Disappointing end for Chiranjeev

NEW DELHI, MAY 14. Chiranjeev Milkha Singh's final-round card of three over 75 wrecked his chances of a top-10 finish and sent him tumbling to the joint-27th spot in the 1.6-million Euro Benson and Hedges International Open at the De Vere Belfry in Warwickshire on Sunday.

According to information received here on Monday, Sweden's Henrik Stenson claimed the honours with a tally of 275, three strokes clear of Argentina's Angel Cabrera and Ireland's Paul McGlinley. But what ruined Chiranjeev's chances of a good finish was his poor putting on this day. His 32 putts (as against 26, 27, 26 in the preceding rounds) pushed him down the leaderboard.

After rounds of 72, 69 and 71, Chiranjeev was looking to improve his standing he opened the final round in the 11th spot. He began with a bogey but recovered a stroke on the par- five third. However, thereafter, things went awry.

Two back-to-back bogeys - on the fourth and fifth as well as on the eighth and ninth - left Chiranjeev with four-over for the day at the turn. On the home run, Chiranjeev played far more solidly but could managed to gain just one stroke following a birdie on the par-five 17th.

``I am not hitting the ball too well and am pretty happy with the finish. It as a very bad start to the day and the good thing is the way I fought back. My putter, which helped me a lot on the first three days, was a bit off colour today,'' said Chiranjeev.

The Chandigarh golfer now plays in the Duetsche Bank SAP Open, where all eyes will be on Tiger Woods.

Final scores: Henrik Stenson (Swe) (66, 68, 71, 70) 275; Angel Cabrera (Arg) (70, 70, 69, 69), Paul McGinley (Ire() (66, 72, 70, 70) 278; Olle Karlsson (Swe) (69, 71, 68, 73); Desvonde Botes (RSA) (69, 69, 72, 72) 282; Richard Green (Aus) (72, 70, 70, 71) 283.

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