Pavit Tangkamolprasert [main picture] says he has no plans to change anything ahead of arguably the two biggest tournaments of his 19-year professional career: the Link Hong Kong Open, which starts tomorrow, and the Philippine Open presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, in two weeks.

The 37-year-old is enjoying the finest season of his career and leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit (OOM) with just those two events remaining.

The honour of finishing the year ranked number one and having his name inscribed on a trophy along with many of the legends of the game in the region – such as his famous compatriots Thongchai Jaidee, a three-time recipient, and Thaworn Wiratchant, who claimed it twice, as well as Kiradech Aphibarnrat and Jazz Janewattananond – is at stake.

There is the additional bonus of winning a DP World Tour card for next year and opportunities to play in the Majors.

“My game plan and mindset remain the same,” said a confident Pavit this week, despite feeling under the weather, with a slight fever.

Pavit Tangkamolprasert after winning the Yeangder TPC last month – for his third Asian Tour title.

“I’ve been playing with a sense of ease and relaxation this year, largely thanks to a strong start – finishing runner-up twice in my first three events –which has taken the pressure off having to worry about securing my Tour card.”

“Having played in this tournament several times, I’ve got a good grasp of the course layout and know exactly how to approach the tee shots on each hole.”

In fact, he has played in the event on eight occasions and made his first appearance in 2015. While the results have not been up to his usual high standards his best finish came last year when he tied for ninth – hopefully a sign his fortunes are turning on this course with this year more important than ever.

Pavit won the Yeangder TPC in Chinese-Taipei last month to move to the top of the OOM for the first time in his career and tied for seventh in the next two events to consolidate his lead.

He said: “If I can maintain my current form and get a bit of luck, a top-10 finish would be a great result. As for the race to finish as the Tour’s number one, I’m sticking to the same approach I’ve used all year. Just because I’m currently leading the standings doesn’t mean I need to change anything.

“With only two events left, we’ll see if I can reach my goal of finishing at the top. I believe that if I can keep my performance consistent – and if fate is on my side – I have a good chance of ending the season as the number one player.”

All of the top-10 from the OOM are competing this week with Australian Travis Smyth his closest pursuer in second and Ian Snyman from South Africa third.

Taichi Kho, bidding to become the first Hong Kong player to win the Hong Kong Open, sits in fourth place.

For the second successive year the winner this week will also earn invites to the Masters Tournament and The Open next year and Pavit is fully aware of the task that awaits him.

“This tournament is arguably the toughest one,” he said. “The winner earns spots in two Major championships, so it’s drawn a very strong field of top-tier players.”

He has been paired with Filipino Miguel Tabuena and Englishman Richard Bland in the first two rounds. They will tee-off tomorrow at mid-day local time.

Pictures by Graham Uden/Asian Tour.