Singh wins ticket to British Open
Source: Agencies |
July 17, 2012, Tuesday
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JEEV Milkha Singh had double reason to celebrate on Sunday after beating Francesco Molinari in a playoff to win the Scottish Open in Inverness, Scotland, and secure a late berth in next week's British Open.
A final-round meltdown by local hope Marc Warren left Singh and Molinari on 17-under 271 and in a shootout for the first prize of 416,660 pounds (US$645,000), which the 40-year-old Indian claimed by draining a 15-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole.
Singh, the son of a former Olympic 400-meter runner, shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 for the joint-lowest round of a grueling final day, when the wind picked up to finally make the Castle Stuart links a genuine test.
He then watched on television as first Warren then overnight leader Molinari (72) threw away shots down a tough closing stretch right into the wind.
"I was just enjoying a nice cup of tea and some chocolate cake," Singh said of his hour-long wait for the last groups to finish. "I said to myself that I'd see the finish and then leave for the airport. But as the chocolate cake went down, it got exciting out on the course."
Warren, playing in the penultimate group and also seeking that one remaining berth in the British Open, forged a three-shot lead with six holes remaining but faltered under pressure and dropped four strokes in the final four holes. He finished tied for third with Alexander Noren of Sweden (70) on 16 under, his implosion costing him 275,000 pounds (US$428,000).
"It's going to be a long drive home tonight," said Warren, who was being cheered on by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. "You don't get many chances to win your national Open.
"I had it in my hands."
Warren's collapse left Molinari back in front as the Italian attempted a wire-to-wire victory after a dominant week in the Scottish Highlands as he tried to emulate his brother Edoardo's Scottish Open win in 2010.
He bogeyed No. 15, though, and needed a 10-foot par-saving putt at the last to force the playoff. Molinari's approach from the middle of the fairway at the first extra hole, No. 18, landed at the back of the green and his long birdie putt came up well short, leaving Singh an opportunity he didn't pass up.
By winning his first title in more than four years, Singh not only will climb back into the top 100 from his current ranking of No. 192 but will play at the British Open, starting Thursday, for the only the second time in his 19-year professional career.
"I was going to go back to India and spend some time with the family," said Singh, who claimed his fourth European Tour victory. "I think God has been kind. I'm very fortunate."
A final-round meltdown by local hope Marc Warren left Singh and Molinari on 17-under 271 and in a shootout for the first prize of 416,660 pounds (US$645,000), which the 40-year-old Indian claimed by draining a 15-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole.
Singh, the son of a former Olympic 400-meter runner, shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 for the joint-lowest round of a grueling final day, when the wind picked up to finally make the Castle Stuart links a genuine test.
He then watched on television as first Warren then overnight leader Molinari (72) threw away shots down a tough closing stretch right into the wind.
"I was just enjoying a nice cup of tea and some chocolate cake," Singh said of his hour-long wait for the last groups to finish. "I said to myself that I'd see the finish and then leave for the airport. But as the chocolate cake went down, it got exciting out on the course."
Warren, playing in the penultimate group and also seeking that one remaining berth in the British Open, forged a three-shot lead with six holes remaining but faltered under pressure and dropped four strokes in the final four holes. He finished tied for third with Alexander Noren of Sweden (70) on 16 under, his implosion costing him 275,000 pounds (US$428,000).
"It's going to be a long drive home tonight," said Warren, who was being cheered on by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond. "You don't get many chances to win your national Open.
"I had it in my hands."
Warren's collapse left Molinari back in front as the Italian attempted a wire-to-wire victory after a dominant week in the Scottish Highlands as he tried to emulate his brother Edoardo's Scottish Open win in 2010.
He bogeyed No. 15, though, and needed a 10-foot par-saving putt at the last to force the playoff. Molinari's approach from the middle of the fairway at the first extra hole, No. 18, landed at the back of the green and his long birdie putt came up well short, leaving Singh an opportunity he didn't pass up.
By winning his first title in more than four years, Singh not only will climb back into the top 100 from his current ranking of No. 192 but will play at the British Open, starting Thursday, for the only the second time in his 19-year professional career.
"I was going to go back to India and spend some time with the family," said Singh, who claimed his fourth European Tour victory. "I think God has been kind. I'm very fortunate."
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