JOIN USNone of the three Indians in fray made the grade at the International Final Qualifying (Asia) on Friday as Thai Kiradech Aphibarnrat led the four qualifiers into the prestigious Open Championships at Muirfield.
The other three were Japanese duo Hideki Matsuyama and Daisuke Maruyama and China’s Wu Ashun. Anirban Lahiri, who went through to the Open via the IFQ last year, was the best Indian at tied 23rd with rounds of 73 and 68. Himmat Rai (73, 71) was tied 41st and Gaganjeet Bhullar (74, 76) was further behind.
Thai rising star Kiradech topped the two-day qualifying with a flawless nine-under 63 while amateur Matsuyama, a two-time Asia Pacific Amateur Championship winner, finished four shots back following a 69.
Jeev shoots 67
Jeev Milkha Singh exploded into superb form on the back-nine with four birdies to card a five-under 67 and grab a share of the third spot after the first round of the Tshwane Open.
Jeev was two shots behind Darren Fichardt, who had a seven-under 65. Fichardt was one stroke ahead of Swede Bjorn Akesson (66).
Jeev, Jean Hugo (SAF), David Howell (Eng), George Coetzee (SAF), Gary Lockerbie and Mark Tullo (Chile) were all locked in tied third at 67 each.
Shamim triumphs
Shamim Khan of Delhi edged out Mukesh Kumar of Mhow in a play-off to win the PGTI Players Championship played at the Classic Golf Resort in Mewat, Haryana, on Friday.
Shamim (70) and Mukesh (73) headed to a play-off after finishing with matching totals of 12-under 276.
The first extra hole turned out to be the decider as Shamim made par while Mukesh dropped a bogey.
S Chikkarangappa shot two-under 70 to finish third at 11-under 277.