.

“There is always room for improvement,” said Khavish, who is only the third Malaysian to be crowned Order of Merit champion in the 16-year history of the ADT.

“We are playing on different courses and adapting to different situations. All these have definitely helped me. I’ve learnt a lot.”

His compatriots S. Siva Chandhran and Nicholas Fung won the merit title in 2010 and in 2013 respectively.