Bangkok, Thailand, December 19: Filipino history-maker Juvic Pagunsan claimed two prestigious titles when he was named the Players’ Player of the Year at the Asian Tour Awards Gala to go with the prestigious Order of Merit crown held at the St. Regis Hotel on Sunday night.
The 33-year-old Pagunsan will enter the Asian Tour golf annals as the first Filipino to reach the summit in the just concluded 2011 season which came to an exciting close at the inaugural Thailand Golf Championship.
Pagunsan’s rise was due largely to a magical November where he finished second in the lucrative Barclays Singapore Open, which earned him US$666,660. He also registered three other top-10s at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic, Mercuries Taiwan Masters and UBS Hong Kong Open to end the year with US$788,298.
The unassuming Filipino also earned the respect of his peers by picking up the Players’ Player of the Year title, which is determined through voting, after a consistent season which saw him miss only two cuts.
“It is an honour to be voted as the Players’ Player of the Year. It shows that my fellow competitors also believe in my abilities. I am proud of this achievement,” said Pagunsan, who received products from BlackBerry and Starwood Hotels and Resorts points as well for his success.
Korean superstar K.J. Choi was honoured with the Asian Tour’s Special Achievement Award for winning the Players Championship, regarded as the world’s unofficial fifth Major, on the PGA Tour in May and also for his contribution towards the game and society.
An Asian Tour honorary member, Choi launched the CJ Invitational in Korea, one of four new events this season on the Asian Tour, and has regularly donated towards charities around the world. The Special Achievement Award recipient is determined through a Selection Committee comprising of Tour officials and members of the Media.
Qualifying School graduate Tjart Van Der Walt of South Africa was named Rookie of the Year after an impressive season where he produced five top-10s, including a runner-up finish at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic. He accumulated US$187,676 in winnings.
The magnificent Amata Spring Country Club, which successfully hosted the US$1 million Thailand Golf Championship, was voted by the players as the Host Venue of the Year.
Korea’s Noh Seung-yul, the 2010 Order of Merit champion, topped the Driving Average category with a driving average of 312 yards while Rick Gibson of Canada was the straightest driver of the ball throughout the season with an 81% fairway hit rate.
Thai star Thongchai Jaidee took home the sought-after Lowest Stroke Average category with 69.84 and countryman Thaworn Wiratchant claimed the Birdie 
Leader award after snaring a total of 249 birdies throughout the 2011 season.
Leader award after snaring a total of 249 birdies throughout the 2011 season.
India’s Ashok Kumar hit the most Greens in Regulation (GIR) with a strike rate of 78% to top the category while Daisuke Kataoka of Japan took the Lowest Putting Average award with 1.71 putts per GIR.
The Iskandar Johor Open, which was launched as a US$300,000 tournament in 2007 and grown to US$2 million this year, was awarded the Fastest Growing Tournament.
The stylish Korean, Young Nam was voted as the Best Dressed Player, sponsored by J. Lindeberg, on Tour via an online poll on www.asiantour.com.
The awards and Order of Merit trophy were commissioned by Royal Selangor.
2011 ROLL OF HONOUR
Order of Merit winner: Juvic Pagunsan (Phi)
Players’ Player of the Year: Juvic Pagunsan (Phi)
Rookie of the Year: Tjaart Van Der Walt (Rsa)
Special Achievement Award: K.J. Choi (Kor)
Host Venue of the Year: Amata Spring Country Club, Thailand
Fastest Growing Tournament: Iskandar Johor Open
Lowest Stroke Average: Thongchai Jaidee 69.84
Driving Distance: Noh Seung-yul 312 yards
Driving Accuracy: Rick Gibson 81%
Birdie Leader: Thaworn Wiratchant 249 birdies
Greens in Regulation: Ashok Kumar 78%
Lowest Putting Average: Daisuke Kataoko 1.71 putts per GIR
About the Asian Tour
As the official sanctioning body for professional golf in Asia, the Asian Tour leads the development of golf across the region, enhancing the careers of its members while maintaining a commitment to the integrity of the game. The Asian Tour, through its membership of the International Federation of PGA Tours, is the only recognised pan-Asian professional golf tour in Asia. This unique feature positions the Asian Tour at the pinnacle of professional golf in Asia; providing its events with Official World Ranking status. Tour Partners include Rolex (Official Timekeeper), J.Lindeberg (Official Apparel Partner), Starwood Hotels and Resorts (Official Hotels and Resorts), Cityneon (Official Event Overlay Partner), Inetol Headwear (Official Headwear Supplier), Royal Selangor (Official Trophy Supplier), Singha Beer (Official Beer), BlackBerry (Official Mobile) and Srixon (Official Ball). The Asian Tour has offices in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
