Golf-Singh relieved to become Asian Tour's million-dollar man

By John O'Brien

SINGAPORE, Nov 16 (Reuters) - India's Jeev Milkha Singh was a relieved man on Sunday after missed putts by his closest rivals helped him eke out a one-stroke victory at the Singapore Open, virtually securing him the Asian Tour order of merit title.

Singh finished the $5 million tournament on seven-under-par 277 but could only look on as first playing partner Padraig Harrington and then South Africa's Ernie Els shaved the cup with birdie putts at the last that would have forced a playoff.

"To be honest, it still hasn't sunk in," Singh told reporters after becoming the first player to earn more than $1 million on the Asian Tour.

"I couldn't have asked for better, honestly I think I am a very fortunate man to win.

"Those boys put a good effort out there... Ernie and Padraig. I think the golfing gods were on my side and I am breathing much better now." Singh and Harrington began the final round five shots behind leader Chapchai Nirat but as the Thai slid down the leaderboard, the 36-year-old Indian moved to the top on nine-under with four birdies in his opening 12 holes.

SLIM ADVANTAGE

A bogey at 14 left Singh level with Harrington but the Irishman double-bogeyed 16 when his approach shot skipped off the green and into the lake and although the Indian bogeyed the same hole, he took the slimmest of advantages into the last.

"I started looking at the leaderboards and knew I had a one-shot lead coming into the last. I wasn't hitting my driver that well so took a three-wood.