Ervin Chang of Malaysia. Photo: Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
Malaysia’s Ervin Chang produced one of the standout performances of the week at the Saudi Open presented by PIF, closing with a solid four-under-par 68 to finish tied third at Dirab Golf & Country Club, a result that proved pivotal for his Asian Tour future.
Chang’s impressive finish lifted him from 75th to 41st on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, comfortably inside the top 65 required to retain his playing rights for next season. The former SEA Games gold medallist shared third place with American Charles Porter, finishing three shots behind runner-up Jack Thompson. Porter, a graduate of this year’s Qualifying School, signed off with a 69.
“At 3am I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep,” Chang admitted after the round. “Knowing what was at stake, knowing a top-10 would secure my card, it was all on my mind. I hadn’t even bought my flight home yet, and now I finally can.”
Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden. Photo: Ian Walton/Asian Tour.
At the top of the leaderboard, Sweden’s Bjorn Hellgren emerged victorious after a tense final-day duel with Thompson. Playing alongside each other all week, the pair began the final round tied for the lead before Hellgren edged ahead with a closing five-under-par 67 to reach 23-under-par for the tournament. Thompson carded a 68 to finish second, one shot back, in the Asian Tour season finale.
Hellgren sealed his maiden Asian Tour title in dramatic fashion at the par-five 18th. Thompson narrowly missed a 30-foot eagle attempt, leaving Hellgren needing a six-foot birdie to avoid a playoff — a putt the Swede calmly converted. The victory marked a long-awaited breakthrough after several challenging seasons on tour.
“This one means a lot,” said Hellgren. “I’ve been in this position before and didn’t get it done. Today I stayed calm, and my caddie kept me present. I’m incredibly proud.”
Kazuki Higa of Japan. Photo: Ian Walton/Asian Tour
Japan’s Kazuki Higa also had plenty to celebrate, wrapping up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title with a closing 68 to finish seventh. His consistent performance ensured he finished well clear of Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent, who placed second on the Merit list after tying for 15th. Higa became the first Japanese player to win the prestigious season-long honour.
The Saudi Open also proved decisive for several players fighting to retain their cards, with Hung Chien-yao (Chinese Taipei), Justin Quiban (Philippines), Ahmad Baig (Pakistan) and Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit narrowly finishing inside the top 65.
