Singh claims Volvo Masters crown

India's Jeev Milkha Singh savoured his biggest career victory yet with a memorable triumph in the European Tour's season-ending Volvo Masters in Spain on Sunday.

The Asian Tour stalwart, making his debut in the event, held his nerve against Europe's big guns at Valderrama to claim his second title of the year by one stroke after firing a final round of one-over-par 72. His four-day total of two-under-par 282 was enough to see off Europe's Ryder Cup stars Padraig Harrington, Sergio Garcia and Luke Donald.

His oustanding triumph completed a unique Volvo double for the Indian star, who had triumphed in the Volvo China Open in April which ended a seven year winless run. He became only the third Asian after Chinese Taipei's "Mr" Lu Liang-huan and Korea's Choi Kyung-ju to lift a title on European soil.

"It's my biggest victory of my career so far. I think this is going to stay with me for the rest of my life I think. It's a special one, and it means a lot to me. I think, also, I should play all of the Volvo tournaments because they are lucky for me. I always play well and win," said Singh.
Leading by one shot after the third round, Singh, the leader of the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit, played superbly to shoot two birdies against three bogeys but the pivotal moment came at the trecherous par five 17th hole which Singh birdied to open up a two-shot advantage.

After crunching his drive down the middle, the Indian nailed a six iron to 12 feet of the flag and two putted for birdie. With Garcia bogeying his final hole which gave Singh a two-shot cushion, the Indian bogeyed for a one-shot triumph, winning 666,660 euros (US$840,000), by far his biggest cheque ever.

"I hit a good drive, must be one of my best drives of the week," said Singh of his 17th hole birdie. "I hit a six iron into 17. I had like 205 yards to the hole and I hit it to like 12 feet left of the hole. The whole day I didn't look at the leaderboard or scoreboard on any other hole except when I got on to the green on 18.

"I thought I needed that putt to win, you know, but when I saw the leaderboard, I had a two-shot cushion. I thought, just lag it up and if it goes in, well, good, that's fine, and that's what happened for me."

Singh ended the European season in 16th place on the Order of Merit, with winnings of 1.17 million euros.
Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee shot his week's best of 69 to finish tied 32nd on 290 while England's Simon Dyson was a further stroke back after a closing 75.

October 29, 2006

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