Hong Kong Open: Disappointing final day for Indians as Kapur, Lahiri finish 12th

Hong Kong: Indian golfer Shiv Kapur collapsed in the final round and signed a disappointing card of three-over 73 to finish tied 12th after being in a position of contention at the USD 1.3 million Hong Kong Open here on sunday.

Kapur, lying tied second at nine-under after three rounds, finished at six-under 274 and picked up USD 19,695 as his winnings. Also tied at 12th was Anirban Lahiri (69). Up at the top, Spanish veteran star Miguel Angel Jimenez held off Thailand`s Prom Meesawat and Stuart Manley of Wales in the first-hole of a sudden-death play-off. It was a record-equalling fourth Hong Kong Open for Jimenez. Almost all the Indians had a disappointing final day. Jyoti Randhawa (72) finished tied 30th at three-under 277 while Himmat Rai (73) ended tied 57th at even par 280. Sujjan Singh (70) and SSP Chowrasia (75) were tied 65th at two-over 282. Jimenez, who will turn 50 in January, successfully retained the title after a dramatic day at the Hong Kong Golf Club when he exquisitely rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th green to reduce Prom to a second play-off loss in three weeks. The wily Spaniard rewrote a slice of his own history in becoming the oldest winner on the European Tour at the age of 49 years and 337 days and also became the second oldest winner on the Asian Tour. "It always hard to win a tournament, because all the players are very good and you`ve to respect all of them," said a beaming Jimenez after securing his 20th career victory. "Winning in a play-off is always harder because you need to play the extra holes carefully. It`s always tough especially with two guys at the top of their game." The popular champion closed with a four-under-par 66 for a 12-under-par 268 aggregate, which was matched by a brilliant Prom, who charged home in 65, thanks to two glorious eagles. Manley forced his way into the play-off with a stunning chip-in birdie on the 18th green during regulation play. Jimenez, who was recently named as the playing captain for the EurAsia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM, credited his experience for sealing his place in the winner`s circle once more at the USD 1.3 million event which was celebrating its 55th edition. "It`s always important to have experience for anything in life but I must not forget that the players here are also very good and they all play well," said Jimenez. Prom`s sheer determination and hunger to win his second Asian Tour title was for all to see when he overcame a three-shot deficit at the start of his round and powered his way to the top of the leaderboard.