Rattanon Wannasrichan of Thailand. Picture by Graham Uden / Asian Tour.
Thailand’s Rattanon Wannasrichan overcame a shaky finish to secure a commanding victory at the US$1 million Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Sunday.
Despite a three-putt bogey on the final hole, Rattanon’s earlier work was enough to seal the win at Taiwan Golf & Country Club. His closing 73 gave him a five-under-par total of 283, one shot clear of compatriot Suradit Yongcharoenchai, who carded a 71.
The demanding course saw only six players finish under par for the week. Suradit briefly caught Rattanon with a spectacular hole-out eagle from 117 yards at the 16th, but the eventual champion responded with a birdie at the par-five 14th to stay ahead. Suradit’s bogey at 17 ended his late charge, leaving him runner-up for the fourth time in his Asian Tour career.
Local favourite Wang Wei-hsuan delighted home fans with a strong finish. Celebrating his 25th birthday on Saturday, Wang closed with a 69 to secure solo third at three-under-par, following up his tied-second place at last week’s Yeangder TPC.
Overnight co-leader Atiruj Winaicharoenchai slipped out of contention after a rough stretch from the ninth to the 14th, eventually signing for a 77. He shared fourth place with compatriots Suteepat Prateeptienchai (68) and Jazz Janewattananond (74).
For Rattanon, the triumph marked his third Asian Tour title and second win in Chinese-Taipei, having lifted the Taifong Open on the Asian Development Tour back in 2015. The victory came just a week after his runner-up finish at the Yeangder TPC, completing a highly successful fortnight on the island.
The 30-year-old from Bangkok admitted he struggled off the tee but credited his mindset for pulling him through. “I was so bad with the driver today, but I kept saving pars. Mentally, I stayed strong. That was the key,” he said. “I didn’t even check the scores until the 17th. Once I saw I had a cushion, I could relax a little.”
The win earned Rattanon US$200,000 and vaulted him from 20th to fourth on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
Suradit, the 2019 champion, was philosophical after his near miss. “It was lucky, but amazing to make eagle on 16,” he said of his highlight shot. “I’m happy with the result.”
Wang, meanwhile, took pride in another home-soil top three. “To come back after a 76 on the first day means a lot,” he said. “Having Mr George Wong and my family following me gave me motivation, even with the pressure. This gives me confidence to secure my Tour card for next season.”
The Asian Tour now heads to Jakarta for the US$2 million Jakarta International Championship, part of The International Series.
Scores after round 4 of the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, being played at Taiwan Golf & Country Club – a par 72, 6,963-yard course (am – denotes amateur):
283 – Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 72-68-70-73.
284 – Suradit Yongcharoenchai (THA) 71-68-74-71.
285 – Wang Wei-hsuan (TWN) 76-70-70-69.
287 – Suteepat Prateeptienchai (THA) 73-72-74-68, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 68-75-70-74, Atiruj Winaicharoenchai (THA) 67-70-73-77.
288 – Poom Saksansin (THA) 74-74-70-70, Liu Yung-hua (TWN) 73-73-71-71.
289 – Sarit Suwannarut (THA) 75-73-74-67, Hung Chao-hsin (TWN) 72-74-71-72, Jeunghun Wang (KOR) 72-69-74-74, Scott Hend (AUS) 71-68-75-75.
290 – Maverick Antcliff (AUS) 76-70-73-71, Chen Yi-tong (TWN) 72-71-74-73, Kevin Yuan (AUS) 73-75-69-73, Poosit Supupramai (THA) 72-73-71-74, Ahmad Baig (PAK) 75-68-71-76.
291 – Micah Shin (USA) 76-72-75-68, Bjorn Hellgren (SWE) 74-73-74-70, Travis Smyth (AUS) 75-71-74-71, Huang Yi-tseng (TWN) 74-73-73-71, Jaco Ahlers (RSA) 75-70-72-74.
292 – Gunn Charoenkul (THA) 75-74-74-69, Eduard Rousaud (ESP) 75-72-74-71, Austen Truslow (USA) 75-73-73-71, Jose Toledo (GTM) 75-74-71-72, M.J. Maguire (USA) 74-72-69-77, Nitithorn Thippong (THA) 73-70-70-79.
293 – Warun Ieamgaew (THA) 73-74-76-70, Ryan Peake (AUS) 77-69-76-71, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 75-74-72-72, Hung Chien-yao (TWN) 77-72-70-74.
294 – Hsieh Ting-wei (TWN) 72-77-75-70, Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (THA) 75-72-74-73, Tsai Shang-kai (TWN) 72-73-74-75, Charng-Tai Sudsom (THA) 74-73-72-75.
295 – Gabriele De Barba (ITA) 72-71-80-72, Christopher Hickman (USA) 76-68-74-77.
296 – Ho Yu-cheng (TWN) 79-70-75-72, Ervin Chang (MAS) 73-76-73-74, George Kneiser (USA) 70-75-75-76.
297 – Liu Yu-jui (TWN) 75-71-74-77.
298 – Yuvraj Sandhu (IND) 74-74-76-74, Danthai Boonma (THA) 73-75-76-74, Itthipat Buranatanyarat (THA) 71-76-76-75, Shunichiro Morioka (JPN) 75-73-74-76, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 76-70-75-77.
300 – Hsieh Chi-hsien (TWN) 75-73-79-73, Tsai Tsung-yu (TWN) 72-73-81-74, Su Ching-hung (TWN) 75-73-76-76.
301 – Joel Stalter (FRA) 71-78-77-75, Justin Quiban (PHI) 77-72-77-75, Ekpharit Wu (THA) 74-73-77-77.
303 – Nick Voke (NZL) 72-72-81-78, Takumi Murakami (JPN) 74-74-77-78.
311 – Jonathan Wijono (INA) 75-74-84-78.
