Shaurya Bhattacharya tees off on his way to a maiden professional title at the J&K Open at Jammu Tawi Gold Course on Saturday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Rookie Shaurya Bhattacharya scripted a dramatic come-from-behind victory for his maiden professional title in the J&K Open at Jammu Tawi Golf Course on Saturday.
The 21-year-old Bhattacharya (67-69-73-69), in his first season on the PGTI, showed great character to card the joint lowest score of the round on a tough final day that gave him a tournament total of 10 under par 278, the PGTI said
The Delhi-based player’s late flourish on the final day gave him an error-free 3 under 69 that helped overturn a three-shot deficit to the leader and become the first rookie to win on the PGTI in five years.
Gurgaon’s Kartik Sharma (71-68-67-74), the overnight leader by three shots and leader for most part of the last round, crashed out of contention after bogeys on the last three holes that saw him post a 74 on Saturday.
It left the left-hander on 8 under 280 for the tournament and still in search of a first title.
Mohammad Sanju (71) of Kolkata finished third on 5 under 283.
Bhattacharya, who won twice as an amateur and was the second ranked amateur in India before turning pro earlier this year, picked up a cheque of Rs 750,000 to rise 21 places from 47th in the Tata Steel PGTI Ranking.
Precision play
Bhattacharya, tied second at the start of the final round, fired his tee shots and approach shots with great precision throughout the day.
He kept in touch with the lead thanks to a 30-foot birdie conversion on the sixth hole and a clutch par putt on the eighth. A great approach shot on 15 saw Shaurya make a four-foot birdie putt there.
There was a late twist with a two-shot swing in favour of Shaurya on hole 16 that helped him draw level with Kartik at the top.
Shaurya sank a 15-footer for birdie while Kartik found the hazard on the same hole and dropped a shot.
Sharma’s challenge then faded away as he conceded two more bogeys on the last two holes after missing the green on 17 and finding the hazard once again on 18.
“I was very accurate with my hitting today and did well to stay within striking distance of the lead,” Bhattacharya said.
“When I was three shots back till the 15th hole, I was telling myself to go for birdies but did that without putting pressure on myself. The birdies on 15 and 16 then gave me a lot of confidence.
“I felt I was too defensive over the first three days so today I told myself to be more aggressive. Changed my strategy and hit driver on 15 and 16t today instead of 3-iron which in turn set up birdies and brought me into the lead.
“This win gives me loads of confidence and now I know where my game stands. I would like to thank Jammu Tawi Golf Course for providing excellent playing conditions this week.
Also read: Kartik Sharma fires a 67 for three-shot lead at J&K Open
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