The US$1 million tournament will be played from March 22 to 25 and it will signify the first time the two bodies have jointly sanctioned an event together.

The importance of the occasion will be added to as the Indonesia Open will raise the curtain on both the OneAsia and JGTO seasons.

Emeralda Golf & Country Club, located just outside Jakarta, will host the tournament which will see the leading players from each circuit compete.

The tie up between OneAsia and the JGTO is part of three-year arrangement for the Indonesia Open. A press conference will be held shortly in Jakarta to announce sponsorship details.

OneAsia will feature at least 14 events this year with an overall purse of nearly US$16 million.

The Indonesia Open is one of five national Opens on its schedule along with those of Australia, China, Korea and Thailand.

“This is a wonderful development for OneAsia which since our launch in 2009 has aimed to build a circuit that brings together the whole of the Asia Pacific region. We have enjoyed excellent growth with the support of our founding members the PGA of Australia, the China Golf Association, the Korea Golf  Tour and the Korea Golf Association, and we look forward to developing this further through this new relationship with the Japan Golf Tour Organization,” said Mr Sang Y. Chun, Commissioner and Chairman, OneAsia.

News of the joint sanctioning comes on the back of the recent announcement that OneAsia will boast three new events this year, the China Classic, the Guangzhou Open and the PGA Championship of Malaysia.

“Not only are we trying to create more playing opportunities for players in the Asia-Pacific region but we are also ensuring that we are able to offer a top-tier platform of elite events that will allow our region’s golfers to make an even greater impression on the world stage. Joint sanctioning the Indonesia Open for the next three years with our friends on the Japan Golf Tour Organization is certainly one extremely effective way of achieving this objective,” added Chun.

All OneAsia tournaments have the benefit of being broadcast on a truly global television platform that includes ESPN Star Sports across Asia, Korea’s SBS television, ONE World Sports, the leading Asia-Pacific focused sports network in the US, and across Africa on SuperSport.

“On behalf of the Japan Golf Tour Organization and its members, I would like to extend our most sincere appreciation to those who made it possible for our Tour and the players to participate in this traditionally rich tournament. We, at the JGTO, have long sought opportunities to establish our presence in the Asian region and this invitation to participate in the Indonesia Open is most appreciated since it will provide our players with playing opportunities prior to the beginning of our official Tour calendar,” said Tadashi Koizumi, Chairman, Japan Golf Tour Organization.

“We are certain that the success of this tournament will bring professional golf in Japan and Asia closer, and we look forward to establishing a mutually beneficial working relationship with the professional golf bodies in the Asian region,” added Koizumi.

Three Japanese players, Masaya Tomida, Koichi Kitamura and Masao Nakajima, were among the 20 golfers to secure their OneAsia cards at the recent OneAsia Qualifying School in Sabah, Malaysia.

A host of Japanese players also competed in last year’s Indonesia Open, including Shigeki Maruyama and Hideto Tanihara, which was a strong indication of the interest being shown in OneAsia by players from The Land of the Rising Sun.

“We welcome this initiative for the Indonesia Open which will definitely lead to a stronger field and greater global television coverage. It is a development that allows us to further raise the profile of our national Open and start a new chapter in its rich history,” said Arifin Panigoro, Chairman of Indonesia Golf Association (PGI).

The Indonesia Open was first played in 1974 when the legendary Ben Arda of the Philippines won the title. Arda, the first Filipino to play in the US Masters, was followed into the winner’s circle by several greats of the game including American Payne Stewart (1981) and Frank Nobilo from New Zealand (1994 and 1997).

The tournament became part of OneAsia in 2010 when New Zealand’s Michael Hendry was victorious.

Last year Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant triumphed to claim his first title on OneAsia. The victory also marked his second success in the event as he triumphed in 2005 and was the 15th international victory of his illustrious career.

Signifying the rapid expansion of golf in the region and in particular into new untapped nations the Luang Prabang Lao Open will be played at Luang Prabang Golf Club from April 26 to 29.

It will boast prize money of US$80,000 and be the third event of the season on the ASEAN PGA Tour.

“The Luang Prabang Lao Open is the first championship golf tournament in Laos, which reflects the great cooperation between the government and the private sector. We have joined together to promote Luang Prabang City and also to help develop the golf industry in Laos to a world class level. The tournament will be a good public relations activity as part of the 'Visit Laos Year’ in 2012,” said Dr Khampheng Saysompheng, Governor, Luang Prabang.

Laos had a taste of tournament golf in 2009 when it hosted the 25th South East Asian Games.

The Thailand men’s amateur team beat Singapore in a play-off to win the gold medal. Thanyakon Khrongpha, now one of the rising stars of professional golf in Asia, was part of the Thai team which competed at the SEA Games Golf Club in the capital Vientiane. 

Luang Prabang Golf Club is a new world-class venue located in Luang Prabang, which is a city in north central Laos. It is about 425 kilometres north of Vientiane. The city is also notable as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The club is only a 15 minute drive from the town centre and Luang Prabang International Airport.

“On behalf of Luang Prabang Golf Club, it is a true delight and honor to host an ASEAN PGA Tour event at Luang Prabang. I am certain that the exposure will be phenomenal. I would like to thank the Laos Government, the event organisers, sponsors and the Laos National Golf Federation. The Luang Prabang Lao Open will provide an excellent opportunity to raise the profile of the beautiful and peaceful city of Luang Prabang, which is a wonderful tourist destination and also a great place to do business,” Mr Gang Pil Lee, CEO, Luang Prabang Golf Club.

This year marks the sixth season of the ASEAN PGA Tour, which was inaugurated in 2007 to provide more playing opportunities for ASEAN golfers.

Last year Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat took the lion’s share of the trophies on the ASEAN PGA Tour. The talented golfer won the Order of Merit title winnings of US$24,001 and was voted the Player of the Year by his peers.

“This season the ASEAN PGA Tour boasts three new tournaments which is a reflection of the interest and confidence that exists in the ASEAN PGA. More importantly this is wonderful news for the young professional golfers in ASEAN who have embraced our Tour since day one. The fact that we are heading to Laos for the first time is also a truly inspiring development,” said Ramlan Harun, Executive Director, ASEAN PGA.

Along with the Laos government, Thailand-based company Tropical Hospitality Management (THM) have been the driving force behind the event.

“We are thrilled to be able to help showcase Laos as an outstanding tourism destination while also revealing that it is one golf’s new frontiers. What better way of doing this than by staging the country’s first professional tournament on one of the region’s established Tours,” said Mr. Wisith Chawalitanon – CEO of Tropical Hospitality Management.

THM are also working with World Sport Group (WSG), Asia’s leading sports marketing agency; specializing in sports sponsorship, sports content, and sports event management. WSG are the official commercial partner for the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Their television arm produces a one hour highlight show for each event which is broadcast on ESPN Star Sports.

The ASEAN PGA Tour first event this year is the Bali International Pro Am from March 1 to 3. The season concludes with the Sabah Masters in November.

The ASEAN PGA Tour, which has become popular particularly with young up-and-coming professionals in the region, will tee off with the Bali International Pro Am from March 1 to 3.

The Bali event is one of three new tournaments on the schedule and the exciting destination will set the tone for another thrilling year which will culminate with the Sabah Masters in November.

In a landmark development the Tour will also head to Laos for the first time to stage the inaugural Luang Prabang Lao Open and the Phuket Charity Pro Am will also make its debut.

Returning to the schedule are the Singha Pattaya Open and Singha Esan Open, the Palembang Musi Championship and the Ancora Classic.

“Since launching the ASEAN PGA in September of 2007 we have been in the fortunate position to announce a strong schedule each year. We were able to stage five events in the latter stages of that memorable first year and today it is wonderful to have at least 10 tournaments with an overall purse of US$640,000,” said A.C. Wong, Executive Chairman, ASEAN PGA.

“The arrival of three new tournaments this year is a reflection of the interest and confidence that exists in the ASEAN PGA. More importantly this is wonderful news for the young professional golfers in ASEAN who have embraced our Tour since day one. The fact that we are heading to Laos for the first time is also a truly inspiring development,” added Wong.

Last year Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat took the lion’s share of the trophies on the ASEAN PGA Tour. The talented golfer won the Order of Merit title winnings of US$24,001 and was voted the Player of the Year by his peers.

Wisut claimed the Palembang Musi Championship and then the Sabah Masters to become the first player to win four times on the ASEAN PGA Tour and also the first to win back-to-back titles.

Rising Malaysian star Nicholas Fung finished second on the Merit list and along with Indonesian number one Rory Hie, they are examples of the wealth of talent that exists on the Tour.

Wisut’s Order of Merit victory has earned him a place in this year’s Barclays Singapore Open and he will be joined by the other leading players from this year’s Merit list.

This is in line with one of the ASEAN PGA’s main objectives which is to provide its members with the opportunity to play in some of the biggest events in the region.

The top-10 players from the Merit list will also earn playing privileges on OneAsia for 2013.

The ASEAN PGA Tour will once again work hand in hand with local promoters Sport Management Group (SMG) and Tropical Hospitality Management (THM) in Thailand, and GOLFetc and Ancora in Indonesia.

World Sport Group, Asia’s leading sports marketing agency; specializing in sports sponsorship, sports content, and sports event management, remain as the official commercial partner for the ASEAN PGA Tour.

Their television arm will continue to produce a one hour highlight show for each event which will be broadcast on ESPN Star Sports.

“The ASEAN PGA has been a success on all fronts. Interest from the corporate sector is as strong as ever while we continue to see the best players, whether young or old, regularly compete and perform to the highest standard. We are excited to be working with our friends at the ASEAN PGA and we are extremely confident that this year will be the finest so far,” said Chris Jordan, Senior Vice President, Golf, World Sport Group.

2012 ASEAN PGA Tour schedule:

Bali International Pro Am, New Kuta Golf & Ocean View, March 1 to 3, US$60,000

Singha Pattaya Open, Burapha Golf Club, Thailand, March 22 to 25, US$50,000

Luang Prabang Lao Open, Luang Prabang Golf Club, Laos, April 26 to 29, US$80,000

Phuket Charity Pro Am, Venue TBC, Thailand, June 21 to 24, US$50,000

Singha Esan Open, Singha Park Golf Club, Khon Kaen, Thailand, August 30 to September 2, US$50,000

Malaysian tournament (TBA), July 5 to 8

Palembang Musi Championship, Palembang Golf Club, Indonesia, October 11 to 14, US$75,000

Ancora Classic, Emeralda Golf & Country Club, Jakarta, Indonesia, October 18 to 21, US$50,000

Sabah Masters, Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club, Malaysia, November 1 to 4, US$60,000

Kim, who led by four at the start of the day, closed with a three-under-par 68 to win by five strokes.

He finished with a four-round aggregate of 16-under-par 268 at Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club.

His compatriot Song Young-han finished second after shooting a 69.

A total of 20 players earned their OneAsia cards.

Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang secured his card after a brilliant fight back.

He fired a first round 79 but rounds of 71, 64 and 68 saw him storm through to finish in a tie for 12th on three under.

The other graduates are Koreans Seo Jeoung-min, Kim Do-hoon, Park Hyo-won, Park Sung-heak, and Park Min-jun.

Japans Masaya Tomida, Koichi Katamura and Masao Nakajima made it through as did Australians Kalem Richardson, Stephen Dartnall, Clint Rice and Michael Choi.

Americans Garrett Sapp, Lee Kee-dae and Jason Kang qualified along with Brazilian Lucas Lee and Thailand’s Pravee Visalkit.

With at least 14 tournaments on OneAsia this season offering an overall purse of nearly US$16 million an exciting season lies ahead.

The OneAsia season starts with the US$1 million Indonesia Open, to be played from March 15 to 18.

An impressive line-up of million dollar events, including five national Opens, will be staged starting with the US$1 million Indonesia Open, to be played from March 15 to 18.

OneAsia will also welcome on board for the first time, the China Classic, the Guangzhou Open and the PGA Championship of Malaysia.

The Guangzhou event will be the final tournament of the season and be staged from December 13 to 16.

Returning to the schedule having successfully been staged in 2011 are Korea’s three leading events the Kolon Korea Open, the GS Caltex Maekyung Open and the SK Telecom Open.

The Nanshan China Masters, the Thailand Open and the Volvo China Open, joint sanctioned with The European Tour, will also be back in 2012.

OneAsia will once again head to Australia for the Emirates Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola.

The dates for the two Australian events, the Kolon Korea Open and the Nanshan tournament will be confirmed shortly.

The High 1 Resort Open in Korea, which had to be cancelled this year due to inclement weather, will also be held next season as will the Dongfeng Nissan Cup, a team event between Asia Pacific and China.

This exciting new team tournament was inaugurated at the weekend and saw Asia Pacific beat China by a single point at Tycoon Golf Club in Shenzhen.

“We have been able to increase our number of events and prize money in 2012 which is something we have done every season since we started OneAsia in 2009. We had five events in that first year, held 10 tournaments in 2010, and featured 11 this season. It has been a rapid growth which provides endless opportunities to our members,” said Sang Y. Chun, Commissioner and Chairman, OneAsia.

Added Chun: “OneAsia was founded by the PGA of Australia, the China Golf Association, the Korea Golf Tour and the Korea Golf Association and we are delighted that our schedule features tournaments spread across all of the respective regions. It is also extremely rewarding to stage events in places like Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia and we are confident that further additions will be made to the schedule in 2012.”

The 2011 OneAsia season came to an exciting conclusion earlier this month when Australian Greg Chalmers won the Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola. The lefthander also won the Emirates

Australian Open to become the first player to win back-to-back titles on OneAsia.

American Tiger Woods competed in the Emirates Australian Open contributing to record television ratings and the attendance of nearly 70,000 spectators during the week.

Andre Stolz from Australia claimed the OneAsia Order of Merit title. He earned US$464,811 in nine events, including victories in the Indonesia PGA Championship and Thailand Open, with Korean Kim Kyung-tae in second place after banking US$327,178.

With an exciting and lucrative year of tournament golf ahead in 2012 the OneAsia Qualifying School has been inundated with entrants.

The Qualifying School’s First Stages are taking place this month and in January in Melbourne, Australia, and in the States of Johor and Sabah, Malaysia.

Competitors will head to the Final Stage which will be held at the prestigious Sutera Harbour Golf & Country Club in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah.

A total of 144 players will compete for over 20 OneAsia cards through four rounds of golf from January 10 to 13.

2012 OneAsia Schedule:

Qualifying School, Final Stage, Sutera Harbour G&CC, Malaysia, January 10 to 13

Indonesia Open, Venue TBC, March 15 to 18, US$1 million

Volvo China Open, Binhai Lake GC, Tianjin, China, April 19 to 22, RMB 20,000,000 (Joint sanctioned with The European Tour)

GS Caltex Maekyung Open, Namseoul G&CC, Korea, May 10 to 13, KRW 1,000,000,000

SK Telecom Open, Pinx GC, Korea, May 17 to 20, KRW 900,000,000

Thailand Open, Suwon G&CC, August 16 to 19, US$1 million

High1 Resort Open, High 1 CC, Korea, August 23 to 26, KRW 1,000,000,000

PGA Championship of Malaysia, Venue TBC, September 13 to 16, Prize money TBA

China Classic, Venue TBC, October 11 to 14, US$1 million

Guangzhou Open, Venue TBC, December 13 to 16, US$1 million

Nanshan China Masters, Nanshan International GC, China, Date TBC, US$1 million

Australian PGA Championship presented by Coca-Cola, Hyatt Regency GC, Coolum, Date TBC, AUS$1.5 million

Emirates Australian Open, The Lakes GC, Date TBC, AUS$1.5 million

Kolon Korea Open, Woo Jeong Hills CC, Date TBC, KRW 1,000,000,000

Dongfeng Nissan Cup, Venue TBC, China, Date TBC (Specially approved team event sanctioned by OneAsia and China Golf Association.)

*Dates subject to change.

The deal which was sealed by World Sport Group, the exclusive marketing partner of the Asean Football Federation (AFF), will see next year’s tournament bear the brand name of this leading Japanese car company for the third consecutive edition.

The AFF Suzuki Cup is Southeast Asia’s biggest football event. A record 192 million television viewers in key Asean markets watched the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup along with nearly 800,000 fans who attended the matches live.

“Our corporate slogan, "Way of Life" portrays the exciting lifestyle experiences which our customers can enjoy through our products, and our sponsorship of the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup reflects our passion for this motto,” said Kenichi Ayukawa, Executive General Manager, Global Automobile Marketing, Suzuki.

“We remain committed towards providing our full support to the AFF and its top football competition, and we are thrilled to share our passion with Southeast Asians through football and Suzuki’s world renown automobiles, motorcycles and outboard motors,” added Akuyawa.

“I am pleased that Suzuki has chosen to renew its partnership with the AFF to bring the biggest and most exciting sporting event to the region,” said HRH Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah, President of the AFF. “The 2010 edition was the most successful since the inauguration of the tournament and clearly managed to ignite the passions and imagination of the millions of football fans in Southeast Asia.”

“Suzuki can be assured that the AFF will not rest on its laurels. We will work hand in hand with Suzuki to make the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup an even bigger success. With their support we can continue to develop the beautiful game in the region,” added His Royal Highness.

“Suzuki has been committed to Asean football since 2008 and we are delighted with their continued partnership as we look to build upon the outstanding success of last year’s event,” said Ian Mathie, Senior Vice-President, Football – South Asia, Asean and Australia. “As the region’s top football competition, the AFF Suzuki Cup provides the ideal platform for Suzuki to engage with football fans and achieve their business goals.”

Following the official draw scheduled to be held next year on July 11th, a qualifying round to determine the two teams which will join defending champions Malaysia and top seeds Indonesia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam in the final field of eight nations, will be held in Myanmar from October 5th to 13th.

The 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup will be held from November 24th to December 22nd. Malaysia and Thailand will co-host the group stage matches. The semi-finals and final matches will be played on a home and away basis.

Former champions and 2011 finalists Jeonbuk, Kashiwa and Guangzhou will also be joined in Group H by the yet to be determined Thai Premier League champions with just two places in the Round of 16 available following the group stage, which will take place between March and May next year.

Jeonbuk, who won the continental title in 2006, lost November’s final on penalties to Qatar’s Al Sadd following a thrilling 2-2 draw in Korea, while Kashiwa and Guangzhou are making their first appearances in the AFC Champions League after winning their domestic titles.

A-League champions Brisbane Roar make their first appearance in the AFC Champions League alongside Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I and China’s Beijing Guoan in Group F alongside the winners of Japan’s Emperor’s Cup, which will be determined on 1 January.

Australia’s Adelaide United, who reached the final in 2008, will also take their place in Group E alongside former champions Gamba Osaka of Japan, Uzbekistan champions Bunyodkor and the winner of a play-off between Korea’s Pohang Steelers and the Thai FA Cup Winners.

The Reds, who finished third in the 2011 A-League, beat Bunyodkor in the 2008 semi-finals before losing to Gamba in the final.

China’s Tianjin Teda, 2010 champions Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma of Korea, Japan’s Nagoya Grampus and Australia’s Central Coast Mariners make up the East side of the draw in Group G.

In the West, 2011 semi-finalists Al Ittihad of Saudi Arabia begin their pursuit of a third AFC Champions League crown in Group B alongside Qatar’s Al Arabi, Baniyas of the United Arab Emirates and Uzbekistan’s Pakhtakor.

Iran Pro League champions Sepahan and Qatar champions Lakhwiya will face Saudi King Cup winners Al Ahli and Al Nasr of the UAE in Group C, while Saudi Arabia champions Al Hilal begin their campaign in Group D alongside Iran’s Piroozi, Qatar’s Al Gharafa and one of two play-off winners.

Finally, Nasaf’s reward for winning the AFC Cup sees the Uzbek side drawn in Group A alongside UAE champions and President’s Cup winners Al Jazira, Qatar’s Al Rayyan and the remaining winner from the play-offs.

In the play-offs, which will take place in February next year, Iran’s Esteghlal and Zobahan will face off for the right to take on Saudi Arabia’s Al Ettifaq for a place in the 2012 AFC Champions League, while Al Shabab of the UAE will entertain Uzbekistan’s Neftchi for the final place in the group stage of the continental competition.

AFC Champions League 2012 – Draw

Play-Offs

West, Round One:  Esteghlal (IRN) v Zobahan (IRN)

West, Round Two: Al Shabab (UAE) v Neftchi (UZB); Winner of Round One v Al Ettifaq (KSA)

East, Round Two: Pohang Steelers (KOR) v Thailand FA Cup Winner

Group Stage

Group A:  Al Rayyan (QAT), Al Jazira (UAE), Nasaf (UZB), Play-Off Winner

Group B: Al Ittihad (KSA), Al Arabi (QAT), Baniyas (UAE), Pakhtakor (UZB)

Group C: Sepahan (IRN), Al Ahli (KSA), Lakhwiya (QAT), Al Nasr (UAE)

Group D: Play-Off Winner, Piroozi (IRN), Al Hilal (KSA), Al Gharafa (QAT)

Group E: Gamba Osaka (JPN), Adelaide United (AUS), Bunyodkor (UZB), Play-Off Winner

Group F: Ulsan Hyundai Horang-I (KOR), Emperor’s Cup Winner (JPN), Brisbane Roar (AUS), Beijing Guoan (CHN)

Group G: Tianjin Teda (CHN), Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma (KOR), Nagoya Grampus (JPN), Central Coast Mariners (AUS)

Group H: League Champion (THA), Guangzhou Evergrande (CHN), Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors (KOR), Kashiwa Reysol (JPN)

AFC Champions League 2012 – Schedule

Play-Offs

Round One:  Saturday 11 February – Esteghlal (IRN) v Zobahan (IRN)

Round Two: Saturday 18 February – Al Shabab (UAE) v Neftchi (UZB), Winner of Round One v Al Ettifaq (KSA), Pohang Steelers (KOR) v Thailand FA Cup Winner

Preliminary Stage

Tuesday 6/Wednesday 7 March– Group Stage Matchday One

Tuesday 20/Wednesday 21 March – Group Stage Matchday Two

Tuesday 3/Wednesday 4 April – Group Stage Matchday Three

Tuesday 17/Wednesday 18 April – Group Stage Matchday Four

Tuesday 1/Wednesday 2 May – Group Stage Matchday Five

Tuesday 15/Wednesday 16 May – Group Stage Matchday Six

Tuesday 29/Wednesday 30 May – Round of 16

Knockout Stage

Wednesday 19 September – Quarter-Finals First Leg

Tuesday 2/Wednesday 3 October – Quarter-Finals Second Leg

Wednesday 24 October – Semi-Finals First Leg

Wednesday 31 October – Semi-Finals Second Leg

Friday 9/Saturday 10 November – Final

For more information please visit:

AFC Champions League – News Index: http://www.the-afc.com/en/tournaments/clubs/afc-champions-league

AFC Champions League 2011 – Schedule & Results: http://www.the-afc.com/en/acl2011-schedule-results?view=Competitions&id=410

The Filipino fired a three-under-par 69 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club to win the ASEAN PGA Tour’s season-ending event by five strokes.

Malaysian Nicholas Fung took second place for the third tournament on the trot after carding a 68.

Thailand’s Panuwat Muenlek also shot 68 to finish a stroke further back in third place.

Aunzo suffered a confidence sapping loss last week on the Philippine Golf Tour when after leading the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship going into the final round he closed out with an 82.

He used that as a valuable learning experience and showed no such signs of wavering this week as he shot rounds of 66, 68, 71 and 69 for finish the tournament 14 under par.

The Filipino had started the day with a five shot lead.

“I am so happy. I have won once before in the Philippines in 2009 but this is a much bigger win as it’s on a regional tour. I felt confident all week and I felt the big difference this week was that I was able to control my irons,” said Aunzo, who received a cheque for US$8,126.

The former caddie had the perfect send off from the amateur ranks in 2008 when he won the Philippine Amateur Championship.

Since then great things have been expected from him and today he showed what he is capable of.

He made six birdies and three bogeys in the final round and shook off the chasing pack with three birdies in a row from the sixth.

Fung continued his remarkable run after firing five birdies and dropping just one shot.

“No one could get near Ferdie this week. He was too good. I am really happy with my form and I hope I can take it through into the new year,” said Fung.

The Malaysian’s strong finish allowed him to finish the season in second place on the Order of Merit with earnings of US$19,298.

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat took top spot with winnings of US$24,001. Wisut, who won the Palembang Musi Championship and Sabah Masters back to back, came in with a 69 to finish equal 12th.

Singapore’s Choo Tze Huang carded a 72 to tie for ninth on three under.

This week marked the first time Choo had competed as a professional after a stellar amateur career which saw him win the Putra Cup individual title twice, this year and in 2006, and play college golf for Washington University.

The 2012 ASEAN PGA Tour schedule will be announced shortly and will be the circuit’s sixth season.

Leading final round scores:

Par 72

274 – Ferdie Aunzo (PHI) 66 68 71 69

279 – Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72 69 70 68

280 – Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 70 72 70 68

281 – Pawin Ingkhapradit (THA) 72 67 73 69, Pravee Visalkit (THA) 68 70 72 71

282 – Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 71 69 73 69, Michael Bibat (PHI) 74 69 69 70

284 – Kheng Khor Hwai (MAS) 67 71 72 74

285 – Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 69 70 74 72, Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 70 72 68 75

286 – Varut Chomchalam (THA) 68 73 74 71

287 – Wisut Artjanawat (THA) 73 72 73 69, George Gandranata (a) (INA) 68 73 76 70

288 – Anthony Fernando (PHI) 73 72 72 71, Koh Dengshan (SIN) 72 74 70 72, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 72 69 74 73, Mitchell Slorach (SIN) 70 73 71 74

For full scores and high res photos please visit: http://www.aseanpgatour.com/

In the season-ending event on the ASEAN PGA Tour the 32 year old, who has led after each round, shot a one-under-par 71 for an impressive 11 under par tournament total.

Thailand’s Gunn Charoenkul and Pravee Visalkit and Malaysian Khor Kheng Hwai lie in second place. Gunn fired a 68 at Emeralda Golf and Country Club while Pravee and Khor both returned 72.

Malaysian Nicholas Fung, who finished second in the last two ASEAN PGA events and is third on the Order of Merit, came in with a 70 and is a stroke further back.

Aunzo led by four at the start of the day and initially let the chasing pack draw closer after he double bogeyed the par five second.

However, he battled back to make the turn in level par before coming home in one under.

“The second hole was my first big mistake this week. I made sure it did not affect me and I just carried on as if it had not happened. I am playing well but mistakes will happen. I am looking forward to tomorrow’s final round which will be a good test,” said Aunzo.

The former Philippine Amateur Champion had a two shot lead going into the final round of the ICTSI Wack Wack Championship on the Philippine Golf Tour last week but shot a disappointing 82 on the last day.

He plans to draw from that humbling experience as he bids for his first win on the ASEAN PGA Tour and only his second win since turning professional in 2008.

Rookie professional Gunn, aged 19, lit up the scoreboard with a flurry of birdies to move into contention. He was six under par after 13 holes before the wheels came off and he bogeyed 15 and 17.

“It was almost a perfect round but I messed up at the end. I hit out of bounds on 17 which was disappointing,” said Gunn.

The young Gunn from Pattaya is a close friend of Panuphol Pittayarat, nicknamed “Coconut”, who is currently lying in joint third place in the Hong Kong Open. Panuphol is a graduate of the ASEAN PGA Tour and has been friends with Gunn since the age of seven.

Gunn turned professional this year and manages his golf schedule while also studying marketing at University in Thailand.

Former amateur star Choo Tze Huang, who turned professional this week, fired a 74 to lie eight shots behind Aunzo.

The Singaporean, a two-time winner of the individual title in the Putra Cup, was just five behind at the start of the day but after a birdie on the second he lost his was with bogeys on five, 13 and 15.

Thailand’s Wisut Artjanawat, who has already secured the Order of Merit title by winning the previous two events, carded a 73 and is two over for the tournament in a tie for 27th place.

Leading third round scores:

Par 72

205 – Ferdie Aunzo (PHI) 66 68 71

210 – Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 70 72 68, Pravee Visalkit (THA) 68 70 72, Khor Kheng Hwai (MAS) 67 71 72,

211 – Nicholas Fung (MAS) 72 69 70

212 – Michael Bibat (PHI) 74 69 69, Panuwat Muenlek (THA) 70 72 70, Pawin Ingkhapradit(THA) 72 67 73

213 – Choo Tze Huang (SIN) 69 70 74, Pijit Petchkasem (THA) 71 69 73

214 – Mitchell Slorach (SIN) 70 73 71

215 – Sattaya Sapuppramai (THA) 75 69 71, Mohd Rashid Ismail (MAS) 70 73 72, Lu Tze Shyan (TWN) 71 74 70, Tanatchan Puaktes (THA) 72 69 74, Pasamet Pogamnerd (THA) 72 69 74, Varut Chomchalam (THA) 68 73 74

For full scores and high res photos please visit: http://www.aseanpgatour.com/

Last Sunday a cheque for S$100,000 was presented to Mrs Goh Chok Tong, the patron of Arc Children’s Centre, following weeks of fund raising activities tied to the Barclays Singapore Open.

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was in attendance to receive the cheque with his wife.

Arc Children’s Centre in Singapore provides a day centre for cancer stricken children and their siblings.

“The sum raised has given us the confidence to reach out to more children and their families in need of this support. This is a wonderful Christmas gift and we are grateful to the Barclays Singapore Open, World Sport Group and Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort for making Arc’s first Christmas shine so brightly,” said Dr Rita Yeoh Joo Seang, Chairman, Arc Children’s Centre.

During the Barclays Singapore Open, which was played at Sentosa Golf Club from November 10 to 13, donation boxes were placed throughout the venue while a raffle was held as well as a dollars for birdies competition.

The Shangri-La’s Rasa Sentosa Resort, the tournament’s official hotel, also hosted a charity golf day and gala dinner. Exclusive memorabilia was auctioned at the dinner playing a valuable role in contributing to the charity.

The Resort also held a players reception to raise awareness of the Arc Children’s Centre.

“We are delighted that Singapore’s national golf Open has been able to contribute to the Arc Children’s Centre. It is a privilege for everyone involved with the tournament to be able to help with such a noble cause,” said Chris Jordan, Senior Vice President, Golf, World Sport Group, the event promoter.