Thongchai closes tied 14th in Abu Dhabi

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee managed to stay calm even as things were not happening and brought in an even par card to finish tied 14th, the best among the Asian Tour players, at the US$2 million Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday.

The best Asian till the end of the third day, Shiv Kapur of India faltered and tumbled from tied second to tied 20th as he scored a disappointing 75.

Thongchai, winner of the Volvo Masters of Asia last month, had two birdies against as many bogeys and totaled 10-under-par 278. Playing in the same group as winner Paul Casey, the Thai star birdied the second and the 10th, both par-fives, and dropped a shot each on par-five eighth and par-four 13th.

Casey shot a 65 despite a final hole bogey won by one stroke over Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain and Swede Peter Hanson.

Kapur failed to land any birdies in the final round and dropped three shots for a total of 279.

The Indian said: "Nothing went right for me. I hit it badly, did not find as many greens and finally even my putter let me down. All in all it was a bad day. And it was disappointing that it came on a Sunday," said a dejected Kapur, who needed 33 putts for the round.

"There were little positives on the final day, but during the week I learnt many things. If I could put myself in a position like that so early in the week, it's great. I need to be more in such positions. And of course playing with these guys (Harrington, Price and others) more often means I will now try and fit myself with these guys rather than look up to them."

Chinarat Phadsungil of Thailand shot a final round of 71 and with earlier three rounds of 71, 71 and 73 ended at two-under 286 and tied 64 th. Yasin Ali (76) with rounds of 71, 70 and 71 ended at even par 288 and tied 69th.

January 21, 2007

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