Ghei wins Taiwan Masters; Rahil finish second

Taipei, Oct 1 (UNI) Gaurav Ghei blasted a sensational six-under 66 in the final round to pip compatriot and overnight leader Rahil Gangjee to lift the 500,000 dollar Mercuries Taiwan Masters today.

The win ended Ghei's 11-year title drought and the 38-year old also booked, in the process, a berth for HSBC Champions tournament in November.

''It's been 11 years since I won the Gadgil Western Masters on home soil in 1995.

And the way I played in the last two days without dropping a shot, it is just fantastic. This is all going to take a while to sink in,'' said Ghei, who made a giant leap to 10th place on the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit.

Ghei enjoyed a blemish free round with six birdies and finished one stroke ahead of Rahil who ended his campaign with an indifferent one-under 71 at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club. Ghei aggregated 10-under-par 278 to walked away with a 100,000-dollar booty. Rahil had to contend with 60,000-dollar purse.

Thanks to solid putting in the final round, Ghei conquered the front nine with birdies at the first, second, fourth, sixth and seventh holes. After having to scramble for par at the 10th hole, Ghei bounced back with a birdie at the 12th hole and was steady as he parred the remaining six holes.

Overnight leader Gangjee started well with birdies at the second and fifth holes but he stumbled with a dropped shot at the seventh hole. After carding another bogey on the 14th hole, Gangjee gave chase and ended his run with a birdie at the final 18th hole.

''I didn't expect to finish in second place as I was gunning for the top spot. But I never really charged. I started off good but then endured poor putting and was unlucky with the lie on the seventh hole and that's not the way to win a tournament. Gaurav played really well and shooting six under on the final round, that is really good,'' said Gangjee, who chalked up his best finish this season.

Ted Oh of Korea finished in sole third position four strokes behind the champion.

Among other Indians, Shiv Kapur and Amandeep Johl finished tied 16th with one over 289 while Digvijay Singh was tied 26th with three over 291.

Harmeet Kahlon brought up the rear with 12 over 300.

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