By Rahul Banerji
Gaganjeet Bhullar used every bit of experience from 16 years on the professional circuit to bring in a top five finish at the International Series Thailand in Hua Hin on Sunday.
On a day he could do nothing wrong, Bhullar sank eight birdies in an unblemished card and was only outdone by event winner Sihwan Kim of the US on the day,
Sitting mid-pack coming into the final round, Bhullar (67-69-69-64, 19-under 269) climbed all the way up into tied fifth with four birdies on either side of the turn.
Three of them came in a row between the 13th and 15th holes, and he had one more to finish on the 17th at Black Mountain Golf Club.
Maiden win
At the top, it was a day to remember for Sihwan Kim, who recorded his maiden professional victory after years of knocking on the door with a 26-under 262.
Kim, who has been in contention at three of the last six Asian Tour events hit nine birdies to cap a fine run despite a second round blip.
Saturday’s top-10 placing did not run out well for Karandeep Kochhar though, the young Chandigarh golfer’s level par 72 only good enough for tied 16th after scores of 65, 68 and 66.
Ajeetesh Sandhu had a closing 68 for a share of 32nd place on 15-under 273 but will return satisfied from an event that saw even the last-placed finisher record a level-par 288.
Alongside Sandhu was Honey Baisoya (67-67-69-70), a shot ahead of A,am Raj (14-under), Viraj Madappa (8-under), and Chikkarangappa S. (6-under).
Asiantour.com adds: The in-form Kim beat Thailand’s great hope of the future Phachara Khongwatmai by two strokes.
Phachara, the overnight leader chasing his second Tour victory, had no answer to Kim’s round and shot a 68.
South African Ian Snyman and Itthipat Buranatanyarat from Thailand finished two shots further back tied for third after rounds of 64 and 67 respectively.
Kim, who turned professional in 2011, has recorded eight top-four results on the Asian Tour since 2018, including two runner-up finishes.
Hot form
Before Sunday, the strapping Kim was joint fourth at the Blue Canyon Phuket Championship, fourth in the SMBC Singapore Open, and tied second in the Royal’s Cup last week.
“To get that monkey off your back is more of a relief and happiness,” said Kim, who earned $270,000 for top spot on the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
“I guess. I know I had it in me, but I guess I just stayed diligent throughout my career, and here I am.
“When you get off to hot start and the leaders see your name going up the leader board it kind of puts pressure on them.
“Obviously because you should make birdies and when it doesn’t come it kind of gets frustrating, so it definitely helped to be in the second from last group.
“It just felt like I was going to make everything today. I was swinging it really freely. I was just reading the lines really well, felt like I was going to make everything.”
The Asian Tour heads to The DGC Open next. The inaugural event is being played at Delhi Golf Club from March 24 to 27.
Also read: Kochhar continues to make progress at International Series Thailand
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