Order of Merit race resumes at Barclays Singapore Open

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SENTOSA, Singapore -- The race for the Asian Tour's Order of Merit title resumes at the US$5 million Barclays Singapore Open this week with leading contenders Mark Brown of New Zealand, India's Jeev Milkha Singh and reigning No. 1 Liang Wen-chong of China hoping to overcome their Shanghai hangover.

The top trio failed to feature on the leaderboard at the HSBC Champions with Liang settling for tied 24th place, Singh at equal 28th position and Brown, the current Merit leader, in a disappointing 53rd spot.

Brown, who has won twice this season, continues to lead the race to become the region's No. 1 with his haul of US$750,130. Singh, Asia's number one in 2006, is second at US$613,106 followed by Liang on US$448,428.

With a cheque of US$792,500 on offer for the champion of the Barclays Singapore Open and the runner-up taking home US$542,500, the make-up of the Order of Merit list could well change dramatically after the conclusion of Asia's richest national Open.

Brown will be hoping that a return to the Sentosa Golf Club's Serapong course will help turn his fortunes around.

"I didn't play really well this week but it's a brand new week for me again in Singapore. I played pretty well there last year, finishing in the top-10 and I hope to do well again this year," said the Kiwi, who leads Singh by over US$137,000.

Liang, winner of the Hero Honda Indian Open last month, is not discounting the possibility of challenging for a second straight Merit title after moving up from fifth to third place on the rankings.

Only Kang Wook-soon of Korea and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee have won two Order of Merit crowns in the history of the Asian Tour.

"It nice to know that I'm third on the rankings now but I do not want to think too much into it yet," said the Chinese star.

"There are still several big money events to play and anything can happen."

India's S.S.P. Chowrasia will have to turn his form around if he is to maintain his challenge for the prestigious Merit title after finishing tied 68th in Shanghai. He is fourth with US$443,605 but trails Brown by over US$300,000.

Compatriot Arjun Atwal, who regained his PGA TOUR card by finishing 17th on the Nationwide Tour money list, will compete in Sentosa in hope of improving his fifth-place where he has won US$430,201.

"I would like to have the chance to win the Order of Merit title again. If I play well in Singapore and Hong Kong (next week), which are big events, I can possibly move up as I'm not too far behind the leader," said Atwal, who was Asia's No. 1 in 2003.