Jeev Milkha Singh buried himself in an avalanche of bogeys thereby slipping to a tied-26th finish at the 120-million yen Acom International being played at the 7,046 yard, par-71, Ishioka Golf Club in Ibaraki, north of Tokyo.
Jeev who shot a six-over 77, finished with a tournament tally of three-under 281.
According to information, Masahiro Kuramoto returned his first win in over six years when he beat fellow Japanese professionals, Katsomasa Miyamoto and Masashi Ozaki in a three-way play-off. The three had earlier tied at an identical score of 13-under 271.
Kuramoto, who shot a one-over 73 today, was given a tough time by Miyamoto who fought tooth and nail for his six-under 65. Ozaki chipped in with a 68.
Kuramoto's last win came at the Acom International way back in 1991. He won six titles between 1991 and 1995 but had been struggling on the Tour for the past six years. His best finish this season was a tie for 12th place at the Sun Chlorella Classic at Hokkaido in August. The 48-year old Kuramoto, who on the opening day became the first player in the history of the Japanese Tour to break the 60 barrier, birdied the very second hole of his round but a double bogey on the ninth saw him make the turn at one-over. A birdie on the tenth helped settle scores but dropped shots on the 11th and 13th forced him into the play-off.
The Hero Honda-sponsored Jeev, had a nightmarish round. Jeev, who regained his feel on the greens yesterday, was struggling to find them today, missing as many as eight greens in regulation. His putting too was off-colour as a tally of 34 puts will indicate.
"This week has been strange. I've been putting well on certain days and on others I have just been unlucky," said the Chandigarh based pro.
"Today, I was struggling with my driver as well but I would stills say, I played well this week. I need to start converting those good starts and fast," concluded the only Indian in the fray.
Jeev's outward journey was peppered with bogeys on the second, fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth. Making the turn at five-over, the 31-year old dropped shots on the 13th and 15th with his only birdie of the day coming on the 14th.
LEADING SCORES (after 72 holes): 271_Masahiro Kuramoto(59,69,70,73), Katsumasa Miyamoto(69,69,68,65), Masashi Ozaki(68,67,68,68); 272_Richard Lee(68,68,68,68); 273_Hirofumi Miyase(66,68,69,70), Keng Chi Lin(67,68,69,69); 274_Paul Sheehan(73,67,67,67), Naomichi Ozaki(67,69,67,71), Prayad Marksaeng(65,70,68,71); 275_Shingo Katayama(70,68,69,68), Yasaku Miyazato(69,64,69,73).
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