Singh Takes Scottish Open


India's Jeev Milka Singh posted a 67 in the final round to tie Francesco Molinari in regulation at 17-under 271, then beat the Italian with a birdie on the first playoff hole to win the Scottish Open. The European Tour event was held at Castle Stuart Golf Links in Inverness, Scotland.

Molinari, the third-round leader by a stroke, closed with a 72. He lost on the first playoff hole, the par-5 18th, when Singh sank a 15-foot birdie putt and he could only muster a par.

The victory gave the 40-year-old Singh a spot in this week's British Open at Royal Lytham and St. Annes in England. Singh had finished his round well before the rest of the field and waited as the remaining players came home.

"I was just enjoying a cup of tea and some chocolate cake and watching it on television, and suddenly got excited," said Singh, who won his fourth title on the European Tour. "I think God has been kind, and I think the field came back and I put myself in a place to go in for a playoff - I'm very fortunate."

"It's a treat for me to be now be going to The Open," he added. "I think a lot of people have been there with me and I'm really glad to be in the Open Championship and hopefully have a good week there, too."

Missing the playoff by a stroke were Alexander Noren (70) and Marc Warren (71).

Three of the tournament's marquee names, No. 1-ranked Luke Donald and No. 16 Phil Mickelson, ended up tied for 16th at 12 under. Donald closed with a 73 while Mickelson had a 74. Also ending up in 16th was three-time major winner, Padraig Harrington, who shot a 71.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2012/tournamentid=2012050/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y.