Jeev Milkha Singh beats Simon Wakefield to Austrian Open
Sunday, 08 Jun 2008 22:09
Jeev Milkha Singh wins the Austrian Open
Jeev Milkha Singh won the Austria Open in Vienna after a one-shot victory over Simon Wakefield.
It was the Indian's third European Tour title and he ensured that his four-shot overnight lead did not go to waste after he parred every hole.
The tournament was shortened after bad weather and it was Singh's consistency that saw him through despite a late charge from Wakefield.
Singh sunk a four-foot putt on the 18th to ensure par after Wakefield birdied three of the last four holes for a pressured finish.
The final round of 71 left the Indian at 15 under on the leader board with Wakefield at 14 under.
The closest contenders to the front two were Iain Pyman, Martin Erlandsson, Pelle Edberg, Michael Jonzon and Peter Fowler who all finished on 12 under.
While Pyman was England's best placed player, Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell was in contention with two holes remaining.
But he three-putted on the 17th and found the water on the 18th after being two-shots off the lead.
Darren Clarke made five birdies on the back nine on the way to a closing 65 in his attempt to secure enough tour points to appear at The Open.
The win was Singh's third on the tour following victories at the Volvo Masters and the China Open in 2006.
"When you have a lead you don't want to be too aggressive or too defensive, you just play 'mediocre' golf and hit fairways and greens," he said.