By IANS
Hanoi (Vietnam) : Rahil Gangjee played a steady final round of two-under 70 to get inside top-15 at the end of the fourth day in the US$ 500,000 Hana Bank Vietnam Masters, while SSP Chowrasia reeled in all his experience to card a fine four-under 68 to finish 23rd, up from overnight 40th.
Gangjee finished with four-under 284, while Chowrasia ended at two-under 286.
Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat fired a closing five-under 67 to claim a two-shot victory at the Hanoi Phoenix Golf Resort. His round included a stunning three birdies over last four holes to move two clear of Simon Griffiths of England and compatriot Chawalit Plaphol. It was Chapchai’s second title of the year.
Among other Indians, Gurbaaz Mann (71) was tied 26th with one-under 287, Arjun Singh (70) was tied 29th at even par 288, while Gaganjeet Bhullar (76) failed to improve on the good work of the third when he moved up to 17th. Bhullar finally ended 31st at two-over 290.
Digvijay Singh (72) was tied 35th and Harmeet Kahlon tied 53rd at seven-over 295.
The winner’s cheque of US$79,250 kept Chapchai in the hunt for the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit crown as he has now moved up to third place. He is the only player who can deny current leader Liang Wen-chong of China the merit title. But he said he wanted to take one event at a time and not to play under any pressure.
Chapchai started the day in joint-third place but the burly Thai forced his way back into contention with two opening birdies. That set the tone for Chapchai to stay in contention and he pulled off a great finish to claim top honours in the inaugural Hana Bank Vietnam Masters.
Gangjee had a great start with three birdies in first five holes, but he also had a bogey. He was unable to keep up that tempo. A dropped birdie on seventh saw him turn in one-under 35. On the back nine, he had a birdie and parred the rest for a 35 and a total of 70.
Chowrasia finally found his rhythm and had five birdies and just one bogey in his 68, his best for the week to finish at two-under.
Ryder Cup star Paul McGinley of Ireland endured several costly errors on three successive holes – 14th, 15th and 16th and that which caused him to tumble down the leaderboard to end his campaign in joint fifth position on 281.