Asian Tour: Australian Smyth wins first Asian Tour title, as youngest-ever Hsieh makes history

By Matt Smith
Australia’s Travis Smyth was celebrating his first Asian Tour title after a second successive six-under 66 took him home two strokes clear of the field at the Yeangder TPC in Chinese Taipei.

The Australian is still one of the younger players on the tour at 27, and despite his maiden crown, the week belonged to another star half his age.

Smyth’s 19-under total meant he finished ahead of defending champion Lee Chieh-po at Linkou International Golf and Country Club.

Hsieh Cheng-wei. Asian Tour

But local youngster Hsieh Cheng-wei — who on Friday became the youngest male player to make the cut on one of golf’s main professional Tours, aged 14 years and 33 days — was the talk of the tournament, and despite fading over the weekend with rounds of 78 and 74, wrote his name in the history books and can be proud of his achievements.

He beat the previous record set by China’s Guan Tian-lang, set at the 2013 Masters, when he was 14 years and 169 days.

Thailand’s Jazz Janewattananond had held the Asian Tour record having made it through to the weekend at the Asian Tour International in 2010, when he was 14 years and 71 days.