Singh delighted with 'excellent' year

Jose Manuel Lara was not the only person celebrating after he won the UBS Hong Kong Open – his first victory on the European Tour.

India’s Jeev Milkha Singh, winner of the Volvo Masters in Spain earlier this year, won the Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit thanks to his third-placed finish at the Fanling golf course yesterday.

Singh said: “This year has been excellent. It is like a dream year. With the third-placed finish here and winning the UBS Order of Merit, it is just perfect for me.

“I’ve worked hard and won my biggest tournament in Valderrama (the Volvo Masters), and I think that was excellent.”

Also finishing third was fellow Indian Jyoti Randhawa – who carded a 12-under-par 268 – and Singh believes Asian golfers are proving they are capable of performing amongst the world’s elite.

He added: “I was glad that I proved something for myself and won on the big stage (at the Volvo Masters). I won there, and that gave me a lot of trust and satisfaction.

“I personally feel that Asian players are good enough to win on any tour in the world right now.”

Tournament winner Lara admitted it was not easy as he came close to losing out to Juvic Pagunsan.

The Filipino rookie pushed Lara all the way on the final day and even displaced him on top of the leaderboard at one stage.

But a bogey on the 16th proved crucial, and Lara carded a birdie on the same hole to move back on top – where he remained for the final two holes.

He said: “It is a great victory. It is a new thing for me. I lost my head but took my chance over the last few holes.

“Juvic got in front of me. He was a better player than I thought, especially on the greens. He putted so well.

“I think I was too confident. But I got my chance on the 16th, and that gave me the trophy. But it was a really tough day.”

Last year’s winner Colin Montgomerie had a disappointing weekend as he carded par on both days to finish 19th on five under.

Former US Open champion Michael Campbell finished on three-over after a disappointing final round.

The New Zealander made four bogeys on the front nine and then had a double-bogey on the 18th for a five-over-par finish on the day.