Asian Tour Book 2024

KRUGER SENDS THE MERCURY RISING TYPHOON KRATHON FAILS TO BLOW SOUTH AFRICAN OFF COURSE Jbe Kruger [left and right with wife Denise] formed an unbeatable partnership. T hat they would face high winds in Taiwan is a gimme for Asian Tour players. But to be battered by Typhoon Krathon was something else. The deadly storm barrelled through Taiwan packing winds in excess of 130kmph and dumping over 65 inches of rain in two days during the Mercuries Taiwan Masters week. However, the fact that the players still managed to play 54 holes and South African Jbe Kruger was crowned the champion, was a testament to the exceptionally hard work put in by the ground staff of Taiwan Golf and Country Club, and the innovation and determination shown by the tournament officials. With the first two days abandoned and enough lakes forming on the golf course, most players expected no more than 27 holes over the weekend. In the end, three rounds were held with shotgun starts in two days, including two full-field rounds, with the cut falling after 36 holes as per usual. It became a two-man battle between the 38-year-old Kruger and Korea’s Jeunghun Wang. The South African was looking for his first win on the Asian Tour in over five years, while the 2016 AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open champion Wang was looking for his first professional win since returning from National Service two years ago. Kruger, with his wife Denise on the bag, closed with a three-under-par 69 to finish on eight-under-par aggregate. That included a crucial birdie from six feet on the 18th hole that broke the deadlock against Wang (73), who unfortunately made a bogey after a wayward tee shot to fall back for a tied second place with Thailand’s Pavit Tangkamolprasert at six- under-par total. Kruger had started the third and final round two shots behind Wang and made five birdies, three of them coming in the last five holes. Wang made two birdies in his first eight holes to stay ahead but dropped three shots in his last 10 holes. 92 MERCUR I E S TA I WA N MA ST ER S TA I WA N GO L F A N D CO U N T RY C L U B O C TO B E R 3 - 6 | P R I Z E MON E Y: U S $ 1 M I L L I ON