Jeev finishes tied sixth; Chowrasia tied 10th

Bangkok, Dec 17 (UNI) It wasn't exactly a fairytale ending but Jeev Milkha Singh signed off an exceptional season with an impressive tied sixth finish after returning a level-par card on a windy final day of the 650,000-dollar Volvo Masters of Asia here today.

In the process, the reigning Asian Number one, who aggregated six-under 282 in four rounds, added another 18,000 dollars to his kitty to take his earnings from Asia to 591,884 dollars -- a new record on the tour.

Besides Jeev, rookie S S P Chowrasia also carded a level-par card to take a creditable tied 10th position with five-under 281. The winner here in 2004, Jyoti Randhawa (72) finished 15th with two-under.

Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee survived a nervy double bogey finish to end a frustrating 22-month winless run. The two-time Asian Tour number one carded a final round 72 for a one-stroke victory over Filipino legend Frankie Minoza at the magnificent Thai Country Club.

However, all eyes were fixed on Jeev, who was bidding for his third Volvo-sponsored title of the year. But the Indian ace, who was tied sixth yesterday with five strokes off the pace, had an ominous start and opened his account for the day by dropping a bogey on the fourth hole.

He appeared getting back on track with two birdies on next five holes to make the turn at one-under. The backward journey proved even worse and he dropped two bogeys as against a lone birdie to break even.

Nevertheless, Jeev was satisfied with his show in the tournament.

''I'm happy. The way I ended up today, I didn't shoot over par. I didn't hit the ball well the whole week,'' he said.

With four titles around the globe in what has been a dream year in which he was crowned the Asian Tour's UBS Order of Merit champion, the Indian star is now looking forward to a well deserved break.

''My holiday starts now,'' smiled the world No 45.

''It's been a long season. It's been a dream year. I hope starting next year, things will get better but it'll be tough to repeat what I did this year.

''I'm just going to relax and get some work done on my wrist (injury) and party hard! I haven't thought about rewarding myself.

I'm just looking forward to a break and take it easy back home and hang around with my friends and relax,'' he added.

Meanwhile, things didn't prove as good for defending champion Shiv Kapur and he faltered with a five-over 77 today to end a poor tied 36th.

Amandeep Johl (76), Gaurav Ghei (76), Rahil Gangjee (84) finished 42nd, 49th and tied 57th respectively.

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