Perth, Feb 28 (IANS) Indian golfer Shiv Kapur scored an even par 72 to finish at the joint 29th position at the ISPS Handa Perth International at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club here on Sunday.
Kapur, who finished with a total of six-under-par 282, slipped nine places from his overnight 20th position. He was the best Indian performer at the tournament, finishing 10 shots behind the winner, Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa.
Fellow Indian Himmat Singh Rai shot a commendable 69 on the final day for a four-round total of 283 and a share of the 36th spot. The Delhi lad (74, 67, 73, 69) rose nine rungs from his overnight shared 45th position. Scott Arnold of Australia shot a 74 on Sunday to finish level with Himmat.
Among other Indians in the fray, Gaganjeet Bhullar (287) finished joint 52nd. He scored 72 on the final day. Chiragh (292) scored a poor 75 to finish one spot above the bottom spot at joint 71st.
At the top of the standings, Oosthuizen proved unstoppable when he closed with a final round one-under-par 71 to clinch the trophy.
Despite spirited challenges from France's Alexander Levy and Australia's Jason Scrivener, Oosthuizen kept his composure to win the A$1.75 million event by one shot.
Levy signed off with a 66 to take second place while Scrivener took the outright third position with his 274 total at the Perth showpiece which saw the return of the best players from the Asian Tour to Australia after seven years.
Singapore's Mardan Mamat emerged as the leading player from the Asian Tour after he carded a 71 to take sole possession of eighth place with a total of 278.
Victory was especially sweet for Oosthuizen as his win marked his first title triumph after two years. The 2010 Open Championship winner was also making his first ever professional appearance in Australia.
"It's been two years since I won, so it's great to be back in the winning circle. And to do it here in Perth is really special. It's important to know that you can still win events, and not get too far from winning tournaments or too long from winning tournaments. This will be great for my season going forward," Oosthuizen said.
The South African, who came into the tournament as the highest ranked player at world number 21, stumbled with an early bogey on the second hole.
He then saw his overnight three-shot advantage quickly wiped out when Scrivener carded his third birdie on the seventh hole to briefly share the lead.
The South African however, responded immediately with two birdies on seventh and eighth to get back to the front and cruised home despite making a bogey at the last hole.
