Indian Masters: Damien McGrane was forced to settle for second place after a solid, two-under-par 70 left him two shots behind surprise victor SSP Chowrasia in the Indian Masters at Delhi Golf Club yesterday.
But that is still the Irishman's highest finish on the tour and earned him €187,000.
Champion Chowrasia wants to follow in the footsteps of compatriots Arjun Atwal and Jeev Milkha Singh after he claimed the biggest title of his career.
The 29-year-old had won eight times on the domestic Indian Tour, but held his nerve to come out on top of a field headlined by two-time US Open champion Ernie Els.
He hit a flawless final round of five-under-par 67 to claim the €280,000 winner's cheque ahead of McGrane.
Chowrasia's earnings in 10 years on the Asian Tour had totalled about €180,000.
McGrane, who had led after two rounds but slipped back on Saturday after a 75, made a strong start to his challenge yesterday after reaching the turn in two under par.
But he was unable to add to his haul on the way home.
After a bogey-birdie start to his back nine, he saw his hopes of a maiden title slip away with a bogey at his penultimate hole, before a birdie at the last secured sole possession of the runners-up berth.
He said: "I bounced back whenever I made bogeys, I made birdies straight away. That seems to be the trademark of my golf.
"It's been a difficult week. This was a real test of golf and it should have suited my game. I'll make a few pounds, so that's good.
"I played great golf, but SSP played great golf and I'm delighted to see an Indian winner."
Singh became the first Indian player to break into the world's top 50 and also to play at the US Masters, while Atwal was the first Indian to secure his PGA Tour card in 2004 before he slipped down to the Nationwide Tour last year.
And Chowrasia is keen to build on this victory and go on to match the achievements of the pair.
"I have a card until 2010 on the European Tour and I will be playing both in Asia and Europe, but I will probably play more in Europe," he said.
"It was hard to get on to the Asian Tour but now it will be a lot easier.
"First, I want to play on the European Tour and do well and then my target is to get onto the US Tour."
Chowrasia carded four birdies on the front nine and justified his nickname "Chipputtsia" after he chipped in at the third, before a 25-foot putt at the 11th sent him clear.
The son of a former green-keeper at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club, Chowrasia finished second behind Atwal in the 1999 Indian Open at the same venue before he lost out in a play-off to Jyoti Randhawa two years ago, where he had a chance to win in regulation but missed a 15-foot birdie putt.
"In these 10 years, I have worked on various aspects of my game and improved my physical aspects," Chowrasia added.
"I am now more confident and feel like I can stand up to the best in the world and I am now going to work ever harder on my weak points.
"Normally I don't shoot too well in my final round, but when I have won a tournament in the past I usually shoot five or six under and I think I played very good golf.
"On the back nine, I tried to make my pars and I am glad I was able to do that. Over the last five holes, I did think about winning and I just wanted to stay calm and focus on my target.
"This course suits my game and I always wanted to win a tournament here but I never imagined I could win a tournament of this size."
Spain's former Hong Kong Open champion Jose Manuel Lara (72) claimed third at five under, a shot clear of overnight leader Raphael Jacquelin of France (74) and India's Digvijay Singh (70).
Graeme McDowell, who had started the day tied for second with McGrane, slipped to a 76 to share 12th place, worth €27,000, while flu victim Darren Clarke struggled over the weekend with a 79 and 82.
