Pornanong Phatlum hopes that the Asian swing will help revive her fortunes.

Pornanong Phatlum.

With six tournaments left, the 22-year-old Thai is eligible to play in three events in Asia starting with this week's Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia.

She will then play in the Sunrise LPGA Taiwan Championship and the Mizuno Classic in Japan. She is the first on the reserve list of next week's Hana Bank Championship in South Korea.

In her second year on the tour, Pornanong has struggled lately and is currently 57th on the money list with US$168,727 from 21 events.

Apart from her own unconvincing form, several lower-ranked players have played well in the second half of the year.

Pornanong, who finished 57th on last year's money list, has lowered her season target from the top 30 to 50.

In her last seven tournaments, Pornanong, who recently signed a two-year sponsorship deal with Volvik, missed the cut in three tournaments including the Women's British Open.

"I hope that playing in Asia will give me an advantage because of the course and weather conditions," she said.

"My target is now the top 50 on the money list but it is really tough to achieve it," Pornanong said.

She said she must improve her putting if she is to become successful at the US$1.9 million Sime Darby tournament which begins today at the par-71, 6,208-yard Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.

The Thai, who finished tied 46th last year, will tees off in today's first group with Cindy Lacrosse and Caroline Hedwall.

The other Thai in the tournament is amateur Ariya Jutanugarn who plays alongside Amy Yang and Nicole Castrale in the first two rounds.

Meanwhile, amateur Moriya Jutanugarn was tied 25th after the opening round of the second stage of the LPGA Qualifying School.

She hit a one-under-par 71 at Panther Course at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Florida.

The top 70 in the 157-player field advance to the third stage after 72 holes.