THAILAND, Mar 31: Digvijay Singh, who was in contention through the first half of the week, was unable to weather the amazing final round from Australia’s Scott Hend, as the Indian finished tied 10th at the inaugural Chiangmai Golf Classic, here.
Hend charged from six-shots back to win the title by three strokes. He shot a stunning eight-under-par 64 in the final round, just as newcomer Bryan Easton of South Africa (64) did, but Hend’s earlier good work in the week carried the day for him.
Digvijay (71) slipped to 10th after being in top-5 for the first three rounds. Digvijay totaled 13-under 275, while Gaganjeet Bhullar, who had a stunning 65 on third day just could not get going and faltered with a one-over 73 with two double bogeys to drop to tied 26th.
Shiv Kapur (70) stayed at his overnight tied 26th.
Anirban Lahiri (68) was the only Indian to move up from tied 26th to 14th at 12-under, while Himmat Rai (75) also slipped down to tied 45.
“I didn’t putt very well, missed a short one on eight and missed a par save on nine. Missed a few short putts. Didn’t feel good with the putting. My putting speed was out. My line reading was a bit out. Still, overall a good week. Quite happy with how I held myself on the course,” Digvijay said.
Big-hitting Hend earned his third Asian Tour title in front of large crowds at the Alpine Golf Resort-Chiangmai, taking home the winner’s cheque of USD 135,000 with his four-day total of 20-under-par 268.
Easton, playing in his first Asian Tour event, also shot a 64 to take second place while a faltering Prayad Marksaeng of Thailand, who led by five overnight, settled for third on 272 after a day to forget when he soared to a 74 in the USD 750,000 full-field Asian Tour tournament.
China’s Hu Mu continued as he took fourth place following a 68 as he posted his first top-five finish on the region’s premier Tour which is celebrating its milestone 10th season in 2013. (PTI)
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