Jeev, whose previous best performance in a major was the tied ninth place finish in last year’s PGA Championship, signed off with an aggregate of four-under 274.
Jeev Milkha Singh’s dreams of laying his hands on the WGC-CA Championship title didn’t materialise but a cultured final round of two-under 70 was enough for a fourth place finish in the elite $8.5 million event here. Jeev, whose previous best performance in a major was the tied ninth place finish in last year’s PGA Championship, signed off with an aggregate of four-under 274, five shots behind Phil Mickelson who shrugged off a bout of exhaustion and dehydration and crawled out of the bed to lift the title.
Jeev, pocketed a cool $360,000 cheque for his exploits at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. Jeev went into the final round at third place and the opening hole birdie promised a spirited challenge by the Indian. Birdies came on the fifth and seventh as well but were summarily cancelled out by the bogeys on the fourth and eighth and the Indian made turn at one under.
On his way back, Jeev birdied the 12th and 16th holes but the 13th proved unlucky for him and dropping a stroke there left him at two-under. Jeev parred the last five holes to finish three shots ahead of the iconic Tiger Woods. “I could have done better but I’m happy with my performance,” said Jeev, who is in pursuit of his first triumph on US PGA Tour.
“Those boys up front were superb and were way past us after nine holes,” he said, admitting his prospects of winning the title was over by the time he was through his front nine. “I made too many errant shots to contend, but that is part of the game,” Jeev said. “I holed some putts I wasn’t supposed to, so I will definitely take the fourth place here,” he added.
Mickelson said, “I haven’t eaten much in three days, so I really wasn’t able to appreciated what others were doing but Nick (Watney) played some great shots and I was very relieved to come out on top.” It was an enthralling battle between the two Americans,
Mickelson and Watney, who broke free of the rest of the leaderboard early on. Once Mickelson had his nose in front, Watney was unable to pull back the shot as both players made par on each of the last six holes. The 27-year-old Watney, who had made just one bogey all week before his three on Sunday, had an outside chance at birdie on the last but his 29 foot putt fell just inches short. Watney covered his face with his hat as he realised his slight chance of glory had passed.
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