Maybank golf: Chikka ends T-20, Sharma T-30th

Kuala Lumpur, March 24 

Shubhankar Sharma failed to defend his title at the Maybank Championships but his final round of a 2-under 70 saw him finish tied-30th. Sharma aggregated a 5-under 283 but the best-placed Indian this week was S Chikkarangappa, whose final round of a 3-under 69 placed him tied-20th at a 7-under 281. It was his second successive top-20 finish on the European Tour after last week's tied-17th in Kenya. Among the other Indians, SSP Chawrasia (final round 72 for a 3-under 285) finished tied-41st, while Viraj Madappa (74 with a 2-under 286) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (68 with a 2-under 286) were tied-48th. Ajeetesh Sandhu (74 for a 2-over 290) was tied-66th.

Australia’s Scott Hend beat overnight leader Nacho Elvira of Spain with a birdie on the first playoff hole to win the title after wild weather triggered a dramatic finish on Sunday. Hend was leading Elvira by a single stroke with the leading pair on the final fairway when torrential rain started falling on the Saujana Golf and Country Club. The first crack of thunder came as Elvira hit his approach shot to the 18th green and, with lightning flashing around them, the players were forced off the course before either could attempt a putt. They returned after a delay of 100 minutes and Elvira nailed his birdie putt from 30 feet for a 2-under-par 70 to tie the scores at 15-under 273 and force the playoff. Hend looked in trouble when he landed in a greenside bunker on the first playoff hole but it was his turn to celebrate minutes later when he landed a four-footer after his opponent's birdie putt had stopped just short of the hole. 

Lahiri slips at Valspar

Palm Horbor: Anirban Lahiri slid to tied-57th after a birdie-less third round even as Paul Casey, bidding for back-to-back titles at the Valspar Championships, opened up a narrow one-shot lead. After grinding out 70-71 on first two days for a creditable tied-23rd, Lahiri had no birdies on the third day and ended with a 4-over 75 that saw him fall to tied-57th. However, a solid and low final round could still fetch him a finish in 30s. — Agencies

Mishra wins Faldo Series Asia Final 

Mumbai: Mumbai golfer Keshav Mishra won the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in the boy’s U-21 category with a total of 211 over 54 holes in Hue, Vietnam. With rounds of 69, 68 and 74, Mishra walked away with the Asian Champion’s Trophy. Japan’s Yuta Karniya finished second with a three-day total of 217, while Australia’s Bryce Pickin carded a total of 218 to end third.