Golfer Rashid finishes tied third at Taiwan Masters

Young Indian golfer Rashid Khan finished tied third after carding a disappointing four-over 76 in the fourth and final round of the $650,000 Mercuries Taiwan Masters here on Sunday.

Rashid, who scored 68, 70 and 75 in the first three rounds respectively, took his 72-hole total to one-over 289 -- four strokes behind champion Danny Chia of Malaysia.

Chia (73) finished two shots ahead of overnight leader Liang Wen-chong of China, who settled for the second place after closing with three straight bogeys for a disappointing 76.

Young talent Hung Chien-yao emerged as the highest-placed local player when he carded a third straight 72 to finish a further shot back in fifth place with Singapore-based Australian Unho Park, who returned with a 70.

Indian Rashid struggled from the start at the Taiwan Golf and Country Club's Tamsui course. The 24-year-old got bogeys on the first, third, sixth and ninth holes to complete the front nine without a birdies.

In the back nine, the Delhi-based golfer scored birdies on the 12th, 15th and 16th holes. But he dropped shots on the 10th, 14th and 18th to get a 76 and share the spot with Brazilian Adilson Da Silva.

Rashid lamented a disappointing performance but took pride in his tied third place result in what was his first attempt at the Taiwan Masters.

"I didn't putt well again today. I was just grinding out there and trying to hang in there throughout the round," Rashid, who led after the second round, said in a release.

"It's been a learning week for me and although I didn't finish well, I'm still happy with a tied-third place finish and looking forward to the next few tournament coming up."

Among the other Indians in the fray, Himmat Rai carded 74 to get a total of seven-over 295 and share the 20th spot.

Gaganjeet Bhullar (74) took his total to 296 and was tied 23rd. S. Chikka was joint 27th, while Chiragh Kumar was tied 42nd.