Jay Bayron, Murakami grab Asian Tour cards

CHA AM, Thailand—Jay Bayron and Artemio Murakami closed out with identical rounds of 2-over-par 74 Saturday but easily hurdled the Final Stage of Qualifying School for the new 2012 Asian Tour season.

Bayron, who had earlier rounds of 72-69-68, finished tied for 20th with his 5-under 283 total. Murakami was a stroke behind at 4-under 284 counting his previous scores of 69-72-69.

The two will join 2011 Asian Tour Order of Merit winner Juvic Pagunsan, Angelo Que, Mars Pucay and Antonio Lascuña, who finished in the top 61 of the OOM last season, as regular campaigners in all Asian Tour legs this year starting with the
Myanmar Open set Feb. 2 to 4.

David Lipsky of the United States won the Qualifying School Final Stage, firing a 4-under-par 68 to finish two shots ahead of highly rated Arnond Vongvanij of Thailand, Dodge Kemmer of the United States, India’s Rahil Gangjee and Australian Adam Groom at the Springfield Royal Country Club.

Among the notable names who finished in the top-40 and ties to earn their Asian Tour card for 2012 include James Bryne of Scotland, last year’s Walker Cup star, and Australian Adam Blyth.

A total of 42 players earned their Asian Tour cards for 2012 . Carl Santos Ocampo was the third Filipino to advance to the final round but missed the qualifying mark of 285 by shooting a 73 for a 287 total. Ocampo had earlier shot 69-70-75. Asian Tour News