Asian Tour Yearbook: 2023

JOY FOR JACO AT TESTING TAMSUI SOUTH AFRICAN CLAIMS MAIDEN ASIAN TOUR WIN Jaco Ahlers [RIGHT] became the first South African to win the Mercuries Taiwan Masters. F or decades, the Taiwan Golf & Country Club’s narrow, tree-lined fairways, deep rough and tricky greens have tested both the skill and patience of the Asian Tour’s finest. The venerable Tamsui layout’s reputation as a battle of survival was further enhanced in 2023 as players struggled to stay on the straight and narrow at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters – and keep big numbers off their scorecards. Although measuring slightly less than 7,000 yards, making it one of the shorter courses on the schedule, testament to the degree of difficulty was the fact that only four players completed the 72-hole tournament in red figures – signifying a score under par. At the end of a bruising and chastening week in the 37th edition of Chinese Taipei’s richest golf tournament, it was experienced South African Jaco Ahlers who was the last man standing. Thanks to a gutsy final-round three- under-par 69, the 40-year-old captured his maiden Asian Tour title. His four-day tally of four-under 284 was the highest winning score of the year on the Asian Tour – one shot ahead of Indian Chikkarangappa S. with Australian Travis Smyth and Scotsman David Drysdale in joint third, the only other players to better par. “It was tough. It was a grind, but I’m very glad to be standing here with the trophy,” said Ahlers, an 11-time winner on his home Sunshine Tour who himself has a reputation for performing well at demanding courses. “This means a lot to me. I’m feeling comfortable here now. I said to a friend last week that I feel like I can win on this Tour. So, there we go. I just tried to keep it in play and make a few birdies,” added Ahlers, the first South African to win the event. Three strokes off the lead at the start of the final round and playing in the third from last pairing with his brother Hein acting as his caddie, Ahlers made his move on the back nine with birdies on 12, 14 and 15. With his nearest challengers unable to close the gap, Ahlers could afford the luxury of dropping a shot on 16, Led by Ahlers, it was the players who 107 MERCUR I E S TA I WA N MA ST ER S TA I WA N GO L F & CO U N T RY C L U B | S E P T EM B E R 2 8 - O C TO B E R 1 , 2 0 2 3 | P R I Z E MON E Y U S $ 1 M I L L I ON