Shiv Kapur came agonisingly close to his maiden European Tour title as a stroke of misfortune saw him fall one short to finish tied second at the Enjoy Jakarta Astro Indonesia Open golf tournament in Jakarta on Sunday.
On a day interrupted by a lightning storm, Kapur starting his final round four shots behind the leader made a great charge and shot the day's second best card of 67 but still came one short behind winner Miko Ilonen (71) of Finland.
It was still his best-ever finish on European Tour, bettering his seventh place last year in the event co-sanctioned between Asian and European Tours.
Kapur made a great charge down the back nine three-birdies in four holes between 11th and 14th, but what finally sealed his fate was a missed birdie putt from three feet on the 16th and then on the par-5 17th, his third shot from the fairway hit the flagstick and bounced off the green into the right rough.
Kapur got his par with a fine up-and-down, but a birdie could have got him into play-off with Ilonen.
"I am pleased with the way I played out there but for one unlucky break (17th) but that's part of the game and you have to accept that," said Kapur, who had a big Indian contingent following him.
"It was great to have a big Indian contingent following me. It was a big support. It was a week of what could have been, but I have to look ahead," said Kapur.
"Still it feels good to be in contention. I had some good rounds in Abu Dhabi, where I was in contention on final day, and in Qatar , but I missed a few putts," added Kapur.
More from rediff