Two bogeys on the last four holes cost Arjun Singh his first Asian PGA
title, as he finished second in the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia. He
lost out to Korean teenager Kevin Na by two strokes at Kota Permai Golf and
Country Club.
The inaugural Volvo Masters of Asia, also saw the crowning of Jyoti Randhawa
as the Asian number one. He became the first Indian winner of the Order of
Merit title in the eight-year history of the Asian PGA circuit.
Arjun Singh said: "I knew I needed birdie on 18 but I hit a bad drive into
the bunker. On my approach, I had 120 yards to the pin and to get it close,
the ball had to pitch just over the greenside bunker. My approach was just a
bit short as it found its way in the trap and I then somehow missed that par
putt which cost me a bit of money.
"But I'm still happy to finish tied second as I gave myself a shot of
winning the Volvo Masters of Asia. I'm sure this experience will help me in
the future."
For Kevin Na, it was the first year as a pro on the Davidoff Tour and it
produced a title for him. He carded a closing round of six-under-par 66 to
win the US$90,000 top prize ahead of overnight co-leaders Arjun Singh of
India and South African Craig Kamps, who were in a four-way tie for the
second place with Simon Yates of Scotland and Korea's Anthony Kang. The
quartet finished two shots behind Na, who totalled 16-under 272.
Na gave credit to his 50-year-old father Yong Na, who caddied for him the
whole of this season. "After a third round 71, I was three back but my dad
said that we still had a chance. He said if I shot 66 in the final round, I
would win."
Na, who ended the year in fourth place on the Order of Merit with
US$171,573, felt he would be forced into a play-off when he missed an
eight-foot birdie attempt at the 18th. "At worst, I thought I'll be in a
play-off but Arjun still had to play 17 which is not an easy hole to birdie
and the pin on 18 was tucked as well." The young Korean had posted five
top-10s in eight
Na, who trains under Tiger Wood's former coach Butch Harmon, made the turn
in two under after three birdies against a lone bogey. Then, he caught fire
with four consecutive birdies from the 10th hole to take the lead and parred
home to finish at 16-under.
He waited anxiously in the clubhouse as Arjun Singh still had two holes to
play. The Indian had a strong outward 33 but struggled with his swing on the
inward journey, dropping crucial shots on 10 and 11 before birdying the 12
and 14 to draw level again with Na.
But Arjun Singh slipped out from the lead with his third bogey of the day on
15 after missing a four-footer. He left his birdie attempt on 16 short and
made good par save on 17 after missing the green. Needing a birdie at the
par five last holes to force a play-off, Arjun Singh, who has not won on the
Davidoff Tour, found the bunker with his tee shot and then landed in the
greenside bunker again with his approach.
He nearly holed out from the sand trap and then agonisingly missed a
three-foot par putt, which cost him nearly US$20,000 as he slipped back into
a tie for second place.
Yates fired a 67, Kang posted a 68 while Kamps returned a 71 to finish
second as well.
Randhawa capped a remarkable rise to the top of the Asian golfing order, as
he became the region's new number one, replacing Thailand's Thongchai
Jaidee. He shot a 70 to finish tied 32nd alongside his main rival, who
needed to finish at least third at the Volvo Masters of Asia to retain his
crown.
"It's like a dream come true to win the Order of Merit title. It's a
stepping stone that will allow me to go further. I'm very happy. I must
admit that I was under a bit of pressure going into the Volvo Masters of
Asia as Thongchai and Arjun Atwal (who was also contending) are good
players," said Randhawa.
The US$3,933 cheque took Randhawa's winnings to US$266,263 from 15
tournaments. Thongchai was second with US$242,558 while Arjun Atwal was
third on US$207,624.
