Jeev wins Scottish Open, books berth for British Open

Inverness, Scotland: India’s Jeev Milkha Singh beat Francesco Molinari in a play-off to win the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart Golf Links on Sunday. Jeev, who also qualifies for The Open, beat Italian Molinari with a 12 foot birdie putt at the first extra hole.

Jeev had set an early target of 17-under with a 67 and overnight leader Molinari then forced sudden death by holing a nine foot par putt on the last for a 72. Meanwhile early contender, 31-year-old Marc Warren, double-bogeyed the 15th, then bogeyed the next two for a one under par 71.

Jeev, who on a dream Sunday at Castle Stuart Golf Links also claims a spot in next week’s Open Championship, came from five shots back and joint 16th place for the fourth victory of his European Tour career.

“I was just enjoying a cup of tea and some chocolate cake and watching it on television, and suddenly got excited,” said Jeev- who was three shots behind Warren when he signed his card.

“I think God has been kind, and I think the field came back and I put myself in a to go in for a play-off - I'm very fortunate. I would like to thank a lot of people who have been by my side the last three, four years that have been a struggle for me with the injuries: My family, my friend who coaches me, Janet, who was on my bag, my sponsors who stood by me like Callaway, UPS, Societe Generale, golf in DUBAi; all of these guys have been great and supported me through a tough time and I want to thank them all for this,” said Jeev, adding that it had been really tough - frustrating than anything else.

“You feel like your game is coming back and another injury creeps up, but I just stuck myself in there and said that you need to work on the physical side, and I worked hard on that. Everything has paid off, and I just want to think about the good things and not what's past and I want to look towards the future now,” he said.

Jeev was assured of The Open spot going into sudden death because Molinari was already exempt for Royal Lytham. It will be only his second appearance in the event after he missed the cut at Carnoustie five years ago.

Courtesy: www.europeantour.com