Furyk and Vijay Singh tied at 10 under par
with five holes to play in 'Chevron' event

Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh were tied at 10 under par for the tournament with five holes to play in the fourth and final round of the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club, One Thousand Oaks in California today (USA time).
Both had played 13 holes, as had the overnight leader Anthony Kim who had dropped to nine under par and Steve Stricker who was eight-under-par.
Luke Donald hit form at last with a closing round of 66 after earlier scores of 73, 75 and 74.

COMPLETED TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
287 Ben Curtis 72 73 72 70.
288 Luke Donald 73 75 74 66.
293 Stephen Ames 78 71 73 71.
295 Justin Leonard 75 75 73 72, Ken Perry 73 72 75 75, Mike Weir 78 71 70 76.
HOW THEY STAND
-10 after 13 holes Jim Furyk.
-10 after 13 holes Vijay Singh.
-9 after 13 holes Anthony Kim.
-8 after 13 holes Steve Stricker.
-6 after 15 holes Hunter Mahan.
-4 after 15 holes Camilo Villegas.
+2 after 17 holes Boo Weekley.
+2 after 16 holes K J Choi.
+2 after 16 holes Fred Couples.
+3 after 17 holes Paul Casey.

Richie Ramsay top Scot, earns 9,300 Euros for jt 26th place

Sterne beats Maybin in play-off for

South African Open title

FROM THE AOL GOLF NEWS SERVICE
Richard Sterne edged out Northern Ireland's Gareth Maybin on the first play-off hole to win the South African Open today after both players had finished at 14-under-par 274 for the regulation 72 holes at Pearl Valley Golf Estates.
Sterne, who also won the Alfred Dunhill Championship seven days ago, shot a final round of 66 to demote countryman Ernie Els (64 for 276) as clubhouse leader. He became the eighth consecutive "home" winner of the South African Open title. First prize was 158,500 Euros.
Overnight leader Lee Westwood struggled to a closing 73 to finish one behind on 275.
Maybin, who parred every hole from the ninth in his final round 70, had a chance to win on the final hole of regulation but saw his birdie putt from eight feet lip out.
When the players returned to the 18th in sudden death, Maybin was bunkered and Sterne produced a birdie 4 to claim victory. Maybin's financial reward was 115,000 Euros.
Westwood shared third with Rory McIlroy and four-time winner Ernie Els. All three earned 53,200 Euros.
First-round leader Richie Ramsay and Scottish amateur champion Callum Macaulay both returned to form in the final round.
Richie recovered from a third-round 75 to score a four-under-par 68 and finish on seven-under 281. That earned him a creditable final placing of 26th equal and a take-home pay of 9,300 Euros.
Macaulay, whose third-round 74 was his first above-par round in his initial seven rounds as a European Tour player, got back on track with a three-under 69 for 283.
David Drysdale finished on the same five-under-par total with a closing round of 72, his third sub-par score in a row. They were joint 34th abd earbed 7,700 Euros apiece.
Glasgow-born Alan McLean had a closing 71 for 287. He was officially placed joint 57th and earned 3,200 Euros.
Andrew Coltart finally slipped off the straight and narrow which has been the hallmark of his play both at the European Tour School and his tournaments since. He signed off with a disappointing 79 for 289 for joint 62nd position and a 2,760 Euros pay-out.

FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
274 Richard Sterne (Rsa) 72 69 67 66, Gareth Maybin 66 69 69 70 (Sterne won sudden-death play-off at first hole).
275 Ernie Els (Rsa) 67 67 77 64, L Westwood 66 68 68 73, R McIlroy 70 68 67 70.
276 Richard Finch 69 70 71 66, Branden Grace (Rsa) 69 67 73 67, Chris Wood 68 69 71 68, Retief Goosen 70 66 69 71.
277 Trevor Immelman (Rsa) 69 71 70 67
278 Rory Sabbatini (Rsa) 66 71 74 67, Fabrizio Zanotti (Par) 64 72 73 69, Michael Hoey 70 66 73 69
279 Ake Nilsson (Rsa) 66 72 72 69, David Frost (Rsa) 68 72 71 68, Michael Lorenzo-Vera (Fra) 67 65 72 75, Ross McGowan 66 70 71 72, Damien McGrane 70 64 72 73.
280 Martin Wiegele (Aut) 69 68 74 69, Peter Hanson (Swe) 74 68 70 68, Jarmo Sandelin (Swe) 72 70 68 70, David Horsey 70 65 76 69, Gary Murphy 72 71 67 70, Oskar Henningsson (Swe) 65 74 71 70, George Coetzee (Rsa) 69 68 68 75.
281 John Mellor 70 68 71 72, Thomas Aiken (Rsa) 71 64 75 71, Richie Ramsay 66 72 75 68, Garth Mulroy (Rsa) 70 71 69 71, Len Mattiace (USA) 70 66 71 74
282 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 69 65 78 70, Jaco Van Zyl (Rsa) 66 71 71 74, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 67 74 71 70
283 David Drysdale 74 68 70 71, Callum Macaulay 71 69 74 69, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 70 71 69 73
284 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 68 72 72 72, Adilson Da Silva (Bra) 70 68 72 74, Simon Dyson 67 73 68 76, Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 70 70 72 72, Gary Lockerbie 72 69 69 74, Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 68 74 66 76, Christiaan Basson (Rsa) 73 69 71 71, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 70 70 73 71, Carlos del Moral (Spa) 69 68 77 70, Tim Clark (Rsa) 67 73 70 74
285 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 74 69 68 74, Estanislao Goya (Arg) 70 72 74 69, Bernd Wiesberger (Aut) 72 69 65 79, Trevor Fisher Jnr (Rsa) 72 67 71 75
286 Lee Slattery 68 72 71 75, Keith Horne (Rsa) 66 70 74 76, Tyrone Van Aswegen (Rsa) 72 71 70 73, Darren Clarke 74 67 67 78, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 69 74 71 72, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 70 70 74
287 Alan McLean 71 72 73 71, Dion Fourie (Rsa) 70 71 70 76, Peter Karmis (Rsa) 69 71 74 73
288 Patrik Sjoland (Swe) 72 69 73 74, Justin Rose 69 74 71 74
289 Adrian Ford (Rsa) 70 71 75 73, Andrew Coltart 71 72 67 79, Ariel Canete (Arg) 73 70 72 74
290 Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice) 71 72 74 73, Louis Oosthuizen (Rsa) 69 73 67 81, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 71 71 69 79, Jake Roos (Rsa) 70 70 74 76, Wil Besseling (Ned) 75 68 73 74, Marco Ruiz (Par) 69 73 73 75, Antti Ahokas (Fin) 71 69 79 71, Tyrone Ferreira (Rsa) 74 69 73 74
291 Steve Basson (Rsa) 72 71 74 74
292 Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 69 71 73 79
293 Albert Pistorius (Rsa) 68 75 76 74
294 Merrick Bremner (Rsa) 71 69 71 83

282 Charl Schwartzel (Rsa) 69 65 78 70, Darren Fichardt (Rsa) 67 74 71 70
283 David Drysdale 74 68 70 71, Callum Macaulay 71 69 74 69, Henrik Stenson (Swe) 70 71 69 73
284 Hennie Otto (Rsa) 68 72 72 72, Adilson Da Silva (Bra) 70 68 72 74, Magnus A Carlsson (Swe) 70 70 72 72, Gary Lockerbie 72 69 69 74, Christiaan Basson (Rsa) 73 69 71 71, Michael Jonzon (Swe) 70 70 73 71, Carlos del Moral (Spa) 69 68 77 70, Tim Clark (Rsa) 67 73 70 74
285 Martin Erlandsson (Swe) 74 69 68 74, Estanislao Goya (Arg) 70 72 74 69, Trevor Fisher Jnr (Rsa) 72 67 71 75
286 Lee Slattery 68 72 71 75, Keith Horne (Rsa) 66 70 74 76, Tyrone Van Aswegen (Rsa) 72 71 70 73, Rafael Cabrera Bello (Spa) 69 74 71 72, Johan Edfors (Swe) 72 70 70 74
287 Alan McLean 71 72 73 71, Dion Fourie (Rsa) 70 71 70 76, Peter Karmis (Rsa) 69 71 74 73
288 Patrik Sjoland (Swe) 72 69 73 74, Justin Rose 69 74 71 74
289 Adrian Ford (Rsa) 70 71 75 73, Andrew Coltart 71 72 67 79, Ariel Canete (Arg) 73 70 72 74
290 Wil Besseling (Ned) 75 68 73 74, Marco Ruiz (Par) 69 73 73 75, Antti Ahokas (Fin) 71 69 79 71, Tyrone Ferreira (Rsa) 74 69 73 74, Birgir Hafthorsson (Ice) 71 72 74 73, Pelle Edberg (Swe) 71 71 69 79, Jake Roos (Rsa) 70 70 74 76
291 Steve Basson (Rsa) 72 71 74 74
292 Jeppe Huldahl (Den) 69 71 73 79
293 Albert Pistorius (Rsa) 68 75 76 74
294 Merrick Bremner (Rsa) 71 69 71 83Af) 67 67 77 64.

Michael Sim lets Nedlands Masters
title slip with final-round 73

Aberdeen-born Michael Sim let victory in the Nedlands Masters at Nedlands Golf Club, Perth, West Australia slip through his fingers with one-over-par 73 in today's second round of the 36-hole event.
Sim had led the field of 60-odd players with a five-under-par 67 but could not sustain that form under pressure in the final round.
He finished third on four-under-par 140 and collected $2,900.
Australian Stephen Dartnall won the title and the $7,200 top prize with scores of 68 and 67 for nine-under 135, four ahead of defending champion and compatriot Michael Long who scored 70 and 69 for 139 and a $4,360 pay-out.
Dartnall holed a wedge shot from 100 metres to finish with an eagle, having gone ahead of Sim with birdies at the 11th and 13th.
Long claimed second place with four birdies over the last six holes - the 13th, 15th, 16th and 17th.
Sim was brought up in Perth, West Australia after emigrating there with his parents in the early 1990s when he was seven years old.
LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 144 (2 x 72)
135 Stephen Dartnall 68 67.
139 Michael Long 70 69.
140 Michael Sim 67 73.
141 Chris Gray 71 69.
142 Tigh Van-leeuwen 69 73.
143 Andrew Gott 72 71.
144 Jarrod Moseley 70 74, Robert Farley 70 74, Steve Collins 73 71, Varnon Secton-finck 72 72.

Lam scores first win in
Volvo Masters of Asia

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOUR
Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing enjoyed an emphatic triumph at the US$750,000 Volvo Masters of Asia today and claimed his maiden Asian Tour victory.
The 31-year-old, who was in a five-way tie for the overnight lead, fired a flawless five-under-par 67 to win by two strokes from Thailand’s Chapchai Nirat, who signed off with a 69 in the season finale.
Australian Terry Pilkadaris finished a further stroke back after charging into contention at Thai Country Club with a bogey-free 66. Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang came in tied sixth to virtually assure himself a place in the world’s top-50 and also a spot in the US Masters next year.
Lam, who posted a winning 14-under-par 274 total, was over the moon after he broke away from the chasing pack with a burst of three birdies over his closing four holes. Walking off the 18th green, his family and compatriot Mardan Mamat were on hand to celebrate his moment of triumph.
“Unbelievable. I have won a bunch of small ones before but this is just unbelievable. It was such a jam-packed leaderboard and I’m just so glad I went out and finished the job,” said Lam, who picked up a cheque for US$135,000 to finish 16th on the final Asian Tour’s Order of Merit.
“To win on the Asian Tour has been a dream of mine. I always thought I could win one and to do it is unbelievable.”
Showing the form that saw him challenge for the Barclays Singapore Open and finish second at the Johnnie Walker Cambodian Open last week, Lam seized the advantage with a tidy front nine 34.
Pilkadaris made a move with his own run of four birdies on the inward nine but Lam pulled out some wonderful iron approach shots to birdie the 15th, 16th and 18th holes to seal his career breakthrough.
“At the first tee, I knew I needed to shoot a solid round. I knew some guys would play well and I’m glad I’m the one who went out and shot the score. I got a roll on the 15th hole which started it all. I knew I needed to make some birdies coming in. To be able to pull them off at that juncture was very satisfying,” said Lam.
“There are so many people to thank, my parents, my wife Sophie, my little baby Tian Lei and all my sponsors. It’s great that my family is out here with me for this win.
“Last week, I felt really good and texted my coach (Andrew Welsford) and told him that I felt I was ready to win. It just felt like it was my week,” added Lam, who also credited caddie John Roberts for his victory.
Big-hitting Chapchai, who was looking to extend the Thai stranglehold at the Volvo Masters of Asia following wins by Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng, enjoyed the worst possible start with a double bogey and bogey in the first three holes.
But he fought back gallantly with a superb inward 31 to settle for second place. He revealed that a shoulder injury sustained on Saturday had affected his performance. “I was injured yesterday after the 14th hole – it affected my right shoulder,” said Chapchai.“I went to the physiotherapist before the round today but it was still painful during the front nine. I felt I had to give it a go on the back nine. I pushed again – my shoulder was still painful – and finished quite well. Lam played well and is a good winner. He has played very well in the second half of the year and was due a win,” added the Thai.
Pilkadaris, runner-up of the Volvo Masters of Asia in 2004, tipped his hat to Lam. “He played great and deserved to win,” said the Aussie, who chipped in for par at the last hole to seal third place.
“My approach today was just to get as many birdies as I could. I played well in the front nine but missed a couple of 10 footers for birdie on holes two and seven. I missed a 10-footer on 10 – steam was pouring out my ears at that stage. I thought I had given myself chances but had not taken them.”
India’s Jeev Milkha Singh wrapped up his stunning season with a tied 37th finish at the Volvo Masters of Asia and was officially crowned the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit champion with total winnings of US$1.45 million.
Prayad, last year’s winner, finished tied 12th to leave his world top-50 and US Masters hopes hanging by a thread as Rory McIlroy can pip him with a top-29 finish at the South African Open final round today.

LEADING FINAL TOTALS
Par 288 (4 x 72)
274 Lam Chih Bing (SIN) 69-66-72-67
276 Chapchai Nirat (THA) 71-66-70-69
277 Terry Pilkadaris (AUS) 71-72-68-66
278 Andrew Dodt (AUS) 70-72-71-65, David Gleeson (AUS) 72-72-63-71
279 Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 68-70-72-69, Adam Blyth (AUS) 68-72-70-69
280 Mitchell Brown (AUS) 70-67-74-69, Chawalit Plaphol (THA) 71-67-69-73
281 Mo Joong-kyung (KOR) 73-71-67-70, Shiv Kapur (IND) 71-73-67-70
282 Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 74-65-72-71, Marcus Both (AUS) 69-68-70-75
283 Thongchai Jaidee (THA) 73-74-69-67, Mark Brown (NZL) 72-70-71-70, Rhys Davies (WAL) 72-68-73-70, Bae Sang-moon (KOR) 74-72-66-71, Simon Griffiths (ENG) 72-68-71-72, Antonio Lascuna (PHI) 70-67-71-75
284 Kim Kyung-tae (KOR) 72-68-73-71, Rick Kulacz (AUS) 72-69-68-75

For the complete scoreboard, visit http://www.asiantour.com/

Double bogey at 18th costs Jim

Furyk lead at 'Chevron'

Jim Furyk is still upbeat about winning the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club, Thousand Oaks in California - despite a double-bogey at the 18th to hand US Ryder Cup team-mate Anthony Kim a one-shot lead going into today's last round.
Furyk's slip-up via the water gave him a round of 70 as Kim fired a 67 to reach eight-under-par 208.
Vijay Singh (67), Steve Stricker (68) and Camilo Villegas (69) are tied third on 210.
England's Paul Casey edged to 215 after a 69 but Luke Donald dropped to 222 following a 74.
Playing his first tournament in two months, Furyk, pictured above, pushed his drive at the 18th into the right rough before finding the water in front of the green with his second.
"If you would have told me three days ago I would have been one back with a chance to win, I would have been pretty happy about it so I need to look at the positives," he said.
"I like Anthony and we'll talk a lot, but I really won't pay attention to his style of game or early on really what he's shooting."
Kim is also back after a five-week break for ankle and jaw injuries and admitted he was just happy to break 80.
"I am very pleasantly surprised," said the 23-year-old world No 12, who hurt an ankle tripping on a step and damaged his jaw after falling off a horse in New Zealand.
"My body is not 100% healthy right now and to be able to shoot under par on a tough golf course ... it's given me quite a bit of confidence going into next year and especially into Sunday."
Kim's brash approach to the game is in stark contrast to Furyk's more conservative, straight-hitting approach but the 38-year-old insisted he would not feel compelled to change his style when the pair tee off in the final group on Sunday.
"I learned a long time ago it doesn't matter if it's Tiger (Woods), Phil (Mickelson), Anthony or the most conservative guy in the world," he said.
"It doesn't matter who you're playing against or what style of game they play because it can't affect mine.
"The only thing I can do is go play the way I play, pick and choose my spots to be aggressive and figure out a way to shoot the best score I possibly can.
"I like Anthony and we'll talk a lot tomorrow, but I really won't pay attention to his style of game or early on really what he's shooting."
The event, which is hosted by Tiger Woods and benefits his foundation, features a 16-player field.
HOW THEY STAND
Par 216 (3 x 72)
208 A Kim 71 70 67.
209 J Furyk 68 71 70.
210 VJ Singh 71 72 67, S Stricker 71 71 68, C Villegas 74 67 69.
213 H Mahan 71 72 70.
214 K J Choi 70 71 73, F Couples 73 69 72.
215 P Casey 74 72 69, B Weekley 70 73 72.
217 B Curtis 72 73 72.
219 M Weir 78 71 70.
220 K Perry 73 72 75.
222 S Ames 78 71 73, L Donald 73 75 74.
223 J Leonard 75 75 73.

Jeev Milkha Singh wins Asian

Tour of Merit title

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY ASIAN TOUR
New Asian No 1 Jeev Milkha Singh believes he can now win a Major title which will enable him to ‘sit at the same table with my father’.
The Indian star wrapped up his campaign at the season-ending Volvo Masters of Asia today to be officially crowned the 2008 Asian Tour’s Order of Merit champion and immediately set out his next goal which is to challenge for one of the four most prized trophies in world golf.
“This has been the best year so far in my career. In 2006, I also had four wins but I rate this season better, due to my performances in the Majors. It has given me a lot of confidence and I’m more comfortable and confident when I’m under pressure. I know my swing is better and that has taken me further up in my game,” said Singh, who shot rounds of 76, 70, 70 and 72 to finish in the middle of the Volvo Masters of Asia field at Thai Country Club, Bangkod
The 37-year-old, pictured above, made history by becoming the first player to win over US$1 million in a single season on the Asian Tour, thanks largely to his stunning triumph over a world-class field at the Barclays Singapore Open last month.
He registered two other runner-up finishes in Indonesia and Korea in a stellar season which also saw him triumph once in Europe and twice in Japan to rise to his current career-high 36th place in the Official World Golf Ranking. In addition, he finished tied 25th at the US Masters and posted a career-first top-10 in a Major by finishing equal ninth at the US PGA Championship.
“Winning the Order of Merit twice in three years is special. It has given me a lot of confidence as I’ve proven myself again and you then try to move on to bigger things,” said Singh, who was also the region’s top player in 2006.
“I think I’ve got the game to win a Major. I feel it all depends on the mindset that week and how you deal with the pressure. A lot of it comes down to the short game. I feel I do have the game and hopefully before my golfing career is over, I will have a Major under my belt,” said Singh.
The son of the famous Milkha Singh, who is a decorated Olympic runner for India, Singh said that despite his golfing achievements over the past three seasons, he still feels he has yet to measure up to his father’s iconic status.
“Dad is still a bigger name than me in India,” said Singh with a smile. “A Major under my belt, then I can sit at the same table as him.
“Coming from a sporting family (his mother was also the captain of the national volleyball team), my father always emphasised discipline, work ethic and honesty. I’ve had positive feedback from my parents and that has helped get me to where I am today. My wife Kudrat has also been very supportive.”
Singh plans to scale down his playing schedule in 2009 after competing in over 35 events each season around the globe, so much so that he should inherit his father’s nickname as the “Flying Sikh”.
As the saying partly goes, there will be no rest for the wickedly talented as Singh has already engaged a physical trainer to start work with him next week as part of his plan to challenge for Major honours.
“I need to get fit in 2009. I’ve had a lot of injuries. I have put on weight as I normally run a mile a day but I’ve been unable to do so with my ankle injury since June. I have people in place starting on December 28 who will train me and help get me fit. My main goal over the next six months is to get fit,” said Singh.
He also looked back at his career which started in Asia way back in 1995 and was proud to see the Asian Tour grow to record levels where this season, an unprecedented 30 events with an all-time high US$39 million was on offer to the region’s talented players.
“The Asian Tour has given me a lot. That’s the main reason I’m here this week, to also receive the Order of Merit award and give back to the Asian Tour for what it has done in my career,” said Singh.
For further information, visit http://www.asiantour.com/.