HONG KONG, September 11, 2011 (AFP) - India's Himmat Rai claimed an enthralling five-way play-off victory with a glorious 25-foot birdie putt on the sixth extra hole at the ISPS Handa Singapore Classic on Sunday.
Rai, 24, was one of five players who tied on nine-under-par 271 in regulation play, the largest number of competitors in a play-off in Asian Tour history.
Dutchman Guido Van der Valk, South African Tjaart Van der Walt, and Brazil's Adilson Da Silva all bowed out on the second extra hole, leaving Rai to battle it out with Filipino Elmer Salvador at the Orchid Country Club.
The two were in a toe-to-toe battle until Salvador -- who had only stayed in the contest with a monster 50-footer at the second extra hole -- finally succumbed in fading light.
"I can't believe that I've pulled it off," said Rai, who picked up US$47,550 for his maiden Asian Tour title. "The playoff was splendid. This is immense.
"That putt, sometimes when you're under pressure, you tend to rush it but I thought if I don't close it, the game would go otherwise. I just knew I had to close it soon before things got out of hand.
"I hit a solid putt. I was lucky it went in. It's very sweet and special."
Rai had posted a one-over-par final round of 71, a double bogey on the 13th threatening to prove costly until he fought back with birdies on 15 and 16.
Runner-up Salvador, 41, closed with a final round 66 and took his cap off to India's newest champion.
"I didn't expect Himmat to hole his putt at the last hole as it was a long one," he said after collecting US$19,485. "It's my first year on Tour and I didn't expect much from myself this week but I'm happy with how I played."
Da Silva (71) was long the tournament leader but had a double bogey on the 15th, while Van der Valk (66) had a three-foot par putt for the tournament on the 18th in regulation but missed, setting the scene for the multi-headed play-off.
"I had my chances," said the Dutchman. "The 18th in regulation was my chance. I should have done it there. I just pushed my putt and it broke left to right. I didn't do too much wrong.
"That's the way it is. I can't be too sad. I haven't played good at all this year. I was in contention and it was nice."
Result of the $300,000 ISPS Handa Singapore Classic after the final round on Sunday at the Orchid Country Club.
Par 70
271 - Himmat Rai (IND) 68-66-66-71, Elmer Salvador (PHI) 68-67-70-66, Guido Van der Valk (NED) 71-67-67-66, Tjaart Van der Walt (RSA) 69-69-66-67, Adilson Da Silva (BRA) 68-67-65-71 (Rai wins play-off at the sixth extra hole)
272 - Juvic Pagunsan (PHI) 68-68-70-66
273 - Berry Henson (USA) 67-71-68-67
274 - Danny Chia (MAS) 66-69-72-67, Lam Zhiqun (am, SIN) 70-69-68-67, Jbe Kruger (RSA) 67-70-65-72
275 - Jonathan Moore (USA) 68-69-70-68, Prayad Marksaeng (THA) 72-64-70-69, Panuphol Pittayarat (THA) 70-69-67-69, Quincy Quek (SIN) 71-68-66-70
276 - Chinnarat Phadungsil (THA) 69-71-69-67, Daisuke Kataoka (JPN) 66-70-72-68, Tim Stewart (AUS) 68-69-71-68, Kieran Pratt (AUS) 71-68-71-66, Pasamet Pogamnerd (THA) 67-70-69-70, Lin Wen-tang (TPE) 70-68-68-70, Miguel Tabuena (PHI) 70-69-67-70, Miles Tunnicliff (ENG) 68-69-67-72, Kalle Samooja (FIN) 68-66-68-74