By Rahul Banerji
Rashid Khan completed a dominant display in the City Bank American Express Chittagong Open with a final round of 9-under par 63 at the Bhatiary Golf & Country Club on Saturday and aggregate a record total of 24-under-264 to win by a massive seven shots.
The 28-year-old, third round leader by two shots, produced a tournament-best on day four to become the first Indian to capture the Chittagong Open. The first two editions of the tournament were won by Bangladesh’s Md Siddikur Rahman and Sri Lanka’s N. Thangaraja.
Eighteen-year-old rookie Kshitij Naveed Kaul took second place for a career-best finish at 17-under-271 after a fourth round of 68. Kaul, playing only his sixth event as a professional, now has two back-to-back top-5 finishes on the PGTI.
Narrow miss
Rashid’s last round 63 was just one short of compatriot and close friend Kapil Kumar’s course record from last year.
The 24-under-264 total Rashid chalked up was the lowest ever winning total achieved at the BGCC, improving on Thangaraja’s 22-under-266 recorded last year.
It was Rashid’s 11th professional title and came after his win in December at Mumbai last year where he ended a two-year title-drought.
The Delhi-based Khan (65-66-70-63), who led from the start was relentless on day four as he opened with a birdie and followed up with three more on the front nine.
Sealing the deal
Khan then made three consecutive birdies on his way home to all but seal the title. The two-time Asian Tour winner finally achieved the lowest ever winning score at BGCC with a further two gained shots.
Rashid said later, “I got off to a great start this morning and just kept the momentum going. The putts rolled in for me today and I also capitalised on the par-5s, unlike yesterday.
“My week can be summed up by the fact that I dropped only one shot in the whole tournament. It’s great to win two events in quick succession. I feel my confidence and game are back on track.”
Honey Baisoya (67) was third on 16-under-272, Veer Ahlawat fourth on 15-under 273 while defending champion Thangaraja was fifth on 13-under-275.
Md Sajib Ali had the best finish among the Bangladeshi golfers, tied sixth at 12-under-276.
Also read: Rashid maintains Chittagong Open lead with solid third round 70
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