November 2: For the last two days, all I have been telling myself when I return from the day's round is, `Just hang on' and you could even be in with a chance on the final day. Yesterday, after the third day, when I was five under, I knew a six under could do the trick, even though Ted Purdy was five strokes ahead.In golf, more than in many other games, the third round leader often faces the maximum pressure. I had said Jeev Milkha, and also Craig Kamps, at seven under were in the best position to attack to Purdy. But I must confess, even at five under, I knew with a couple of early birdies and with Purdy dropping a stroke or two, things could be tight and the pressure would be on Purdy.Well, that's precisely how it was. Only, I couldn't quite pull it off. Purdy was ahead of me in the group and so when he turned in two under, so did I and the difference between us was still five strokes, the same as last night. Making up five strokes in nine holes may seem big, but in golf things can change in just a couple of holes.Both of us parred the 10th and 11th and birdied the 13th. Five-stroke lead and five to go.Then came the drama, Purdy dropped one stroke on par five 14th and I birdied. Two strokes made up and I told Mike Cunning, who was with me, `If we can get to 11 under, there could well be a play-off'. Cunning smiled as I myself was nine under.Then Purdy bogeyed the 15th, I parred. One more stroke made up and then the news came that Purdy had barely managed to par the 16th, which I birdied. Now just one stroke separated us. My adrenalin was flowing. But I didn't want to make foolish mistakes. I knew I was on the right chase. No fancy shots on the par three 17th I told myself - through the four rounds, I had only parred that hole, as did Purdy.On the 18th tee my only thought was to get to the fairway. I bungled. The shot went a little to the left and rolled into the bushes. I took a drop two club lengths to the side and gave a penalty. I just managed to get in the par.If only I had come to the green in two, a two-putt for a birdies may well have clinched it for Purdy admitted he was so nervous. He may not have held up in the play-off. But then ifs and buts, that's what life is all about.I had no expectations before the tournament, and here on the 18th I was looking for the title. Golf can be a strange game. Tough one day, and the easiest thing the next. In between lies pain and the strain. I am proud of myself I held up well and came so close and it was a great tournament.Also it was great for Arjun Atwal, who despite that terrible eight on the ninth in the third round still did well to come up to joint fourth with Cunning and Bjorn Flygare. Jeev unfortunately played two over and slipped to joint ninth but he did cross the US $ 100,000 mark for the year.
