Filipino hotshot Antonio Lascuña, flashing his best form since turning pro in 1977, rose to No. 3 in the Asian Order of Merit after narrowly missing his first Asian Tour title by losing to Thai Chapchai Nirat in a playoff at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters in Malaysia on Sunday.
With the runner-up prize of $44,410, the 43-year-old Lascuña advanced three notches from No. 6 overall after only two tournaments in the second half of the Asian Tour season with total earnings of $161,008.
David Lipsky of the United States continues to lead the Order of Merit with $660,086, thanks largely to his win at the Omega European Masters. India’s Anirban Lahiri follows with $334,025.
Lascuña also came close to contending for the title in the Yeangder Tournament Players championship in Taipei last week before settling for third place, a stroke behind compatriot Miguel Tabuena and champion Thailand’s Prom Meesawat.