The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Ghei wins Pine Valley Beijing Open

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Monday, Apr 30, 2007
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Ghei wins Pine Valley Beijing Open

Becomes the first Indian to win on any Tour in 2007

— Photo: AFP

ANOTHER TRIUMPH: A visibly delighted Gaurav Ghei poses with the Pine Valley Beijing Open trophy.

Beijing: Gaurav Ghei scaled the summit once again, by winning the inaugural Pine Valley Beijing Open golf tournament, after a flawless three-under 69 on the final day on Sunday.

Playing smart and tidy, the Delhi golfer totalled 14-under 274 to win by two shots over Australian Adam Blyth (71) and became the first Indian to win on any Tour in 2007.

Ghei, who was tied with three others for the overnight lead, had three birdies and no bogeys in a round, which fetched him his third Asian Tour title.

Eight months wait

The 38-year-old Ghei, who waited 11 years between his first two titles, clinched the third one after a gap of only eight months.

Ghei was never behind in the final round after going into lead with two birdies on front nine. He birdied the fifth for the third day in row and then the eighth for the fourth successive day and then added a third birdie on 13th before parring the rest and sealing his win.

"It is an amazing feeling to be able win again. I have been consistent but was not able to put it together earlier this year,'' said Ghei, whose previuos best this year had been tied sixth at Johnnie Walker classic.

Ghei's previous wins on Asian Tour came at 1995 Gadgil Western Masters and 2006 Mercuries Masters.

Chopra in 56th spot

Meanwhile at Irving (Texas), Daniel Chopra returned a poor two-over 72 to slip to the tied 56th spot after the penultimate round of the EDS Byron Nelson Championships here on Saturday.

The Indian-born Swede, who was tied 30th overnight, had a three-round total of one-over 211 after firing a birdie against a double-bogey and a bogey.

Chopra was going steady with a string of 11 pars but things went haywire with a bogey on the 12th. He ended up dropping a double-bogey on the next hole before recovering to fire a birdie on the 16th.

Meanwhile, England's Luke Donald endured a roller-coaster round but managed to take a one-shot lead going into the final round.

Donald carded a 67 for a three-round total of 10-under 200, one better than Scott Verplank who shot a 66.

American Michael Allen is a shot further back in third place after returning an eight-under 64. Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson are among the five players tied for the fifth spot with 205. — Agencies

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