Kuala Lumpur, Nov 11 (IANS): Malaysian golfer Nicholas Fung got himself back into the driver's seat of the Asian Development Tour (ADT) Order of Merit following his runner-up finish at the PGM MIDF KLGCC Masters here Sunday.
The 23-year-old regained top spot in the rankings after earning $7,105 to take his season's tally to $43,998 with one tournament remaining in the season. Previous Merit leader James Bowen of the United States slipped to second place with $38,444 after finishing 41st.
Another Malaysian Iain Steel remains in crucial third position on the Merit list with $36,623 after coming in tied 28th in a week when Masaru Takahashi of Japan claimed his first ADT title with a three-stroke victory at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
The top-three players at the end of the season will earn prized Asian Tour cards for next year, hence it will be all to play for in the final tournament.
Canadian Lindsey Renolds sits in fourth place, just a little over $1,000 behind Steel while England's Grant Jackson is fifth with $27,180.
Fung has enjoyed an impressive season. He won the PGM UMW Templer Park Masters and has added six other top-10s, including three runner-up outings.
"This is already my third runner-up finish this season but I'm happy with my performance so far. I'm glad to be on top of the merit list now. Hopefully I can maintain my good form till the end of the season," said Fung.
ADT Order of Merit Top-10:
1. Nicholas Fung (Mas) $43,998
2. James Bowen (USA) $38,444
3. Iain Steel (Mas) $36,623
4. Lindsay Renolds (Can) $35,387
5. Grant Jackson (Eng) $27,180
6. Hung Chien-yao (Tpe) $23,511
7. Jakraphan Premsirigorn (Tha) $22,495
8. Mitsuhiko Hashizume (Jpn) $21,134
9. Darren Tan (Aus) $20,347
10. Daniel Bringolf (Aus) $19,363