Johl finishes tied third in Korea

India's Amandeep Johl finished with a hat-trick of birdies to take a share of the third place in the USD 600,000 GS Caltex Maekyung Open golf championship at the Lakeside Country club in Seoul on Sunday.

Johl ended up three short of Korea's Suk Jong-ryul who emerged as the winner with a final round of five-under par 67.

The Indian, tied eighth overnight, shot a bogey-free six-under 66 that saw him go up the leaderboard and finish at 14-under 274 for the week. He picked up USD 34,375 for his effort.

The 38-year-old Suk, who came through the Qualifying School this year, fired a near flawless final round to pip American Bryan Saltus, who also closed with a 67.

Suk, who amassed a four-day total of 17-under-par 271, took home a cheque of USD 125,000. Jong-ryul (67) birdied the final hole to avoid a play-off and beat Bryan Saltus (67) by one shot.

Overnight leader Lee Sung of Korea faded on the back nine for a closing 72 to share third place with Johl and local amateur Noh Seung-yul, who carded matching 66s.

Gaurav Ghei made a brave recovery after a disastrous 10 on the par-four fourth hole to shoot a 72 that saw him finish tied 25th.

Ghei, who went out of bounds and also into the water on the hole, made no other mistakes during the day, which before that nightmarish hole had produced one birdie and five after that for a total of five-under 283.

Rahil Gangjee (75) had just one birdie and four bogeys and ended tied 69th at four-over 292.