Chinese Taipei: Chinese Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao proved his rising star credentials when he shot a one-over-par 72 to successfully retain his title at the 14th ADT Chang Hwa Open on Sunday.

The talented 21-year-old topped the class with a winning total of 10-under-par 274 for his first Asian Development Tour (ADT) victory at the Chang Hwa Golf Club.

The 14th ADT Chang Hwa Open, which was previously staged regularly on the local circuit, had come on board the fledging ADT schedule for the first time this season. It was not held in 2012.

Local amateur Liu Yu-jui, who took a share of the lead in the first two rounds, battled to a 70 to settle for second place on 277 at the US$120,000 event, which is the richest tournament on the ADT schedule this season.

Compatriot Lien Chi-wei finished one shot back in third while Canadian Lindsay Renolds (71), Australian Jake Stirling (68), Chinese Taipei’s Lin Kuan-po (69) and Lin Wen-hong (70) shared fourth place on 279.

Hung’s victory will serve as a good confidence booster when he challenges for his first Asian Tour title in India next week.

“This is my third win on home soil this year. I’m really happy with my win although I didn’t perform well today. I think I played too conservatively. My putting was not as good and I wasn’t as lucky as I was in the first three rounds,” said Hung, who mixed his card with two birdies against three bogeys.

“I feel that I’m playing more like a professional golfer now. I am not as nervous as I am when I was still an amateur. This win boosted my confidence a lot. It’s going to be a difficult course in India next week but I’ll try my best,” added Hung.

Hung took home the winner’s prize purse of US$21,000 and six Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points. He currently sits in sixth position on the ADT Order of Merit.

Liu, who was in contention for most of the week, relied on meditation to keep him focussed.

“I started doing meditations like half a year ago. I spend about 30 minutes meditating every day. I think it really helps me. I am more composed and I don’t get nervous easily. That helped a lot especially when I’m in contention!” said Liu.

“This is my best performance since I started playing golf. I think I was really lucky this week but it was all good experience playing with the professionals out there. It gives me a chance to see where I stand among the professionals too,” added the 22-year-old.

Lien will be setting his eyes on an Asian Tour card for next year after a good performance this week.

“I’m very happy with my round today. I got nervous in the last two rounds though but it has been a good week. I’ll be preparing for the Asian Tour Qualifying School in the next few weeks. Hopefully I can secure my card for 2014,” said Lien.

The top three players on the ADT Order of Merit at the end of the season will secure playing rights on the premier Asian Tour for 2014.

It is the second ADT event to be held in Chinese Taipei this year, following the Ballantine’s Taiwan Championship which was held earlier in August.

All ADT events receive Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points starting this year. Winners on the ADT will receive a minimum of six world ranking points while the top six players and ties will earn points based on a sliding scale.

For more information on the ADT, please visit www.asiandevelopmenttour.com.

Leading final round scores:

274 – HUNG Chien-yao (TWN) 67-70-65-72

277 – LIU Yu-jui (A) (TWN) 66-70-65-72

278 – LIEN Chi-wei (TWN) 69-67-72-70

279 – Jake STIRLING (AUS) 73-70-68-68, LIN Kuan-po (TWN) 72-71-67-69, LIN Wen-hong (TWN) 68-70-71-70, Lindsay RENOLDS (CAN) 73-71-64-71

280 – TSAI Chi-huang (TWN) 70-69-69-72

281 – CHAN Yih-shin (TWN) 70-71-70-70

282 – LU Wei-chih (TWN) 72-71-69-70, LIEN Lu-sen (TWN) 74-68-71-69, Daniel BRINGOLF (AUS) 72-70-69-71, CHAN Shih-chang (TWN) 74-68-68-72