By IANS,
Doral, Miami : Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh walked of the Blue Monster a happy man, content to some extent with the fourth place in the elite field at the WGC-CA Championships, but armed with the confidence that he could hold his own against the best in the game.
“I can’t say I am fully satisfied. Yes I am happy but I also know it could have even better, but what I do know is that I can do even better in the future and I can look forward to even better days at this level,” said Jeev after his fourth place finish.
It was the best by Jeev in a Major or a WGC Championships, bettering his tied ninth place at the PGA Championships last year.
Jeev started the final round four strokes behind leaders Phil Mickelson and Nick Watney, but could not carry on his challenge. He scored two-under-par 70 to finish at 14-under 274, five shots behind winner Mickelson at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa here Sunday. Mickelson (69) ended at 19-under with Watney (70) second at 18-under. Jim Furyk (67) was third at 16-under.
“I had a goal of sorts when I started out on my campaign in the US at the start of the season, and this finish keeps me very much in line with that aim,” added Jeev, who also cracked the top-30 in world rankings for the first time.
Jeev moved to 29 from 35th cracking the world top-30 for the first time.
“I could have done better but I’m happy with my performance today. Those boys up front were superb and were way past us after nine holes so I just thought, hang in there and try and make the most out of my day so I’m happy with a 70,” he said.
Mickelson, who came with a slight virus infection at the start of the week, fought of exhaustion and a stomach virus to come back for the final round and shoot a 69 that kept him a just nose ahead of Watney, who at one stage drew level at 20-under, before dropping some shots.
Jeev opened with a birdie, which raised hopes of a possible challenge with Mickelson and Watney in front. He had birdies on the fifth and seventh but those were nullified with bogeys on the fourth and eighth. Jeev turned in one-under.
On the back journey, Jeev birdied the 12th and 16th holes but the 13th saw him drop a shot. But then Jeev played steady with pars rest of the way for last five holes and finished at 14-under, three better than Tiger Woods who totalled 11-under.