Asian Tour Yearbook: 2023

adopted a positive outlook and embraced the unique challenges posed by the course who fared best. Among them were in-form Smyth and former DP World Tour regular Drysdale. Smyth, rapidly making a name for himself as a Chinese-Taipei expert following a win and runner-up in the past two editions of the Yeangder TPC, said: “It was extremely difficult. I’m very happy to be under par for the week. That was my goal. “To cap it off with a three-under, I’mvery pleased. I was playing from the rough pretty much every shot – the fairways are like 10 yards wide out here. It is just about managing the ball from the rough best you can.” For Drysdale it was his best finish since progressing via the Asian Tour’s Qualifying School in January. He said: “It was difficult. It’s just a Jaco Ahlers [FAR LEFT], Chikkarangappa S. [LEFT] and David Drysdale [NEAR LEFT] were three of only four players to finish under par. difficult, difficult golf course, but I really enjoyed the challenge. It’s like a cross between Valderrama and the US Open. It’s so easy to make mistakes.” Still chasing his maiden Asian Tour win, Chikka, the joint third-round leader with Korean Taehee Lee, endured another frustrating near miss with bogeys on 13 and 16 proving his downfall, signing off with a 74. He’s now finished second three times, third once, and fourth twice. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic that an elusive breakthrough victory is not too far away. Chikka, who celebrated his 30th birthday on the day of the third round, said: “Honestly, I feel really good. The way I hit the ball and putted, I’m really happy. That was my weakness in the last couple of months, but this week I made every putt when I had to. I think something bigger is waiting for me.” A regular at the Tamsui venue since 2016, Chikka contended that it was the toughest he had seen the rough. “It’s a very, very challenging golf course – and this is the most difficult it’s ever been. It’s tough for everyone and, as you saw, day-by-day it got tougher for everyone. Anything in red was good. “If you missed it around the green or off the tee, it was very punishable, especially with the fairways very narrow. Only a crazy short game can save you!” Although they comfortably missed the cut, two Chinese-Taipei legends who boasted magical short games during their halcyon years – Hsieh Min-nan and ‘TC’ Chen Tze-chung – graced the event that has their names inscribed on the winner’s trophy with their presence. Particularly impressive was former World Cup winner Hsieh. At the age of 83, he broke his own record for being the oldest player to tee off on the Asian Tour, carding a respectable opening 85. IT’S JUST A DIFFICULT GOLF COURSE, BUT I ENJOYED THE CHALLENGE. IT’S LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN VALDERRAMA AND THE US OPEN. IT’S SO EASY TO MAKE MISTAKES. – DAVID DRYSDALE 109 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