Taipei: Adilson Da Silva of Brazil claimed a long-awaited victory on the Asian Tour after closing with a third consecutive two-under-par 70 to win by one shot at the Taiwan Masters yesterday.
The 46-year-old Da Silva, who held a one-shot lead heading into the final round, fired three birdies on the third, seventh and 13th holes before dropping a shot on the last for a winning total of seven-under-par 281 in the US$850,000 event.
Da Silva, who started playing on Tour after coming through the Qualifying School in 2011, earned US$170,000, the biggest purse of his career. He also became the first Brazilian to win on the region's premier Tour since it was inaugurated in 2004.
"This means so much to me. I really like playing in Asia and it's so special to win here," said Da Silva.
"I ignored everything else and managed to do my thing. I hit my tee shots very well. I gave myself chances with my approach shots. It's very difficult to stop the ball on the greens but I kept it in play."
Local hero Lin Wen-tang signed for a 70 to share second place with American Berry Henson, who posted a 69, at the fabled Taiwan Golf and Country Club, which is celebrating its centennial year in 2018.
Qualifying school graduate Joo Heung-Chol of South Korea marked his best result so far this season after battling to a 72 to sit in fourth place alongside South African Justin Harding, who closed with a 72.
Jazz Janewattananond, who hit a 75, was the best-placed Thai at tied 19th after finishing on one-under 287.
The top 10 and top four players (not otherwise exempt) on the Habitat for Humanity standings, as of Oct 7, will qualify for the $7 million CIMB Classic and $10 million WGC-HSBC Champions staged in Malaysia and China respectively.
