Bhullar finishes fourth in Brunei Open

Brunei: Gaganjeet Bhullar rode on a blemish-free back nine to turn in a sensational six-under 65

to finish fourth in the Asian tour`s Brunei Open golf tournament here on Sunday. However, compatriot Anirban Lahiri`s fortunes tumbled as he signed off tied 14th after carding a one-over 72. Overnight tied 11th, Bhullar sank in as many as seven birdies, which included a birdie hat-trick on his back nine, against a lone bogey to finish with an aggregate of 14-under 270. The Kapurthala-lad picked up a stroke on the second hole but a bogey on the fifth pulled him back before he made amends with a birdie on the sixth to make the turn one-under. On resumption, Bhullar went on a birdie spree as he picked up a shot on the 12th and then hit back-to-back birdies from the 14th to 16th holes before ending the day with another birdie on the last hole. On the other hand, a double bogey on the last hole cooked Lahiri`s goose. The Kolkata golfer started off well with a couple of birdies but bogeys on the fourth and seventh holes brought him back to square one. He then picked up a shot to make the turn one-under. However, his back nine proved to be a disappointing experience as he dropped bogeys on the 10th, 16th and a double bogey on the 18th hole against two birdies on the 12th and 13th holes to tumble down the leaderboard with a total of nine-under 275. Among other Indians in fray, Gurki Shergill (74) and Himmat Rai (69) finished tied 41st, while C Muniyappa (67) ended the tournament at tied 58th at the Empire Hotel and Country Club here. Siddikur of Bangladesh clinched the title, winning in the play-off after being tied with Jbe Kruger (66) of South Africa with a total of 16-under 268. One stroke behind, Juvic Pagunsan (64) of Philippines finished third. PTI