Bhullar finishes 39th at Austrian Open golf

Gaganjeet Bhullar returned a one-over 73 card in the fourth and final round to finish tied 39th in the Austrian Open on Sunday.

Aztenburg (Austria): Halfway co-leader Gaganjeet Bhullar had a meltdown over the weekend as he returned a one-over 73 card in the fourth and final round to finish tied 39th in the Austrian Open, on Sunday.

The 23-year-old Indian star, who was among the four leaders after the second round, had a disastrous third round of 78. Bhullar seemed to have recovered in the final round for a good finish as he was three-under through 12. But disaster struck in the last five holes. He double bogeyed the par-4 14th and bogeyed 16th and 17th to finish at 73 and a total of even par 288 for the week. After being seven-under for first two days, he was seven over for last two rounds. Bhullar was the only Indian in the field. The Indian has won on the European Challenge Tour, but is hoping to make enough money to get into the European Tour next season. Kenneth Ferrie beat fellow Englishman Simon Wakefield in the first play-off hole to win the title after both players were tied at 12-under 276. Ferrie shot 67, the same as Wakefield. Ferrie had a short birdie putt to go into lead and win in regulation, but he missed it even as Wakefield birdied to get into the play-off. Earlier Joost Luiten (68) had a chance to get into the play-off. He was 12-under and looking at a par putt, which he missed to fall to 11-under and finished third. Thomas Norret (72), who led at one stage, finished fourth after double bogeying the 13th and bogeying the 17th. PTI