Bowen had regained top spot on the ADT Order of Merit after battling into a thrilling playoff at the PGM-UMW Sabah Classic two weeks ago. Despite losing to Chinese Taipei’s Chan Shih-chang on the third extra hole and missing out on his third ADT victory, Bowen managed to oust Malaysia’s Iain Steel and take over the lead with a season’s haul of $37,545.
“I’m happy to be back on top of the ADT Order of Merit again. I had a great week in Sabah and I’m back in Thailand to practice with my coach and to refine my game. Hopefully I can secure another win before the season ends,” said the 27-year-old, who claimed victories in Indonesia and Malaysia.
Steel, who recorded two consecutive wins, trails Bowen by about $2,000 in second place.
“I’ve been struggling with a back injury in the last three seasons. The two wins in Chinese Taipei and Malaysia have really boosted my confidence. Hopefully, I can stay in top-3,” said the 42-year-old Sabahan.
Malaysia’s highest ranked golfer Nicholas Fung takes third place while Canadian Lindsay Renolds, who recorded six top-10 finishes, trails Fung closely by a mere $334 in fourth.
With about $12,000 separating Bowen from Jackson and three more tournaments left to play, the race to finish inside top-3 is very much alive. The top-3 will earn Asian Tour cards for 2014.
ADT Order of Merit – Top-10:
James BOWEN (USA) $37,545.62
Iain STEEL (MAS) $35,444.10
Nicholas FUNG (MAS) $28,681.43
Lindsay RENOLDS (CAN) $28,347.78
Grant JACKSON (ENG) $25,914.62
Mitsuhiko HASHIZUME (JPN) $20,121.24
Daniel BRINGOLF (AUS) $16,475.22
CHAN Shih-chang (TPE) $16,300.32
Darren TAN (AUS) $16,219.80
James BYRNE (SCO) $15,808.09
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