TAIPEI, October 9, 2011 (AFP) - A nine-foot birdie putt on the final hole secured victory at home for Taiwan's Lu Wei-chih in the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship (TPC) on Sunday.
Lu posted a final round three-under-par 69 for a four-day total of five-under-par 283 to win his second Asian Tour title -- after a six year wait.
His victory denied compatriot Lu Wen-teh the opportunity to become the second oldest winner in the history of the Asian Tour at 48 years and 225 days.
Wen-teh closed with a 73 to take second place on 284 while Mars Pucay of the Philippines signed off with a 74 to take third place.
Australia's Adam Groom posted a 72 to share fourth place with Taiwan's Lin Wen-tang and Kao Shang-hung on 287.
Starting the day five shots off the lead, Wei-chih made his move quickly with a flawless outward-nine that was highlighted by birdies on holes one, four and nine.
He reached the turn in 33 and continued the momentum with another birdie on the par-five 10th at the Linkou International Golf Club.
It then turned into a battle of youth verus experience as Wei-chih and Wen-teh went head-to-head right up till the 18th hole.
"The winning feeling is second to none and it's even sweeter when you win at home," said Wei-chih.
"That birdie on the last hole was exceptionally crucial. I knew that it was not over as Wen-teh still had a chance to force a play-off with two more holes to play. But as he could only manage pars, I'm happy that I won."
Wen-teh, 16 years older than Wei-chih, was gracious in defeat.
"Wei-chih is a deserving winner and I want to congratulate him. When the putts just couldn't drop for birdies on the last two holes, I knew that I'll have to wait for another week to have a shot at winning again," said Wen-teh.
Leading scores after the final round of the Yeangder Tournament Players Championship on Sunday:
283 - Lu Wei-chih (TPE) 70-73-71-69.
284 - Lu Wen-teh (TPE) 70-70-71-73.
286 - Mars Pucay (PHI) 70-71-71-74.
287 - Kao Shang-hung (TPE) 75-72-73-67, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 70-74-73-70, Adam Groom (AUS) 71-73-71-72.
288 - Chan Shih-chang (TPE) 72-67-70-79.
289 - Zaw Moe (MYN) 72-71-78-68, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 70-77-74-68, Lu Tze-shyan (TPE) 71-71-78-69, Ben Fox (USA) 73-73-71-72.
290 - Namchok Tantipokhakul (THA) 69-75-73-73, Jonathan Moore (USA) 70-77-70-73, Chen Hao-sen (TPE) 69-72-75-74, Hsieh Tung-shu (TPE) 72-70-73-75.