Singh second Indian to win on European Tour
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2006 Volvo China Open | Wrap | 16 Apr 2006
34-year-old Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh today won his first European Tour event eight years after first earning his right to play in 1998. His one shot victory over Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Costano makes him just the second Indian golfer to win on the European Tour.
Singh’s win will continue the momentum that he, along with other players such as Arjun Atwal, Shiv Kapur, Amandeep Johl and others have built in recent years as the game of golf gains increasing popularity in the second most populated country in the world.
Singh’s career has been plagued by a wrist injury, which at times left him wondering not only if he could win again but if he could continue playing. His 7th placed finish at the TCL Classic three weeks ago though gave an indication that things were getting better. He had finished runner up in Pakistan earlier in the year but in between that and the TCL event there was not too much to get excited about.
The victory takes him to the top of the Asian Tour money list and he moves to 18th on the European Tour Order of Merit.
Spaniard Gonzalo Fernandez-Costano finished in second place after a bad drive and a resultant bogey at the 72nd hole cost him the chance to place the maximum pressure on Singh who was playing in the group behind. In the end Singh was able to play the 72nd hole with the luxury of a two shot lead and even a bogey was not going to stop him from winning.
Third place went to David Lynn while Peter Fowler, Jarrod Lyle, Paul Casey and Simon Wakefield shared fourth.
Two early birdies had Paul Casey in line for yet another win in China but his challenge came to an end soon after. Peter Fowler had his best finish on the European Tour since his 3rd placing at the Heineken Classic more than two years ago and made his first cut of the year here.
Jarrod Lyle completed a good ten days as not only did his €58,000 cheque improve his place dramatically on the Asian Tour Order of Merit but it comes on top of earning a place in the British Open Championship field in July. He gained that at the Asian Tour qualifying last week in Singapore.
Peter O’Malley stormed home on Sunday with one of the better rounds of the day (68) to finish 8th with Brett Rumford also proving once again what a good player he is in the wind with a final round 69 to move to 14th. Marcus Fraser was 15th, Terry Pilkadaris 38th, Adam Groom 49th, Alistair Presnell 54th and Mahal Pearce and Jason Dawes 60th.
