KUALA LUMPUR : Asian Tour legend Thongchai Jaidee is aiming to launch a late season charge for an unprecedented fourth Order of Merit crown but admits he will still be a happy man if compatriot Kiradech Aphibarnrat beats him to the top honour.
The 43-year-old Thai moved up one position to fourth on the latest rankings after he finished equal ninth at the Omega European Masters in Switzerland on Sunday and received US$58,805 in prize money pushing his season tally to US$238,391.
Money leader Kiradech, winner of the Malaysian Open in March, finished 44th to take his season earnings to $679,999 as he stays well ahead of the chasing pack.
India's Gaganjeet Bhullar, who finished joint 62nd over the weekend, remains a distant second with $276,465. Bhullar will defend his title at this week's $500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Taiwan.
"It's nice to make a move on the Order of Merit and there are still several big events coming up and that can change," said Thongchai, who was Asia's No.1 in 2001, 2004 and 2009.
"I've not finalised my schedule for the rest of the season but I know I'm going to be very busy till the end of the year. I know I stand a good chance of winning my fourth Order of Merit title but I don't want to think too far ahead.
"It's nice to see Kiradech leading and actually, it doesn't matter if I don't win it. As long as a Thai boy wins, it will be good for golf in Thailand."
Players are also fighting to be inside the top-10 of the Order of Merit as of Oct 7 to qualify for the $7 million CIMB Classic in Malaysia, which is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour and the Asian Tour.
The leading two players not otherwise exempt as of Oct 14 will also earn spots in the $8.5 million WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.
ASIAN TOUR ORDER OF MERIT RANKINGS
1. Kiradech Aphibarnrat (THA) US$679,999
2. Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) $276,465
3. Scott Hend (AUS) $273,128
4. Thongchai Jaidee (THA) $238,391
5. Liang Wen-chong (CHN) $185,383
6. Baek Seuk-hyun (KOR) $171,198
7. Anirban Lahiri (IND) $148,085
8. Wade Ormsby (AUS) $145,317
9. Shiv Kapur (IND) $129,934
10. Berry Henson (USA) $116,478