Asian Tour

PRESSURE LOVING JAZZ STRIKES AGAIN

Sentosa, Singapore, August 21: Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond enjoys playing golf and also the mental game.

Whenever the pressure is on, Jazz turns up a notch and thrives.

From flirting with an early exit from the Fiji International to firing the week’s lowest round score of 64 in the final round, Jazz sure knows a thing or two about playing it right.

The young Thai missed only one green in regulation on the final day and amassed a total of 28 putts, including an eagle-putt from 25 yards on the par-five 17 to finish tied for second.

“It’s my first time in Fiji and I really enjoyed myself this week. It’s a great place to be. It’s a very nice golf course. I am enjoying the views out there.

“I made the halfway cut on the number and made a big move on the leaderboard in the last two rounds. I have no complaints,” said Jazz.

While Jazz’s career is on the upswing now, things did not start off right for him at the beginning of the season.

“I took a step back as I lost my card for the first time in my career last season. I didn’t make the mark at Qualifying School too,” said Jazz.

The 21 year-old turned his game around with his breakthrough win in Bangladesh to regain his playing rights on the Asian Tour before going on to secure three other top-10s in Chinese Taipei and Thailand.

“You got to learn to handle the pressure somehow. I guess those setbacks helped in my game,” said Jazz, who moved up two spots to sixth place on the Order of Merit after taking home US$87,434 on Sunday.

Zimbabwean Scott Vincent made a huge move to 40^th place on the merit list after finishing finished tied-ninth at the Fiji International.

“I have a lot of positives to take away from this week and hopefully I can ride on the good form heading into the remainder of the season,” said the 2016 Asian Tour Rookie of the Year.

David Lipsky of the United States continues to lead the money list with his earnings of US$336, 507 but has India’s S.S.P. Chawrasia trailing closely in second place.

The Asian Tour will take a two-week break before heading to the picturesque Crans Montana in Switzerland for the Omega European Masters from September 7-10.

Asian Tour Order of Merit – Top-20

Pos Player Order of Merit (US$)