Pratt makes life changing move

Singapore, February 6: Golf can change the lives of people in a single week. And who’s better to lay claim to that than Australia’s Kieran Pratt. Fresh from winning his maiden title at last weekend’s Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan where he defeated compatriot Adam Blyth and Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat in a three-way play-off, the 23-year-old’s fledging career is set to hit new heights. With a priceless two-year’s winner’s exemption on the Asian Tour, Pratt will now have the opportunity to tee off against the best players in major high profile events in the region. “Obviously now that I get into all the big events, it changes things. But at the end of the day, you still have to play well in every event that you enter, said Pratt, who in his first week as a professional, played alongside and outplayed then world-number one Tiger Woods in the third round of the JBWere Masters in Australia in 2010. Pratt’s win tells the story of hard work, determination and finally success. Having lost his Tour card when he finished in 85thplace on the Order of Merit last season, the Australian had to go through the rigors of earning his full card by heading back to Qualifying School last month. A tied-28thfinish in Thailand eventually allowed Pratt to play his way back onto the region’s elite golf circuit. “I didn’t play very well last year as I came straight out from Qualifying School and didn’t know what to expect, said Pratt who was once ranked 15thin the World Golf Amateur Ranking. “I guess coming back, you feel like you kind of know the place a little bit better and that in itself brings the comfort level up and let you play your best golf. It is just nice not to be going back to Qualifying School again! added the Australian who hit 62 of 72 greens in regulation with a putting average of 1.67 en route to winning his maiden title in Myanmar. Pratt’s win will be well documented and mentioned in the same breath as other great success stories of fellows Australians who earned their big break on the Asian Tour. Last season, David Gleeson ended athree-year title drought when he won his third Asian Tour title at the Hero Indianwhile Andrew Dodt claimed his first title at the Avantha Masters in 2010. Other leading Australians who have won on the Asian Tour include Marcus Both and Scott Hend, who held the third round lead but had to settle for a tied-fourth finish at the Zaykabar Myanmar Open presented by Air Bagan. Jarrod Lyle and Andrew Buckle also found success on the Asian Tour before playing their way onto the US PGA Tour in recent years “It is great to be able to travel and have a regular Tour to play on. Playing in Asia is a little bit closer to home compared to the United States or Europe. This is a great way to sharpen your teeth. I like the Asian Tour and how it is developing, said Pratt. Pratt set the early pace in Order of Merit after collecting his biggest prize cheque of US$47,550 following his win at the Royal Mingalardon Golf and Country Club. The Asian Tour heads to the Philippines for Asia’s oldest national championship this week where the ICTSI Philippine Open will be broadcast live for the first time on the Asian Tour’s global television platform which reaches over 200 nations. Asian Tour Order of Merit Top-20 Pos. Player Order of Merit (US$) 1 Kieran PRATT (AUS) $47,550.00 2 Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) $25,425.00 2 Adam BLYTH (AUS) $25,425.00 4 Scott HEND (AUS) $13,545.00 4 Arnond VONGVANIJ (THA) $13,545.00 6 Ben FOX (USA) $7,788.00 6 Marcus BOTH (AUS) $7,788.00 6 Chapchai NIRAT (THA) $7,788.00 6 Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) $7,788.00 6 Anthony KANG (USA) $7,788.00 11 Kodai ICHIHARA (JPN) $4,927.50 11 Makoto INOUE (JPN) $4,927.50 11 Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) $4,927.50 11 PARK Hyun-bin (KOR) $4,927.50 15 Jesper KENNEGARD (SWE) $3,966.00 15 Martin ROMINGER (SUI) $3,966.00 15 Jonathan MOORE (USA) $3,966.00 15 BAEK Seuk-hyun (KOR) $3,966.00 15 Javi COLOMO (ESP)$3,966.00 20 Wade ORMSBY (AUS) $3,330.00 20 Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) $3,330.00 20 Tetsuji HIRATSUKA (JPN) $3,330.00 20 Niall TURNER (IRL)$3,330.00 20 PARK Jung-ho (KOR)$3,330.00