Sleepy NGC course almost trips up Chikka’s victory run

By Rahul Banerji

The par-4 15^th hole at the Noida Golf Course (NGC) is a fairly innocuous one for a professional golfer. On in regulation, two-putt at best for a par and on to the par-3 16^th hole next. But like so many other holes on the Noida course, it can also trap the unwary golfer.

Bangalore’s in-form Chikkarangappa S. seemed to be running away from the field on the final day of the Rs 30 lakh Delhi-NCR Open at the NGC with a two-shot cushion over city-mate and sparring partner C. Muniyappa after the par-5 14^th.

But two dropped shots off a mis-hit drive on a hole that he had played to par on the first three days saw him drop back level with Muniyappa (66, 689, 68, 69) who then took the issue into a playoff with both tied on scores of 16-under par 272.

Clean slate

In the event, the 25-year-old Chikka (67, 69, 67, 69) , a joint 10^th place finisher at the Hero Indian Open last month, prevailed in the fourth playoff hole, equalling a PGTI record, to keep his knockout slate clean – five wins from as many playoffs, and chalk up his third win in the last six months.

It was his 13^th career win and gave him the top spot on the Tata Steel PGTI Order of Merit.

Second day leader Shamim Khan (69, 66, 71, 70) took third place on 12-under 276, two ahead of opening day topped Shankar Das of Kolkata (65, 73, 68, 72).

Good finish by rookie

Former Panasonic Open India winner Chiragh Kumar (70, 71, 69, 70) was fifth with five others ending in a tie for sixth place including the promising Aadil Bedi, Rashid Khan, Angad Cheema and Bangladesh entrants Md Dulal Hossain and Md Zamal Hossain Mollah, all on 7-under 281s. In all, tour rookie Bedi recorded 19 birdies over the four days.

While Chikka walked away with a cheque worth Rs 4.84 lakh and five crucial Official Golf World Ranking points in his kitty that will further boost his rating. Muniyappa earned Rs Rs 3.34 lakh and three OGWR points. The top five finishers all get a share of the OGWR points on offer.

Chikkarangappa and Muniyappa began the final round as joint leaders, three ahead of the rest of the field. It seemed to be a two-horse race from the very start as both players matched the other shot for shot to keep a comfortable distance from the others.

Twist to the tale

On a dramatic day, the first twist came on the ninth when former Indian Open champion Muniyappa found the trees and dropped a shot. He then conceded another bogey to fall back by two shots.

But just as Chikka was looking the favourite to close out the tournament, his drive on the 15^th landed out of bounds and led to a double-bogey to restore parity between the two.

Chikka, who had recently recommended his swing coach, Pune-based Laurence Brotheridge, to Muniyappa, once again snatched the lead with a birdie on the 17^th courtesy an outstanding second shot. However, Muniyappa fought back with his splendid approach and a six-foot conversion on the 18^th that earned him a birdie and took the match into a playoff.  

Great approach

The stalemate continued on the first three playoff holes (all on the 18^th) as there were no birdie opportunities created. Finally, Chikka sealed it on the fourth extra hole with superb wedge shot from 150 yards that landed seven feet from the flag.

Muniyappa stumbled as his approach missed the green and the subsequent chip was way short of the hole. Chikka went on to birdie the hole for his first win at NGC.

Chikka said later, “I’m delighted to win at the NGC on my return to this venue after five years. I did the basics well this week. I was very good off the tee and found most fairways. It’s just amazing to win my third title since November and my second this year.

“Last year I felt that I stagnated and needed to lift my game. That’s when I got the opportunity to learn a lot of new things from my swing coach. That helped get my game back on track.

“I was quite confident of maintaining the advantage till the end after Muniyappa made those two bogeys today. But I made a bad decision by going for the driver on the 15^th that cost me a double-bogey.  

Confidence back

“Once in the playoff, my confidence returned thanks to my record. I’m just in a different zone during playoffs as I feel quite relaxed even though I approach it like a challenge. For me, a playoff also feels like an extension of my practice session.

“I’m very pleased for Muniyappa with whom I have played a lot of golf. His game is looking very good at the moment and he is not far from a victory.”

Chikka’s winning cheque helped him overtake Rashid Khan and move into the lead in the PGTI Order of Merit with his tally of season’s earnings reading Rs. 21,21,503.

Gaurav Pratap Singh had the best finish among the Noida golfers with a tied 18^th at 3-under-285.

Delhi’s Harshjeet Singh Sethie, the only amateur to make the cut, won the prize for the best performance by an amateur, claiming tied 31^st place at 2-over-290.

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