PTI

Gifu, May 15: Jeev Milkha Singh, the leader on the Asian Order of Merit, continued his terrific run with yet another top-10 finish as he tied for fifth in the Japan PGA Championship.

Playing in swirling winds over the back nine, Jeev shot four birdies and one bogey in his final round of 69 and totalled eight-under 280 to tie with Japan's Yoshikazu Haku (68) and Nozomi Kawahara (69).

The title went to Tomohiro Kondo (69), who prevailed in a play-off with Katsuyoshi Tomori (68) while Shingo Katayma (69) and Toru Taniguchi (69) totalled nine-under 279 each.

"It was tough out there in the last few holes. The wind was not in one direction but swirling. The bogey on par-three 13th, where I three-putted cost me a chance to make a bid for the title," said Jeev.

"A par there could have been given me a chance to get into the play-off," he said.

This was Jeev's fifth top-10 in last six starts over the past two months. During this period, he also ended his seven year winless run with a memorable victory at the Volvo China Open in April.

Prior to this week's tournament, he finished tied second in the SK Telecom Open in Korea.

Chinese Taipei's Lin Keng-chi, the 1995 Asian number one, finished a further stroke back in eighth place after a 72 while compatriot Yeh Wei-tze and Chinese upcoming star Liang Wen-chong were amongst those who shared 10th position.

Yeh closed with a 71 while Liang, who started the final round being in contention, faded with a 74.