Himmat Rai claimed an enthralling five-way play-off victory at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic on Sunday, holing a stunning 25-foot birdie putt on the sixth extra hole to secure his maiden Asian Tour title.
The 24-year-old Indian went the distance with Filipino Elmer Salvador at the Orchid Country Club after Dutchman Guido van der Valk, South African Tjaart van der Walt and Brazilian Adilson Da Silva bowed out after the second play-off hole.
All five players tied on nine-under-par 271 in regulation play was the most number of golfers in a play-off in Asian Tour history. It was a toe-to-toe battle between Himmat and Filipino Elmer Salvador, who went through four more holes of very high quality. Himmat nailed the winning putt in fading light to earn USD 47,550 and also a priceless two-year exemption on the Asian Tour.
Himmat reached the green in two and Da Silva missed. But Da Silva chipped well to get close to the pin and tapped for a par. The Indian needed to hole a 25-footer for a win and he calmly sank it and achieved his breakthrough win.
“I can’t believe that I’ve pulled it off. I was just trying to improve my score (as he was four back on the back nine) and the play-off was splendid. I stuck to my routine and thoroughly pleased with my finish. It’s very sweet and special,” said Himmat.
Himmat, whose previous best was third at Iskandar Johor Open in 2009, where he pushed the eventual winner KJ Choi, also said that it was a great feeling to finally land the first title.
Himmat, who signed off with a one-over-par 71, double bogeyed the 13th hole to fall back on the leaderboard but charged home with birdies on 15 and 16 while long time pacesetter Da Silva dropped a costly double bogey on the 15th hole. In extra-time, the play-off was riveting with Salvador holing a long birdie putt on the second extra hole and pulling off wonderful shots before losing.
