Indian Jeev Milkha Singh emerged from a stellar field that included Padraig Harrington, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els to win the $5 million Singapore Open at Sentosa Island over the weekend.
The son of a former Olympic runner shot a final round of two-under-par 69 for a total of seven-under 277 and a one-stroke victory over Irishman Harrington and South African Els.
Harrington, who has won the British Open and PGA Championship this season, closed with a 70 for his 278 while Els completed a 71 on the last day.
Australian David Gleeson and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy tied for fourth on 279, one ahead of Korean Charlie Wi.
Then came Dane Thomas Bjorn and Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, on 281, with Mickelson following them on 282 after his closing round of 75.
Jeev is a product of the Asian Tour and has since successfully adapted to the European Tour, winning several high-profile events.
His victory in Singapore was worth $792,500 and should be enough to ensure that he ends the season on top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit. He said on the Asian Tour website:
“I could not have asked for more honestly – I think I am a very fortunate man to win, those boys put a good effort out there, Ernie and Padraig. The golfing gods are on my side so I am breathing much better now.â€
Jeev started the final round five strokes adrift of the leader but charged up the leaderboard and hung on despite two late bogeys.
Three-time major winner Harrington missed a five-foot birdie chance on 18 that would have forced a play-off.
Els did the same thing on the 18th, except from 15 feet as he settled for his second runner-up effort in this tournament.
On the LPGA Tour, soon-to-retire Annika Sorenstam lipped out with an eight-foot birdie attempt on the 18th, allowing Angela Stanford to win the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Playing in her penultimate event before retiring from the pro scene, multi-major winner Sorenstam totalled 12-under-par 276 after her round with Stanford shooting three-under 69 to finish on 275 and earn a one-stroke victory.
Sorenstam tied for second with Brittany Lang while tournament host Ochoa, the world number one, settled for 14th place at four-under.