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Randhawa (68, 69, 68, 64) wins BILT Open 2008
Jeev, Anirban are tied second, Mukesh wins Order of Merit
Greater Noida, December 28, 2008: Jyoti Randhawa produced a magical eight under 64 to win the BILT Open 2008 at the Jaypee Greens Golf Course on Sunday. Randhawa (68, 69, 68, 64), who was six strokes off the lead after round three, finished with a total of 19 under 269 to take home the winner's cheque of Rs. 12,93,200. Jeev Milkha Singh (67, 66, 70, 67) and Anirban Lahiri (65, 66, 68, 71) finished tied second at 18 under 270.
Randhawa has now achieved five wins out of five starts on the PGTI. He won three titles in the 2006-07 PGTI season and followed that up with two titles in the current season.
The curtain was drawn on the 2007-08 PGTI season with the culmination of the BILT Open 2008. Mukesh Kumar ended the season as the PGTI Order of Merit champion for 2007-08 with earnings of Rs. 34,31,992. Mukesh posted four wins and seven other top 10s out of 19 starts in the current season. Shamim Khan was second on the PGTI Order of Merit, while Rahul Ganapathy finished third.
Jyoti, the 2006 BILT Open champion, birdied the second, third, fourth, seventh, eighth, 10th, 12th, bogeyed the 13th and made an eagle on the par five 15th in the final round even as the lead changed hands several times between Anirban and him.
"I started playing really well on the back nine today. I knew I had to shoot a very low number today and just decided to go for it. Everything went according to plan on the last two days for me. In fact, I putted like a demon today as every hole seemed like a bucket. I think Jeev's presence also helped me raise my game. I would also like to give a lot of credit to Anirban for his fabulous performance," said Randhawa. He added, "The turning point for me was the eagle on the 15th where I made a 20 feet putt. I also managed a good par save on the 18th thanks to a good chip-out from the rough and a 12 feet putt. It would be great if I could carry on with this kind of form into the next season."
Jeev Milkha Singh began his day with a bogey on the 17th hole from round three after play started three hours late due to the fog in the morning. He then birdied the third, fourth, fifth, 10th, 15th, 16th and bogeyed the sixth in round four. Jeev said, "Four three-putts on the final day let me down. I played rock solid and had a number in mind for the final day. However, three-putts on the 17th in round three and on the sixth in the final round put me off-track. The seven feet putt that I missed for birdie on the final hole was also quite disappointing. Had I made that putt, the tournament would have gone into a play-off between Jyoti and me."
Jeev, who played his first event on the PGTI, went on to add, "Jyoti was exceptional, especially on the last day and he is the deserving winner. Anirban also handled himself really well for a 21-year-old."
"It's been a very long and highly successful year for me and I am now all set to take a break from competitive golf for some time," added Jeev.
Anirban Lahiri had a mixed day today, making an eagle on the par four ninth, birdies on the fifth, 15th, 18th, a bogey on the third and a double bogey on the eighth.
Shiv Kapur and Rahil Gangjee were both tied fourth at 13 under 275, while Amandeep Johl and Shamim Khan, a double winner on the PGTI this season, shared sixth place at 11 under 277. Gaganjeet Bhullar was a further stroke behind in eighth.
SSP Chowrasia totaled six under 282 to be tied 12th.
The 2006-07 PGTI Order of Merit winner Ashok Kumar finished 17th at four under 284.
Mukesh Kumar, who won the PGTI Order of Merit crown for 2007-08, was placed tied 18th at three under 285.
Rahul Ganapathy, a triple winner on the PGTI this season, ended the tournament with a total score of even par 288 to be 25th.
Digvijay Singh was tied 34th at four over 292.
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| Jyoti Randhawa receiving the winner's cheque |
