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Golf tournaments in India tend to have a touch of a feel-good factor more often than not, thanks to the number of caddy-turned-pros that are produced through the national tours and go on to make a name (and a decent living) for themselves. The 2009 Indian Open had a dash of it, too, after Chinnaswamy Muniyappa's playoff victory at the DLF Golf and Country Club saw him pocket nearly $200,000. A massive pay-day for the guy who as a kid would be thrilled after earning Re 1 caddying for the members at the KGA golf course in Bangalore.

What is undoubtedly remarkable is the manner in which Muniyappa handled the pressure. Not only is he just in his debut season on the Asian Tour, Muniya ppa, like most players who ply their trade primarily on the PGTI Tour, would not be used to having as many number of followers as he did on Sunday, both at the course and on television. He played solid golf throughout the week, and kept his head cool despite two bogeys in the back nine during the final round to force a playoff against Korea's Lee Sung. Both were at 12-under for the tournament after four rounds, and Muniyappa closed the deal on the first playoff hole, putting in for birdie from 10-feet, and now moves up 91 places to sixth on the Asian Tour's Order of Merit.

"I only came here to try and help keep my Asian Tour card. It was only when I got to the play-off that I thought let's go for the win. I really don't know what I will do with the prize money. Maybe rent a house," said Muniyappa.

"I learned the game by watching members at the club. My first clubs were a seven iron and a two iron. I have never had a coach. I got some advice on things to work on this year on my swing but it would a have taken a lot of practicing. There is no time. I'd rather be playing in tournaments than practicing," added Muniyappa.

Lee started the day one shot back but forced his way into contention with a 3-under score on the front nine. And had it not been for costly bogies on the 12th and 16th hole there may have been another winner. But Lee summed up the week as well as anyone could.

"I thought I could win and felt confident all week. I was very patient and kept my concentration very well. It is disappointing but I think this week was meant Muniyappa's week," said Lee.

South Africa's Keith Horne had set the course ablaze earlier, starting with four birdies and adding an eagle on the 6th to race up the leadboard. But the wheels fell off his round on the back nince and all he could manage was a 1-under 71 for the day to place him 8th. Anirban Lahiri shot a 8-under 64, but his lacklustre performances in the earlier rounds meant he could only manage a tied-3rd spot, 2 strokes too many to join Muniyappa and Lee for the playoff. Rashid Khan, who made a name for himself winning the Faldo Series event in China as a junior, was the lone amatuer to have made the weekend, managing a score of 6-over over the course of the tournament to finish in 61st place.

Gaganjeet Bhullar was the favourite at the start of the tournament having won at the same course only a fornight back on the PGTI Tour, but he failed to put up a threat and finished 4-under which placed him 16th. Other big names also disappointed, with Daniel Chopra at 2-under for the tournament, and Arjun Atwal at even par. Former US Open champion Michael Campbell could only manage a woeful score of 17-over to be placed last amongst those who made the weekend. Former Order of Merit winner Thaworn Wiratchant failed to make the cut.

Leading and Notable scores:
1. Chinnaswamy Muniyappa (IND) (12-under 276)
2. Lee Sung (KOR) (12-under 276)
3. Kwanchai Tannin (THA), Anirban Lahiri (IND), Marcus Both (AUS) (10-under 278)
6. Digvijay Singh (IND), Ashok Kumar (IND) (8-under 280)
8. Antonio Lascuna (PHI), Keith Horne (RSA), Harendra Gupta (IND), Gavin Flint (AUS) (6-under 282)
16. Gaganjeet Bhullar (IND) (4-under 284)
21. Daniel Chopra (SWE) (2-under 286)
33. Arjun Atwal (IND) (Even par 288)
61. Rashid Khan (IND) (6-over 294)
70. Michael Campbel (NZ) (17-over 305)
92. Thaworn Wiratchant (THA) (Missed cut)

Photograph Copyright: Asian Tour