By IANS
Houston (US) : Jeev Milkha Singh finished his final tuning up for the Masters with a one-under 71 that saw him finish at a modest tied 39th as the Shell Houston Open came to an end. The event won by local star Johnson Wagner (71) also set the stage for the season’s first Major this week.
Jeev slotted four birdies opposite three bogeys as he played par or under for three of the four days. “Not the best of score, but good preparation for the big week,” said Jeev, who figures in the Masters field for the second year in a row.
Jeev birdied the eighth and the 12th for the fourth time this week and also added birdies on fourth and 13th. He dropped shots on the sixth and the 13th, which he bogeyed for the third time in four rounds.
Jeev picked up $21,280 for his efforts.
K.J. Choi of Korea shot 71 and was the best Asian in tied 11th place at nine-under 279, which should boost his confidence before the Masters. Kevin Na also shot 71 and was tied 26th at five-under 283.
Yang Yong-Eun shot his third 73 in a row and finished tied 66th at two-over 290.
The 28-year-old Wagner, who missed cut in six of the last nine starts, shot a 1-under 71 to finish at 16-under, two shots ahead of Chad Campbell (72) and Geoff Ogilvy (68). The win also earned Wagner his first ticket to the Masters.
Billy Mayfair and Fred Couples shot 66s and finished three shots back at 13 under. Bob Estes and Charley Hoffman, three behind Wagner at the start of the round, had 72s that left them four behind.
Wagner equaled 2007 champion Adam Scott’s course-record 63 in the first round and then held the 36 and 54 hole leads and went on to win.