Cha Am, Thailand, January 21: David Lipsky of the United States won the Qualifying School Final Stage on Saturday to lead a strong cast of young guns into the new 2012 Asian Tour season.
Lipsky, who is half Korean, closed with a final round four-under-par 68 to win the all-important Final Stage presented by Sports Authority of Thailand by two shots over highly rated Arnond Vongvanij of Thailand, Dodge Kemmer of the United States, India’s Rahil Gangjee, who shot a sparkling 63 and Australian Adam Groom.
Among the notable names who finished in the top-40 and ties to earn their Asian Tour card for 2012 include James Byrne of Scotland, last year’s Walker Cup star, former Asian Tour winner Artemio Murakami of the Philippines and Australian Adam Blyth at the Springfield Royal Country Club.
Lipsky enjoyed a successful college career at the Northwestern University in Chicago and credited his victory to words of encouragement received from world number one Luke Donald on the social network Twitter.
“Luke Donald and my coach sent me some good messages this week. That really encouraged me. It was just a Tweet from Luke telling me good luck. Nothing too serious but that always helps with the confidence when you have the world number one wishing you luck,” said the 23-year-old, who was one shot off the lead before battling to a winning total 14-under-par 274.
Lipsky, who surprised even himself with his debut victory in Asia, said he hopes to follow in the footsteps of Charlie Wi, who encouraged him to ply his trade in the far East.
“Being on the Asian Tour exceeds my expectations. I grew up with Charlie Wi as my friend and he has been successful out here. He talked to me a little bit about it and my coach encouraged me to travel and play. That was really the deciding factors. I don’t have any regrets and it seems like it is going to be a great experience,” added Lipsky.
Arnond, who is highly tipped to be the next star from Thailand, birdied the last hole from 20 feet for 69 to finish in tied second place.
“It was scary but it worked out. I finished at 12-under but left a few putts out there. Overall I played well. It would have been nice to win but second place is not bad. I’m not feeling anything right now and I’m just going to enjoy the moment,” said Arnond, who grew up in Thailand before moving to Florida to play golf at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy.
Gangjee, a former Asian Tour winner, fired the round of the day highlighted by one eagle and eight birdies against one bogey to make his return to Asia after he spent most of last season playing on the Nationwide Tour.
“It was one of those great days where everything fell into place. Each putt fell in perfectly. I was quite sure I would do well. I was getting better day by day. I knew if I shot under-par I would get my card. But a nine-under was a pleasant surprise,” said Gangjee.
Byrne of Scotland said the pressure started to build up after the bogey on 17 but he held his nerve to sink a pivotal birdie on the last to seal his place among the Asian Tour graduates.
“I’m happy with the way I finished. The pressure was there no doubt about it. The cut is always on the back of your mind. You try not to think about it but it is hard to avoid the fact that you are right there,” said the 24-year-old.
“I’m delighted to have some where to play on. I could have received some invites on the Challenge Tour but I didn’t want to go down that route where you play about seven events a year. I feel like I’m good enough to be able to win on the Asian Tour,” added Byrne, who is half Singaporean.
A total of 42 players earned their Asian Tour cards for 2012 with the cut at three-under-par 285.
Leading fourth round scores
274 - David LIPSKY (USA) 72-65-69-68
276 - Rahil GANGJEE (IND) 73-70-70-63, Adam GROOM (AUS) 69 -71-68-68, Arnond VONGVANIJ (THA) 69-64-74-69, Dodge KEMMER (USA) 66-70-69-71
277 - Sushi ISHIGAKI (JPN) 66-69-73-69, Stephen LEWTON (ENG) 68-74-66-69
278 - Yosuke TSUKADA (JPN) 63-71-71-73
280 - Javi COLOMO (ESP) 65-72-74-69, Makoto INOUE (JPN) 70-70-70-70, Masanori KOBAYASHI (JPN) 70-67-68-75
281 - Jesper KENNEGARD (SWE) 71-70-74-66, Joon H. LEE (KOR) 67-71-71-72, Wade ORMSBY (AUS) 69-71-68-73, Martin ROMINGER (SUI) 72-63-72-74
282 - Paul DONAHOO (AUS) 70-71-73-68, Sam CYR (USA) 70-70-72-70, Ron HARVEY Jnr (CAN) 70-70-75-67, Kunal BHASIN (AUS) 69-70-71-72
283 - Nils FLOREN (SWE) 73-69-72-69, PARK Jung-ho (KOR) 71-72-72-68, HONG Soon-Sang (KOR) 70-68-74-71, Pawin INGKHAPRADIT (THA) 71-67-74-71, Matthew ROSENFELD (USA) 69-71-72-71, Yusaku MIYAZATO (JPN) 68-69-73-73, Jay BAYRON (PHI) 72-69-68-74, Guy WOODMAN (ENG) 64-69-74-76
