Gaganjeet Bhullar claimed his third title on the Royal Challenge Indian Golf Tour when he won the Royal Challenge Samarvir Sahi Amateur with a final day performance of six-over 78. His four-day tally stood at six-over 294, a solitary stroke ahead of second-placed Amardip Sinh Malik, who returned a card of two-under 70 on Friday.
In third place was Simarjeet Singh with a round of six-over 78.
With a tournament total of 299, the 29-year old tied with brother Jasjeet, who had an identical gross score but was awarded the second runner up tag on the basis of a better final day score. Jasjeet shot a 79 on Friday.
"I am delighted with Gaganjeet's performance at the Royal Challenge Samarvir Sahi Amateur. His splendid performance along with that of the other players has proven yet again that there is immense talent on the Indian amateur circuit and we at Shaw Wallace are proud to be associated with it", said A.K.M.A Shamsuddin, president, Shaw Wallace, in his congratulatory note to the winner.
Gaganjeet, who is now assured of finishing his rookie season as the winner of the Royal Challenge Indian Golf Tour's Order of Merit, had a none-too impressive round today. The 16-year old began his day with two consecutive bogeys with his second shot landing in a bunker in both instances. However, he was quick to bounce back with two birdies, the first of which came on the fourth hole. On this particular hole his approach shot with a pitching wedge landed 10 feet away from the hole which he duly sank.
He birdied the next hole as well when his lob-wedge shot left him with just seven feet putt. The rest of his round was punctuated with errors as he faltered on the sixth, ninth and tenth holes to record bogeys. The 17th witnessed him run into some more bad luck as his drive ricocheted off a tree and went out of bounds. He dropped three strokes on this hole.
"I am happy at winning the title and want to thank Royal Challenge for giving me this opportunity", said a visibly elated Gaganjeet.
On a day that saw most players struggle with the strong winds at the Chandigarh Golf Club, Amardip Sinh MAlik played an inspired round which comprised three four birdies and two bogeys. The Oil India Ltd employee birdied the first, 15th, 16th and 18th holes while making bogeys on the third and eleventh. The 19-year old who was placed fourth on the leaderboard at the start of the day played aggressive golf which paid rich dividends.
SCORES (After 72 holes): 294 Gaganjeet Bhullar (73,73,70,78); 295 Amardip Sinh Malik (76,72,77); 299 Simarjeet Singh (72,78,71,78), Jasjeet Singh ((75,71,74,79); 300 Vikrant Chopra (78,74,73, 75); 301 Gagan Verma ((76,75, 77,73), Jaskirat Dullet (76,78,72, 75), Manav Das (82,70,72); 306 Chiragh Kumar ( 78,76,76,76), Rahul Bakshi (79,78,72, 77)
