Shiv Kapur ended with a modest one-under 71 to finish tied 31st at Volvo China Open here today even as Wu Ashun became the first Chinese to win a European Tour event on home soil when he held off a spirited challenge from England's David Howell.
Kapur, who started the day in tied 47th place, looked set to make a good improvement as he opened with two birdies in first three holes. He gave one shot back on sixth and had eight other pars to come to the 12th at one-under.
A birdie on 13th and bogey on 14th saw him end with a 71 and a total of even par 288.
Wu, 29, shot a closing round of 71 at Tomson Shanghai Pudong Golf Club to finish on nine under par for the week, one shot ahead of Howell, who missed an eight foot par putt on the last which would have forced a play-off.
Wu, who primarily plies his trade on the Japan Golf Tour but now has full playing privileges in The Race to Dubai, becomes the third Chinese player to triumph on The European Tour, following in the footsteps of Liang Wen-chong (2007) and Zhang Wen-lei (2003).
Both Liang's and Zhang's victories came in Singapore, and following Li Hao-tong's agonising near miss in last week's Shenzhen International, Wu's win will now see the 29 year old enter the history books.
Defending champion Alex Levy finished in a tie for third place on seven under par alongside Thai ace Prom Meesawat and Argentine Emiliano Grillo, whose title challenge faltered with a double bogey at the par three 17th hole, where his tee shot found the water.
Wu Ashun said, "It's a wonderful day today. Everyone knew the course was playing very tough today, but I played very well today and I really enjoyed it.
"It's been a wonderful week with wonderful weather, and I'd like to thank everybody for coming out and supporting me. Winning my national Open is very special, and I'm very excited about the rest of the season. I have many friends here with me this week, and they helped me a lot and encouraged me to play well.
