Bayron earns Asian Tour card, $14,000

MANILA, Philippines - Jay Bayron stepped closer to securing a 2013 Asian Tour card as he earned a third Asian Development Tour title in beating Taiwanese Hsu Mong-nan and Malaysian Nicholas Fung by a shot for the PGM Eastwood Valley Masters crown in Miri, Malaysia yesterday.

With a three-shot lead after the penultimate round, Bayron needed just an even-par final round of 72 to claim his second ADT title of the season.

“I felt the pressure throughout the round. I came from behind to win in Indonesia so to be leading going into the last day was different for me,” Bayron told Indian Sports News.

With earlier rounds of 67-71-67, Bayron wound up with an 11-under 277 total, winning the $14,000 top purse and emerging the new Order of Merit leader.

“I knew how important this win would mean to me and my rankings on the Order of Merit. It isn’t easy to finish in the top three of the Merit list but I know that it is even more stressful trying to earn your Asian Tour card in Qualifying School,” said Bayron.

The top three in the Order of Merit at the end of the season gain playing rights on the Asian Tour.

“This win means a lot to me. I’m happy I won and now I’m quite confident of staying inside the safety zone. I just need a good result in Chinese Taipei (the last event of the season) to cement my position,” said the Filipino aspirant.

Hsu and Fung charged with final rounds of 70 and 68, respectively, and finished joint second in the $80,000 event held at the Eastwood Valley Golf and Country Club course.