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Singh slips to second in Japan

India's Jeev Milkha Singh let slip a second victory in successive weeks when he settled for second place in the Yomiuri Memorial in Japan on Sunday.

The Asian Tour star, who won the Volvo Masters in Spain last weekend, carded a final round of one-over-par 73 to finish just one stroke behind winner Tatsuhiko Ichihara.

Singh, who posted a four-day total of 17-under-par 271, was tied for the lead heading into the last hole but bogeyed the 72nd hole with a three-putt bogey.

The Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit leader had led by three strokes after the third round but his hopes of success fizzled when he suffered a mid-round lapse with bogeys on the eighth and ninth hole.

He battled gamely to birdie the 15th hole, to add to his birdie on the third hole, to stay in contention before tripping up at his last hole.

Still, it was Singh's 14th top-10 of the year on the Asian, Japan and European Tours and it should move him further up the Official World Golf Ranking where he is presently 77th. Singh is hoping to break into the top-50 to earn a spot in next April's US Masters, the year's first Major.

Ichihara surged past Singh with a superb 67 while Asian Tour member, Chawalit Plaphol came in tied sixth after closing with a superb 65.

Compatriot Prayad Marksaeng was tied for 10th place after shooting a final round 68.

Singh will play in next week's HSBC Champions in Shanghai which will be headlined by world number one Tiger Woods and title holder David Howell.

On the US PGA Tour, Korea's Choi Kyung-ju carded a 72 in the third round of the Tour Championship for 26th place on 222. Australian Adam Scott, the Barclays Singapore Open winner, pulled three clear of the field after firing a 67. Vijay Singh of Fiji and American Joe Durant are tied second.

November 5, 2006