Gaurav finish tied 55th in Volvo China Open

Shanghai, Apr 15 (UNI) Gaurav Ghei managed his best card of even-par 71 in the final round of the two-million dollar Volvo China Open today, but it was too little too late as he finished on 55th spot in the leaderboard topped by Austrian Markus Brier.

Ghei, who turned in over-par performances of 73, 73 and 76, fired in four birdies and as many bogeys to finish with a total tally of nine-over 293.

Tied at 60th spot overnight, Ghei came up with another erratic show today to spoil his chances of a decent finish after Shiv Kapur withdrew from the co-sanctioned Asian Tour and European Tour event yesterday. Shiv was tied on 34th spot.

Rahul Gangjee, Amandeep Johl and SSP Chowrasia, all had earlier failed to make the cut as they found it difficult to negotiate the relentless wind at the tree-lined Shanghai Silport Golf Club.

Atop the table, Markus Brier's first European Tour win on foreign soil at the China Open was just a step on his path to his dream of becoming the first Austrian to represent Europe in the Ryder Cup.

The 38-year-old, who became the first from his country to win on the Tour at his home open last year, turned a one-stroke advantage into five today to pick up the biggest cheque (3,33,330 dollars) of his career.

Markus Brier's ten-under 274 was three strokes clear of a crowded second spot shared by Britain's Graeme Mcdowell, Australian Scott Hend, and South African Andrew Mclardy.

UNI