Himmat ensures big payday in Singapore Open
Long before lightning and thunder forced two stoppages, Himmat Rai played flawless golf in the third and final round of the truncated Barclays Singapore Open to earn the biggest paycheck of his pro career.
- Press Trust of India
- Updated: November 13, 2011 06:09 PM IST
Long before lightning and thunder forced two stoppages, Himmat Rai played flawless golf in the third and final round of the truncated Barclays Singapore Open to earn the biggest paycheck of his pro career.
As rain stayed away in the early part of the day, Himmat shot five-under 66 to close at eight-under 276 and finish tied 13th for which he picked up USD 86,600.
Earlier Chiragh Kumar (71) finished at four-under 280 and in a tie for 46th place, a drop of 15 places from his overnight position and Rahil Gangjee (71) at three-under 281 was tied for 57th, also a drop of six places.
It was Himmat's biggest payday, even better than USD 55,150 for the third place finish in 2009 Johor Open or the USD 47,550 he got for winning the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic in September.
It was a deserving reward for the 24-year-old who had made the cut after holing big 20-footer for birdie on the 18th hole on Saturday morning while completing his second round.
Himmat tied for 13th with 2010 US Open winner Graeme McDowell (66), Rikard Karlberg (69), Jbe Kruger (68), Shane Lowry (68) and Richie Ramsay (71).
He finished ahead of Major winners like Ernie Els (68 and tied 23rd), Yang Young-eun (73 and tied 23rd), Phil Mickelson (70 and tied 33rd), Retief Goosen (70 and tied 46th). "That big birdie on the 18th on Saturday morning to make the cut was a big boost. I knew the cut was going at three-under and I needed that birdie," said Rai of the second round.
"Today I played well, gave myself a lot of opportunities and I sank a lot of birdies. I think I had 12-13 fairways and I missed just one green. I had five birdies and on the par-3 17th, my eighth hole of the day I almost holed out it with a rescue club. It was just perfect," he said.