Jbe Kruger wins the Mercuries Taiwan Masters

Jbe Kruger triumphed at the US$1 million Mercuries Taiwan Masters today – for his first victory on the Asian Tour in five years – after an extraordinary weekend of golf, that saw three rounds played, each shotgun starts, as a result of Typhoon Krathon.

The South African beat Korean Jeunghun Wang and Pavit Tangkamolprasert from Thailand by two shots here at Taiwan Golf & Country Club following a gripping finish.

Kruger and Wang, playing in the final group, reached the 18^th tied before the South African made a birdie, from six feet, while the Korean, in trouble off the tee, dropped a shot.

The champion carded a three-under-par 69 to finish the event, which had been reduced to 54 holes, on eight-under. Wang, leader for most of the final day and attempting to win for the first time in seven years, closed with a 73, while Pavit returned a 69.

The extremely poor weather brought by Typhoon Krathon meant no play was possible on Thursday and Friday, meaning there was a strong possibility that the event would be cancelled.

However, with the weather improving considerably the stage was set for a fascinating two days of golf when the tournament’s organisers reverted to a LIV Golf League-style event by playing 54-holes, with each round a shotgun start – a first on the Asian Tour.

The second round finished this morning with Wang carding a 69 for a one-shot lead over Poom Saksansin from Thailand, while Kruger was a shot further back.

Wang, a winner once before on the Asian Tour at the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open in 2016 and trying to win for the first time since returning from National Service two years ago, had a two-stroke cushion over Kruger at the turn.

Kruger, with his wife Denise caddying for him, caught Wang with a birdie on 13, after the Korean made bogey on 12, and then pulled one ahead with a birdie on 15. Kruger then let Wang back in when he dropped a shot on 16 before the crucial two-shot swing on the last.

It’s a timely win for the South African who was in 69^th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit and battling to keep his playing privileges for next year, but he’s moved up to 10^th on the Merit list.

“It means the world,” said 38-year-old Kruger, now a three-time winner on the Asian Tour, having won the Shinhan Donghae Open in 2019 and the 2012 Avantha Masters.

“I did not come here with any form. Not been playing great, so it’s unbelievable. It’s been glory to God. With the typhoon, with everything that has been happening.

“I probably made it as hard as I could on myself. I can’t get it on the fairway, I can’t get it on the green, I am trying to make birdies, and then the last hole I hit it in the fairway finally.”

To make the moment event better he was given the Mercuries Taiwan Masters Green Jacket by his good friend and compatriot Jaco Ahlers – the defending champion, who tied for 10^th.

Thailand’s Chonlatit Chuenboonngam (70) and Rattanon Wannasrichan (71) plus Indian Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (70) tied for fifth, three back from Kruger.

They head to the SJM Macao Open next week, where Australian Min Woo Lee will attempt to defend his title at Macau Golf & Country Club.

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October 06, 2024

Wenyi Ding wins the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship

Today, China won its fifth Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship trophy in Japan, after Wenyi Ding carded a final round 67 in tough conditions!

For Wenyi, it was his maiden triumph at the AAC. Last year, he came close but lost to Jasper Stubbs in the playoff.

“It feels really good. Last year I lost in the playoff and just felt I couldn’t play any better. And this year I got the trophy, it’s amazing,” said Wenyi.


An emotional Wenyi (Photo Credit: AAC). 

Wenyi’s winning score was 12-under-268.

Wenyi with world ranking of 5^th, was one the favorites to win the AAC Trophy and also highest ranked golfer in the field.

Thanks to his win, Wenyi is now exempt for next year’s Masters Tournament, The Open Championship and the R & A Amateur Championship.

Wenyi considers Haotong Li as his golfing inspiration and a brother!

For Wenyi, 2024 has been a great season with two WAGR event victories, finishing third at the Hainan Open (a DP World Tour event) and making his first start on the PGA Tour at the Procore Championship.

"I'm so glad to be able to play in the Procore Championship. I've been longing for a chance to play in a PGA TOUR event,” said Wenyi in September 2024.

Chinese golfers to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship:

Year	Champion
2024	Wenyi Ding
2019	Lin Yuxin
2015	Jim Cheng
2012	Guan Tianlang

(PhotoCredit: AAC).

 

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October 06, 2024 - By Dhruv Trivedi

Nobuhiro Masuda earns his second Senior Tour win

On the final day of the Ultraman Cup, Nobuhiro Masuda carded a 66 to win the event by three strokes.

The Ultraman Cup was Masuda’s second win on the Japanese Senior Tour after the 51-year old earlier, claimed the Sumaida Cup Senior Golf Tournament in 2023.
Masuda’s winning score was 16-under-272.

Did you know? Initially, Masuda’s first love was rugby! As he played rugby on his junior days and was selected for the Japanese high school national rugby team. After completing his school, Masuda was invited from six universities which could help him in making a career in that sport (rugby). But surprisingly, Masuda turned down all the offers and decided to make a career in golf. In his professional golf career, Masuda has one victory on the Japan Golf Tour in 2006, when he won the Yomiuri Open after beating Y.E. Yang.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh finishes 10^th:


Today in Japan, Jeev Milkha Singh had a chance to grab his first win of his Senior Tour career. After Jeev was ranked tied-third following the end of day three. Going into the final day, Jeev was only three shots behind the leader. However on low scoring final day, where majority golfers recorded rounds in the 60s, Jeev carded an even-par 72 to finish tied-10^th in the Ultraman Cup.
It is Jeev’s second top-ten finish of the season in Japan.

Ultraman themed event:

The golfers competing in this event, might have enjoyed the vibe of this particular event. Because it featured a multiple tournament support staff wearing Ultraman suits on the course. Ultraman is a very popular Japanese superhero. Many people, who are reading this article from India, might recall it as the TV show was shown in India for a couple of years.

The Ultraman Cup was played from October 3^rd till 6^th in Japan.

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October 06, 2024 - By Dhruv Trivedi