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Home > Sports > News > Report
Arjun Singh finishes second at Volvo Masters
December 08, 2002 21:20 IST
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 previous starts this year.
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.
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