Khan is king of the hill

Indian young gun Rashid Khan put on a solid performance to beat fellow countryman Jyoti Randhawa and Thailand’s big hope Thanyakorn Krongpha by a stroke to claim his second Asian Tour title in the rain-interrupted US$750,000 Chiang Mai Classic at the Alpine Golf Resort yesterday.

The New Delhi resident defied the unstable weather conditions, which culminated in an hour of unseasonal rain, by relying on his accurate putting to fire a finishing 68 for a four-day total of 17-under 271. Earlier this year, the Indian won the SAIL-SBI Open in New Delhi.

“This is like a dream come true. I didn’t expect to win my second title so early as I just won my first in February. I am really excited to win the second title,” said Khan, whose par-saving putt after coming out of the bunker on the par-3 15th proved the turning point.

 “I found the bunker and had a difficult line on the 15th. I had to hole that putt from 15 feet and I did it while Thanyakorn had a birdie chance but he failed. That was a really important putt for me as things could have gone the other way around,” said the 23-year-old.

Overnight leader Thanyakorn, who came second in a Japan Tour event this year, was heart-broken again. He said the rain disruption affected his confidence. 

He shot a 71 for a 16-under 272 to share second place with 2002 Asian Tour No. 1 Randhawa, who signed off with a 69.

“I started the round with a birdie and was feeling great and after three holes it started raining,” the Thai said. “When play resumed I felt different and that bogey on the fourth hole really let me down. 

“I didn’t feel right from then on while Rashid did everything right. He never missed a chance and never gave me an opportunity.” 

 “I really wanted to win so badly and wished I could turn back time and play again. But let’s look at the bright side of it, this is my best result on the Asian Tour and I can keep my card,” said the 24-year-old from Khon Kaen who will play three weeks in Japan before coming back for the Thailand Championship in December. Last year’s Asian Tour No. 1 Kiradech Aphibarnrat fired a 69 for a 14-under 274 to take fourth place and was followed by Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera and Kalem Richardson of Australia, who both finished on 275.

“Playing at this level after coming back from injury is incredible,” Kiradech said. “I tried my best to put pressure on the leaders and I’m content with that. 

“I pushed hard and made errors on the third and fourth holes. If I had shot more birdies on the front nine, I would have seen myself in a better situation.”

American Jason Dufner, the PGA Championship in 2013, fired his best score of the week, a 66, to finish on 11-under 277 for a joint seventh-place finish Malaysia’s Danny Chia, South Africa’s Jbe Kruger and Australia’s Scott Barr.

Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel of South Africa shot his second 68 of the week to finish in joint 42nd on two-under 286 while South Korean star Noh Seung-yul was tied 36th on 285.