Khon Kaen (Thailand), Nov 30 (IANS) Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri faltered in the fourth and final round to share second place in the $500,000 King’s Cup as Thailand’s Thaworn Wiratchant won the title at the par-72 Singha Park Khon Kaen Golf Club here Sunday.
Lahiri, who led from the opening day and went into the final round with a one-stroke cushion over Thaworn, managed two-under 70, while the veteran Thai golfer closed with a five-under 67 to win an unprecedented 18th Asian Tour title.
The 27-year-old Lahiri finished two stroke short of the 47-year-old Thaworn’s total of 20-under 268. Australia’s Andrew Dodt hit 67 to share the position with the Indian.
“It was not easy out there as Anirban and Andrew were piling the pressure on me. It got a little shaky on 12 when I bogeyed for the first time today. But I maintained my composure and managed to see it through,” said Thaworn.
Qualifying School graduate Kalem Richardson of Australia enjoyed another good outing in Thailand by taking a share of fourth place with Thailand’s Donthai Boonma and Paul Paterson of the United States.
Lahiri was disappointed not to have won again as another victory at the event would have meant more world ranking points and allowed him to close the gap on Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States.
“I wasn’t at my best today as I was really struggling on the greens. I had my chances and I just didn’t take them. I don’t think I played poorly but it was just not good enough to close it out,” he said.
“I just missed way too many putts and it was disappointing to miss a short one on the last and that is going to hurt my world rankings. I’m upset with that. I just got to pick myself up and win next week,” said the 27-year-old Indian.
Other Indians in the fray, Rashid Khan and S.S.P. Chowrasia finished joint 13th and tied 16th, respectively.
While Rashid sizzled with a six-under 66 to take his total to 11-under 277, Chowrasia came up with a par score to get a total of 278.
Arjun Atwal and S. Chikka took joint 54th and 63rd positions. While Atwal managed a total fo 285, chikka scored 287.
Final Scores:
268: Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 68-67-66-67.
270: Andrew Dodt (AUS) 69-65-69-67, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 65-67-68-70.
273: Kalem Richardson (AUS) a66-72-68-67, Danthai Boonma (THA) 66-70-68-69, Paul Peterson (USA) 69-68-67-69.
274: Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 71-68-67-68, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 68-69-66-71.
275: Phachara Khongwatmai (THA) 71-71-65-68, Prom Meesawat (THA) 68-69-67-71, Jakraphan Premsirigorn (THA) 69-65-69-72.
276: Jack Munro (AUS) 69-71-70-66.
277: Rashid Khan (IND) 71-69-71-66, Stephen Lewton (ENG) 71-68-70-68, Chan Kim (USA) 72-66-70-69.