Asian Tour Yearbook - 2022

105 M E R C U R I E S TA I WA N M A S T E R S TAIWAN GO LF AND COUNTRY C LUB | S E PTEMB E R 29 – OC TOB E R 2 , 2022 | P R IZE MON E Y US$1 M I LLI ON showdown on the last – in what is the nation’s most lucrative golf tournament as organisers generously increased the overall purse to US$1 million. “This is my first time playing in the final group in my many years of playing in this tournament. I just kept telling myself to stay calm and stick to my game plan and stay positive out there,” he added. Remarkably, it was Chan’s fifth victory on the Asian Tour and third in 10 months: he won the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship at the end of November in 2021, which was the Asian Tour’s first event back after a near two-year break caused by the COVID-19 pandemic; and he won in Thailand again in 2022 at the Royal’s Cup in February. He was also victorious in the King’s Cup in Thailand in 2016 and two months later the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup in Japan. Chan had tied third in the Mercuries event in 2021 and equal second the year before, when on both occasions the event wasn’t on the Asian Tour schedule because of travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. The win also maintained his one hundred percent record in play-offs, having won two on the Asian Development Tour and one on the Taiwan PGA circuit. Two-time Asian Tour winner Khan was in search of his first Asian Tour title in eight years, with both of his previous successes coming in 2014, at the SAIL-SBI Open in India, and the Chiangmai Golf Classic, in Thailand. He had a one-shot lead at the turn and after a birdie on 10 and 13 he looked a safe bet for the title. “It was going really well, just that I knew the last four holes are crucial,” said Khan, who also three-putted the par-five 15th having reached the green in two. “I hit a good shot on the 15th hole, but I ended up missing it on the side of the green where I haven't practiced. And I had no idea about the read at all. So, I three putted and that’s where you know … because last two holes are not so easy to play. Rahman, who last won on the Asian Tour at the Hero Indian Open in 2013, was thrilled with his best finish for some time. He said: “Oh, it was a wonderful day, I just couldn't putt well today, rest of the game was excellent. Just because of putting I couldn't make a better score, but, overall, I'm happy about my round.” The result ensured he was able to keep his playing privileges for the new season. “That's a big relief for me because I was really struggling from the beginning of this year. I mean, and now I just finished tied third, so I think I have secured my card for next year. Definitely, I will be able to play without tension,” he added. Defending champion Wang Wei-hsiang from Chinese-Taipei, whose brother won Wang Wei-hsuan won in 2020, picked up where he left off by taking the first-round lead but eventually finished in joint 10th place. Chan Shih-chang receives the trophy from George Wong, Chairman of Mercuries Group (FAR LEFT). Siddikur Rahman (ABOVE) produced one of his best performances in many seasons. Defending champion Wand Wei- hsiang (RIGHT) led after day one but eventually finished joint 10th. It was going really well, just that I knew the last four holes are crucial. -RASHID KHAN