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Ho and Yeh take fifth in Japan Open

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh slipped in the closing stages but Korea’s Hur Suk-ho enjoyed a steady finish in joint fifth spot at the Japan Open Golf Championship on Sunday.

Singh, the Asian Tour’s UBS Order of Merit leader, slid down the leadearboard as he stumbled to his second consecutive three-over-par 74 and finished in joint 21st place. But it was a steady outing for the Korean talent as he fired his second straight 70 and finished with a four-day total of two-under-par 282. Also in tied fifth was Chinese Taipei's Yeh Wei-tze who ended with a 69.

Chinese star Liang Wen-chong shot a 72 and finished a stroke ahead of Singh in tied 15th place alongside Yang Yonh-eun who crumbled in the closing stages as he shot a 75.

After a birdie on the second hole, Hur, better known as SK Ho on the international scene, continued his smooth run with a second birdie at the 10th hole. He dropped a shot on the 11th hole but bounced back with a birdie on the following 12th hole. He then took a late stumble with a bogey on the 17th hole and finished with a 70.

Paul Sheeshan took the title when he was even-par for the day three strokes ahead of Japan’s Azuma Yano who fired a similar score in lone second spot.

On the US PGA Tour, former Asian Tour regular Daniel Chopra of Sweden blasted a six-under-par 66 and finished in tied second place alongside American Ben Crane at the Frys.com Open.

With an eagle at the par five 16th hole together with five birdies against a lone bogey, Chopra finished a stroke behind American champion Troy Matteson who shot a 69 for a winning total of 22-under-par 265.

Korea’s Kevin Na, who won on the Nationwide Tour last week, finished in tied 24th spot after a 69 at the Frys.com Open.

In a bid to secure his card for next season, India’s Arjun Atwal endured a disappointing finish when he claimed tied 44th place after a 73. With the result, Atwal remained in 138th spot on the US Money list. Only the top-125 will gain their card for next year.

On the Nationwide Tour, Australian youngster Andrew Buckle strengthened his chances for a US PGA Tour card next season when he finished in tied fourth place at the Permian Basin Charity Classic.

He fired his second consecutive 68 and improved by one spot to be ranked 16th on the money list. He needs to stay in the top-20 for a spot on the US PGA Tour next season.

Also taking a step forward was compatriot Jarrod Lyle who claimed tied 18th place after firing a similar score. He moved up a spot and is ranked 19th on the money list.

After carding a 70, Korea's Charlie Wi, the Maybank Malaysian Open winner, finished in tied 38th position and remains in 35th place on the money list.

After being tied on top with matching scores of 16-under-par 272, American Brandt Snedeker beat Australia’s Aron Price in the first play-off hole for the title.

October 16, 2006