Asia Pacific Ericsson Masters

In a gripping finish to the US$500,000 Asia Pacific Ericsson Masters yesterday, Australian Darren Cole beat India's Jeev Milkha Singh on the first hole of a sudden-death play-off.

On the 463-yard, par-four 18th at Bintan Lagoon Golf and Beach Resort - and with the skies darkening and rain beginning to fall - Cole was handed victory after Singh missed a four-foot putt for par.

It was a bizarre twist of fate for Cole, who 15 minutes earlier had caused the play-off by missing a three-foot putt for par to win.

'I was handed a second chance,' said Cole. 'I felt the pressure when I missed that putt on the last for the win. It reminded me of the putt I missed to qualify for this year's British Open.' The tournament, which is a joint sanctioned event between the Asian PGA's Omega Tour and the PGA Tour Australasia, was Cole's first Tour win.

'It's funny because I wasn't sure if I was going to play here this week,' said the 35-year-old.

'I couldn't decide whether to play and my wife said that if I play I'd probably win it.' Cole came through on the final day with a one-under-par 71 to tie the lead with Singh, who returned on level-par 72, on 13-under-par 275.