LOCAL HERO WINS TAIWAN MASTERS BY THREE STROKES
NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE ASIAN TOURTaipei, November 6: Local ace Lu Wei-chih cruised to a three-shot victory for his third Asian Tour title despite bogeying the last two holes at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters today.
Lu reclaimed the title he won in 2005 with a closing two-over-par 74 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, the Asian Tour number one in 2005, rued a cold putter as he signed off with a 73 for third place in the US$600,000 event.
Asian Tour rookies Daisuke Kataoka of Japan and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, the youngest Tour member this year, finished in third and fourth place respectively.
Lu, who won his second title in the span of four weeks, said this victory was even sweeter as he completed a wire-to-wire win on his home course.
“The feeling is always different when you win so close to home. This is a fantastic victory and I’m glad to be on top after four tough days,” said Lu, who earned US$120,000 with his winning total of 10-under-par 278.
He was not happy with his final round performance of two birdies against four bogeys but was delighted to overcome a resilient Thaworn.
“He is such a good player. It is never nice to have him breathe down your neck especially on the last day. I’m not happy with how I played so I’ll have to continue working hard on my game and hopefully win more titles in the future,” smiled the 32-year-old.
Thaworn made a splendid charge up the leader board, shooting one-under through eight holes but saw his title aspirations fade as he bogeyed the next three holes.
“I could have done better but after the third straight bogey, I knew I had no chance of winning. My putting let me down but I have to hand it to Lu, who played really well,” said Thaworn, winner of 12 Asian Tour titles.
Kataoka claimed his fourth top-10 finish on the Asian Tour this season with a final round 73 to finish five shots from the champion.
“I’m very proud with how I performed this week. This is my first time playing this course and I’m glad with my finish. Every player hopes to play better but I’ll take this result,” said the 23-year-old.
Tabuena turned in 35 but struggled on the back nine as he posted four bogeys and one birdie on the last hole to claim best finish in his professional career.
“I finally got my confidence back. Finishing fourth in a big tournament like this is really good. I know I’ll bounce back after this,” said Tabuena, who turned professional in February.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
278 - LU Wei-chih (TPE) 66-66-72-74.
281 - Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 69-68-71-73.
283 - Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN) 69-72-69-73.
284 - Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 67-71-72-74.
285 - LU Wen-teh (TPE) 70-73-72-70.
286 - Ben FOX (USA) 73-72-70-71, WANG Ter-chang (TPE) 71-74-70-71, Miles TUNNICLIFF (ENG) 72-69-73-72.
287 - Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) 72-72-70-73, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 67-72-73-75.
288 - Zaw MOE (MYN) 69-75-72-72, HSU Mong-nan (TPE) 74-73-69-72, Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 72-69-72-75.
289 - Chris RODGERS (ENG) 71-74-70-74.
Lu reclaimed the title he won in 2005 with a closing two-over-par 74 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, the Asian Tour number one in 2005, rued a cold putter as he signed off with a 73 for third place in the US$600,000 event.
Asian Tour rookies Daisuke Kataoka of Japan and Miguel Tabuena of the Philippines, the youngest Tour member this year, finished in third and fourth place respectively.
Lu, who won his second title in the span of four weeks, said this victory was even sweeter as he completed a wire-to-wire win on his home course.
“The feeling is always different when you win so close to home. This is a fantastic victory and I’m glad to be on top after four tough days,” said Lu, who earned US$120,000 with his winning total of 10-under-par 278.
He was not happy with his final round performance of two birdies against four bogeys but was delighted to overcome a resilient Thaworn.
“He is such a good player. It is never nice to have him breathe down your neck especially on the last day. I’m not happy with how I played so I’ll have to continue working hard on my game and hopefully win more titles in the future,” smiled the 32-year-old.
Thaworn made a splendid charge up the leader board, shooting one-under through eight holes but saw his title aspirations fade as he bogeyed the next three holes.
“I could have done better but after the third straight bogey, I knew I had no chance of winning. My putting let me down but I have to hand it to Lu, who played really well,” said Thaworn, winner of 12 Asian Tour titles.
Kataoka claimed his fourth top-10 finish on the Asian Tour this season with a final round 73 to finish five shots from the champion.
“I’m very proud with how I performed this week. This is my first time playing this course and I’m glad with my finish. Every player hopes to play better but I’ll take this result,” said the 23-year-old.
Tabuena turned in 35 but struggled on the back nine as he posted four bogeys and one birdie on the last hole to claim best finish in his professional career.
“I finally got my confidence back. Finishing fourth in a big tournament like this is really good. I know I’ll bounce back after this,” said Tabuena, who turned professional in February.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4x72)
278 - LU Wei-chih (TPE) 66-66-72-74.
281 - Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 69-68-71-73.
283 - Daisuke KATAOKA (JPN) 69-72-69-73.
284 - Miguel TABUENA (PHI) 67-71-72-74.
285 - LU Wen-teh (TPE) 70-73-72-70.
286 - Ben FOX (USA) 73-72-70-71, WANG Ter-chang (TPE) 71-74-70-71, Miles TUNNICLIFF (ENG) 72-69-73-72.
287 - Juvic PAGUNSAN (PHI) 72-72-70-73, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 67-72-73-75.
288 - Zaw MOE (MYN) 69-75-72-72, HSU Mong-nan (TPE) 74-73-69-72, Chawalit PLAPHOL (THA) 72-69-72-75.
289 - Chris RODGERS (ENG) 71-74-70-74.
Labels: PRO GOLF
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | Sunday, November 06, 2011
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