Kensville Open throws up yet another maiden PGTI title winner

By Rahul Banerji

In a season marked by a rush of first-time winners, Tapy Ghai of Gurgaon joined the party with a two-shot victory at the Kensville Open in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Ghai produced a fiery last round of 67 to set up his maiden title. The 22-year-old in his second season as a professional totalled 10-under-278 for the week at the Kensville Golf & Country Club.

Veteran Mukesh Kumar of Mhow was second on eight-under-280 after a final round of three-under-69 at the Rs. 40 lakh event.

Ghai (69-70-72-67), overnight tied second two shots off the lead, produced six birdies and a bogey to turn the tables on his rivals including overnight leader Akshay Sharma.

The win helped Ghai climb from 44^th  to 16^th place in the PGTI Order of Merit as he took home a cheque of Rs. 6,46,600.

Ghai, who plays at the Classic Golf & Country Club, struck three birdies on the front nine even as Sharma dropped down the leaderboard with two bogeys.

On the back nine, Ghai had a hat-trick of birdies on the 12^th, 13^th and 14^th holes. He sank a 15-footer on the 12^th and made an exceptional up and down from the bunker on the 14^th.

Under pressure

Ghai said, “I was a little under pressure after a two-shot swing in Mukesh’s favour on the 16^th. But I felt I handled the pressure well on the last two holes

“At the start of the round, I knew I had to grab all my chances today as Mukesh and Akshay were going to be tough competitors.

“That’s what I managed to do well. After I found the last green with my second shot, I knew the title was in the bag.

“This win has given me loads of confidence. I’m certain that my career-graph will only go upwards from here.”

Noida’s Amardip Malik matched the tournament’s best score of 66 to finish tied third at seven-under-281 alongside Akshay Sharma.

Lahiri off target

In Napa, California, Anirban Lahiri made an indifferent start to the new PGA Tour season with a one-over par 73 in the $6.4 million Safeways Open.

Lahiri had a birdie early on was unable to put together a consistent round with a raft of birdies and bogeys even as a bunch of rookies broke away at the front.

Straka in his first start on the PGA Tour birdied the final three holes for a bogey-free 9-under 63 for the sole lead.

Another rookie, Chase Wright, carded 64 while veteran Phil Mickelson reeled off six straight birdies en route to a 7-under 65.

All 21 PGA Tour rookies are in the field and four inside the top five after round one.
Mickelson made six consecutive birdies from the ninth to 14^th en route to a 65 and was one short of his Tour record for most consecutive birdies.

Also read: Career-best round gives Akshay Sharma breakthrough win at QA InfoTech Open