Bangkok – David Lipsky was crowned the 2014 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion on Sunday despite a plucky showing by closest rival Anirban Lahiri at the Thailand Golf Championship.
The Korean-American was forced into an anxious clubhouse wait after a ponderous three-over final-round 75 left him tied 38th for the tournament, with Lahiri still playing for a top spot in the $1 million event.
The talented Indian needed a top-four placing in Thailand to take the Order of Merit race to next week’s Dubai Open, but fell agonisingly short, tying for sixth with a one over 73.
It gave the 26-year-old Lipsky an unassailable $713 901 purse for the year with Lahiri sitting in second on $602 833, followed by Thailand’s Prom Meesawat with $527 921.
“This win means a lot to me and I’m feeling a lot of pride. This is something which I aspired to do... now I know that if I play well, I can compete against the best,” a jubilant Lipsky told reporters.
“It has been an up and down year for me and this week is a perfect example. I thought I was playing well but ended up in 38th place.
“Overall the year has been good and reflecting back on it, I couldn’t have been more proud of what I’ve accomplished,” said Lipsky, who played 13 tournaments on the tour this year.
After congratulating his rival, Lahiri vowed to come back stronger.
“I’ll be back and winning the Order of Merit is definitely one of those things I want to do in my career,” he said.
“Lipsky and I both fought and battled it out really hard.” – Sapa-AFP