Thailand’s Itthipat Buranatanyarat let his experience do the talking in the final round of the Aramco Invitational tournament in Saudi Arabia today, his two-under-par 70 enough to maintain his overnight lead and secure victory.

And with the extra prize money available in the US$250,000 season-ending Asian Development Tour event, the win was enough to propel him to the top of the Order of Merit standings, edging out three multiple tournament winners in the process.

Having played in all 12 ADT events this season, Itthipat’s consistency through the year meant he was able to take the honours without winning an event, unlike his nearest rivals Tanapat Pichaikool, Ahmad Baig and Rahil Gangee, all two-time winners this year.

With Asian Tour cards available for the top ten in the OOM, there was cause for celebration for Thailand’s Tanapat, India’s Gangee and Baig of Pakistan, who finshed second, third and fourth respectively.

Dodge Kemmer of USA pictured on November 30, 2024 during the Final round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 30, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

Dodge Kemmer (70) of the USA, who finished second today, grabbed the sixth spot in the OOM, behind Liu Yung-hua (70) of Chinese Taipei who ended up in a share of 12th spot for the tournament.

Thailand’s Varanyu Rattanphiboonkij (70) finished third today, which was enoguh to help him into seventh spot on the OOM list, slightly ahead of compatriots Witchayapat Sinsrang (73) and Kosuke Hamamoto (72), who ended the day in 36th and 25th places respectively.

The final qualifier for next year’s Asian Tour card was Hong Kong’s Matthew Cheung (69), who shared 16th place today, enough to edge out Thailand’s Sarut Vongchaisit and Runchanapong Youprayong by the slimmest of margins.

Thailand’s Chanat Sakulpolphaisan (68) finished fourth in the tournament today, ahead of Tanapat and England’s Ben Jones and Matt Killen, who all shared the day’s low round of 67. They shared the place with Arjun Parsad (71) of India.

Ben Jones of England pictured on November 30, 2024 during the Final round of Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 30, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)

In ninth place, Runchanapong (68) finished alongside Joel Stalter (71) of France, a stroke ahead of Thomas Lim (71) of the USA.

In 12th place today, Liu shared the place with Aidric Chan of the Philippines (70), Shinichi Mizuno (72) of Japan and Sweden’s Filip Lundell (74).

With the 2024 ADT season now in the bag, for the top ten Order of Merit winners the prospect of a year on the Asian Tour in 2025 looms. For the others, there’s always Q-School, which enters its final stage in Thailand next month and concludes in Hua Hin from December 17-21.

Main pictures: Itthipat Buranatanyarat of Thailand pictured during the final round of the Aramco Invitational Tournament at Rolling Hills Golf Club on November 30, 2024 in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Thananuwat Srirasant/Asian Tour)