Hend keeps Lahiri, Chiragh at bay to win Macao Open title

Anirban Lahiri and Chiragh Kumar's determined approach did not quite work out as the long-hitting of Scott Hend maintained his composure with a five-under 66 to cruise to a three-shot lead at the Venetian Macao Open and regain the title that he won two years ago.
As Hend ended at a superb 20-under 264, defending champion Lahiri (66) with seven birdies against two bogeys and his teammate Chiragh (65) with five birdies, an eagle and one bogey finished at 17-under 267 at the USD 1 million Asian Tour event.
The other Indians also had a fine day as Rashid Khan (71) was tied eighth at 10-under 274 and Gaganjeet Bhullar (70) was tied 17th, as was SSP Chawrasia (72), who dropped two doubles and two bogeys on his back nine, including a double, bogey and bogey finish.

Jyoti Randhawa (70) and Abhijit Chadha (75) were tied 45th at one-under and Rahil Gangjee had a horrendous day with 79 and finished tied-55th at one-over.
Lahiri tried to apply the pressure on Hend with three birdies in the first six holes but the Australian was too good on the day with back-to-back birdies on eight and nine to preserve his overnight lead.
The Indian made costly bogeys on 12 and 16 to fall out of the title chase.

"I can't be disappointed. I played well today barring a couple of really silly mistakes on the back nine, I played really good. All credit to Hendy. He played phenomenal golf. I was telling him that anytime you shoot a bogey free five under when you're leading by three, you're not going to get caught very often. He's earned this win," Lahiri said.

"I felt I could catch him (but) I didn't make a putt on 11 and then I dropped a silly shot on 12, got unlucky with the drive and on 16, I shot myself in the head. I picked the wrong sprinkler head and picked myself a wrong yardage, so you don't make a mistake like that at that stage of the event. I played decent all week. Nothing to feel bad about.
"I should have brought a different lob wedge out for this week. I carried two wedges for most of the year but I decided to commit to the one with more bounce which is the one I've been using in the States. In Bermuda (grass), you need slightly different and I was ruing that I didn't have it," he added.