By IANS,
Petaling Jaya (Malaysia): Indian golfer Gaurav Ghei finished at tied fifth, his best of the season, at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters here Saturday.
It was Ghei’s best finish of the season, and one that must have restored his confidence during a season during which he has been through a personal struggle.
Meanwhile, Gaganjeet Bhullar, the latest star of Indian golf, showed exactly why he is such a huge prospect as he fought his way up from tied 64th at the end of the third round to tied 32nd with a brilliant 67 on the final day.
Australian Rick Kulacz, starting six strokes off the lead – the same as Ghei and playing one group ahead of the Indian – claimed his second Asian Tour title thanks to a sensational course record equaling eight-under-par 63 in the final round.
The 24-year-old Kulacz fired eight birdies in a flawless round for an 11-under-par 273 total at Seri Selangor Golf Club to pip overnight leader Kiradech Aphibarnrat of Thailand by a single stroke.
Among other Indians, C. Muniyappa in his first full year on the Asian Tour, continued his good run with a tied 15th place finish on the strength of a 71 in the final round after a 66 in the third round. It came on the heels of his 13th place finish in Brunei Open last week. Prior to that he had four missed the cut and a tied 50th place in SAIL Open in India.
Rahil Gangjee (72) trying to find his way back to the Asian Tour top-60 ended tied 29th at one-over 285, while Anirban Lahiri (76) slipped to tied 47th. Digvijay Singh (77) slipped to 60th.
Ghei said: “I had it going today. I was eight-under for the tournament after 13 holes. On the 14th hole, I had a beautiful tee shot but ran on a bit too much and left myself with a tough two-putt. Had a good first putt but misread my second from five feet. I missed several good birdie opportunities and on the 17th hole I was trying to be too smart with my second shot and left myself with an impossible up and down.”
Ghei had a bogey on second, but then with birdies fifth, sixth and eighth to turn in two under. Further birdies on 10th, 11th and 13th brought him to eight-under and into contention as he was just two behind then Kulacz and just one behind Kiradech Apbhibarnrat at nine-under. As Kulacz added another birdie to go to 11-under, Kiradech added one to go 10-under, Ghei dropped shots on 14th and 17th.
Mark Purser of New Zealand finished third on 276 following a fine 67 while South Africa’s James Kamte ended the tournament with a 69 for fourth place on 277. Noh Seung-yul of Korea, Japanese Kodai Ichihara and Ghei shared fifth on 278.