M Dharma breaks victory barrier with three-stroke triumph at 12th Tata Open

M Dharma (3rd from left) receives the winner's cheque from Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, Director, PGTI (extreme left), Mr. T V Narendran, Managing Director, TATA Steel (2nd from left) and Mr. Sunil Bhaskaran, Deputy Vice President, Corporate Services, TATA Steel and Golf Captain, Jamshedpur (extreme right).

M Dharma

Jamshedpur, December 22, 2013: M Dharma of Bangalore joined the winner’s circle on the PGTI after a three-stroke victory at the 12^th TATA Open in Jamshedpur on Sunday. Dharma fired a two-under-69 in the final round to end up with a tournament total of 13-under-272. Jamshedpur-based amateur Karan Taunk had a creditable runner-up finish at 10-under-275.

On Sunday, the entire field played nine holes each on both courses – Beldih and Golmuri. While one half of the field teed off from Beldih, the other half began its round from Golmuri. Thirty-three golfers with the best scores at the end of round three teed off from Golmuri and finished at Beldih. The par for the combined courses was 71.

M Dharma (66-70-67-69), the overnight joint leader, made three birdies against a lone bogey in the fourth round to finally break the victory barrier in his ninth year on the professional circuit. The 27-year-old Dharma, who hails from the Karnataka Golf Association (KGA) course in Bangalore, played a steady final round as he made good chip-putts for birdies on the fourth, ninth and 12^th to stay ahead through the day. The only blemish on his card was the bogey on the eighth that came as a result of a three-putt.

“I had a fabulous week here as I played to my potential and just had one ordinary round on the second day. My chipping was excellent today and I never lost focus. My good results in the last five weeks can be attributed to my brilliant ball-striking,” said Dharma, who has now climbed from 19^th place to seventh position on the PGTI’s Rolex Rankings for 2013 after picking up the winner’s cheque of Rs. 8,08,250 at the 12^th TATA Open.

The Bangalore-based professional, who will become a father for the first time early next year, added, “It feels great to finally cross the line and have a title under my belt. I would now like to end the year on a high with a good performance next week as well. I would like to thank the KGA and its members for their continuous support over the years.”

Local amateur Karan Taunk (67-69-69-70), lying third after round three, delighted the home crowd with his second-place finish after returning a one-under-70 in the last round. Karan, who will be turning professional at the PGTI’s Qualifying School in January 2014, sank four birdies and dropped three bogeys on Saturday. He played a good chip for birdie on the ninth and converted birdie putts from 10 to 15 feet on the 13^th and 15^th. This was Taunk’s best-ever finish in a professional event.

Taunk said, “This performance is a huge boost for me before beginning my professional career. I used the local knowledge to my advantage through the week. However, today I did not create enough birdie chances for myself. I played a couple of poor chip shots on the 10^th and 11^th that led to bogeys and kept me from getting close to Dharma’s score.”

Delhi’s Shamim Khan (68-72-71-66) claimed third place with a total score of eight-under-277. Shamim carded a five-under-66 in the final round that featured six birdies and a bogey.

Manav Jaini of Delhi was a further shot behind in fourth position.

The last event of the 2013 PGTI season will now be staged in Kolkata next week and will feature only the top-60 players in the Rolex Rankings after the 12^th TATA Open along with five invites. Rashid Khan leads the Rolex Rankings at this stage with earnings of Rs. 41,80,634 for the season so far.

Top scores after Round 3:

13-under-272: M Dharma

10-under-275: Karan Taunk (A)

Eight-under-277: Shamim Khan

Seven-under-278: Manav Jaini

Press release

M Dharma and Md Zamal Hossain Mollah hold two-shot advantage after round 3

 M Dharma of Bangalore 

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh

Jamshedpur, December 21, 2013: M Dharma of Bangalore and Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah jointly hold a two-stroke lead ahead of the final round of the 12^th TATA Open in Jamshedpur. While Dharma posted a four-under-67 in round three, Zamal came up with a two-under-69 as both players ended up with a three-day tally of 11-under-203. Jamshedpur-based amateur Karan Taunk is placed third at nine-under-205.

On Saturday, the entire field consisting of the 61 players who made the cut, played nine holes each on both courses – Beldih and Golmuri. While one half of the field teed off from Beldih, the other half began its round from Golmuri. Thirty-three golfers with the best scores at the end of round two teed off from Golmuri and finished at Beldih. The par for the combined courses was 71. This format will also be followed in the fourth and final round on Sunday.

M Dharma (66-70-67) fired a bogey-free 67 on Saturday to climb from overnight tied second to joint first. Dharma made a birdie on first hole for the third straight day with a 10 feet conversion. He made it two birdies in a row with a brilliant chip on the second that stopped three feet from the hole. The 27-year-old continued to impress with his chipping as he landed it within a foot on the ninth and within a couple of inches on the 12^th to make birdies on both occasions. Dharma thus ended up with the best score of the day.

“The key is to adjust well to the conditions of both the courses while playing the last two rounds. I managed to do that well today and reaped the rewards. I’ve had good starts on all three days and that has been an advantage. I chipped really well today and got my strategy right of landing it on the front-edge of the greens at Beldih. I’ve been striking it well this year and have therefore posted six top-10 finishes in the season. I’ll look to shoot a sub-par round on the final day and not get too ahead of myself,” said Dharma, who is yet to win a professional title.

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (70-64-69), the overnight leader, made four birdies and two bogeys for a 69 that kept him at the top of the pack along with Dharma. Mollah’s chip on the second set up a tap-in for birdie. The 28-year-old left himself birdie putts from six feet and less on the sixth, 13^th and 17^th, thanks to his excellent iron-play.

“I had a mixed day today. I hit it close on many occasions and executed some great approach shots but also came up with some poor shots. The aim will be to find maximum fairways and greens in the final round in order to stay in contention,” said Zamal, a two-time winner on the PGTI.

Local lad Karan Taunk (67-69-69) carded a 69 to keep his title hopes alive. He made four birdies and a double-bogey in round three to be placed two strokes behind the joint leaders. His presence in the leader group ensures huge galleries at the Beldih and Golmuri golf courses on the final day.

Gurgaon’s Shubhankar Sharma, Gaurav Pratap Singh of Noida and Delhi’s Manav Jaini are in tied fourth position at seven-under-207.

Defending champion Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka is placed tied 10^th at four-under-210.

The player who makes the first hole-in-one in the tournament will be rewarded with a TATA Nano.

Top scores after Round 3:

11-under-203: Md Zamal Hossain Mollah, M Dharma

Nine-under-205: Karan Taunk (A)

Seven-under-207: Shubhankar Sharma, Gaurav Pratap Singh, Manav Jaini

Press release

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah grabs round two lead with a seven-under

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh 

Jamshedpur, December 20, 2013: Md Zamal Hossain Mollah of Bangladesh fired a seven-under-64 at the Golmuri Golf Club on Friday to grab the round two lead at the 12^th TATA Open in Jamshedpur. Zamal’s total score at the halfway stage reads nine-under-134. Delhi’s Manav Jaini, Jamshedpur-based amateur Karan Taunk and M Dharma of Bangalore are in tied second place at seven-under-136.

On Thursday one half of the field had played its 18 holes at the par-72 Beldih Golf Club while the golfers in the other half had completed their rounds at the par-71 Golmuri Golf Club. On Friday both halves of the field switched venues (those who played at Beldih on day one, played 18 holes at Golmuri on day two and vice-versa).

The cut was declared at two-over-145. Sixty professionals and one amateur made the cut.

Md Zamal Hossain Mollah (70-64), climbed from overnight tied 17^th to the top of the leaderboard after firing eight birdies against a bogey in round two. The 28-year-old landed his chip shots within four feet of the pin to set up birdies on the second and fourth holes. His lone bogey of the day came on the eighth where he missed a short putt.

The man from Dhaka, who has won on the PGTI in the past, then had a flurry of birdies on the ninth, 10^th, 12^th and 13^th. Zamal left himself birdie putts within eight feet on the 10^th, 12^th and 13^th thanks to some outstanding approach shots. Mollah’s excellent iron-play ensured he ended the day with birdies on the last two holes to record the day’s best score that took him to the top of the leaderboard.

“My approach shots were very accurate today. I was also good from around the green as I played some quality chip shots. I drove it well and kept it straight with my irons. It’s a great position to be in after two rounds. I’ve generally played well at Jamshedpur and that adds to my confidence. In fact, I shot a seven-under at Beldih couple of years back. I’ve had seven top-10s so far this season and am placed sixth in the Rolex Rankings. With just two events to go in the season, I would like to make the best of my opportunities this week,” said Zamal.

Manav Jaini (68-68) and local favourite Karan Taunk (67-69), both of whom played at Beldih on Friday, were in tied second, two strokes behind the leader, along with M Dharma (66-70) who played at Golmuri.

Jaini sank five birdies against a lone bogey in his round of four-under-68 as he holed everything from a range of 10 feet and less. Taunk, the only amateur to make the cut, made seven birdies against four bogeys during his round of three-under-69.

Dharma’s round of one-under-70 featured six birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey. He missed out on a hole-in-one by a couple of inches on the 14^th.

Gurgaon’s Digvijay Singh, the overnight leader, carded a two-over-74 at Beldih to slip into joint fifth place at six-under-137 along with Delhi golfers Ashok Kumar and Chiragh Kumar and Lucknow’s Vijay Kumar.

Defending champion Mithun Perera (73-67) of Sri Lanka is placed tied 19^th at three-under-140. Perera shot a four-over-67 at Golmuri on Friday.

The player who makes the first hole-in-one in the tournament will be rewarded with a TATA Nano.

Top scores after Round 2:

Nine-under-134: Md Zamal Hossain Mollah

Seven-under-136: Manav Jaini

Seven-under-136: Karan Taunk (A)

Seven-under-136: M Dharma

Press release

Digvijay Singh wrecks havoc with personal best in round one

Digvijay Singh 

Jamshedpur, December 19, 2013: Digvijay Singh of the DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurgaon, came up with his personal best single-round score of eight-under-63 at the Golmuri Golf Club on Thursday to emerge as the round one leader at the 12^th TATA Open. Delhi’s Chiragh Kumar and Ranjit Singh of Chandigarh fired scores of six-under-65 at Golmuri to be placed joint second along with M Dharma of Bangalore who recorded a six-under-66 at Beldih Golf Club here.

On Thursday one half of the field played its 18 holes at the par-72 Beldih Golf Club while the golfers in the other half completed their rounds at the par-71 Golmuri Golf Club. On Friday both halves of the field will switch venues (those who played at Beldih on day one, play eighteen holes at Golmuri on day two and vice-versa).

Digvijay Singh, a winner on the Asian Tour, wrecked havoc with an eagle and seven birdies on day one. He had a dream start to the week as he was two-on on the par-5 second green and then sank a four-footer for eagle. The 41-year-old went on to convert birdie putts from eight to 15 feet on the fifth, 10^th and 11^th to move to five-under for the day.

Digvijay finished the round in style with birdies on the last three holes. The Gurgaon-based golfer landed his third shot from 110 yards to within five feet for birdie on the 16^th. His terrific tee shot on the par-3 17^th left him a three-feet birdie putt.

“It’s a great start to the tournament for me. Shooting my personal best is a huge boost as I’ve not been in the best of form over the last few weeks. The 15-feet conversion on the 10^th set the ball rolling for me. I didn’t expect that putt to go in, but once it did my round just took off from there. I missed a few short putts but made the best of the scoring opportunities available at this course,” said Digvijay, who fell one short of Sri Lankan Anura Rohana’s course record set at the 11^th  TATA Open last year.

M Dharma made seven birdies against a bogey to register the best score at Beldih in round one. Dharma had a power-packed front-nine which featured five birdies. He missed a hole-in-one by a foot on the opening hole. The Bangalorean also fired in shots from 110 yards to within six feet of the flag for birdies on two occasions. He had a relatively quieter back-nine as he made two birdies and a bogey.

Chiragh Kumar and Ranjit Singh’s scores of six-under-65 at Golmuri helped them occupy joint second place along with Dharma. While Ranjit made an eagle, five birdies and a bogey, Chiragh had seven birdies and a bogey to his credit.

Amardip Sinh Malik of Greater Noida, Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta and Delhi golfer Ashok Kumar produced scores of five-under-66 at Golmuri to be placed tied fifth.

Jamshedpur-based amateur Karan Taunk and Chandigarh’s K Raghav Bhandari, both of whom played at Golmuri, were a further shot behind in tied eighth place.

Defending champ Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka returned a one-over-73 at Beldih to be placed tied 51^st.

The player who makes the first hole-in-one in the tournament will be rewarded with a TATA Nano.

Top scores after Round 1:

Eight-under-63: Digvijay Singh (Golmuri)

Six-under-65: Chiragh Kumar (Golmuri)

Six-under-65: Ranjit Singh (Golmuri)

Six-under-66: M Dharma (Beldih)

Press release

12th TATA Open Golf in Jamshedpur from December 19

From left to right - Mithun Perera, Mr. Farzan Heerjee, Chief, Guest Relations and Sports, Tata Steel, Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, Director, PGTI, Mr. Sunil Bhaskaran, Deputy Vice President, Corporate Services, Tata Steel & Golf Captain, Jamshedpur, Mr. Sampath Chari, Tournament Director, PGTI and Rashid Khan at the 12th TATA Open press conference in Jamshedpur on December 17

Jamshedpur, December 17, 2013: TATA STEEL and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) have announced the 12^th TATA Open Golf which will be held in Jamshedpur from 19^th - 22^nd December, 2013. The four-day tournament will be hosted at the Beldih and Golmuri Golf Courses in Jamshedpur. The Pro-Am will be played on 18^th December, 2013. The prize money for the event is Rs. 50 lakh.

The tournament will feature 124 golfers including 118 professionals and six amateurs. Top professionals (as per the PGTI’s Rolex Rankings) competing at the event include defending champion Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka, former champions Mukesh Kumar, Shamim Khan (reigning Rolex Rankings champion) and Vinod Kumar as well as other leading Indian professionals like Rashid Khan (current Rolex Rankings leader), Chiragh Kumar, Harendra Gupta, Om Prakash Chouhan, Shankar Das, Chikkarangappa S and Angad Cheema, to name a few.

Sri Lankans N Thangaraja and Anura Rohana, Kunal Bhasin of Australia, Nepal’s Shivaram Shrestha and Bangladesh’s Md Zamal Hossain Mollah will be the other foreigners to watch out for besides defending champion Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka.

The local challenge will be led by Jamshedpur-based top Indian amateur Karan Taunk.

Mr. T V Narendran, Managing Director, Tata Steel said, “Tata steel has a proud legacy of supporting sports and has always helped in creating an atmosphere conducive to sports promotion creating champions who have made India proud. Tata Open Golf is an annual domestic professional golf tournament of repute, which gives an opportunity to the top golfing talent from across geographies to display their skill and talent. The tournament has, over the years, become one of the most talked about golfing events in the country and has been instrumental in elevating the standards of Indian professional golf. We welcome all golfers to the steel city and wish them the very best.”

Mr. Padamjit Sandhu, Director, PGTI, said, “We thank TATA STEEL for their committed support to Indian professional golf over the last decade. The 12^th TATA Open promises to be a treat for golf fans in Jamshedpur as the top professionals in the country engage in an exciting contest in order to secure berths at the McLeod Russel Tour Championship, PGTI’s year-ending championship, and also make a bid for the Rolex Player of Year title. We wish the players all the best and look forward to an exhilarating week of golf.”

The two venues for the tournament, the Beldih and Golmuri golf courses, are both lush green, beautiful and very well-maintained, with the charming Dalma Hills in the background. While the 70-year-old Beldih Golf Course flaunts long fairways, Golmuri is a smaller, greener, boutique course disallowing golfers any room for error.

Press release