Kuala Lumpur, Nov 10 (IANS): Golfer Masaru Takahashi cruised to his first victory on the Asian Development Tour (ADT) when he closed with a two-under-par 69 at the PGM MIDF KLGCC Masters here Sunday.
Takahashi, only the second Japanese to win on ADT, defeated Malaysia's top ranked golfer Nicholas Fung, who shot a 69, by three shots with an 11-under-par 273 total at the $65,000 event.
Singapore's Koh Deng Shan, Ireland's Niall Turner and Shaaban Hussin of Malaysia shared third on 279 after signing for rounds of 69, 72 and 74 respectively at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club's east course.
Chinese Taipei's Lee Cho-chuan returned with the lowest round of 66 to finish sixth while another four players, including first round co-leader Iylia Jamil of Malaysia, were tied at seventh at the penultimate ADT tournament of the season.
Takahashi, who traded five birdies and three bogeys, was delighted to cap a magical week.
"I'm really very happy with my first ever professional win today. I've waited so long for it. My putting was great and I've played very consistently the whole week. I hope to claim more wins in future," said the 27-year-old.
Takahashi took home a prize purse of $10,812 and six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. He currently sits in 13th position on the ADT Order of Merit.
Leaderboard:
273 - Masaru Takahashi (JPN) 66-70-68-69
276 - Nicholas Fung (MAS) 69-71-67-69
279 - Koh Deng Shan (SIN) 71-66-73-69, Niall Turner (IRE) 68-67-72-72, Shaaban Hussin (MAS) 69-69-67-74
282 - Lee Cho-chuan (TWN) 68-73-75-66
284 - Malcolm Kokocinski (SWE) 75-72-69-68, Wittawat Sae-Ung (THA) 73-70-73-68, Mohd Iylia Jamil (MAS) 66-74-74-70, Somsak Kaopratum (THA) 70-74-69-71
285 - James Byrne (SCO) 74-74-68-69, Pavit Tangkamolprasert (THA) 68-73-72-72, Airil Rizman Zahari (MAS) 73-70-70-72