Chia pockets Asian Tour victory in Taipei

October 05, 2015 | 10:48

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Malaysia's Danny Chia clinched his first Asian Tour title in 13 years on Sunday with a two-shot victory at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

File photo of Danny Chia of Malaysia during the Thailand Open golf championship at the Siam Country Club Plantation Course in Pattaya on Jun 13, 2015. (AFP PHOTO/ONEASIA/PAUL LAKATOS)

TAIPEI: Malaysia's Danny Chia clinched his first Asian Tour title in 13 years on Sunday (Oct 4) with a two-shot victory at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.

Chia, the highest ranked Malaysian on the Official World Golf Rankings, carded a one-over-par 73 in the final round for a tournament total three-under-par 285.

The 42-year-old edged out overnight leader Liang Wen-chong of China, who stumbled with a disappointing 76 to finish second at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club in Taipei.

"I was really nervous heading into the last five holes," said Chia, who won his last Asian Tour title in 2002 also in Taipei.

His win follows neck surgery in 2013 which kept him away from competitive golf for almost a year. "This win is a great boost of confidence for me," he added in a statement from the organisers. "I am glad I held up my mental game this week."

Liang gave up his overnight lead with a mixed performance, closing with three consecutive bogeys. "It was hard to read the greens and surely a disappointing end to the round but I still enjoyed my game out there," said the 37-year-old.

Tied for third was Adilson Da Silva of Brazil and India's Rashid Khan, who had led in the second round.

Scores after the final round of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters 2015 (par 72):

285 - Danny Chia (MAS) 67-72-73-73

287 - Liang Wen-chong (CHN) 70-73-68-76

289 - Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 75-69-73-72, Rashid Khan (IND) 68-70-75-76

290 - Unho Park (AUS) 75-69-76-70, Hung Chien-yao (TPE) 74-72-72-72

291 - Javi Colomo (ESP) 75-74-73-69, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 75-69-77-70, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 73-73-74-71, Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 69-74-75-73, Sung Mao-chung (TPE) 73-77-68-73

AFP

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