Jyoti scuba dives his way to win the Singha Thailand Open

LAGUNA PHUKET: After starting the day as joint leader in the final day of the Singha Thailand Open golf tournament in Phuket, Indian national Jyoti Randhawa won the four-day event to take home the King’s Cup and nearly US$80,000.

Jyoti led at the 40th Singha Thailand Open at the start of today’s play with fellow Indian SSP Chowrasia and Welshman Rhys Davies at the top of the leader board on (-12).

By the end of the last round, it was Jyoti who held his nerve and came out triumphant. Jyoti produced a stunning final Round of 65 (-5) with no dropped shots to take him to seventeen under par on 263, claiming the King’s Cup and winning $79,250.

Jyoti was over the moon with his win.

“In the back of my mind, the way the course was set up and playing, I knew I could shoot some low numbers and I did that in the last two days. I knew what I needed to do today. My putting was great. I turned the corner with my putting yesterday. I knew I could make putts if I could hit it within six feet,” said Jyoti.

“I played marvelous golf the last two days. To shoot five under and without any bogeys was good. I am very happy. Although Rhys played great today. He kept me on my toes and kept making birdies. I had to make birdies to stay ahead. He actually pushed me to push myself to score better,” he added.

After the matches during the days of the tournament, Jyoti spent his free time scuba diving and said it had helped him with his game.

“I need to be next to an ocean to win. The key was to relax and I didn’t let the pressure get to me. My family was here and I enjoyed it.”

With the win under his belt, Jyoti now moves on to India to play. After that he’s set to take two weeks off before heading on to the European Tour in Ireland.

US Tour player Daniel Chopra thought he was in contention at one stage, shooting a final round 63 (-7) to leave him early tournament leader – only to finish tied for 6th place.

The highest accolades for Thai players went to Thongchai Jaidee and Chapchai Nirat, who both finished on (-10), tied for 10th place.

The Singha Thailand Open was hosted at Laguna Phuket. The Phuket Gazette and it’s television arm, PGTV, were the local media partners for the event.