Chinese Taipei, Taipei: Adilson Da Silva 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 Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
The 46-year-old Brazilian, who held a one-shot lead heading into the final round, fired 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 a career-biggest prize of US$170,000. He also became the first Brazilian to win on the Asian Tour since it was inaugurated in 2004.
“This means so much to me,” said Da Silva. “My wife, Althea, and I just welcomed our twin girls three months ago, Sienna and Amelia. My son is nearly five years old now. I guess they just pushed me to do better. I want to do better for them and I did it. They say newborns give you luck. I guess that’s true!
“I really like playing in Asia and it’s so special to win here. The atmosphere is great. The sponsors are great here as well. George Wong, Chairman of the Mercuries Group, has been here the whole week, talking to players every now and then. You don’t see that anywhere else.”
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 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, in what is the longest running full-field event on the Asian Tour.
Despite missing out on his third win of the season, Harding took pride in his commendable result which moved him up two spots to sixth place on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings, led by Indian Shubhankar Sharma, who finished in tied-42nd place.