HONG KONG: India’s Himmat Rai claimed an enthralling five-way play-off victory with a glorious 25-foot birdie putt on the sixth extra hole at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic on Sunday.
Rai, 24, was one of five players who tied on nine-under-par 271 in regulation play, the largest number of competitors in a play-off in Asian Tour history.
Dutchman Guido Van der Valk, South African Tjaart Van der Walt, and Brazil’s Adilson Da Silva all bowed out on the second extra hole, leaving Rai to battle it out with Filipino Elmer Salvador at the Orchid Country Club.
The two were in a toe-to-toe battle until Salvador – who had only stayed in the contest with a monster 50-footer at the second extra hole – finally succumbed in fading light. “I can’t believe that I’ve pulled it off,” said Rai, who picked up $47,550 for his maiden Asian Tour title. “The playoff was splendid. This is immense.
“That putt, sometimes when you’re under pressure, you tend to rush it but I thought if I don’t close it, the game would go otherwise. I just knew I had to close it soon before things got out of hand. “I hit a solid putt. I was lucky it went in. It’s very sweet and special.” (PTI)
