Jeev Milkha Singh struck back-to-back birdies in the last two holes to return an even-par 70 and sign off tied seventh in the $1.7 million Dunlop Phoenix golf tournament here on Sunday.

Jeev’s total of four-under 276 left him seven shots behind champion Ian Poulter of Britain, who carded a one-under 69 in the final round.

Poulter, who took home a purse of USD 364,250, finished two strokes ahead of Spainiard Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (68).

Jeev was off to a sedate start parring the first seven holes before stumbling to a bogey on the eighth at the par-70 Phoenix Country Club.

Dropping strokes
Making the turn one-over, Jeev made matters worse by dropping shots on the 10th and 14th and although he saved par on the 13th, the Indian seemed headed for an over-par round.

However, he got his act together and sank in a brace of birdies on the 17th and 18th to maintain his overnight position on the leaderboard and take home a prize money of USD 55,030.

Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland had to be content with a tied fifth finish after carding a 68 to total five-under 275.

Kapur slips up
A poor front nine spoilt Shiv Kapur’s chances of finishing inside the top-five as he carded his week’s worst round of two-over 72 to end tied 12th, while Daniel Chopra returned a steady 70 to hold on to his overnight tied seventh position in the $2.25 million Hong Kong Open, reports PTI from Hong Kong.

Kapur, who was tied third overnight, signed off with a total of nine-under 271. Chopra, on the other hand, finished a stroke above Kapur at the par-70 Hong Kong Golf Club.

Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez turned in a fine three-under 67, which also included a 13th-hole eagle, to claim the title by one stroke.

Jimenez, who was second after the penultimate round, totalled 15-under 265 to finish ahead of Korean KJ Choi (67), Thai Thongchai Jaidee (65) and overnight leader Swede Robert Karlsson, who turned in a poor two-over 72.
It turned out be a disappointing for Kapur as he lost his way after making a fine start with a third-hole birdie. The Delhi-pro dropped three shots in the last four holes of his front nine to make the turn two-over.

His back nine did not start very well and he bogeyed the 10th before gaining a shot to draw even. However, the damage had been done and Kapur could not prevent his first over-par score of the tournament.

Chowrasia 32nd
Among the other Indians in the fray, Kolkata-pro SSP Chowrasia improved to the tied 32nd spot after a final-round 70 to finish with a total of four-under 276.

However, Rahil Gangjee had a disappointing day as he carded a five-over 75 to end with a total of three-over 283. Gangjee’s nightmarish round comprised three double bogeys and a bogey against three birdies.