Sentosa, Singapore, October 1: You would typically associate Brazil with footballers, formula one drivers and volleyball players, but evident from Adilson Da Silva’s winning feat at the Mercuries Taiwan Masters, the country can produce champion golfers as well.

The 46-year-old Da Silva, who started playing on Tour since 2011, finally made a breakthrough at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club on Sunday.

In doing so, he has written his name into the record books by becoming the first Brazilian to win a tournament on Asia’s premier circuit since the Tour’s inauguration in 2004.

“This victory means so much to me,” summarised Da Silva, who always has a special place for Asia in his heart.

“I really like playing in Asia and it’s so special to win here. The atmosphere and the sponsors here are great! Mr George Wong, Chairman of the Mercuries Group, has been here the whole week, talking to players every now and then. You don’t see that anywhere else and I think it’s just wonderful to see,” he added.

Da Silva was in a bit of rut in the first half of 2018, missing six consecutive cuts at the start of the season. He finally turned his game around a fortnight ago at the Asia-Pacific Diamond Cup, where he finished tied-ninth.

The Brazilian joins an international cast on this year’s list of champions. To date, golfers from 11 nationalities have won on the Asian Tour in 2018, highlighting the Tour’s global influence and appeal.

Following his victory in Chinese Taipei, Da Silva shot up 49 places to 16th on the Asian Tour Habitat for Humanity Standings. He is now in the running to qualify for the US$7million CIMB Classic.

Shubhankar Sharma of India

India’s Shubhankar Sharma remains at the pinnacle of the Habitat for Humanity Standings with his total earnings of US$$608,494, but in-form golfers such as Korean Sanghyun Park, Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent and South African Justin Harding are closing down on the leader.

The top-10 and top-four players (not otherwise exempt) on the Habitat for Humanity Standings will qualify for the US$7million CIMB Classic and US$10 million WGC-HSBC Champions staged in Malaysia and China respectively.

The cut-off date for both events will be upon the conclusion of the US$500,000 Yeangder Tournament Players Championship in Chinese Taipei, which will be happening this week.

Top-20 players on the Habitat for Humanity Standings

Pos         Player   Order of Merit (US$)

1            Shubhankar SHARMA (IND) $608,494

2            Sanghyun PARK (KOR) $550,612

3            Matt WALLACE (ENG) $446,660

4            Scott VINCENT (ZIM) $414,518

5            Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) $397,877

6            Justin HARDING (RSA) $376,348

7            Kiradech APHIBARNRAT (THA) $372,481

8            Yuta IKEDA (JPN) $338,671

9            Rahil GANGJEE (IND) $296,889

10          Sihwan KIM (USA) $279,624

11          Minchel CHOI (KOR) $278,991

12          John CATLIN (USA) $257,572

13          Berry HENSON (USA) $245,311

14          Paul PETERSON (USA) $241,149

15          Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) $239,502

16          Adilson DA SILVA (BRA) $217,040

17          Shaun NORRIS (RSA) $194,803

18          Prom MEESAWAT (THA) $171,789

19          Danthai BOONMA (THA) $170,590

20          Kurt KITAYAMA (USA) $164,305