China No 3 Yuan Yechun going ‘all out’ to secure victory at the Clearwater Bay Open

Big-hitting Carl Yuan Yechun is determined to crown his first visit to Hong Kong with victory at the season-ending Clearwater Bay Open as the mainlander bids to secure a place in the top-10 of the 2018 PGA Tour Series-China Order of Merit.

Yuan won July’s Qingdao Championship to become only the second amateur champion on the Tour, then started his pro career with a runner-up finish at the Suzhou Open last month, having joined the play-for-pay ranks on August 28 after helping China win a team silver at the Asian Games.

The Dalian-based 21-year-old has since followed up with ties for eighth, third and 24th on the Tour to lie 23rd on the Order of Merit and will be going all-out for the 360,000 yuan winner’s cheque at the Clearwater Bay Golf and Country Club, starting on Thursday.

“With five events left, my goal is to finish in the top-25 in the Order of Merit and I achieved that after two events,” said Yuan, who’s seeking to finish in the top-10 of the money list to secure a place in the Final Stage of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament.

“As my goal has since changed to getting in the top-10, I’ll probably need a win this week – and I’m confident. My game is in great shape, I like the course and I have a good supporting team with me this week, so I think I have a shot at doing it.”

Callum Tarren, second on the Order of Merit, is virtually assured of a Web.com Tour place in 2019, yet is still seeking his first victory on a Tour where he has finished second six times – three times this season – earning him the unwanted title of “Runner-up King”.

Clearwater Bay Open: Hong Kong golf ace Motin Yeung shows off his playful side and his eye for photography

Tarren, who turned 28 last week, was runner-up to James Marchesani at last year’s Clearwater Bay Open, finishing a stroke adrift after the Australian birdied the last hole, and is keen to become the first Englishman to win on the PGA Tour Series-China, especially as he’s the only player who can overhaul Order of Merit leader Charlie Saxon.

“Last year, I just missed out on the last hole to James, so that was a bit disappointing, but I just have to keep getting myself in that position and hopefully I can go one better this year,” said Tarren, whose good friend James Maw, an eight-year touring pro, is now his caddie.

Hong Kong amateurs Matthew Cheung and Terrence Ng join the pros at Clearwater Bay Open

“I’m just going to go out and try to win the golf tournament and we’ll add up the money at the end of the week and see where we are. I know if I were to win, Charlie would have to have a good finish, so I’m just concentrating on my game. I know Charlie is just as hungry to win his fifth title on this Tour.”

The top-five on the PGA TOUR Series-China Order of Merit will automatically earn status on next year’s Web.com Tour, the top-10 will be eligible for the Final Stage of the Web.com Tour Qualifying Tournament from December 6-9 and players 11-25 will be exempt to the Second Qualifying Stage.