Bing survives a final shot victory

Oct 22: Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing survived a late bust by challenger Digvijay Singh and snatched a final shot victory on the 18th green clinching the biggest ever purse in India in the BILT Open at the Jaypee Greens course in Greater Noida here on Sunday.

Last years runners-up led through the final round to score a one shot win over Digvijay Singh denying him a chance of winning the championship. Bing carded a par round for a winning tally of 13-under 275 and went away with prize money of worth Rs. 12,93,200 ($32,330).

The 35-year old Digvijay, ended up with a second successive four-under 68, collected the biggest cheque of his career Rs. 8,93,300. Rahil Gangjee, Shamim Khan and Himmat Singh Rai shared the third spot at 279 in this domestic season-opener.

The 30-year-old Bing started the day with a five-stroke. He birdied six times but bogeyed on many holes including the last two. Digvijay could not seize up the moment after coming so close in the sixth hole; it was just because he wasn’t too consistent on the front nine.

Bing extended his lead to six shots with six holes left by scoring birdies on the 10th and 12th holes. Digvijay pulled out a shot on the 14th hole where Bing bogeyed and the lead reduced to four shots.

But on the final hole, Digvijay narrowly missed an ‘eagle’ putt while Bing carefully three-putted for a bogey and managed to score a win by a shot. Kapil Kumar won the amateur title six shots ahead of Lakhan Singh with a tally of 318.

Bing admitted that he adopted a safety route on Sunday and said though Digvijay was going great guns he was not worried.

"Well, I did play little safe today and why not? I had a five-shot lead. Digvijay did give me hard times but as long as I was leading, I didn't worry," said Bing after winning the championship.

"I think I was heading for a double bogey on the 17th as it was almost an unplayable lie. I still managed to bogey it and I would take it as the greatest bogey of my career," he quipped.

On the other hand, Digvijay Singh was very satisfied with his play. “I was out for six weeks due to an ankle injury. I got my putting right on the back nine and I am particularly pleased with my short iron-play. And I needed this money very badly,” said a smiling Digvijay whose last victory came in the DDA Open in New Delhi in the 2005-06 domestic season.

SSP Chowrasia (69), Ashok Kumar (70) and Arjun Singh (73) shared seventh place at seven-under 281, one shot ahead of veteran Gaurav Ghei (69).

FINAL POSITIONS: 1. Lam Chih Bing (Sin) (68, 66, 69, 72) 275, 2. Digvijay Singh (69, 71, 68, 68) 276, 3 . Rahil Gangjee (73, 70, 69, 67), Shamim Khan (66, 72, 71, 70), Himmat Singh Rai (74, 66, 68, 71) 279, 4. Feroz Ali (70, 72, 71, 67) 280, 5. S. S. P. Chowrasia (69, 72, 71, 69), Ashok Kumar (71, 68, 70, 72), Arjun Singh (69, 70, 69, 73) 281, 6. Gaurav Ghei (73, 72, 68, 69), Vijay Kumar (74, 68, 69, 71) and Matloob Ahmed Rana (72, 69, 70, 71) 282.