{image-rashid khan_16122007.jpg news.oneindia.in}Shenzhen (China) Dec 16: Rashid Khan of India was crowned the Faldo Series Asia champion for 2007 at Mission Hills Golf Club in China yesterday following an outstanding six-under-par 66 on the Faldo Course and a 54-hole total of 205.

Khan, a 16-year-old from Delhi, stormed to victory with a four-under-par back nine of 31 that included an eagle two on 15 and a birdie two immediately after on 16. He finished five ahead of joint runners up Chan Shih Chang, 21, the overnight leader from Chinese Taipei who carded a level-par 72, and another Indian Rahul Bakshi, 17, who raced up the leader-board with a final round 63, a new course record. ''I am absolutely delighted to win and to do it with Nick Faldo watching is extremely exciting. Last night Nick told us to be positive today and play with a smile on our faces and that is exactly what I did. I have never played so well,'' a delighted Khan gushed after the match.

As well as collecting the Faldo Series Asia trophy from Nick Faldo, Khan also receives an invitation to the European grand final of the Faldo Series 2008, valuable R&A World Amateur Golf Ranking points and, courtesy of the Asian Tour, a place in the Volvo Masters Asia 2008 and a scholarship to stage one of Asian Tour Qualifying School.

Lin Tzu Chi of Chinese Taipei, who is the leader among the girls, will be offered a start in a flagship event on the 2008 Ladies European Tour. 17-year-old Lin carded a two-over-par 74 to finish on 218, one shot ahead of her compatriot and defending girls' champion Hsieh Yu Ling(15).

UNI