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McGinleys holds nerve in playoff to win in South Korea

16/03/2008

Britain's Graeme McDowell beat India's Jeev Milkha Singh in a nerve-jangling playoff to win the Ballantine's Championship in South Korea.

Overnight leaders McDowell and Singh finished on 24-under after both shot six-under-par rounds of 66 at the Pinx Golf Club.

The playoff went to the third hole before McDowell sank a birdie putt to clinch his third Tour title.

Paul McGinley finished seven shots behind in third place after firing a 69, two strokes ahead of Japan's Shingo Katayama (67).

McDowell and Singh resumed at the start of the final day on 18-under. The Northern Ireland star could only manage three birdies and a bogey to fall two behind at the turn, with Singh carding five birdies and a bogey.

After Singh made a third-straight birdie on the 10th, McDowell reduced his deficit to one after holing a 25-foot putt for eagle.

A birdie three at the 12th brought McDowell level before Singh carded his fourth birdie of the tournament at the 13th to edge ahead again.

At the 15th, Singh made par after his approach found a green-side sprinkler head, earning a free drop.

McDowell then put his ball within six feet of the pin to birdie and draw level, but fell behind once more on the 16th when Singh fired a birdie.

But on a dramatic 17th hole, the 36-year-old's ball was run over by a buggy in the rough near the green. The Indian ace was allowed a free drop but could only bogey to level the scores again while both players made par on the final hole.

In the third hole of the play-off, Singh skewed his drive right but recovered with a stunning approach to within five feet.

McDowell drove straight down the middle, with his second shot finishing up three feet from the hole. While Singh missed his putt, 28-year-old McDowell held his nerve to clinch victory.

The Irishman, who claims his first victory since the 2004 Italia Open, said he was delighted to get a Tour victory so early in 2008.

"I made a bad start today, I was three back after four holes and really had a game on my hands then, but I played the last 13 holes in six under par," McDowell said.

"It was unbelievable. It's a major relief to get it over with - he (Singh) just kept coming.

"Jeev's a fantastic player, a great guy and I'm just glad I was able to hit one close to the flag at the last there, that was sweet."