Mukesh ends with a flourish to capture title; rookie Saini finishes runner-up on PGTI debut

Chandigarh, February 22, 2013: Mukesh Kumar of Mhow walked away with the trophy at the PGTI Players Championship at Chandigarh Golf Club after posting an immaculate six-under-66 in the final round. Mukesh totaled 13-under-275 for the tournament to register a four-stroke win. Rookie Ashbeer Saini of Kapurthala had a creditable runner-up finish on his PGTI debut with a nine-under-279 total.

Mukesh Kumar (67-67-75-66) made a remarkable comeback after a disastrous 75 in round three to bag yet another title at one of his favourite golfing venues. Mukesh began with a bogey on the first where he found the jungle. He the added two birdies to his card with putts from 10 and 15 feet on the third and seventh respectively.

The experienced campaigner went on the rampage on the back-nine with five birdies. Mukesh sank an 18-footer for birdie on the 14th and chipped it within a couple of feet for birdies on the 13th and 16th. He chipped-in for birdie on the 17th and landed his approach shot from 130 yards to within two feet to set up a birdie on the 18th.

“My short-game was fabulous today. I performed really well with the wedges and my chipping couldn’t have been better. Even though I made birdies on the last three holes, the crucial phase for me was from the 14th to the 16th where I all but sealed it. I made a good par on the 15th as well. This is a great start to the year,” said 47-year-old Mukesh.

He added, “Ashbeer was outstanding today and did not show any signs of pressure. He has a great future ahead.”

Ashbeer Saini (70-68-71-70) carded a bogey-free 70 to earn the runner-up spot in his maiden PGTI event. The 19-year-old couldn’t catch up with Mukesh on the final day but nonetheless had a good outing on Friday with two birdies. Ashbeer’s birdies on the second and 13th came as a result of some brilliant chip-putts.

Saini said, “I’m delighted to finish runner-up in my first event on the PGTI. This has really boosted my confidence for the coming events. My chipping was excellent today and I made some crucial putts. I recovered well on a few occasions after hitting it over the green. I often discuss my game with Gaganjeet Bhullar and his advice helps me
perform better.”

Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta finished tied third along with Shamim Khan of Delhi at seven-under-281. Faridabad’s Abhinav Lohan claimed fifth place at five-under-283.

Mukesh: Gen next won’t have it easy against me. Professional golfers usually enter the twilight of their careers when they get close to the age of 50.

However, ‘King of the Indian greens’, Mukesh Kumar in an exception. At 47, Mukesh, a winner of over 100 professional titles in India, is showing no signs of slowing down
despite being on the pro circuit for over 28 years.

The man from the Army Golf Course in Mhow, a small cantonment town, located 20 kilometres south of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, has recorded 14 wins over the last five years and still has the hunger for success.

Mukesh believes the young crop of Indian golfers is exceptionally talented but he isn’t ready to ‘throw in the towel’ as yet.

Mukesh said, “The next generation is coming up really well. Players like Rashid Khan, Abhijit Singh Chadha, Ashbeer Saini, Chikkarangappa and Khalin Joshi will make waves on the international stage with a little more experience. However, I’m not going to fade away so easily. I’m going to give the young lot a run for their money for at least another five years.”

Photo caption: Mukesh Kumar (4th from left) receives the winner's cheque from GS Sandhu, president, Chandigarh Golf Club (extreme left), Jeev Milkha Singh (2nd from left), Sandeep Sandhu, captain, Chandigarh Golf Club (3rd from left) & Uttam Singh Mundy, Director, PGTI (extreme right)in Chandigarh on February 22, 2013.