Khan wins SAIL-SBI Open in play-off

New Delhi (AFP) - India's Rashid Khan claimed a play-off victory over Bangladesh's Siddikur Rahman at the SAIL-SBI Open in New Delhi on Saturday with a birdie on the first extra hole.

The 23-year-old was mobbed after tapping in his birdie putt on the par five 18th hole for his maiden Asian Tour victory at the Delhi Golf Club, a year after losing to compatriot Anirban Lahiri at the same event.

"It feels awesome. It's my home course and winning here is special. It's amazing," said Khan, who carded a final round one-under-par 71 and totalled 18-under-par 270 for the week.

"I lost this event here last year. It was important and the way I started on the first day with a 61, it was an amazing week," he said.

Regulation play forced the contest into extra time with Khan trailing Siddikur by one with two remaining until he produced a birdie on 17 to draw level at the season-opening $300,000 event.

Both players then birdied the 18th hole under immense pressure to take the tournament into a play-off.

"I don't like play-offs. I played seven play-offs in the last 14 months and I won only three. It's a lottery," said Khan.

Siddikur's hopes of a second title at the Delhi course, where he won the Indian Open in November, faded after he missed his long birdie chance.

"Rashid deserves the win. He's a talented player. I saw his game and he's a really good player," said Siddikur, who finished fourth on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit last season.

"It was a good play-off. I played my game but maybe, I should have played driver. I used my three wood which wasn't sufficient although I have used three wood in the first four rounds and made birdie every day. But it wasn't the case in the play-off."

Leading scores after the fourth round:

270 - Rashid Khan (IND) 61-69-69-71, Siddikur Rahman (BAN) 67-67-67-69 (Khan wins play-off with birdie on the first extra hole)

276 - Rikard Karlberg (SWE) 71-70-67-68

277 - Carlos Pigem (ESP) 69-71-69-68, S.S.P Chowrasia (IND) 68-69-72-68, Martin Rominger (SUI) 72-63-70-72

278 - Steve Lewton (ENG) 68-70-68-72

279 - Abhijit Chadha (IND) 68-73-69-69, Jyoti Randhawa (IND) 71-69-70-69, Anirban Lahiri (IND) 70-66-69-74