Dubai-based Shiv Kapur of India shot a final-round 70 for a tournament total of three under par to finish in tied 24th place in the Laguna Phuket Championship, Thailand on the Asian Tour.
On completing his round Kapur told Gulf News: “The conditions over the weekend were really tough for scoring when the wind speed reached up to 30kph. To shoot four under par over the weekend was a pretty decent effort. I am happy with the progress I am making since the return of tournament golf. I just need to tidy up a few things with my game off-season and put some work in, both on and off the golf course, especially on my 39-year-old body, ready for the return of the Asian Tour in 2022 in both Singapore events as well as the Saudi International.
“I also urgently need to find a new driver as I have cracked the face of my gamer.”
Shiv moves to 30th in the season long 2020-2021 Asian Tour Order of Merit with two events remaining: The Singapore International and the SMBC Singapore Open in January.
Thailand’s Phachara Khongwatmai, still just 22 years old, took the title and the $180,000 winner’s cheque with a final round of 70 and a four round total of 10-under.
The Thai star has won twice before on the Asian Development Tour, both in 2015, while it was back in 2013 that he hit the global golf headlines when he triumphed in the Singha Hua Hin Open as a 14-year-old amateur.
In the predicted photo finish, Khongwatmai won by one shot from three players in tied second: Denwit Boriboonsub (Thailand), Bio Kim (South Korea) and Panuphol Pittayarat (Thailand).
Kim led after all of the first three rounds, and actually was 12 under par after 36 holes, but slipped with two over par rounds over the weekend and Pittayarat dropped a shot on the 72nd hole, when a birdie would have taken the title and a par get him in a play-off.
Jumeirah Golf Estates Ambassador MG Keyser of South Africa shot a final round of 71 to move to tied 18th on five under.
Of the MENA Tour invites Ryan Lumsden (Scotland) led the way on six under par in tied 10th place.
Australia’s Wade Ormsby continues to narrowly lead the Asian Tour Order of Merit closely followed by this week’s champion Khongwatmai, Joohyung Kim (South Korea) and Shih-Chang Chan (Taipei), who are all within less than $40,000 of the leader. All is to play for with $2,250,000 in total up for grabs in the final two Singapore events early in 2022.
“My focus now shifts to running my first Junior tournament at The Track, Meydan, Dubai, later this month and further details and news will be published shortly,” Shiv added. “We are confident it will be a huge success.”
