Arjun Atwal Finishes Tied 17th at Asia-Pacific Open in Japan

Arjun Atwal closed with a round of one-under 70 to finish tied 17th, the best among the Indians at the 150 million Yen (approximately US$1.5 million) Asia-Pacific Open Golf Championship Diamond Cup here on Sunday.

Atwal, who did not have any status on PGA Tour this year, is over in Asia, where he topped the Money list 11 years ago, to play a few events on invitation.

Atwal closed with two birdies on last four holes as he totaled one-under 283. Among other Indians, Jyoti Randhawa (73) was tied 28th at one-over 285 and Anirban Lahiri (71) was two-over 284 in tied 33rd place. SSP Chowrasia (76) was tied 56th eight-over 292.

Japan's Hiroyuki Fujita gave the home fans a lot to cheer by carding a final round five-under-par 66 to win the Diamond Cup.

Fujita was clearly in his element when he shrugged off the challenges from the best players from the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour by trading six birdies against one bogey to emerge victorious with his four-day total of six-under-par 278.

Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat returned to his best form after a six-week injury layoff by signing for a flawless 67 to share second place with Korea's S.K. Ho and Jason Knutzon of the United States.

Korea's Baek Seuk-hyun carded a 69 to take tied-fifth place alongside compatriot Lee Kyoung-hoon and Japan's Yoshitaka Takeya and Yoshinobu Tsukada at the Ohtone Country Club.