Randhawa assumes APGA
Order of Merit lead

Jyoti Randhawa, who made a comeback to professional golf just three months ago after a motorcycle accident forced him out of the game earlier this year, rose to the top of the Davidoff Asian PGA Tour Order of Merit courtesy a scintillating performance that saw him finish second at last week's $1.5 million BMW Asian Open at Taiwan.

Randhawa, who shot a final round eight-under 64, finished with a tournament tally of 14-under 274 at what is the richest event on the Davidoff Asian PGA Tour. The showing saw the Indian golfer pocket a hefty sum of $166,660, which propelled his season's earnings to a whopping $246,667.

Arjun Atwal also kept the Indian flag flying after a strong finish at the BMW Asian Open, in the form of a closing bogey-free 65 that saw him finish in a tie for 11th place at nine-under. It was the best finish by Atwal since his victory at the Caltex Singapore Masters in February and put him third on the Order of Merit with US $204,374.

Among the other Indians on the Order of Merit, Harmeet Kahlon was placed 25th with a tally of $73,494, Vijay Kumar 28th at $66,650 and Arjun Singh 33rd at $59,003.

"I have been thinking about these last few tournaments as I was hoping to catch up on the Order of Merit," said Randhawa, who, but for a second round 75 courtesy a triply bogey on the par five eighth hole, would have actually won the tournament.

"Looking back, my 75 in the second round hurt a bit. If I had gotten away with a one-under that day, I would be up there. But at least I shot a 64 on the final day, so I’m happy," said the 30-year-old Gurgaon-based golfer.

Randhawa, who went into the final day two strokes behind Thongchai Jaidee, conveniently toppled the Thai golfer from atop the Order of Merit after the latter shot a final round 69 compared to Randhawa's own 64.