Asian Tour

Jyoti Randhawa (pic: Asian Tour)

The sun, sand and the water and a little bit of golf was just the recipe for Jyoti Randhawa to end the drought and clinch his ninth career victory that came in the form of the Singha Thailand Open. After a year that saw him struggling with his swing changes, fighting the cold European weather and an unacceptable number of missed cuts, 2009 could only have gotten better for the daredevil from Delhi. He served a notice with two consecutive top-ten finishes in the co-sanctioned tournaments and delivered on the promise by pocketing the Thailand Open.

A four-day total of 17-under 263 was good enough for him to finish at the head of the pack, two clear of young Welshman Rhys Davies.

Randhawa, who was tied for the overnight lead with Davies and Chowrasia, after an incredible 62 in the third round, pulled one stroke clear of the pack early in the final round and maintained his grip down the final straight to clinch a title on the Asian Tour after a gap of almost 17 months.

Phuket was also witness to a welcome return of form for SSP Chowrasia who has struggled to finish on the leaderboard after winning the Indian Masters early last year. He returned a 69 on Sunday to grab a share of fourth place.

Gaganjeet Bhullar and Himmat Singh Rai finished tied 10th with a total of ten-under 270. Anirban Lahiri (68, 67, 72, 64) made a significant jump from overnight tied 46th to tied 19th thanks to a 64 in the final round.