KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 24: Jeev Milkha Singh was unable to carry on from where he had left on Saturday as he signed off tied 17th at the Maybank Malaysian Open after ending with a third and final round of 68, here today.
Jeev dropped from overnight 10th and finished six shots behind the winner, Thailand’s Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who completed a sensational wire-to-wire victory at the weather-shortened event.
Shiv Kapur, who was even par through seven holes on Saturday, did well to pick up five birdies against no bogeys in the remaining 11 holes and finished with a 67 that saw him finish tied 22nd.
Kiradech overcame a host of stars with a gutsy performance on Sunday. The big-hitting 23-year-old held his nerve for a battling two-under-par 70 to lift his second Asian Tour title by one-shot from Ryder Cup star Edoardo Molinari of Italy, who signed off with a 67, at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
Anders Hansen of Denmark shot a 66 to finish two shots back while 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa settled for tied fourth position following a 71 in the USD 2.75 million championship sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour.
Jeev said, “I had a great start yesterday. I was five-under after 11 holes. I didn’t drive the ball that well in the morning. I bogeyed 12 and had birdie chances coming in but didn’t convert. I was one-over on the back nine and finished 68 which I think is a good round. I shot seven-under for three days. I could have done better but I’m happy.”
He admitted, “The rain suspension did stop a bit of momentum yesterday. Obviously you want to keep it going but that’s Malaysia. You have to get used to it.”
On the season, Jeev said, “I’m playing well and I’m injury free. I’m getting better with my game. I’m improving each week so that’s a positive. If I keep improving every week then a win should be around the corner.”
With a winner’s cheque of USD 458,330, Kiradech jumped to the top of the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit with his season’s haul of USD 594,230. (PTI)
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