Jeev finishes tied ninth

Despite missing around a dozen putts in his final round, Jeev Milkha Singh managed a one-over 71 to notch his eighth top-10 placing this year at the USD 1.3million UBS Japan Golf Tour Championship in Tokyo on Sunday.

Jeev, the current leader of the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, finished tied ninth at even-par 280 at the Shishido Hills Country Club.

Overnight leader Tatsuhiko Takahashi claimed his second victory with the win at the Japan Golf Tour's flagship tournament, posting a final round of 68. He finished with a 72-hole aggregate of seven-under 273 to pocket approx USD 260,000 and an unique trophy commissioned by UBS.

Tetsuji Hiratsuka was three shots further back in second, with S K Ho and Tommy Nakajima another stroke adrift in third.

Takahashi had five birdies and three bogeys in his final round of 68 and he won comfortably by three shots over Hiratsuka.

Jeev opened the day with a birdie raising hopes of catching up with the leaders. But then came a bogey on fifth, 12th and a final one on 17th. In between he did sink a birdie on the 11th, but he had missed too many putts.

He was hitting the ball very well, something which showed in his standings for Greens in Regulation, where he was fourth overall for the tournament.

"I played really solid today, although my putting was not up to the mark and I left about 12 putts short of the hole. I think I hit the ball the best I have this year actually, but just did not convert anything. I had 33 putts, which does not help."

Jeev, who notched his first European Tour victory earlier this year at the Volvo China Open, opened his round with a birdie at the first. However, thereafter, he was forced to endure a tough day on the greens.

Although he was disappointed with his putting, Jeev continued his move up the Japan Golf Tour money list with his solid play this week.

Banking Q4,080,000 (about USD 35,500) this afternoon, he now sits in 21st position with more than Q15.5 million (about US$135,500).

However, the Indian star knows where he needs to improve before he heads to Europe on Monday.

"I think putting is all mental and I need to concentrate more on that than anything else. I have been putting well, but I am just not trusting it.

"I am normally a very good putter and I hit the ball really well this week, but I just did not take advantage of that. I just have to work harder on the putting and we will sort it out.

"I am leaving on Monday for Ireland and the European and Scottish Opens and, if I play well out there, hopefully the Open. If do not make it in, I will be back in Japan for three weeks after that."