Miaoli, Chinese Taipei: Shiv Kapur ended an 11-year and four months wait for a second Asian Tour title when he claimed a convincing victory at the inaugural Yeangder Heritage.
The 35-year-old Indian fired a sparkling eight-under-par 64 highlighted by eight birdies – five of which came in his closing seven holes – to emerge victorious at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.
With a total of 16-under-par 272, Kapur defeated Malaysian Gavin Green (67) and overnight leader Chang Yik-eun of Korea (68) by two shots at the National Golf Country Club.
Kapur, who won the 2002 Asian Games individual gold medal in Korea, started the final round two shots back of the lead but a hot homeward stretch earned him a well-deserved victory.
Kapur said: “This win means a lot to me. It’s been a frustrating last couple of years so it is nice to be back where I belong. There are so many good talents on the Asian Tour and it is getting harder and harder to win each year. To win the way I did is very satisfying.
“I really struggled last year. I came back from a liver surgery in September and was lying on a hospital bed. It was frustrating because I couldn’t play. Now I’ve come back after six months and to win the way I did is satisfying. When you are away from the game, it gives you doubts about yourself, especially when things are not going your way. This win comes at the right time.
“It has been a long time since I won on the Asian Tour. It has been such a long wait but you tend to appreciate it more. You will have questions and doubts from yourself and other people but I answered those questions more to myself than anybody else with this win.”
Rattanon Wannasrichan carded a 67 to end his campaign in fourth place while fellow-Thai Poom Saksansin (68) and Miguel Tabuena (68) of the Philippines finished a further shot back in fifth place.