Abhishek Jha, another Bangalorean and good friend and
practice partner of Chikka, shot a contrasting three-over-75 to finish
runner-up at 16-under-272 despite starting the day with a six-shot lead.
Chikkarangappa (64-70-69-67), who came out overnight tied
second and nursing an injury in his left wrist, had a three-shot swing early in
his favour as he converted a 25-footer for birdie on the third even as Abhishek
Jha (66-66-65-75) dropped bogeys on the third and fourth. Abhishek three-putted
on the third and found the trees on the fourth.
Chikka narrowed the gap to two shots after making a tricky
10-feet birdie putt on the eighth. Both the Eagleton-based professionals
birdied the 10th but Jha conceded another shot with a three-putt for bogey
on the 12th. Chikka finally drew level with Jha thanks to a 30-feet birdie
conversion on the 15th.
Abhishek found himself in trouble on the 16th where he
couldn’t get out of thick rough in the first attempt. As a result he
double-bogeyed the 16th and the tables turned with Chikka taking a
two-shot lead. Chikka subsequently sealed his fourth professional title after
the two golfers birdied the 17th and made pars on the 18th.
Chikka, who became the second Indian after Sujjan Singh to
win on the Asian Development Tour, said, “I’m delighted to finally win at my
home course. Last few events I was right up there on the leaderboard but
couldn’t somehow take my chances. The 30-feet birdie putt on the 15th was
the turning point today. I felt I had the momentum from there on. Then after
Abhishek’s double-bogey on the next hole, I made sure I birdied the 17th.
“I felt I came back really well after the setback with the
triple-bogey on the second day and the injury to my wrist on the third day. I
couldn’t sleep till late last night due to the pain in my wrist and had to keep
applying ice on it to be ready for the final round.
He added, “I dedicate this win to my late grandfather who
passed away last week.”
Abhishek Jha, who missed out on winning his maiden title,
said, “My rhythm got upset early on with the bogeys. I felt I got nervous and
didn’t pace myself well. I know I can do much better. Nonetheless, there are a
lot of positives to take away from this performance.”
C Muniyappa of Bangalore returned a 66 to share fourth place
with Niall Turner of Ireland
at 13-under-275.
Kolkata’s SSP Chowrasia and Bangalore ’s R Murthy were a further shot back
in tied sixth. Murthy slipped four places from his overnight tied second while
Chowrasia’s 65 was the day’s best score.
Yashas Chandra of Bangalore ,
the only amateur to make the cut, won the trophy for the best performance by an
amateur. He claimed overall 45th place with a total of six-over-294.
Some numbers and records relating to Chikkarangappa’s win
· Chikkarangappa’s
1st international win and 4th career title
· The
63rd win by an Indian at the international level
· Chikka
became the 20th Indian player to win at the international level
· He became
the 2nd Indian to win on the Asian Development Tour after Sujjan Singh
· Indians now
have 4 international titles in 2014. Asian Tour: Anirban Lahiri (2), Rashid
Khan (1); Asian Development Tour: Chikkarangappa (1)
Photo caption: Chikkarangappa receives the winner’s trophy from Mr. N
Srinivasan, also in the picture are (L to R) Mr. Mike Kerr, CEO, Asian Tour,
Mr. Srinivasan HR, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, TAKE Solutions, Mr.
Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, Mr. Chetan Meda, Director, Eagleton – The Golf
Resort, Mr. Wanchai Michai, Tournament Director, Asian Tour and runner-up
Abhishek Jha.
Press release
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