Ho Tram, Vietnam, 06-12-2015
Gallant performance by Himmat Singh Rai sees him finish joint runner-up at Ho Tram Open
Loses playoff to Sergio Garcia
A gallant final day performance by India's Himmat Singh Rai saw him finish runner-up at the Asian Tour's Ho Tram Open after he lost on the second playoff hole to Spaniard Sergio Garcia, the world no. 12.
The 28-year-old Himmat (66-69-68-67), a winner on the Asian Tour in 2011, delivered a top-notch final round of four-under-67 to end up with a tournament total of 14-under-270 that took him into a four-way playoff along with Garcia, Asian Tour legend Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand and Chinese Taipei's Lin Wen-tang.
Rai had made an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys in his final round before heading into the playoff. He hit a purple patch with birdie-birdie-eagle from the 14th to 16th to climb into contention. However, with just a par to win on the 18th, Himmat three-putted and bogeyed the final hole.
He then produced a superb approach to set-up a six feet birdie putt on the first playoff hole. Garcia made a 30-footer birdie on the same hole while Wiratchant and Wen-tang crashed out after making pars.
However, on the second extra hole, Himmat was undone by his tee shot which landed in the thick bushes. He finally missed his par attempt from eight feet to finish second to Garcia who two-putted for par from 20 feet.
Rai took comfort that his joint runner-up cheque of US$111,500 was more than enough to safely secure his Tour card for next season after starting the week in 116th place on the Order of Merit.
“I enjoyed it because I played really good. On the second play-off hole, I just rushed it. I wasn’t feeling comfortable with my grip and I should have backed off. I was a little bit disappointed,” said Rai.
“I was showing signs of improvement this year. The game was there. It was about putting it together and I’m so glad I did it this week. Thank God, it has all worked out and I have an Asian Tour card for next year. It was looking very bleak.”
Rahil Gangjee was the next highest placed Indian as he fired a final round 67 to finish tied 21st at four-under-280.
Jeev Milkha Singh was a further shot back in tied 26th while Gaganjeet Bhullar was tied 44th at one-over-285 and Khalin Joshi was 63rd at 10-over-294.
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