Aussie Cole beats India's Singh in Ericsson Masters

By Bobby Allen Wilson

BINTAN, Riau (JP): In a gripping finish to the US$500,000 Asia Pacific Ericsson Masters yesterday Australian Darren Cole beat India's Jeev Milkha Singh on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off.

On the 463-yard par-four 18th at the Bintan Lagoon Golf and Beach Resort with the skies darkening and rain beginning to fall, Cole was handed victory after Singh missed a four foot putt for par.

It was a bizarre twist of fate for Cole who 15 minutes earlier caused the play off by missing a three foot putt for par to win in normal time.

"I was handed a second chance," said Cole. "I felt the pressure when I missed that putt on the last for the win. It reminded me of the putt I missed to qualify for this year's British Open."

The tournament, which is a joint satisfaction event between the Asian PGA's Omega Tour and the PGA Tour Australasia, was Cole's first Tour win.

"It's funny because I wasn't sure if I was going to play here this week. I couldn't decide whether to play and my wife said that if I play I'd probably win it," said the 35-year-old.

"I have had a couple of second places finishes before, most noticeably in last year's Singapore Open, so I was due a win."

Cole came through on the final day with a one-under-par 71 to tie the lead with Singh, who returned on level-par 72, on 13- under-par 275.

India's Arjun Atwal, the third round leader playing with Cole and Singh in the last group, struggled home with a four-over-par 76 and finished in joint fifth place.

Singh had appeared to be on course for his fourth Omega Tour win after leading by three strokes from Cole at the turn.

On the back nine, however, the 25-year-old came home in three- over-par 39 and looked to have been defeated before Cole's missed putt on the last send the tournament into overtime.

"I made a big mistake," said Singh. "I rushed the putt. The rain was getting heavy and I wanted to finish off the hole quickly. I felt very uncomfortable over the putt. I told myself to step away and take my time but I couldn't make myself do it ... I wanted to get on with it. That was really stupid."

For Cole the win came at just the right time. "I have been playing well this year but my finances were beginning to dry up," said Cole, who heads for the British Masters next on the European Tour.

"I hope the money doesn't arrive in my bank account before I get home otherwise my wife will probably spend it all," said Cole, who claimed $80,750 for first place.

South African Wayne Bradley and American Mike Cunning finished in a tie for third place on 11-under-par 277. Bradley closed with a level-par 72 and Cunning a six-under-par 66.

The next event on the Asian PGA's Omega Tour is next week's $300,000 Mild Seven Kuala Lumpur Open at Saujana Golf and Country Club from Sept. 18 to Sept. 21.

Final leading results: 275 - Darren Cole (Aus) 72-64-68-71, Jeev Milkha Singh (Ind) 66- 69-68-72) Cole won on first playoff hole 277 - Mike Cunning (USA) 70-71-70-66, Wayne Bradley (Rsa) 71-69- 65-72 278 - Nam Young-Woo (Kor) 71-69-70-68, Arjun Atwal (Ind) 65-70- 67-76 279 - Ted Purdy (USA) 74-68-67-70, Gavin Coles (Aus) 72-69-68- 70, Craig Kamps (Rsa) 71-67-69-72, Nico Van Rensburg (Rsa) 68-66-71-74 280 - Fran Quinn (USA) 74-69-71-66 281 - John Kernohan (USA) 75-69-72-65, Doug Dunakey (USA) 68-71- 69-73, Brett Partridge (Aus) 71-68-67-75 282 - Peter Fowler (Aus) 69-69-74-70 283 - Paul Foley (Aus) 73-71-70-69, Edward Fryatt (Eng) 70-72-70-71, Jim Rutledge (Can) 71-72-69-71, Paul Devenport (Nzl) 71-71-69-72, John Senden (Aus) 70-67-73-73 284 - Matthew Ecob (Aus) 74-71-70-69, Mark Allen (Aus) 72-70-71- 71, Des Terblanche (Rsa) 73-68-70-73 285 - Marciano Pucay (Phi) 69-73-73-70, M. Murugiah (Sin) 70-72- 71-72, David Mckenzie (Aus) 71-73-68-73, Chris Gray (Aus) 70-74-68-73, Lucas Parsons (Aus) 74-68-70-73, Michael Long (Nzl) 73-71-67-74, Scott Laycock (Aus) 72-70-67-76