Singapore, 23-01-2022

Veer Ahlawat claims career-best tied fifth at SMBC Singapore Open

Shiv Kapur takes tied ninth place

Veer Ahlawat (68-70-70-69) claimed a career-best tied fifth finish on the Asian Tour following his final round of two-under 69 at the season-ending SMBC Singapore Open.

Ahlawat, who had an electrifying start to the last day with five birdies on his first six holes, closed the day with a double-bogey and a bogey on the last two holes to end up with a tournament total of seven-under 277 at the Sentosa Golf Club.

Veer, who on Sunday moved up five spots from his overnight tied 10th position, narrowly missed out on a berth at the 150th Open Championship which was guaranteed to the top four finishers this week.

The tall and lanky Indian golfer's previous best finish on the Asian Tour was tied eighth which he had achieved at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship 2021 and the Panasonic Open India 2019.

Ahlawat ended the Asian Tour season in an impressive 22nd place on the Order of Merit taking a leap of 20 spots with his top-5 finish in Singapore.

Shiv Kapur (71-69-70-69) secured tied ninth place after posting a 69 in round four. Kapur's final round card featured three birdies and a bogey as he gained 10 spots on Sunday and totaled five-under 279 for the week.

Shiv finished 25th on the Asian Tour merit list.

The tournament was won by Sadom Kaewkanjana of Thailand at 13-under 271.

Among the other Indians Viraj Madappa took tied 48th place at four-over 288, Rashid Khan ended tied 53rd at five-over 289 and Chikkarangappa S finished tied 65th at eight-over 292.

Korean teenager Joohyung Kim, who finished tied second at the season-ending event this week, won the 2021 Asian Tour Order of Merit title.

Rashid Khan closed the season as the highest ranked Indian on the Asian Tour's money list at 20th position.

The Asian Tour commences its 2022 season at the US$5 million PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers which will be played at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club from February 3-6.

The top-30 players from today’s final Merit list have qualified for the Saudi event. Thus Rashid Khan, Veer Ahlawat and Shiv Kapur will be the three Indians to feature at the season-opener.

Picture: Asian Tour