Thaworn Wiratchant has stormed into the top-10 of the Asian Tour's Order of Merit, just weeks after feeling lost in the woods.

The Thai veteran has conjured a magical two-week run to turn a mediocre season into a winning one after romping to a six-shot triumph at the Macau Open on Sunday.

It was a welcome return to form as Thaworn was languishing in 62nd place on the rankings two weeks ago. His form, in particular his magical short game, had lost its lustre and to compound matters, his house was broken into where items stolen included some of his favourite golf clubs.

"My game is not in form. Everything is not working well. I have lost my concentration. My house was broken into last month where I lost several golf clubs and also some expensive watches which I have been collecting for a long time," lamented Thaworn prior to the start of the Omega European Masters a fortnight ago.

But as they say in golf, each tournament is a brand new week and the 42-year-old produced a then season's best with a tied 11th finish in Asia's first co-sanctioned event on European soil before recording his 11th career victory in Macau, which now leaves him one short of compatriot Thongchai Jaidee's record.

"I will continue to play on the Asian Tour and if I am fit enough, I think breaking his (Thongchai's) record would not be a problem," said Thaworn, who moved up to eight place on the merit list after adding US$79,250 to his season's haul of US$156,569.

Thaworn's return to the winner's circle would offer some form of encouragement for Lin Wen-tang, Asia's number two last season. The Chinese Taipei star returned to action in Macau after a self-enforced break and while he finished seventh, there was a bitter-sweet taste in the mouth.

His younger brother Wen-hong contended in the Macau Open, which was celebrating its 12th edition, but settled for fifth place. It was however good enough to propel him to 57th place on the Order of Merit where a top-65 finish will earn him full playing status for next season.

"It was good to see my brother in contention. As an older brother, I obviously want to see him do well. We have our share of sibling rivalries but it's a good one. We both want to outdo each other so that we can achieve success and bring honour to the family," said Wen-tang.

India's 21-year-old rising star, Gaganjeet Bhullar took his season's earnings to US$206,926 after finishing second behind Thaworn, which was worth US$54,250. It was his third runner-up finish of the season which already includes a maiden title in Indonesia.

Bhullar, now sixth on the merit list, hailed Thaworn, who is twice his age. "He is our Asian hero and I look up to him for his achievements on the Asian Tour," said the young Indian.

Thongchai Jaidee of Thailand continues to lead the race to become the 2009 Asian Tour Order of Merit champion with US$870,517, followed by American Anthony Kang who has won US$384,763. India's Jyoti Randhawa is third with US$268,074.

The Asian Tour heads to Japan next week for the US$1.5 million Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open from September 24 to 27, 2009. The event is jointly sanctioned with the Japan Golf Tour Organisation.

Asian Tour Order of Merit Top-20
Pos Player Country Earnings (US$)
1. Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 870,517
2. Anthony KANG (USA) 384,763
3. Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 268,074
4. KANG Sung-hoon (KOR) 238,285
5. Hiroyuki FUJITA (JPN) 207,142
6. Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 206,926
7. Prayad MARKSAENG (THA) 181,083
8. Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 156,569
9. Adam BLYTH (AUS) 145,180
10. BAE Sang-moon (KOR) 136,578
11. Angelo QUE (PHI) 136,399
12. Johan EDFORS (SWE) 128,712
13. Mardan MAMAT (SIN) 124,188
14. James KAMTE (RSA) 115,725
15. NOH Seung-yul (KOR) 114,671
16. Darren BECK (AUS) 110,006
17. Ted OH (KOR) 101,859
18. LU Wei-chih (TPE) 99,149
19. Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 98,672
20. Rick KULACZ (AUS) 97736