Another first awaits the Asian Tour this week at the season-ending Saudi Open presented by PIF. For the first time in its history a player from either Japan or Zimbabwe will claim the Order of Merit title.

Kazuki Higa is the hot favourite as the Japanese star has a healthy lead while Zimbabwean Scott Vincent has an outside chance, sitting in second place.

They are the only two players who can claim the coveted title with Higa needing to make the cut to stay ahead, provided Vincent finishes outside the top-four.

Both players are laser focused on finishing the year in first place and succeeding American John Catlin as the Order of Merit champion.

They have been paired together for the first two rounds here at Dirab Golf & Country Club, along with Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond – the 2019 Merit champion.

Said Higa: “I chose to start playing the Asian Tour for the first time last year, in order to achieve success overseas. So, to be in this position now is like a dream. There is still work to be done though.”

He leads the Merit list with 1,958.59 points and controls his own destiny, with Vincent 142.47 points behind.

Kazuki Higa.

The 30-year-old from Okinawa should be able to see it through following an outstanding season.

He stormed out of the gates in the beginning of the season with three straight top 10’s, posting a T8 at the season-opening Smart Infinity Philippine Open, a T5 at the International Series India presented by DLF and a T2 at the 104th New Zealand Open presented by Sky Sport.

It was as in September that he stepped on the gas recording back-to-back wins in the Shinhan Donghae Open and Yeangder TPC.

And late in October he added a T2 at the International Series Philippines to regain top spot from Vincent, and he’s held it ever since.

“It’s taken a lot of had work to get to this point. I was really happy to play well last year on the Asian Tour. I finished 32^nd on the Order of Merit and was third in the Hong Kong Open – it gave me a lot of confidence,” he added.

His success overseas has been built on a fine record at home.

He won the Japan Tour money list in 2022, thanks to four victories – including the Shinhan Donghae Open, an event, like this year, jointly sanctioned with Asia, Japan and Korea. Now an eight-time winner in Japan, he will become the first player to win both the Japan and Asian Tour rankings should he be successful this week.

An incredible work ethic and level of commitment over the past two years, that has seen him become super fit and hit the ball considerably further, have also been behind his success.

It is of no surprise that one of the other players known for such discipline is the man hot on his heels Vincent.

Scott Vincent.

The Zimbabwean wrapped up The International Series Rankings three weeks ago to secure his return to the LIV Golf League next year.

He’ll also be hoping to play on the multi-million dollar franchise as the reigning Asian Tour Order of Merit champion.

A relaxed Vincent has arrived in Riyadh, ready for the challenge.

“I am very refresh,” said Vincent, who won the International Series Morocco in July.

“I had two weeks off. That was so welcomed. Time with family in Zimbabwe, so really looking forward to this week. Thankful to be here, what a great spot for us to close out the year.

“It’s been an incredible season and lots to be thankful for. One more event to decided, the Order of Merit spot. I am looking forward to it, and I know Kazuki is as well. We are teeing it up on Wednesday and we are going to give it our best.”

He admitted he put a lot of pressure on himself in order to win The International Series Rankings, probably more than he needed

“There is a little bit of relief but now I am just trying to re-prioritise things. Just use this week to learn something more to get ready for next season,” he explained.

This year marks the 10^th staging of Saudi’s National Open, and the third time it has been part of the Asian Tour. Catlin is the defending champion.

Pictures by Ian Walton/Asian Tour.