March 19: With lucrative events such as WGC’s and Majors looming, the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) becomes all important. This week, we follow the Asian Tour players that are making a charge up the rankings and their quest to play their way into these events via the OWGR.

Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, currently ranked number 41 on the OWGR, is already be eligible for all the above events. Last week’s Magical Kenya Open saw a few Asian Tour members having good weeks, with Justin Harding, Ganganjeet Bhullar, S Chikkarangappa, Khalin Joshi, Johannes Veerman and John Catlin making the weekend rounds.

By Olle Nordberg, Former Asian Tour and European Tour professional

Justin Harding (Rsa)

Continuing his great play in the last 15 months, Harding shot a final round five-under-par 66 at the Magical Kenya Open in Nairobi last week to finish in joint second place, narrowly missing a play-off by one shot. He also maintained his stellar Sunday scoring average of 66, or 5.33 under-par, in 2019.

The OWGR points earned in Kenya means that Harding breaks into the top 50 in the rankings for the first time in his career and is in 48th place on this week’s updated list.

He is also now inside the magic number 50 required for an invitation to the Masters Tournament April 11-14, and if he can remain so on the deadline date March 31st, he will make his first appearance at Augusta National.

Jazz Janewattananond (Tha)

The Habitat for Humanity Standings leader did not play last week and dropped one spot on the OWGR to number 78. However, Jazz is still well positioned for a special invitation to the US PGA at Bethpage Black in New York May 16-19th, since the PGA of America will usually extend a special invitation to players inside the top 100 on the ranking list as of May 5th.
With two big events in a row coming up, this week’s Maybank Championship and next week’s Hero Indian Open, Jazz will probably need a win in one of them and a high finish in the other to qualify for the Masters via the OWGR route. Two solo seconds could possibly be enough, but this remains to be seen when the points are announced after start of the events.

Kurt Kitayama (Usa)

The recent Oman Open champion is coming off a one-week break to rest and prepare for this week’s Maybank Championship, and should be ready to continue his good play of the last few months.

By not playing last week Kitayama drops one spot on the OWGR to number 106. However he is still close to the top 100 needed for a special exemption into the US PGA Championship at Bethpage Black in New York May 16-19.

He would need two very big weeks to have a chance to qualify for the Masters Tournament by OWGR ranking, a win this week in Kuala Lumpur plus a win at next week’s Hero Indian Open may be enough to break into the world’s top 50.

Ends.