Lu wins maiden Asian title at Taiwan Masters

BY iseekgolf.com | Asian Tour | 2005 Mercuries Taiwan Masters | Wrap | 25 Sep 2005

A teary-eyed Lu Wei-chih of Chinese Taipei held his nerve to claim the US$400,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters by two strokes after carding a final round of two-over-par 74 on Sunday

The 27-year-old Lu claimed his maiden Asian Tour title at Taiwan Golf and Country Club’s Tamsui course, his home base, with a tournament total of four-under-par 284 and earned US$79,112. Compatriot Lin Wen-tang also shot a 74 for second place.

Australian Kurt Barnes, playing in his rookie year in Asia, was in the thick of battle with an outward 34 for the outright lead but stumbled badly on the back nine with two bogeys and one triple bogey for a 74 and shared third place on 287 with two-time former winner Lu Wen-teh, who carded a 76 and Lu Wei-lan (73), who is Wei-chih’s older brother.

“I’m so happy, it’s a real pleasure to win on my own course,” said Lu, who broke down into tears during the prize presentation ceremony. "So many people have helped in my career including my family and I’m just so pleased to repay their faith.

“I was very nervous during the round. After a poor start, I just didn’t know how to swing the club but my caddie, who is also my friend, helped calm me down. After that I played a lot better.”

Holding a one-stroke lead into the last day, Wei-chih dropped bogeys on the second, fourth and eighth holes on a tough scoring day where only five players managed to break par.

He brilliantly saved pars on 10 and 11 after finding bunkers before draining an 18 footer on 12 for his only birdie of the day, which proved crucial in the end. “Definitely 10 and 11 were important holes as I managed to save pars. I must thank my brother Wei-lan as he helped me prepare for this tournament,” he said.

It was certainly a popular home victory for Lu who hopes to emulate some of his heroes. The Tamsui layout, known as the “Cradle of the Golfers”, has over the years unearthed some of Taipei’s legends including Hsieh Min-nan and Lu Liang-huang, players that Lu hopes to emulate.

But it was heartbreak hotel for Lin, who was also bidding for his maiden title in Asia. He started strongly with a birdie on the second hole but stumbled midway through his round, dropping four shots over a three-hole run. Birdies on 13 and 15 brightened his chances but another bogey on 17 put paid to his title hopes.

“That poor stretch midway through the round cost me the tournament. I three putted the ninth, found the bunker on 10 and got into a water hazard on 11 for those dropped shots. I fought back as hard as I could but it was Wei-chih’s week. He’s playing on his home course and he’s got an advantage on the greens.

“He’s improved his game a lot this year but hopefully, my time will come in the near future,” said Lin, whose consolation was a runner-up cheque of US$47,467.

Big-hitting Barnes turned in 34 for the lead but like many, he struggled after the turn to settle for a share of third place. His hopes evaporated at the par five 13th where he hit his tee shot out of bounds and then three putted.

Australian Pat Giles finished sixth on 288 after closing with a 71 while Chen Yuan-chi of Chinese Taipei and Andrew Pitts of the United States were a further stroke back.

Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant, the Asian Tour Order of Merit leader and this week’s title holder, faded badly with an 81 for tied 35th place on 291.

The Asian Tour moves to Beijing next week for the second edition of the Crowne Plaza Open.

Source – Asian Tour