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Wednesday, 16 November 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
AFP: S. S. P Chawrasia won his first Asian Tour title outside of India on Sunday in a thrilling finale to the Manila Masters golf tournament, hitting a birdie to win a three-way playoff.
The 38-year-old hit a six under in the final round to finish at 19 under alongside Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung and Sam Chien of the United States.
But it was Chawrasia, who had won four titles on the Asian Tour in his home country but none abroad, who managed his nerves the best in the extra holes.
Fung went out in the first extra hole with a bogey.
Then Chien hit his drive into the rough on the second playoff, while Chawrasia played flawless golf with his birdie.
“I am very happy. This is my first win outside of India. I am very excited,” said Chawrasia, one of Asia’s great golfing tales after learning his craft as the son of greenskeeper at Royal Calcutta Golf Club.
“Everyone has been telling me I have won a lot of times in India and it’s about time to win outside of India. I am glad I did it this week.”
Chawrasia won $ 180,000 to lift himself to seventh on the Asian Tour standings, while Chien was left to lament his rush of blood that led to his wayward tee shot on the second playoff hole.
“Chawrasia played some great golf in the playoff. I was just trying to be aggressive but maybe I was a little bit too aggressive,” said Chien, who fired a seven under in the final round.
Overnight leader Sutijet Kooratanapisan finished in equal seventh after carding a one-under 71.
India’s Shubhankar Sharma was the other star of the final day, hitting a course record 10-under 62 to end in equal second place, one shot behind the leading trio.
