Shiv Kapur and Gaganjeet Bhullar finished tied for second place at the Thailand Open, reported PTI. Kapur, chasing his second consecutive win on the Asian Tour had a closing bogey-free eight-under 64 during his win in Taiwan, had managed 10 birdies besides two bogeys in his 63 today.
With rounds of 65 and 63, Kapur was 14-under for the weekend and was tied second with fellow Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar, who carded a 67 to finish 19-under. Rattanon Wannasrichan finished 21-under to complete his win, closing with a four-under-par 67 to win by two shots.
Kapur sank four straight birdies in his closing five holes to pile the pressure on Rattanon before signing off with the day’s best score of a 63. Bhullar, a seven-time Asian Tour winner, impressed with a birdie-birdie finish after chipping in from 35 yards on the 18th to close with a second consecutive 67.
With Kapur and Bhullar tied for second, the Thailand Open became the third event in the last four Asian Tour tournaments that Indians had occupied either of the first two places. After SSP Chawrasia’s win at Hero Indian Open, Kapur won in Taiwan.
“It was disappointing to miss the birdie to get to 20- under but I am not complaining with a closing 63. I played a great round of golf. If you told me I would shoot a 63 at the start of the day, I would have taken it,” said Kapur.
“I was actually telling my caddy coming down the 18th fairway that I birdied the 18th hole with a similar pin position when I won my first Asian Tour title here in 2005. We were hoping to make an even better shot this time but unfortunately I wasn’t able to make the putt. It was still some good memories out there,” he added.
Bhullar said it was a great finish with two consecutive birdies to grab a share of second place, “I played well and I thought at the end of the day, I will either win or finish inside top-five. I had two chip-ins today, including one from 35 yards on the last. The other chip-in was on the par-three third. Short game was the key for me throughout the week.”