Shaurya Binu wins inaugural Mysuru Open with gallant final round

Shaurya Binu receives his Mysuru Open trophy from Yaduveer Krishnadutta Chamaraja Wadiyar, MP, accompanied by JWGC president Dr. Abraham Thomas (second from right), PGTI chief executive U.S. Mundy (far right), and others. Image courtesy PGTI.

By Rahul Banerji

Shaurya Binu of Bangalore turned in a fighting final round card of 5 under par 65 to win the inaugural Mysuru Open at Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Golf Club in Mysore on Sunday.

Binu (64-64-64-65) totaled 23 under 257 to edge out Patna’s Aman Raj (62-67-66-63) who carded a brilliant 63 in the last round of the Rs 1 crore event, the PGTI said.

Binu, who took home a cheque os Rs 15 lakh, lifted his second trophy of the season and rise by three places to fifth in the Tata Steel PGTI Ranking. 

Bangalore-based 17-year-old amateur Veer Ganapathy (63-68-61-67) finished a creditable third on 21 under 259 in his first appearance in a professional event. Veer returned a solid 67 in round four.

Overnight joint leader along with Ganapathy, Binu made a steady start on Sunday with six straight pars.

The 20-year-old then got his round going after driving the par-4 seventh green to pick up his first birdie of the day. Another great drive on the par-5 ninth led to a second birdie.

Staying close

Despite a dropped shot on hole 12, Binu kept himself in the hunt with birdies on holes 11, 13 and 14 where he hit it close on two occasions and also sank a 30-foot putt.

Needing a birdie on the par-5 18^th to cross Aman Raj’s total, Binu kept his nerve by landing his approach on the green before making an up and down for victory that included a five-foot putt.

“There were some nerves for me at the end and it was quite different from my first win earlier this year.” Binu said later.

“On the 18^th tee I knew that I had to make a birdie to win. I then executed my plan to perfection on the last hole. I hit a great 3-wood off the tee and followed it with a solid chip and putt.

“A win at the start of the second half gives me great confidence and keeps me on track to end the year in the top-3 of the Order of Merit. All the work I did in the off-season on my swing and my body is paying off as it has helped me gain some distance with my shots.

“Finally, I would like to thank the JWGC for providing us with outstanding playing conditions.”

Aman Raj shot a bogey-free 63 to climb from third to second with his 22 under 258.

Ganapathy, the only amateur to make the cut, made four birdies and a bogey in his closing 67 to cap a memorable week as he took third place and the low amateur trophy.

Also read: Teenager Veer Ganapathy shares day three lead at Mysuru Open