Watford defender Adrian Mariappa made a sharp clearance after Loach had spilled a Taarabt free-kick, while Taarabt played a superb cut-back that picked out Faurlin, who had time to place his shot but wastefully drilled his effort over from 14 yards as the opening half ended goalless.
The 2010 British Open champion won by two shots from Tjaart Van der Walt with another South African Retief Goosen in third place, a further shot behind.