Wire-to-wire finish for Bhullar

New Delhi: His breakthrough win on the Asian Tour had come in Indonesia in 2009, and on Sunday the Southeast Asian country turned out to be once again lucky for Gaganjeet Bhullar as he bagged his career's fifth Tour title with a threestroke victory at the Indonesia Open.

The win was also Bhullar's first this season, 13 months after his triumph at the 2012 Macau Open. This season, he had posted a runner-up finish at the Avantha Masters, his only-other top 10 finish in 2013.

The Kapurthala lad carded a flawless 68 on the final day, aggregating 16under 268 for the week, to finish three strokes clear of Malaysian Nicholas Fung and Chapchai Nirat Thailand (270), who shot two eagles on the day at the Damai Indah Golf.

The Indian opened with 10 straight pars but put on a strong back nine performance highlighted by three birdies to triumph at the $750,000 event.

Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman carded a 67 to finish fourth on 272, with Jyoti Randhawa (69) one shot further back.

Bhullar, who had a share of the lead from Day One, started slowly but picked up the pace when the field threatened to overtake him.

A birdie on the 11th was the turning point in his round which led to two more birdies on holes 13 and 14.

Poor weather caused play to be suspended for over an hour but Bhullar came back with four pars to clinch the title.

“I gave myself a lot of opportunities in the first nine holes but I misjudged my yardages on a few holes,“ Bhullar said, who took home the winner's prize purse of $135,000.

The tournament was also a welcome return to form for Randhawa, who had finished tied second at the CJ Invitational a few weeks ago.

Among other Indians, Anirban Lahiri, a threetime Tour winner, posted a 68 in the final round to grab a share of the sixth place, while Shiv Kapur, Chiragh Kumar and S.S.P.

Chowrasia were all in tied 23rd with identical totals of five-under 279. Himmat Singh Rai (281) secured the tied 35th place, while Abhinav Lohan was tied 51st (285) and Rahil Gangjee claimed 64th position (288).

Leading final scores: 268: Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) 64-67-69-68 271: Nicholas Fung (MAS) 66-67-72-66, Chapchai Nirat (THA) 67-67-71-66 272: Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 71-65-69-67 273: Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 69-70-65-69 274: Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 74-65-67-68, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 71-68-67-68, Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) 70-64-6971, Jazz Janewattananond (THA) 66-66-68-74.