Bangalore:
Anirban Lahiri posted a determined three-under-69 in the final round to record an emphatic five-stroke victory at the PGTI - Eagleburg Open at his home course, the Eagleton Golf Resort, near Bangalore.
Lahiri totaled 20-under-268 for the tournament. Chikkarangappa S, another local lad from Eagleton, fired a 68 in the final round to finish runner-up with a total score of 15-under-273.
Lahiri (73-62-64-69), had an eventful start to the day. He birdied the first from 25 feet, dropped bogeys on the next two holes and came back with a birdie on the fourth where he found the par-5 green in two shots.
The crowd favourite then consolidated his position with birdies on the sixth, ninth and 10th. Lahiri holed a 15-footer on the ninth and chipped it from the bunker within three feet of the pin on the 10th.
Anirban then had a momentary downslide as he dropped bogeys on the 12th and 14th holes after finding the bunker and missing up and down on both occasions.
He finally sealed it with birdies on the 15th and 17th. The 26-year-old converted a 25-footer for his final birdie of the day on the 17th.
"It's great to win at my home course at last. I started well today but then a bad lie on the second and a wrong club selection on the third tee led to bogeys.
"I came back well thereafter but got a little complacent in the early stages of the back-nine to drop two more bogeys. I was happy that I managed to close it out with two birdies at the end to ensure a big victory margin," said Lahiri.
He added,"I made some crucial putts today and pushed myself to perform well through the week. I've enjoyed a good run through the last four weeks and would like to keep it going when I play the upcoming international events.
"I'm also happy for my close friend Chikka for having done so well. I'd like to dedicate this win to the Late Mr. M Ashok Kumar, the former Chairman and Managing Director of Eagleton The Golf Resort, who passed away recently. He was like a father figure to me and encouraged and supported me for
many years."
Lahiri's win was his second in two weeks on the PGTI and lifted him from fifth to third position in the Rolex Rankings. It was also his 12th win as a professional (ninth PGTI win). Mukesh Kumar continues to lead the Rolex Rankings followed by Shamim Khan.
Chikkarangappa S (72-67-66-68) fired a bogey-free 68 to finish second at 15-under-273 to the delight of the home crowd.
Sanjay Kumar of Lucknow shot a 71 in the final round to claim third place at 13-under-275. Kolkata's Rahil Gangjee was a further shot behind in fourth place.
Trishul Chinnappa of Bangalore, the lone amateur to make the cut, bagged the trophy for the best performance by an amateur. Chinnappa finished tied 18th with a total score of one-under-287.
