Tamsui, Chinese Taipei: Gavin Green shed his bridesmaid tag by winning his first Asian Tour title at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. He dedicated the win to his late grandfather.
After finishing runner-up three times this year, the Malaysian 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, South African Keith Horne (71) and overnight leader Juvic Pagunsan (74) of the Philippines.
Green suffered recent heartbreak on and off the golf course, finishing second in Korea and then learning that his grandfather, Gerald Green, had passed away from a heart attack.
Late during the final round at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters he was tied with Vincent and Horne. But the young Malaysian held his nerve as he birdied 16 from six feet and closed with two pars.
Green took home a prize of US$160,00 and overtook Scott Hend of Australia as the Order of Merit leader.
He said: “It is a bit overwhelming. Part of it is because my grandfather played a huge part in my life and he wanted to see me win. I told everybody earlier this week that it would be huge if I won this week for him.
“A lot of good players in the top-five were so close. Everybody was close until the end. We were all trying to push each other. It is a huge deal that the win came at this point in time. It will not come at a better time even though mum and dad are not here. They are busing helping grandma.
“When I got to 16 I thought of playing the safe game but my caddie and I decided to stick to the game plan and got up and down for birdie. That was a huge birdie.
“The defeat in Korea was hard on me. I was trying so hard but this is the game of golf. You can’t force it. After my grandad passed, I knew the win might happen this week or within this year. Before his death I didn’t think it will come this year.
“He really wanted to see me win and I really tried to win it for him in Korea. I didn’t and he passed away. It was tough because he was in Malaysia. I think his death pushed me to try harder and win. He was definitely with me today.”