Ghei finishes joint 14th as Indians disappoint

In the longest sudden-death play-off in Omega Tour history, Van Rensubur defeated Smith on the fifth extra hole at the Mines Resort City. Van Rensburg and Smith finished tied for the tournament on six-under par 278 after Van Rensburg carded a final round three-under-par 69 and Smith a two-under par 70.

Overnight leader Chawalit Plaphol of Thailand had a day he would like to forget. He had begun the day leadingby a stroke from Smith but fired a disappointing eight-over par 79 to finish tied for 12th. Australian Robert Wills took third place after carding a 69 to finish two strokes adrift of the play-off.

Vijay prevails

FARIDABAD: Vijay Kumar, the Mahindra Player of the Year last season today won the Rs six lakh Royal Challenge-Aravalli Open golf championship for a second consecutive time.

The Lucknow, pro, who made more than Rs 18 lakh with seven tournament wins last season but was yet to win this year, kept his nerves despite trailing overnight leader Vishal Singh for the better part of the outward journey.

He submitted a two-under 70 card on the final say to tally five-under 283, while Vishal faltered on the last 10 holes to aggregate level-par 288 for the tournament and took the second place. Vijay was richer by Rs 99,960, while Vishal had to be content with a cheque of Rs 66,660.

At third place was Shiv Prakash, Order of Merit leader this season, with a tally of five-over 293. Ali Sher,who started the tournament terribly going nine-over in the very first two holes, did remarkably well in the next 70 holes to take the joint fourth place.