Bengaluru’s M Dharma and Delhi ’s Vikrant Chopra were joint runners-up
at seven-under-281 at the Rs. 60 lakh event.
Feroz Ali Mollah’s top-notch performance this week saw him
turn the clock back to the 90s, a decade when he was one of the dominant
figures in Indian professional golf. Feroz, who has over 50 titles in his
kitty, once again produced the magic of old in Kochi to add more silverware to his already
overflowing trophy cabinet.
It was a day of fluctuating fortunes as the lead kept
changing hands between Feroz, overnight leader M Dharma (72-66-71-72) and
Vikrant Chopra (72-72-69-68), who was tied fifth after round three.
Feroz himself had a roller-coaster front-nine as he alternated
between birdies and bogeys from the second through the seventh. The highlight
of his outward nine was the chip for eagle on the sixth that missed the hole by
a whisker.
Mollah, who last won a title in late 2011, turned the tide
on the back-nine thanks to his much-improved putting and a couple of long range
conversions. The man known for his colourful attire on the course came up with
four birdies against a lone bogey on his inward nine to close the week with a
three-under-69.
“I dedicate this win to my wife and two kids. I was really
hungry for a win since a long time. I thought I’ll give my family a gift this
year by winning an event since they hadn’t seen me win in ages,” said Feroz.
He added, “I putted better on the back-nine today. I didn’t
think too much about the other contenders but played my own game. I’ve switched
to a new set of irons and that too helped my cause.
“The competition is getting tougher with each passing year
with younger and fitter players arriving on the scene. However, it is my
experience that has helped me in competing with the next generation. I play a
lot of tournaments round the year, not only in India
but also on local tours in South East Asia . I
believe in match practice more than practicing at the range. This approach has
kept me going. A brilliant start to the new season here would do wonders to my
confidence,” said Mollah, who took home the winning cheque worth Rs. 9 lakh to
lead the Rolex Ranking.
For M Dharma it was another near miss after his playoff loss
in Mumbai late last year. He had a forgettable start to the day having lost his
ball on the first and subsequently dropping a double-bogey. The 29-year-old
rallied with birdies on the second and fourth but could not convert his
opportunities on the back-nine.
Dharma finally had a 15-feet birdie conversion opportunity
on the 18th to take the match into a playoff with Feroz. However, the putt
circled the hole in dramatic fashion before stopping at the lip to deny him a
shot at the title.
Dharma said, “After the initial setback on the first, I knew
I’ll be back in the game soon. However, there were lots of opportunities missed
in the second half. I thought I had nailed the final putt but was shattered to
see it lip out. Nonetheless, these losses have only made me mentally stronger
for the future.”
Vikrant Chopra, who was four-under through the
first-nine, too was in contention till the very end until he bogeyed the
17th with a three-putt and then missed the green on the 18th to make
par.
Noida’s Gaurav Pratap Singh produced the day’s best of 66 to
claim a share of fourth place at six-under-282 along with Meerut ’s Sudhir Sharma.
The two rookies to make the cut, Mumbai’s Shivam Ashok
Tibrewal (seven-over-295) and Delhi-based Gunvir Rana (nine-over-297), posted
respectable finishes of tied 34th and tied 40threspectively in their
maiden professional event.
Prize Presentation Picture Caption:
Feroz Ali Mollah (extreme left) receives the winner's cheque
and trophy from Mr. Gopal Krishna, GM, CIAL (4th from left). Also seen in the
picture are Mr. Lakshman, GM, Courtyard by Marriott, Kochi Airport (2nd from
left), Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, Director, PGTI (3rd from left), Maj. Gen. K J
Koshi, AVSM, Advisor, CIAL Golf Club (5th from left) and Mr. Joseph Peter, AGM,
CIAL (extreme right).
PGTI Press release
