Marcus Fraser continued his stranglehold on the Asian Tour Order of
Merit despite having to settle for a runner-up finish at the Panasonic Open
Golf Championship over the weekend.

Although the Victorian could not surmount a late challenge to pip Japanese
champion Yuta Ikeda to the title, he was still all smiles, knowing he had done
just about enough to keep his closest rivals at bay for now.

"The Order of Merit is always on the back of your mind and to come out here
to finish tied second is a great confidence booster.

"I wasn’t expecting much when I came here but I just wanted to put
another number up for the Order of Merit," said Fraser.

With a close eye on the hectic schedule ahead, the 37-year-old is
pleased his comfortable lead of more than US$300,000 over second-placed Miguel
Tabuena of the Philippines will help strengthen his bid of becoming the first
Australian to lift the prestigious Order of Merit title at the end of the year.

"I came here trying to get another number up because the schedule will
be busy towards the end of the year.

"To come here and play well and add more money on the Order of Merit is
a huge bonus," said Fraser.

The
winner of the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit will receive a five year exemption on
the Tour as well as a place in the 2017 Open Championship and an invite into
the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.