By IANS
Greater Noida : Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing endured some tense moments in the closing stages, as he finished with back-to-back bogeys on the last two holes and just about kept his nose ahead for a one-shot win on the last day of the BILT Open 2007 at the par-72 Jaypee Greens here Sunday.
Chih Bing, who finished second at the BILT Open 2006, carded an even par 72 to finish at 13-under 275 and take home a cheque of Rs.1.2 million (equivalent of $32,330) the richest ever for a domestic event in India.
Digvijay Singh made a strong charge on the final day with a four-under 68 and came within one shot of Chih Bing and was sole second at 12-under 276. Rahil Gangjee, third at the Hero Honda Indian Open last week, carded a five-under 67 and tied for third with first round leader Shamim Khan (70) and young Himmat Singh Rai (71). They were all tied at nine-under 279.
Chih Bing, who started the day with a huge five-shot lead, had a topsy-turvy front nine with four birdies, three bogeys and two pars for a one-under 35. On the back nine, he then birdied the 10th and 12th holes and looked to be coasting to a comfortable win, when he suddenly lapsed and dropped three shots on 14th, 17th and 18th, but still managed to finish in front.
“I played very conservatively today as there was a lot of pressure on me as Digvijay Singh was closing in. However, I am very happy with the result, as this is a great tournament. I would like to play as many PGTI events as I can in the future,” said Lam Chih Bing.
Digvijay Singh finished sole second – one stroke behind the winner – with a total of 12-under-par, 276 and earned Rs.893,200 for his effort.
Digvijay birdied the second, fourth and sixth holes, but a bogey on the par-three seventh saw him make the turn at two-under-par, 34. He picked up birdies on the 15th and 17th holes to card a four-under-par, 68 taking his total to 12-under-par, 276.
Rahil Gangjee carded the lowest round of the day, a bogey-free five-under-par, 67 with birdies second, fifth, eighth, 10th and 15th holes. “I gradually got comfortable with the greens and that is what helped me today,” said Gangjee.
Delhi’s Shamim Khan carded a two-under-par, 70. He picked up birdies on the first, second, 12th, 14th and 15th holes but bogeys on the 10th, 11th and 17th holes resulted in a two-under-par for the day. “I played consistently today compared to the first three rounds. I am very happy with my finish as I have finished within the top-five,” said Shamim.
Meanwhile, Himmat Singh Rai carded a one-under-par, 71 with birdies on the second, ninth, 12th and 15th holes and bogeys on the third, 11th and 17th holes. “I am satisfied with my performance,” said the youngster. “I was cool and composed all week and dealt with whatever came my way though I was not too happy with my ball striking today.”
Feroz Ali Mollah finished sixth with a total of eight-under-par, 280. SSP Chowrasia, Ashok Kumar and Arjun Singh finished tied seventh at 281. Gaurav Ghei carded a three-under-par, 69 today and finished tied tenth alongwith Vijay Kumar and Matloob Ahmed Rana at six-under-par for the week 282.
Kapil Kumar won the amateur category with a 72-hole total of 318 while Lakhan Singh finished as the runner-up.
SCORES (AFTER 72-HOLES): 275_Lam Chih Bing (68,66,69,72); 276_Digvijay Singh (69,71,68,68); 279_Rahil Gangjee (73,70,69,67), Shamim Khan (66,72,71,70), Himmat Singh Rai (74,66,68,71); 280_ Feroz Ali Mollah (70,72,71,67); 281_ SSP Chowrasia (69,72,71,69), Arjun Singh (69,70,69,73), Ashok Kumar (71,68,70,72); Vijay Kumar (74,68,69,71), Matloob Ahmed Rana (72,69,70,71), Gaurav Ghei (73,72,68,69)