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Chawrasia finally wins outside India

India's SSP Chawrasia lifted his first Asian Tour title outside his homeland after prevailing at the second play-off hole to win the US$1 million ($1.4m) Resorts World Manila Masters yesterday.

Victory at the richest golf tournament in the Philippines was one to remember for the 38-year-old after he birdied the 18th play-off hole twice to clinch victory over Sam Chien of the United States and Malaysia's Nicholas Fung, reported asiantour.com.

"I am very happy. This is my first win outside of India. I am very excited. Everyone has been telling me I have won a lot of times in India and it's about time to win outside of India. I am glad I did it this week," said Chawrasia.

He finished regulation play with a flawless six-under 66 to force his way into a three-way play-off after Fung and Chien had earlier set the clubhouse lead at 19-under 269.

When Fung bowed out with a bogey at the first play-off hole, it was down to Chawrasia and rookie Chien to battle for top honours at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.

Chien hit a wayward tee shot that went straight into the hazard leaving Chawrasia in an advantageous position after he had hit a solid drive into the middle of the fairway earlier.

The American then took a relief but hit his shot back into the rough, effectively ruling him out of the equation for the title.

Said Chien "Chawrasia played some great golf in the play-off.

"I was just trying to be aggressive but maybe I was a little bit too aggressive."

FINAL SCORES:

269: SSP Chawrasia 68-64-71-66, Nicholas Fung 66-69-71-63, Sam Chien 74-65-65-65

270: Shubhankar Sharma 69-70-69-62, Chiragh Kumar 67-70-69-64, Jyoti Randhawa 64-65-74-67

271: Michael Tran 67-66-71-67, Hung Chien Yao 65-71-68-67, Sutijet Kooratanapisan 65-66-69-71

Selected:

275: Scott Barr 70-69-68-68

278: Unho Park 72-67-70-69

279: Koh Dengshan 68-71-67-73

283: Mardan Mamat 67-71-74-71.

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