Zhang grabs Caltex Masters as Els misses putts

Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post, Singapore

Chinese Zhang Lian-wei won the US$900,000 Caltex Singapore Masters after carding a solid two-under on Sunday to deny world number 2 Ernie Els a three-peat at the beginning of the 2003 season.

Els won the Mercedes Championship and the Sony Open, both in Hawaii, in two consecutive weekends before the Singapore event.

Els only made an aggregate score of nine under-279, one shot short of Zhang's.

Zhang, ranked 18th in the Asian PGA. started his round with three birdies at the 3rd, 4th and 7th.

However, Zhang suffered two bogeys at hole 11 and the par three 17th. He reduced the deficit by sinking a birdie at the par four 18th to win US$150,000.

"I was very delighted because I have never won a title although I have been on the European tour for quite some time," the Chinese said through an interpreter.

Els carded a disastrous 1-over 73.

Els said he played okay but did not putt well.

"From tee to green I was pretty good but from the 15th hole onwards I did not play well.

"Yesterday I putted well but today the pace was way off again. I felt the greens were a lot quicker. Apart from yesterday, I struggled with the pace of them."

The South African also admitted that eventually the heat got to him and he tired towards the end.

He also said that he had to "take my hat off to Zhang, my opponent today".

"He stuck in well and did not make any mistakes really. The way I putted, I let them all in a bit."

"It is always tough to lose like this but it has happened before and will probably happen again. It is just one of those things."

Despite losing the chance for three titles in his first three competitions in the new season, Els should be content with his second prize of $100,000 plus his appearance fee of $500,000.

Thai Prayad Marksaeng had a better performance than his compatriot Thongchai Jaidee by finishing third after carding a one under par for a total of 280.

Thongchai tied tenth place with defending champion Arjun Atwal of India with an aggregate of 285. Atwal and Thongchai, as well as four other golfers, were $15,225 richer.