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So near, yet so far for Kapur
It was a case of so near and yet so far for Shiv Kapur who faltered in the first play-off hole against Scotsman Richie Ramsay in the South African Open to end second on Sunday.
It was a case of so near and yet so far for Shiv Kapur who faltered in the first play-off hole against Scotsman Richie Ramsay in the South African Open to end second on Sunday.
Kapur, who played some amazing golf, dropped just one bogey on the final day and that proved to be the difference between first and second place.
Ramsay, starting the day in ninth, shot a stunning bogey-free seven-under 65, that made him the clubhouse leader at 13-under, as he waited for the others to come.
Kapur, who opened the day at eight-under in sixth place held at least a share of the lead since the turn on the final day. He finished with a 67, with six birdies and one bogey, but failed to hole any of the birdie chances on the last five holes.
“That’s the way it goes. It is disappointing to come so close and then not be able to close the deal. I have been second or third a few times in last two or three years and I thought I had a great chance, but the 11th and the play-off made the difference,” said Kapur minutes after the loss.
Looking at the finish positively, he added, “Still a eighth last week and second now is alright at the end of the year, which is also the start of 2010 season in Europe. That’s not bad after the struggle for playing right last season.”
In the play-off, Kapur teeing off first went to the left in the hard, sandy area with a shrub adjacent, while Ramsay was just off the fairway in the rough, but had a decent lie, from where he smashed a wood to get to the green in two.
Kapur’s second shot was a bit weak and left him way off and despite fine third shot, he was still short of the green, needing a chip-in to keep his hopes alive. The chip-in did not happen and he managed only a par. Ramsay needing two putts to win stopped his first within six inches and tapped for a birdie to take the title from Kapur. Kapur finished with a par and ended second.
On the win, Ramsay said, “It has to sink and I am over the moon. The trophy has been won by many legends in the game and so it is a great feeling.”
On Kapur, he added, “I am sure Shiv will win this year. He is a great guy and I have played with him many times. He is a great ball striker,” said Ramsay of Kapur.
The 27-year-old Kapur, bidding to become only the fourth Indian to win an European Tour event — after Arjun Atwal, Jeev Milkha Singh and SSP Chowrasia — won his last international title in his rookie year in 2005, when he annexed the Volvo Masters of Asia.
