By Rahul Banerji
Om Prakash Chouhan powered through to his third title of the year at the IndianOil Servo Masters, beating his nearest rivals by one shot in Digboi on Saturday.
The 37-year-old, who is now based t the Kalhaar Blues & Greens golf course in Ahmedabad, returned a 4-under 68 in round four to total 18-under 270 at the Rs 80 lakh event played at the Digboi Golf Links, the PGTI said.
Chouhan picked up cheque worth Rs 12 lakh that set a new record for season’s earnings on the PGTI. He now has season’s earnings of Rs 96,41,659 which saw him extend his lead in the Tata Steel PGTI Ranking.
It took Chouhan – or OP as he is popularly known – past Manu Gandas’ 2022 earnings record of Rs 88,50,688.
Sachin Baisoya’s strong finish with a 67 on Saturday meant he took the runner-up spot at a tournament total of 17-under 271.
Baisoya, winner of the Jeev Milkha Singh Invitational in Chandigarh, stays second on the merit list and trails good friend Chouhan by nearly Rs 25 lakh.
Chouhan (67-68-67-68), the overnight leader by two shots, seemed to be coasting to the win when he birdied the sixth and seventh holes.
Short misses
But OP, in good ball-striking form, then hit a rough patch with his putting that resulted in missed short putts for birdies on the eighth and ninth and for pars on holes 10 and 13.
Chouhan then came back strongly as he drove the par 4 14th green to earn a birdie and followed up with a chip-in for eagle on 15before sinking a decisive 15-footer for birdie on 18.
OP said, “I got my driver and 3-wood fitted recently and as a result my driving and tee shots were outstanding through the week.
“But today I started having some trouble with my putting midway through the round which broke my rhythm. I missed four short putts between the eighth and 13th. I was a little disappointed at that stage.
“However, the presence of my friend and fellow professional Md Nawab and my brother Deepak, who were both following me, helped me a lot. I then decided to play my normal game and not to overthink about my putting.
Turning point
“The chip-in for eagle on the 15 was the turning point for me today. It’s a hole I have favoured through the week having made three eagles including two chip-ins and a birdie there over the last four rounds.
“After the 15th I told myself not to repeat the mistakes I had made earlier in the day. Things worked out well at the end and I’m just delighted to continue my solid run this season.”
Sachin (66-69-69-67) struck six birdies and a bogey to be a contender till the last hole where his challenge fizzled out with a par.
Delhi’s Saarthak Chhibber shot the day’s joint lowest score of 66 along with Vikrant Chopra and Gaurav Pratap Singh to match his career-best finish of tied third achieved earlier in the season.
Kapil Kumar (67) of the DLF Golf & Country Club shared third place with Chhibber on 16 under 272.
Patna’s Aman Raj (69) took the fifth spot on 15 under 273.
Noida-based teenager Aarav D, Shah (70), the only amateur to make the cut, ended the day in 29th on 4-under 284 to bag the amateurs’ trophy.
The two Digboi-based professionals who made the cut, Deven Bhumij (4-over 292) and Dulal Kalowar (6-over 294), ended the week in 46th and tied 48th respectively.
Final top five
270: Om Prakash Chouhan (67-68-67-68)
271: Sachin Baisoya (66-69-69-67)
272: Kapil Kumar (70-66-69-67); Saarthak Chhibber (70-69-67-66)
273: Aman Raj (69-69-66-69)
Also read: Chouhan holds edge in Digboi as Aman Raj, Baisoya give chase
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