Jeev triumphs in Japan

Posted by 4moles Editorial Desk 01 Aug 08'

Star Indian golfer Jeev Milkha Singh further etched his name as India's greatest ever golfer courtesy his third win on the prestigious Japanese Tour yesterday. Jeev's triumph came at the 150 million Yen Nagashima Shigeo Invitational SEGA SAMMY CUP 2008, played at the North Country Club, Hokkaido, Japan. The Indian shot into the limelight on the world's second richest Tour in 2006, with back-to-back wins at the Casio World Open and the Golf Nippon Series Cup.

The 36 year old who tallied a tournament winning score of 13-under 275, pocketed a whopping 30 mil Yen for his efforts. Local star Sushi Ishigaki finished second, two strokes behind the winner at nine-under 277 to pocket a prize purse of 15 mil Yen. The quartet of Ryo Ishikawa, Taigen Tsumagari, Akio Sadakata and David Smail finished tied third at nine-under 279. They earned 7.2 mil Yen apiece.

Jeev, who started the final round four strokes behind the leader Ishigaki, played percentage golf through and through. One of the key reasons for this success was his showing on the greens. The Chandigarh lad caught fire early on the front-nine to birdie the third and fourth. Another birdie on the eighth saw him make the turn at three-under. On his return journey, Jeev birdied the 11th before dropping his only shot of the day on the 12th. He however more than made up with birdies on the 15th, 16th and 18th to register a comprehensive win.

Ishigaki on the other hand, failed to capitalize on his overnight lead and after an uneventful outward journey, could manage only two birdies (13th and 14th) and as many bogeys (12th and 18th) for a card of even-par 72.

Earlier, Jeev's week began with an impressive opening round five-under 67 which placed him at tied fourth position. On Day Two, Jeev slipped a bit with a card of 74 pushing him down to the tied-24th place at 141. Day Three saw the gritty golfer reclaim the tied-fourth place courtesy a card of 68 and a tally of 205.