Jyoti Randhawa wins Hero Honda Indian Open

New Delhi, Oct 23: Jyoti Randhawa ended a two-year title drought as he defeated SSP Chowrasia in the second play-off hole to lift his second Hero Honda Indian Open title here today.

Today's win gave Randhawa his sixth Asian Tour title through a simple two feet birdie putt on the par-five 18th play-off hole in the 400,000 dollar event.

Randhawa, who had earlier won the title in 2000, which was also in a play-off, walked away with the top prize of 63,400 dollar at the Delhi Golf Club.

It was his first success since the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2004.

It was a case of redemption for Randhawa, who missed a four-foot putt on the first extra hole late yesterday which would have won him the title. India's Vijay Kumar had also been involved on the first extra hole but dropped out after hitting his tee shot into the trees.

''This victory was the most difficult of all as there was a lot of pressure on me. In my previous victories, such as when I won here in 2000, there was no expectation on me. I was an up and coming golfer then. Now there is much more pressure on me. I am very proud and honored to have won the Open again,'' said Randhawa.

The 34 year old revealed that it was ''Nerve-wracking'' to miss the putt yesterday and he had an almost sleepless night thinking about his miss.

''I went back and thought about it and figured out what went wrong, I only slept three of four hours last night,'' he revealed.

At the end of four rounds yesterday, Randhawa, Vijay and Chowrasia found themselves in a three-way lead at 18-under 270.

In the three-way playoff, both Randhawa and Chowrasia parred the first extra hole, whie Vijay fell by the wayside after he lost the ball in the jungle. Randhawa raced ahead this morning with a solid drive of the tee and using a four iron, the Indian reached the green as he left the ball 40 feet away from the pin.

Chowrasia missed a 12-foot birdie as Randhawa sealed the title with a two feet birdie putt.

Chowrasia, who was looking for his first title in his rookie season on Tour, solidified his position in the top-60 as he is ranked 36th in the Order of Merit.

The 28-year-old is a multiple winner on Indian PGA Tour but today's cheque of 33,900 dollar was far and away the biggest pay day of his career.

''I was relaxed out there. I am happy with the way I played. I know that my chance will come. I did not get tense and I slept well.

In fact my roommate, Rafiq Ali was saying that he could not sleep, but I slept nicely,'' said Chowrasia, who shares second place with Vijay.

The performance made amends for his mishap in the Mercuries Masters in Taiwan in September, where he led by three shots after two rounds but was disqualified for not signing his scorecard. He is sponsored by Royal Calcutta Golf Club, where his father was the green keeper. He grew up living by one of the greens where he honed a magnificent short game that has earned him the nickname 'Chipandputtasia'.

''Chowrasia is a new kid on the block. He has a great attitude and is a great golfer with a very good golf swing. I think he has a great future and has a lot of years left in him. I am happy that I beat him. He definitely will win the Indian Open one day,'' Randhawa said about his play-off opponent.

A Monday finish on the Asian Tour has happened only once, in 2005, when Ernie Els won the BMW Asian Open in China.

UNI