Dreams became reality for India's C. Muniyappa when he won the 1.25-million-dollar Indian Open on Sunday by beating South Korea's Lee Sung on the first extra hole.
Muniyappa drained a three-metre (10-foot) birdie putt on the par five 18th at the DLF Golf and Country Club, transforming the life of a golfer who once earned one rupee working as a caddie aged seven in Bangalore.
The 32-year-old had a one-stroke lead at the start of the day and closed with a two-under-par 70.
Lee caught him with a 69, helped by a birdie on the last. The pair finished tied on 12-under-par 276.
Australian Marcus Both, Kwanchai Tannin from Thailand and India's Anirban Lahiri finished two strokes back. Both shot 71, Tannin came in with a 70 while Lahiri charged up the leader board with a 64 helped by an eagle on the last.
"I only came here to try and help keep my Asian Tour card. It was only when I got to the play-off that I thought let's go for the win," said Muniyappa, whose home club is Karnataka Golf Association golf course in Bangalore.
"I really don't know what I will do with the prize money. Maybe rent a house," he added.
Muniyappa turned professional in 1996 but this year marks his first season on the Asian Tour.
"I learned the game by watching members at the club. My first clubs were a seven iron and a two iron. I have never had a coach," he said.
"I got some advice on things to work on this year on my swing but it would have taken a lot of practising. There is no time. I'd rather be playing in tournaments than practising."
Muniyappa, whose first name is Chinnaswamy, birdied seven and nine for a solid front nine. He then made another birdie on 11 but dropped his first shot of the day on 14. He recovered with a birdie on the following hole before dropping a shot on the 16th. He then parred his way home.
He earned 198,125 dollars for the victory, making the 17,391 dollars he has earned from his 10 other 10 Asian Tour events seem paltry. The result saw him improve his position on the Order of Merit to sixth from 97th.
Lee, who has been deaf since birth, missed a birdie putt from four metres (12 feet) on the play-off hole to open the door for his Indian opponent.
"I thought I could win and felt confident all week," said Lee.
"I was very patient and kept my concentration very well. It is disappointing but I think this week was meant to be Muniyappa's."
Copyright 2009 AFP South Asian Edition
