Gleeson has the last laugh

Australian maintains lead for third career victory,breaks Indian Open record.

Having gone through a rough season missing five consecutive cuts in tournaments across Asia Australian David Gleeson admits he had been thinking about playing in the Indian Open for months,hoping to reverse the tide at an event which had given him his first pro top-10 finish in 1999.

The wait turned out worthwhile as the overnight leader at 16-under turned in a four-under 68 card on the final day en route to a three-stroke win over Indias Chiragh Kumar 2-under 70. Gleesons four-day aggregate of 20-under 268 is also a tournament record,lowering the previous mark of 18-under.

The 33-year-old,who had a one-shot advantage over Chiragh going into the final round,stretched it with an early surge,and with the Indian failing to mount a serious challenge and others too far behind,the result was never in doubt.

The foundations were laid earlier in the week,however. My problem area has always been the first day. This time I made a note to myself to get intense right from the first day, says Gleeson,who has been consistent on all four days with scores of 68,66,66 and 68.

What also helped was the similarity this course bears with the one where he grew up in Queensland. I know the nuances of how such greens behave. It is not really looking at the slopes but a matter of seeing what the grass colour is, Gleeson said.

That he was at home here was evident with a massive 140 yards shot on the 3rd hole for an eagle,which was squeezed between a birdie on the 1st and another on the 5th. Having built a five-stroke cushion,Gleeson then brought in some smart and conservative strategy,parring the last 13 holes.

I am so scared of the 18th hole that I wanted at least a three-stroke lead before it, said Gleeson,who parred it for his third win on the tour,after China 2002 and Macau 2008.

Top scores final round

268 David Gleeson Aus 68-66-66-68

271 Chiragh Kumar Ind 64-67-70-70

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272 Ross Bain Sco 65-72-68-67,Lu Wei-Chih Taipei 71-68-66-67

274 Chapchai Nirat Thai 69-67-71-67

275 Boonchu Ruangkit Thai 70-73-66-66

276 Himmat Rai Ind 69-70-69-68,SSP Chowrasia Ind 69-70-68-69

277 Siddikur Ban 70-70-69-68,Daisuke Kataoka Jpn 72-66-69-70,Adilson Da Silva Bra 68-71-68-70