Taiwan’s Lin Wen-tang battled howling winds and heavy rains to win the US$500,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club yesterday.
Lin ended with an even-par 72 for a four-day total of eight-under 280 to win his fifth Asian Tour title, to the delight of the local galleries who braved the weather to watch him keep the title on home soil.
To the relief of organizers, play was completed on time despite nearby Typhoon Parma.
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Lin’s compatriot Lu Wen-teh took second place with a 73 for 283, while overnight leader Udorn Duangdecha had to settle for third place on 284.
Taiwan’s Lin Keng-chi took fourth place on 285, while compatriot Chan Yih-shin ended fifth after posting a final 74 for 289.
Lin Wen-tang began his final round in second place by opening with a par. He bogeyed the second and fourth holes, before embarking on his title charge with three birdies from holes six to eight to reach the turn in 37.
He dropped a shot on the 11th, but claimed a share of the lead with Duangdecha when he birdied the par-five 13th.
Lin then pulled one shot clear of the Thai when he sank a birdie on the 14th from 20 feet, followed by another on the 15th to extend his lead to two shots. He dropped a shot on the 17th, but maintained his composure to par his closing 18th and win his fifth Asian Tour title.
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