Miaoli, Chinese Taipei: Shiv Kapur of India ended an 12-year wait for a second Asian Tour title when he claimed a convincing victory at the inaugural Yeangder Heritage on Sunday.

 

"This win means a lot to me. Honestly it hasn’t sunk in yet because I’m still in a bit of a daze. It has been a frustrating last couple of years so it is nice to be back where I belong. There are so many good talents on the Asian Tour and it is getting harder and harder to win each year. To win the way I did is just very satisfying."

 

  Kapur is the third Indian player to win in Chinese Taipei since 2004

 

The 35-year-old Kapur fired with a sparkling eight-under-par 64 highlighted by eight birdies – five of which came in his closing seven holes – to emerge victorious at the US$300,000 Asian Tour event. Kapur birdied the par-five 13th hole for four consecutive days. During the week, he shot 22 birdies against six bogeys. He earned US$54,000 for his victory. His final round eight-under-par 64 was the low round score of the week.

 

"There is a certain calmness on the golf course. It think that helped me and it also helped because I was not playing in the last group. That gave me an opportunity to just go and make birdies. I looked at the leaderboard on the 17th hole and I was already 15-under and two ahead. I came close on 17 and hit a great drive and second shot on the 18th hole. I had a downhill seven feet birdie putt on the last and made that. I can look back and say I did this right but you need some luck to win."

 

With a winning total of 16-under-par 272, Kapur defeated Malaysian rising star Gavin Green (67) and overnight leader Yikeun Chang of Korea (68) by two shots at the National Golf Country Club. 

 

Green was bogey-free for the second consecutive day. This is his second runner-up finish since the Hero Indian Open in March. He birdied the 18th hole from inside 10-feet and the second place finish which was worth US$25,950 moved him to fourth place on the Order of Merit.

 

Green stated "There’s nothing to be disappointed. Not at all. I was bogey-free again so I cannot complain. I made a couple of big saves and holed some but Shiv (Kapur) played well. He has experience, he’s been there be for. Hats off to him. I’m happy the way I handled the pressure in the final group and being able what to do and what to expect. I had a lot of fun playing with Miguel (Tabuena) and Yikeun (Chang). We were all feeding off each other. There’s nothing to be disappointed with a second place result." He added "Experience has to play a huge part in Shiv’s win. All you can do is learn. I played with him in the third round and he hit the ball really good."

 

Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand carded a 67 to end his campaign in fourth place while Poom Saksansin (68) and Miguel Tabuena (68) of the Philippines finished a further shot back in fifth place.

 

Kapur, who won the 2002 Asian Games individual gold medal in Korea, started the final round two shots back of the lead but a hot homeward stretch earned him a well-deserved victory.

 

Watch Yeangder Heritage's winner, Shiv Kapur's exclusive interview here: