Tamsui, Chinese Taipei, 02-10-2022

Rashid Khan loses out to local lad Chan Shih-chang in a playoff, takes runner-up spot at Mercuries Taiwan Masters

Veer Ahlawat finishes tied eighth, Shiv Kapur is tied 10th

India's Rashid Khan lost out in a playoff to local lad Chan Shih-chang to take the runner-up spot at the US$1million Mercuries Taiwan Masters on Sunday. Rashid however, went down after a titanic battle with Chan.

The Chinese-Taipei star beat Khan on the second hole of a sudden-death play-off at Taiwan Golf and Country Club, incredibly, after coming from three shots behind with four to play before making birdie three times on the par-four 18th.

A brilliant nine-foot birdie putt saw him secure the title, after Khan had missed his birdie attempt from 20 feet, while Chan holed a 21-foot putt for birdie on the first extra hole, before Khan made his from two feet. Chan sensationally forced the play-off when he holed a nine-foot birdie putt on the 72nd hole as Khan agonisingly missed his birdie chance from six feet. 

Both players carded four-under-par 68s to finish on 15 under and beat the previous best tournament total – set by Chinese-Taipei’s Tsai Chi-huang in 2002 – by one shot.

Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman and Sarit Suwannarut from Thailand were tied for third, six shots back after both carded 71s.

Two-time Asian Tour winner Khan was in search of his first Asian Tour title in eight years, with both of his previous successes coming in 2014, at the SAIL-SBI Open in India, and the Chiangmai Golf Classic, in Thailand.

He had a one-shot lead at the turn and after birdies on 10 and 13 he looked a safe bet for the title.  

“It was going really well, just that I knew the last four holes are crucial,” said Khan, who also three-putted the par-five 15th having reached the green in two.

“I hit a good shot on the 15th hole, but I ended up missing it on the side of the green where I haven't practiced. And I had no idea about the read at all. So, I three putted and that’s where you know … because last two holes are not so easy to play. 

“On the 17th hole I got a little hurried, hit a good shot and I thought it's gonna be fine on the left side of the green, but it ended up being just over the bunker in the rough. And you know, I thought the green is slow from the front, but it wasn’t, and I missed it like 15 feet past the pin.”

The other Indians to finish in the top-10 were Veer Ahlawat who was tied eighth at six-under 282 and Shiv Kapur who finished tied 10th at five-under 283.

SSP Chawrasia and Aman Raj took tied 15th place at three-under 285.

Source: Asian Tour

Pictures: Asian Tour