South African rookie Norris wins Asian Tour event in Taiwan

REUTERS – South African Shaun Norris won his first Asian Tour title after firing a closing four-under-par 68 to overhaul Filipino Miguel Tabuena and claim the weather-truncated Tournament Players Championship in Taiwan on Sunday.

Norris battled through windy conditions at the Linkou International Golf and Country Club to edge overnight leader Tabuena (73) by two shots and claim the $500,000 tournament that was reduced to 54 holes after bad weather on Friday.

“Words can’t describe how I feel with this win. I’ve been playing well as of late and I wanted to win something in Asia so this is a dream come true,” said the 33-year-old Asian Tour rookie, who battled through qualifying school in January.

“I always joke with my family and friends that I play better in the worst conditions. I think it makes me concentrate more. I probably focus more.”

Norris picked up five birdies in his opening seven holes to overtake the 20-year-old Filipino and could afford a bogey at the par five last, following a poor chip, as he sealed victory with a 12-under total of 204.

Tabuena always lurked on Sunday but three costly back nine bogeys meant more heartache in Taiwan after he lost last year’s title in a playoff against Thailand’s Prom Meesawat.

“How many times do I have to finish second? It is frustrating but I’m still happy with the way I played,” he said.

“There will be a win for me in the future. I’m still proud of myself.”

(Writing by Patrick Johnston in Singapore; editing by Amlan Chakraborty)