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 The 26-year-old Californian made the most of the Asian Tour's
co-sanctioning tie ups to seal a European circuit card until the end
of 2016 with victory in Switzerland last month at the European
Masters.
The lucrative win rocketed him to the top of the regional money list
and helped book one of the 10 spots for Asian Tour players at the
U.S. PGA Tour's $7 million CIMB Classic which begins on Thursday and
offers an even greater prize.
The $1.26 million winner's cheque would all but end the annual
earnings race in Asia but the two-year exemption on the world's most
prestigious and lucrative tour would be far more valuable.
"Being from the United States, definitely, getting to the PGA Tour
at some point is one of my goals," Lipsky told reporters in the
Malaysian capital on Monday.
"So you know, I've been progressing every year with my game and
developing everything so hopefully the next couple years, I'll be
able to take that next step and play the PGA Tour."
The Northwestern University graduate has not looked back since
trying his luck on the Asian Tour in 2012 after winning the
qualifying school.
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He won the Handa Faldo Cambodian Classic on his third start before
returning to the Asian Tour's winner circle this year with a
$500,000 first prize in Switzerland.
India's Anirban Lahiri has won twice on the Asian Tour but in
smaller events, meaning he sits second in the standings, around
$165,000 behind Lipsky's tally of $669,170 with eight events left
this season.
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"Obviously, Anirban is playing well but as long as I take care of
business and do what I need to do, then everything should take care
of itself," Lipsky said of his chances of staying top.
No Asian Tour player has won the co-sanctioned CIMB Classic in its
four previous years but Lipsky was quietly optimistic after a venue
switch from the short and tame Mines Country Club to the more
testing Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
"I've played well here in the past and I have good memories, so I'm
looking forward to the week," Lipsky said, adding his local caddie
was arguably more excited to be back in Kuala Lumpur than he was.
"It's my fourth event here. I've played ten rounds here. So I know
the course quite well.
"I finished third here in a European Tour event a few years ago, so
I know I can play well around this course. It's just a matter of
executing the shots I need to see."
(Writing by Patrick Johnston; Editing by John O'Brien)
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