Umed Kumar (third from left) receives his trophy and cheque from Kuantum Paper associate vice-president Ajesh Gupta. Also in the picture are Forest Hill president B.S. Gill, PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl (extreme left) and others. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Umed Kumar returned a 1 over par 63 to make his professional debut a winning one in the PGTI NexGen event at Forest Hill Golf & Country Club in Mohali on Friday.
Chandigarh-based Umed (61-66-63), starting two shots behind overnight leader Mari Muthu R. aggregated level par 190 for the week to beat the latter by three shots, the PGTI said.
Mari Muthu(61-64-68) signed for a 6 over 68 on Friday to finish runner-up on 3 over 193 and continue his wait for a breakthrough win.
Kolkata’s Irfan Ali Mollah (63) was third with 5 over 195.
The Forest Hill Golf & Country Club is a nine-hole course which was played twice to comprise a round.
On the first two days, par for the course was 64 while in the third and last round it was changed to 62.
Solid display
Twice a winner on the amateur circuit, Umed Kumar was rock-solid on day three, conceding just one dropped shot. Par saves with two-putts from 30 feet on the last two holes were the highlight of his round.
Umed, from the SEPTA golf course in Chandimandir and with playing rights at Forest Hill and Panchkula GC, earned Rs 2.54 lakh to hold sixth place on the PGTI NEXGEN Order of Merit.
“I’m delighted to have won my very first tournament as a professional. It’s a big confidence booster,” Umed said later.
“I just stuck to the basics this week and hit a lot of fairways and greens. My chipping and putting were also exceptional.
“Today I made some crucial par saves on the last two holes thanks to my solid putting.
“I would like to thank PGTI CEO Amandeep Johl for the spot at this event and an opportunity to prove myself, and also my uncle and fellow pro Ravi for being my mentor, believing in me and encouraging me all the time.”
Mari Muthu made one birdie, five bogeys and a double bogey during his round of 68.
Lucknow’s Rajesh Kumar Gautam continues to lead the PGTI NexGen Order of Merit with season’s earnings of Rs 4,29,600.
Also read: Mari Muthu takes sole charge of proceedings at Forest Hills
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