AL AIN: With all the 10 events on the 2015 MENA Golf Tour producing a new winner each time, the race for the Order of Merit title has been thrown wide open in the run up to this week’s season-ending Tour Championship.

Presented by Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the climax of the tour will see top 40 professionals and 15 leading amateurs from their respective Orders of Merit compete at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and Golf Club starting on Monday.

With invitations to the Omega Dubai Desert Classic and various other European Tour tournaments around the globe, including the Hassan II Trophy in Morocco and the Malaysian Open, up for grabs, stakes are attractive enough for top performers to summon up great will and energy to turn things around.

The leading professional and amateur from the MENA region will also be invited through the Shaikh Maktoum Golf Foundation Award to compete in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic as part of the tour’s drive to create playing opportunities for ‘home talent’ at the highest level.

Riding an impressive victory against a deeply-talented field headlined by 2016 European Ruder Cup captain Darren Clarke at last week’s Ras Al Khaimah Classic, South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence has moved atop the Order of Merit summit with $24,305 (Dh90,000) in earnings.

The youngest player to win a MENA Golf Tour event, aged 18 years, 11 months and one day, Lawrence is closely followed by England’s Gary King ($18,733) and Spain’s Gabriel Canizares ($18,644), raising the prospects of a thrilling finish to the race.

With just $7,000 separating the top six, all of them are in with a realistic chance of winning the coveted MENA Tour champion title thanks to a larger than usual prize fund of $75,000 (Dh275,470) with the winner walking away with a check for $13,500.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, chairman of the MENA Golf Tour, thanked Abu Dhabi Sports Council for their continued support to the Tour Championship. “They have been a wonderful partner in our journey as we strive to stimulate the overall development of the game in the region and beyond.

“It has been another successful year for us and I would like to thank all participating golf clubs and players for all their support. I am also grateful to the Arab Golf Federation and the regional golf associations in the region who have been our pillar of strength.

“The fact that each event this season has thrown up a new winner in addition to producing improved scores is a reflection on the growing strength of the tour.

“These are exciting times for us as we plan to expand the schedule of the MENA Golf Tour next season, covering new destinations like Kuwait, Egypt, Spain, South Africa and Thailand in addition to introducing Qualifying School,” he added.

Order of Merit standings ahead of the MENA Tour Championship:

Professionals:

1.Thriston Lawrence (South Africa) — $24,305 (Dh90,000)

2.Gary King (England) — $18,733

3. Gabriel Canizares (Spain) — $18,644

4. Paul Doherty (Scotland) — $17,768

5. Lee Corfield (England) — $17,712

6. Per Barth (Sweden) — $17,228

7.Jake Shepherd — $15,300

8. Stuart Archibald (England) — $14,538

9. Ross McGowan (England) — $13,000

10. Luke Joy (England) — $12,793

Amateurs:

1.James Allan (England) – 326 points

2.Rayhan Thomas (India) — 262

3.Ayoub Lguirati (Morocco) — 190

4.Karim El Hali (Morocco) — 167

5.Michael Harradine (Switzerland) – 146