Shiv Kapur's terrific run in recent weeks, including a second place finish at the Double A International, has propelled the rookie to the 17th spot on the Asian Order of Merit.

The Indian golfer has had a series of top-10 finishes but squandered an opportunity to take the title at Andrews Hill Golf Club on Sunday when he lost in the play-off to a 17-year-old Thai amateur, Chinarat Phadsungil, at the US $300,000 Double A International.

The 23-year-old has earned more than US $85,000 in his last six starts and his exploits last week fetched him US $47,250, his highest cheque yet.

It was the second successive week that an Indian finished second on the Asian tour after Gaurav Ghei at the Hero Honda Indian Open.

With US $114,503 in 18 starts this season, Kapur is the third highest ranked Indian on the Asian Order of Merit after Jyoti Randhawa (third) and Jeev Milkha Singh [Images] (15th).

Wiratchant has earned US $451,920 with 23 starts and holds the top spot ahead of Thongchai Jaidee, third at Double A International, who is at US $386,120 in 10 starts.

Five Indians -- Randhawa, Jeev, Kapur, Ghei (43rd) and Harmeet Kahlon (44th) -- are in the top-60 and assured of a berth in the year-ending Volvo Masters of Asia in Bangkok in December.

A couple of other Indians like Amandeep Johl (62nd), Ashok Kumar (70th) and Rahil Gangjee (85th) are also in with a a chance of making it.

In his last six appearances, Kapur has finished in the top-10 five times.

Meanwhile, Harmeet Kahlon picked up his best cheque of the year with his fourth place finish at the Double A International.

There is another full-field Asian Tour event, the Vietnam Masters, and two joint sanctioned events -- Volvo China Open and UBS Hong Kong Open -- left in the season.