Kan returns home to top Order of Merit
RICHARD Kan, on a high after a memorable World Cup debut, swept to the top of the 1993 Hong Kong PGA Order of Merit with victory in yesterday's second leg at Fanling.
Six days after returning home from Florida, the Clear Water Bay assistant professional fired an even-par 71 over the Old Course followed by a one-under-par 69 on the Eden.
His total of 140 was three strokes clear of World Cup teammate Yau Sui-ming and Dominique Boulet in joint second, with Tang Man-kee fourth on 145.
While defending merit champion Kan was celebrating his success, Peter Tang was counting the cost of an oversight.
Tang, winner of the opening leg of the 1993 circuit at Discovery Bay last month, shot an opening-round 75, but was disqualified after failing to sign his scorecard.
Having led Hong Kong to their best World Cup finish in a decade at Lake Nona a fortnight ago, Kan showed no signs of travel weariness yesterday with three birdies in his opening 10 holes on the Old Course.
Although he dropped three strokes on the journey home, Kan went into lunch tied for the lead with Boulet and Tang Man-kee.
Kan regained the initiative early in the afternoon with a birdie-four at the first, where his eight-foot putt for eagle hung on the lip, and a two at the short fifth.
The only blemish on his card came at the 13th.
Boulet, regaining confidence after a top-10 finish in the Indonesian PGA Championship last week, closed with a 72 while Tang finished with a 74. Yau's 68 was the best round of the day, but he was too far back following a morning 75.
''Playing in my first World Cup was a great experience and I feel I'm still in the groove,'' said Kan who, along with Yau, was drawn to play with eventual runners-up Nick Price and Mark McNulty of Zimbabwe in the opening round in Orlando.
