Mane is Players champ, earns 7 world ranking points for title no. 7

By Rahul Banerji

Udayan Mane turned in a determined display with a final round of five-under-67 to win the Rs. 30 lakh PGTI Players Championship at the Classic Golf & Country Club near Gurgaon on Friday and pick up the seven Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points on offer.

For the prolific Mane (71-64-71-67), it was a seventh title in his fifth season as a professional and took him from fifth to second place in the 2019 PGTI Order of Merit. The world ranking points will also give him a big push upwards from his current 962nd when the updated list comes out on Monday.

The event’s top draw, Shubhankar Sharma (70-68-69-67) finished joint runner-up at 14-under-274 alongside veteran Mukesh Kumar (71-69-69-65) of Mhow who came up with a spirited 65, the round of the day, on a topsy-turvy day that saw at least four players in the lead or joint lead at different stages.

Effective wedges

On the day, the 27-year-old Udayan continued with his top-notch wedge play, beginning with a 15-foot birdie conversion before using his wedges to good effect to set up most of his five birdies.

The strapping 27-year-old, among the tallest Indian golfers at 6 feet, 4 inches, also had three bogeys to show on day four. However, he made an all-important two-putt for birdie from the fringe of the 18^th green to seal the win, the final putt dropping from eight feet.

Mane, whose home course is the Kalhaar Blues & Greens in Ahmedabad, said, “It’s now seven for seven – seven points for my seventh title. So that’s special.

“It’s been a fabulous start to the season as I had a top-5 last week as well. I’ve been playing really well, having totalled 15-under for two weeks in succession. I hit my wedges even better this week and also converted more putts.

‘Adapted well’

“Today I adapted well when the conditions suddenly changed and it became quite cold midway through my round. I did well to factor in the wind which had switched and the increased yardages due to the heavier air.

“At the start of the day, I told myself that I had to finish with a score of 15-under. I achieved that number as I managed to successfully execute my plans. This win now sets up my season,” added Udayan, who last won exactly a year ago in Hyderabad.

The 53-year-old Mukesh Kumar, sole leader at one stage on the day, turned in an error-free card but missed a two-footer for birdie on the 18^th that proved to be decisive at the end, while Shubhankar mixed six birdies with a bogey on his former home course.

Youth power

Young guns, 22-year-old Veer Ahlawat (13-under-275) of Gurgaon and 18-year-old rookie Kshitjit Naveed Kaul (12-under-276) of Delhi were fourth and fifth respectively.

Round three leader Sunit Chowrasia of Kolkata dropped to seventh place at 10-under-278 after a final round of 73.

Ridhima grabs first title of the season

In Ahmedabad, Ridhima Dilawari rallied from a three-shot deficit to record a three-shot win even as Gaurika Bishnoi slipped up on the final day of the fourth leg of the Hero Women’s Pro Golf Tour at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens on Friday.

Ridhima had a second successive one-over 73 while Gaurika could only return a 7-over 79. Ridhima ended the week at 2-over 218, while Gaurika, who had four runner-up finishes last season, added one more at 221.

Winning start

It was a winning start for Ridhima, who was making her first appearance on the Tour this season.

She became the fourth winner this season, following Neha Tripathi, Gursimar Badwal and Tvesa Malik in the previous three legs. It was also Ridhima’s third title on the Hero WPG Tour, following two in 2018, once each as an amateur and a pro.

Neha Tripathi (75) was third despite a double bogey finish, while Amandeep Drall (79), runner-up in the last two legs, also had a disappointing final round and was fourth. 

On a tough day, Gurimsar Badwal (77), winner the week before, was tied fifth with Suchitra Ramesh (79).

Ananya Datar and Afshan Fatima were T7, while Siddhi Kapoor and Smriti Mehra completed the Top-10.

Neha tops the Hero Order of Merit with Rs.3,46,400, just Rs.2,400 ahead of Amandeep, who has Rs. 3,44,000. Gursimar s third with Rs.3,06,400 and Gaurika fourth with Rs.2,36,800. Siddhi Kapoor with Rs.2,10,400 is fifth. Ridhima, who was playing her first event this season, took home Rs.1,44,000.

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