The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Johl & Jeev finish joint second

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Monday, Jan 23, 2006

Sport

Sport - Golf

Johl & Jeev finish joint second

Karachi: Jeev Milkha Singh and Amandeep Johl gave it all, but Englishman Chris Rodgers, who eight days ago won the Qualifying School honours in a play-off to earn full playing privileges on the Asian Tour, won his maiden title on Asian Tour.

Johl, looking for his maiden title, and Jeev, looking to end a winless run since 1999, were left stranded at tied second, and four behind Rodgers, who started the day seven shots ahead of the Indian duo. Rodgers with a final round of par 72 held out, as Johl and Jeev Milkha Singh, despite a three-under 69 each, finished at 11-under 277 each, after starting tied fourth overnight.

On the final day, the Indian pair did make a valiant attempt, but the gap of seven was just too much to make and Rodgers did not wilt under the pressure of a big lead.

Ashok Kumar, who seemed to be making a bid for top honours was let down by a double bogey on 11th and ended in a tie for seventh with German Jochen Luprian. Arjun Singh, who had seven birdies, also had two double bogeys and ended with a 69, which could only get him a tied 11th.

Atwal tied 33rd

At Palm Desert (California), Arjun Atwal dropped a shot in each nine on his way to a second successive round of two-under 70 for the tied 33rd place in the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament on Sunday.

India-born Swede Daniel Chopra shot a sparkling five-under 67 to total seven-under 281 for the tied 67th place, just in time to make the cut in the event.

Meanwhile, American Chad Campbell carded five-under 67 to maintain a slender one-stroke lead at 24-under 264.

Chopra played his best golf of the week so far, and barring the bogey on the 12th, it was a near-perfect performance by the player who reeled off six birdies, including four on the trot from eighth to 11th, to make the cut. — Agencies

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