SCORESHEET

March 5th 2011, Chandigarh, India: Gaganjeet Bhullar emerged the champion at the Aircel PGTI Players Championship presented by Chandigarh Golf Club after he posted a final round of four under 68 on Saturday. The Kapurthala golfer totaled 11 under 277 to bag his fourth title of the year and make it three wins from four starts on the Aircel PGTI in 2011.

Vijay Kumar of Lucknow, Delhi’s Chiragh Kumar and Kolkata golfer Shankar Das ended up in a three-way tie for second place at nine under 279. Local favourite Jeev Milkha Singh finished a further stroke behind in fifth.

Gaganjeet Bhullar with the trophy

Gaganjeet Bhullar (67-70-72-68) emerged triumphant in one of the most keenly contested events played at the Chandigarh Golf Club in recent times. There were as many as seven major contenders on the final day but the 22-year-old Bhullar came through thanks to some fabulous putting on the back nine.

Gaganjeet was even par for the day with two birdies and two bogeys till the eighth but he turned it on with the putter from the ninth hole onwards. He sank a 15 feet birdie putt on the ninth and a 20-footer for birdie on the 11th. A good chip-putt from the edge earned him a birdie on the 13th. Bhullar picked up his final birdie of the day on the 17th where he sank a spectacular 35 feet putt.

Bhullar now has 12 professional titles to his credit which include nine on the Aircel PGTI. He took home a cheque worth Rs. 646,600 from his win on Saturday and continues to lead the Rolex Rankings for 2011.

“I sank some long putts on the back nine today and that turned the tide in my favour. The key moment today was the 20 feet birdie putt on the 11th. The situation changed from there on. I rank this win right up there since the competition was very tough with a lot of contenders. One also had to negotiate the windy conditions,” said Bhullar.

Vijay Kumar (69-70-73-67) was looking good for a shot at the title after he took the lead with an eagle-two on the 10th. He was five under for the day at that stage and collected another birdie on the 13th. But his challenge faded away with the bogey on the 14th and a few other missed chances.

Chiragh Kumar (68-71-72-68) and Shankar Das (69-68-71-71) joined Vijay in tied second place. Chiragh’s final round was punctuated by an eagle, three birdies and a bogey while Shankar, the joint overnight leader, made four birdies and three bogeys.

Jeev Milkha Singh (71-70-69-70) produced four birdies and two bogeys in the final round to end up in fifth place at eight under 280.

Defending champion Mukesh Kumar and Himmat Singh Rai, the other joint overnight leader, finished a further stroke behind in tied sixth place.

SSP Chowrasia finished in 10th at three under 285.

Noida’s Rahul Bajaj won the trophy for the best amateur score as he was the lone amateur to make the cut. He totaled 18 over 306 and finished 51st.