China’s Wenchong caps year with three Asian Tour awards

BANGKOK: Chinese star Liang Wenchong has been voted the Asian Tour Players' Player of the Year, capping a breakthrough season that saw him win the UBS Order of Merit title. 

The 29-year-old, who clinched the money race crown at the Volvo Masters of Asia here on Sunday, got the nod for a sterling season which included one victory and eight other top-10 finishes. 

Liang also picked up the Lowest Stroke Average Award with 70.41, pipping Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee to the accolade as the most consistent player on the Asian Tour this season. 

Bagging the top three awards completed a remarkable journey for the Zhongshan-based Liang, who burst onto the professional scene in 1999 before gradually completing his rise to the top of the Asian summit. 

“I am honoured to become the UBS Order of Merit winner. This is one day that I will always remember,” said Liang, who replaces India's Jeev Milkha Singh as Asia's number one. 

Liang, whose Merit success earned him a place in next year's British Open, claimed a maiden triumph in the Singapore Masters in March before reeling in many other top finishes to pip Chapchai Nirat of Thailand to the title. 

He ended the season with a haul of US$532,590, beating his Thai rival by US$90,265.  

“I'd like to share this moment with my family and everybody who is here. These past few years have seen the Asian Tour continuing to grow and expand where tournaments are becoming better and better,” said Liang. 

“The Asian Tour has not only provided Asian players with a platform to perform but also a venue for international players to play. This has helped us improve and also given us the opportunity to grow and become more experienced.” 

Filipino veteran Frankie Minoza picked up the other main gong at a ceremony here on Sunday night when he won the Special Achievement Award for an outstanding season in which he won once on the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour. 

“I'm truly honoured. I hope I can win this again next year,” said Minoza. 

Rookie of the Year award went to Australian Scott Hend, who finished fourth on the Order of Merit following five top-10s which included runner-up finishes at the Pakistan Open and Volvo China Open. 

Asia's players picked Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong Course as the Host Venue of the Year for the second successive season. The revamped course is home to the Barclays Singapore Open, Asia's richest national Open. 

Chapchai earned bragging rights as the Birdie Leader for the season, while Scotsman Simon Yates won the Greens in Regulation category. 

Thailand's Prayad Marksaeng, winner of the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia, topped the Lowest Putting Average category.