Chapchai Nirat wins play-off

THAILAND’S Chapchai Nirat holed a four-foot par putt to beat Filipino veteran Antonio Lascuna in the first play-off hole to lift the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters title yesterday.
   Big-hitting Chapchai, who is nicknamed ‘King Kong’ by his friends, held his nerve at the Seri Selangor Golf Club to secure his fourth Asian Tour victory, ending a five-year title drought in the RM1.3 million event.
    The best placed Malaysian’s were Danny Chia (74-68-73- 71) and Shaaban Husin (68-70-81-67) who ended joint 31 on a total of two over 286.
   The 43-year-old Lascuna charged into contention with a masterful 63 to tie Chapchai, who closed with a 68 which included two finishing bogeys, on 10-under-par 274. The Thai then sealed the win when Lascuna’s missed his par putt from five feet in play-off.
    India’s Anirban Lahiri settled for third place, two behind the play-off duo, following a final round 68 while Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United States (71) and overnight leader Cameron Smith of Australia (73) were amongst those who shared fourth place on 278.
    “I didn’t think this day would happen,” said a delighted Chapchai, who was drenched with water by Thai players who had gathered around the 18th green.
   “I didn’t think I’d have a chance to win (after five years). Golf is a game where you need to stay patient. I always talked to my caddie that if I could keep my form, I felt I could get one win again,” added the Thai, who earned US$72,670 to jump into sixth place on the Order of Merit.
   Chapchai, who holds the world scoring record of 32-under-par 256 when he won the SAIL Open in India in 2009, made life difficult for himself. With a two-shot cushion with two remaining, he hit errant drives which led to bogeys. But it didn’t matter at the end as he survived the play-off drama.

Asian Games Hockey: Mas 5 bangladesh 1

Incheon Asian Games 2014 MEN'S HOC

Fulltime: Malaysia 5-1 Bangladesh 

Razie Rahim 20'min (PC) - MAS
Marhan Jalil 46'min (FG) - MAS
Izwan Firdaus 52'min (FG) - MAS
Shahrun Nabil 59'min (PC) - MAS
Razie Rahim 60'min (PC) - MAS

BANGLADESH

Krishno-Kumar 30'min (FG) - BAN

NOTE: After 3days rest Malaysia play South Korea 

Group B: 
Pakistan 2 China 0.
India 8 Sri Lanka 0.
S Korea 12 Singapore 0

Asian Games men's Hockey results

Smith charges ahead

AUSTRALIAN newcomer Cameron Smith snatched a one- shot lead from Thai duo Chapchai Nirat and Sattaya  Supupramai after a bruising third round at the Worldwide  Holdings Selangor Masters at the Seri Selangor Golf Club  yesterday.
   Smith, the 2013 Australian Amateur Champion, battled to  an even par 71 which included three bogeys over his closing  four holes to put himself in position for a maiden Asian Tour  victory with a three-day aggregate of eight-under 205.
    Big-hitting Chapchai, a three-time winner but not since  2009, shot a 69 while Sattaya moved into contention with a 68  which included six birdies and two dropped shots over his last  three holes at the RM1.3 million event.
   An ailing overnight leader Anirban Lahiri of India strug gled to a 76 which included two closing double bogeys and  ended a tough day three shots behind Smith.
    The best placed Malaysian’s are bunched at tied 38th, on  two over 215 total.
   Danny Chia and Hans Jamil returned 73s yesterday, while  Khor Kheng Hwai had a 72.
   Current Order of Merit leader David Lipsky of the United  States kept himself in the hunt for a second title in three  weeks with a battling 69 which left him two back alongside  Australian Jake Higginbottom andTaiwan’s Hung Chien- yao.
    The 21-year-old Smith led into the final round of the CIMB  Niaga Indonesian Masters in April before settling for tied  second place behind Lahiri. The Aussie is determined to go  one better at the Worldwide Holdings Selangor Masters.
    “I’ve been in this position a couple of times now. Hopefully  I can close the deal. I need to stay patient and stick to my  game plan. With a bit of luck, hopefully I can win,” said  Smith.
    Two back at the start of the day, Smith looked menacing,  holing a birdie on 11 and another 25-foot eagle on 13 to surge  ahead of the pack. He three putted the 15th hole for bogey  and errant shots on 16 and 18 led to further shots.
   “I played pretty good but it was a disappointing finish.  That’s golf. It was pretty tough out there and I didn’t putt that  well ... no one to blame except myself. I’m going to relax and  do some putting in my room,” he said.
    The 30-year-old Sattaya hopes to build on his recent  victory on the Asian Development Tour as he searches for a  career breakthrough.
   “I’ve won on the ADT and I’ve gained confidence from  there. Playing on the Asian Tour is slightly different because  there are so many good players,” he said.

ASIAN GAMES: Malaysia 8 Singapore 2

Malaysia beat Singapore 8-2 in the Asian Games Hockey Group A match on Saturday and will next play Bangladesh, followed by S Korea and Japan.
   Need to beat two more teams to confirm semi-finals spot, and in cross-over, India or Pakistan the likely opponents.

MALAYSIA

Razie Rahim 2'min (PC) - MAS
Fitri Saari 3'min (FG) - MAS
Rahim Razie 17'min (PS) - MAS
Firhan Ashaari 30'min (FG) - MAS
Razie Rahim 35'min (PS) - MAS
Tengku Ahmad Tajuddin 37'min (FG) - MAS
Izwan Firdaus 48'min (FG) - MAS
Shahrun Nabil 51'min (FG) - MAS 

SINGAPORE 
Enrico Marican 11'min (PC) - SIN
Silas Noor Shah 28'min (FG) - SIN