INVERNESS, Scotland – Jeev Milkha Singh of India birdied the first hole of his playoff with Francesco Molinari to win the Scottish Open after a final-round meltdown by local hope Marc Warren Sunday. Singh, the son of an Olympic 400-meter runner, holed from 10 feet on No. 18 to claim his fourth victory on the European Tour and earn himself a spot in next week's British Open in the process. Both players had finished with 17-under totals of 271, with Singh shooting a 5-under 67 – the joint-lowest round of the day – and overnight leader Molinari returning a 72 as he attempted a wire-to-wire victory after a dominant week in the Scottish Highlands. Warren had been three shots ahead with six holes remaining, but dropped four strokes in the final four holes to tie for third with Alexander Noren of Sweden (70) on 16-under after a fourth round played in the toughest conditions of the week. By winning his first title in in four years and 37 days, Singh not only will climb back into the top 100 but will play at the British Open – staged at Royal Lytham & St. Annes starting Thursday – for the only the second time in his 19-year professional career. He also won a first prize of 416,660 pounds ($645,000). His father, Milkha, placed fourth in the final of the 400 at the 1960 Olympics in Rome and the younger Singh said after his round that his dream is to play in the golf tournament at the Rio Games in 2016, when the sport returns to the Olympic program. Singh went 95 events between his third and fourth victories, having previously won the Austria Open in June 2008.
Matteson keeps lead
Troy Matteson carded a five-under 66 to take a three-shot lead after the third round of the John Deere Classic Saturday but will be looking over his shoulder for charging three-time defending champion Steve Stricker. Stricker, looking to become only the fifth man to win the same tournament in four consecutive years, put himself in contention for another victory by closing with four straight birdies from the 14th. But, like Matteson, Stricker also bogeyed the 18th to sign off with a 66. Young Tom Morris, Walter Hagan, Gene Sarazen and Tiger Woods sit in the exclusive club of men who have won a tournament in four consecutive years. Lurking four off the lead at the John Deere Classic are 2007 Masters champion Zach Johnson and PGA Tour rookie Brian Harman. Johnson, winner of the Colonial Invitational and a runner-up at the Heritage and Players Championship this season, moved into contention for his second win of the campaign by also carding a 66 while Harman laboured to a two-under 69 to sit on 199. Australian John Senden (67) and Americans J.J. Henry (69) and Billy Hurley III (64) are five off the pace at 13-under.— Agencies
