Superb Chennai reign supreme
Sidney Kiran, June 5, 2016, Bengaluru, DHNS
Golf : Chawrasia, Chikkarangappa inspire favourites to fine victory
Main attraction SSP Chawrasia and rising star S Chikkarangappa finally produced the fireworks befitting their status as favourites TAKE Chennai dished out a grandstand finish to emerge champions in the Louis Philippe Cup here on Saturday.
Reigning Indian Open champion Chawrasia smashed a superb four-under 68 while Chikkarangappa bettered his illustrious team-mate by one shot to power Chennai to a sensational come-from-behind victory at a well-attended KGA.
Chennai, who trailed pace-setters Dev Chandigarh by five shots overnight, levelled scores with around four holes to go before surpassing them and signing off at 21-under 555. Chandigarh settled for second place three shots behind while NSports Hyderabad ended third at 559.
The victory served as a perfect redemption for Chennai as they led from the start till almost the end before seeing the title being snatched away from their fingers by a spirited Navratna Hyderabad.
“We needed this title very badly,” said a delighted Chikkarangappa. “I still remember last year when I three-putted the 16th and Ahmedabad sort of kicked on from there. We were extremely gutted to lose it last year.
“Chaw (Chawrasia) played brilliantly today. His eagle on the 14th gave us the confidence. I then birdied the 16th and from there on, I knew if we kept things calm we would win. I’ve finished runner-up twice and it’s finally nice to be on the winning side.”
Chikkarangappa, who has been playing solid golf right through the week but unable to find that extra gear, hit the right notes on the all important final day. In balmy conditions and a fair crowd following him, the youngster led from the front with some superb golf.
He made a poor start, dropping a shot on the third hole but that remained his only blip. He notched up back to back birdies on the sixth and seventh holes -- both 8-foot putts. Another double followed on the 11th and 12th holes before he nailed a stunning 35-foot birdie on the 16th. He then climaxed a superb round, landing an approach shot on the closing 18th to given. He sank the ball calmly as celebrations began despite team-mate Khalin Joshi playing in the group behind.
Scores (after 72 holes): Team (only the two best individual scores considered): 555: TAKE Chennai; 558: Dev Chandigarh; 559: NSports Hyderabad; 560: Laqshya Mumbai; 565: Zion Hills Bengaluru; 566: Navratna Ahmedabad; 571: Jaypee Green Greater Noida, DLF-The Crest Gurgaon.
Leading individual scores: 278: S Chikkarangappa (71, 70, 70, 67), Chiragh Kumar (71, 69, 71, 67). Chikkarangappa wins on better third round score. 280: Mithun Perera (69, 70, 71, 70), Himmat Rai (65, 75, 70, 70); 281: Abhijit Chadha (71, 67, 71, 72), Gaganjeet Bhullar (74, 71, 66, 70); 282: Khalin Joshi (71, 72, 69, 70).
Reigning Indian Open champion Chawrasia smashed a superb four-under 68 while Chikkarangappa bettered his illustrious team-mate by one shot to power Chennai to a sensational come-from-behind victory at a well-attended KGA.
Chennai, who trailed pace-setters Dev Chandigarh by five shots overnight, levelled scores with around four holes to go before surpassing them and signing off at 21-under 555. Chandigarh settled for second place three shots behind while NSports Hyderabad ended third at 559.
The victory served as a perfect redemption for Chennai as they led from the start till almost the end before seeing the title being snatched away from their fingers by a spirited Navratna Hyderabad.
“We needed this title very badly,” said a delighted Chikkarangappa. “I still remember last year when I three-putted the 16th and Ahmedabad sort of kicked on from there. We were extremely gutted to lose it last year.
“Chaw (Chawrasia) played brilliantly today. His eagle on the 14th gave us the confidence. I then birdied the 16th and from there on, I knew if we kept things calm we would win. I’ve finished runner-up twice and it’s finally nice to be on the winning side.”
Chikkarangappa, who has been playing solid golf right through the week but unable to find that extra gear, hit the right notes on the all important final day. In balmy conditions and a fair crowd following him, the youngster led from the front with some superb golf.
He made a poor start, dropping a shot on the third hole but that remained his only blip. He notched up back to back birdies on the sixth and seventh holes -- both 8-foot putts. Another double followed on the 11th and 12th holes before he nailed a stunning 35-foot birdie on the 16th. He then climaxed a superb round, landing an approach shot on the closing 18th to given. He sank the ball calmly as celebrations began despite team-mate Khalin Joshi playing in the group behind.
Scores (after 72 holes): Team (only the two best individual scores considered): 555: TAKE Chennai; 558: Dev Chandigarh; 559: NSports Hyderabad; 560: Laqshya Mumbai; 565: Zion Hills Bengaluru; 566: Navratna Ahmedabad; 571: Jaypee Green Greater Noida, DLF-The Crest Gurgaon.
Leading individual scores: 278: S Chikkarangappa (71, 70, 70, 67), Chiragh Kumar (71, 69, 71, 67). Chikkarangappa wins on better third round score. 280: Mithun Perera (69, 70, 71, 70), Himmat Rai (65, 75, 70, 70); 281: Abhijit Chadha (71, 67, 71, 72), Gaganjeet Bhullar (74, 71, 66, 70); 282: Khalin Joshi (71, 72, 69, 70).
No comments:
Post a Comment