Tamsui: Gavin Green of Malaysia shed the bridesmaid tag by winning his first Asian Tour title at the Taiwan Masters yesterday, and dedicated the win to his late grandfather.
After finishing runner-up three times this year, Green closed with a one-under-par 71 to pull off a two-shot victory at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club.
He finished with a winning total of nine-under-par 279 to defeat his closest challengers Adilson Da Silva (69) of Brazil, Scott Vincent (70) of Zimbabwe, Keith Horne (71) of South Africa and overnight leader Juvic Pagunsan (74) of the Philippines. Thailand's Danthai Boonma shot a closing 72 to finish sixth on five-under-par 283.
Compatriot Suradit Yongcharoenchai (70) was two further strokes back at joint seventh alongside Indian duo of Gaganjeet Bhullar (70) and Arjun Atwal ((71) and Malaysia's Ben Leong (74).
Green was delighted to taste success and overcome the heartbreak in South Korea where he finished second and was later informed that his grandfather, Gerald Green, passed away after a heart-attack.
He made amends at the Taiwan Masters where he was tied at one point with Vincent and Horne. But as his competitors faded, the young Malaysian birdied the 16th hole and closed with two pars to cruise to victory.
The big-hitting Malaysian took home US$160,000 (approximately 530,000 million baht) for his victory and overtook Scott Hend of Australia as the Order of Merit leader. "It is a bit overwhelming. My grandfather played a huge part in my life and he wanted to see me win. His death pushed me to try harder and win. He was definitely with me today."
