Wade Ormsby’s brilliant victory wasn’t the only Australian good news story out of the UBS Hong Kong Open, Scott Barr also taking a big step towards retaining his Asian Tour card in Fanling.

Barr entered the week of the Asian Tour co-sanctioned tournament 75^th on the Order of Merit and needing to climb into the top-60 to ensure his playing rights for next season.

An opening 75 did little to help his cause but the veteran of more than a decade on the Tour hit back with scores of 67-68-68 to finish T31 and cash a cheque large enough to move him to 61^st in the standings.

Three events remain on the Asian Tour schedule; two of those co-sanctioned with the European Tour, and with Barr already listed as a starter at the upcoming Mauritius Open his chances of earning full rights again next season look rosy.

Barr finished third of the five Australians to make the cut, defending champion Sam Brazel next best after Ormsby at 4-under and T23.

An even par final round from the Lismore native saw him drop four places on the leaderboard, his Saturday 66 the highlight of the week as it propelled him inside the top-20 ahead of Sunday’s final round.

Terry Pilkadaris and Scott Hend were the other two to qualify for the weekend, Pilkadaris T57 and Hend T62.

Marcus Fraser and Todd Sinnott were the final two Australasian in the field but both missed the 2-over cut, Fraser by three shots and Sinnott by four.