Taiwan’s Tsai Chi-huang shot a closing 68 to win the inaugural Luxehills Golf Championship with an 18-under total of 270, the lowest winning score on this year’s Omega China Tour.
Liao Guiming also shot a 68 to finish on 15-under, one ahead of big-hitting Yuan Hao, whose spirited challenge faded when he bogeyed holes 15, 16 and 17 before a birdie at the last gave him a 69 at the Luxehills International Country Club.
Tsai, a former Asian Tour regular, started the final day level with youngster Zhang Xinjun, but pulled away with four birdies in the first seven holes.
“I played extremely well today and am happy with the way it ended. This is a great achievement for me, as I know I’m getting old,” said Tsai, who turns 40 later this month.
“I’m really looking forward to sharing this trophy with my wife and kids back in Taipei, as they’re always supportive of me, whether I win or lose,” added Tsai, who moved to Shanghai to coach in 2006.
Liao, who started the day three behind the co-leaders, tried valiantly to keep pace but admitted Tsai had been too good.
“It was a great experience playing with Tsai. I did try to chase him, but his four birdies on the front nine were too much. The only thing I didn’t hit well today was my irons,” said Liao, who shot a career-best 65 in the third round.
The Luxehills Golf Championship was rescheduled from its original June dates following the Sichuan earthquake on May 12.
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