Season's best result for Gangjee in Beijing

Uzbekistan News.Net
Sunday 11th May, 2008 (IANS)

Rahil Gangjee bounced back in the final round to score a bogey free four-under 68 on the final day of the Pine Valley Beijing Open here and finish tied 21st for his best result of the year.

Placed 46th overnight, Gangjee, who had missed seven cuts in nine starts this year, had two birdies on either side of the turn on yet another gruelling and tough day on the course.

His compatriot Digvijay Singh (73) dropped four shots on last two holes, including a triple on 18th to slipped from top-20 to 51st.

Japanese star Hiroyuki Fujita (72) battled his way through as he won the US$1 million event by three strokes.

Gangjee had birdies on the third and seventh and then 12th and 13th for his 68, following a 78 on third day and 68 on second round.

'It was a bit of a ups and down over the last three days, but it was nice to have finished with a 68. I have been playing alright but need to get consistent over the weekend,' said Gangjee.

Digvijay, who has booked his full card for next year with a fine tied fourth at co-sanctioned Emaar-MGF Masters at the start of the season, looked set for a good finish at one-under for the day. He dropped a shot on 17th and then went into water on the 18th and finished with a triple that saw him end the tournament at two-over 290.

Fujita shot two birdies against an equal number of bogeys in the final round for a winning total of 12-under-par 276. The 39-year-old Japanese winner walked home with the top prize of US$158,500.

On the final day, Fujita was delighted to walk away with a 72 with the wind and rain returning to the course Sunday. He was one over after nine holes but extended his lead to four strokes after a crucial birdie on the 13th hole.

Fujita, who is a five-time winner on the Japan circuit, has been enjoying a steady run in the past one year. He recorded 11 top-10 finishes in 2007 and was ranked eighth on the money list. He had also previously won the 2003 Okinawa Open.

Another Japanese player Shintaro Kai posted a 68 and claimed the lone second place while Fijian Dinesh Chand enjoyed his best finish on the Asian Tour this season when he finished third, firing his third consecutive 69 for a 280 total. Chand, a former caddie of Fijian star Vijay Singh, was pleased to have posted his third straight 69 after five birdies against two dropped shots.

Australia's Tony Carolan carded a 68 to finish in a tie for fourth spot while Chinnarat Phadungsil faded away after an even-par performance in joint seventh position.

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