Thaindian News

Rabat (Morocco), March 22 (IANS) Shiv Kapur and S.S.P. Chowrasia failed to find form and rhythm this week as they finished way down in tied 52nd and 56th places at the Trophee Hassan II golf tournament here.
Meanwhile, Rhys Davies secured his maiden European Tour title as he overhauled Oosthuizen to win by two shots.

In a tournament played over two courses in the Pro-Am format for first two days, Kapur began the week with a 67 on Blue Course, and ended it with 74 on the Red Course Sunday.

Chowrasia, whose 67 came on the tougher Red Course ended the week at the same layout in 77.

Davies, the 24-year-old Welshman was two behind the South African going into the final round, but shot a seven under-66 to Oosthuizen’s 70 at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam to finish 25 under.

The Challenge Tour graduate, who chose to take up golf professionally instead of cricket, earned 229,160 euros for his victory.

It completes a remarkable year for the former British boys champion, who a year ago by his own admission had “no status in Europe.”

Victory at last year’s Wales Open on the Challenge Tour changed all that, and he then captured the Fred Olsen Challenge de Espana en route to finish fourth in the rankings and earning his European Tour card.

“I was playing Asian Tour and comfortable and playing well. But I wanted to be a part of The European Tour and play with the best players out here,” said Davies.

Having come third in the Maybank Malaysian Open and sixth in Abu Dhabi already this season, Davies now climbs to 12th on The Race to Dubai.

For Oosthuizen it was a fourth runners-up finish on The European Tour, while Frenchman Thomas Levet, Spaniard Ignacio Garrido, Finn Mikko Ilonen and another South African Thomas Aiken shared third place five strokes further back.