Local hero Lu Wen-teh claimed his second victory on the Asian Tour this season when he lifted the Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Sunday.
Lu, who started the day one shot off the pace, held his game for an even-par 72 in the final round on his home course at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
He produced a four-under-par 284 winning total and walked away with the top prize of US$100,000.
Overnight leader Ted Oh from South Korea was unable to find his rhythm as he carded a 76 and finished three strokes behind Lu at the US$500,000 event.
"This is the first time I've won twice in a season on the Asian Tour, it feels really good to achieve that today," Lu said.
strong chance
"After closing the gap yesterday, I knew that I was in for a very strong chance at the title," said Lu who won the Macau Open in May.
The win moves the 43-year-old Lu to seventh on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit. He also becomes the first Taiwanese player to surpass the million dollar mark in total earnings on the Asian Tour with US$1.017 million.
Lu was one-under-par midway through the final round for a two-stroke lead over Oh who was two-over on the front nine.
Lu suffered a double bogey on the 11th hole but he was back on track with birdies on the 13th and 15th holes. He dropped a shot on the 16th but sealed his win with a two-foot par putt on the 18th hole.
"I have been playing on this course for the past 33 years, since I was a kid. I could adapt well to the windy conditions today which I think was a huge advantage for me over Ted," he said. "But one of the turning points for me was the eagle at the par five [480 yards] seventh hole."
Oh, gunning for his maiden Asian Tour title, faded away on the back nine with one birdie against three bogeys as he claimed his second runner-up finish of the tournament.
Blew it
"I played badly today. I had a lot of chances and I blew it. I gave it away but all credit to Lu who was solid throughout," Oh said.
Despite three bogeys for the day, local player Hsu Mong-nan carded 75 to finish in outright third position, six strokes behind the champion.
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