Gujarat Open presented by Glade One champion Yuvraj Sandhu (second from left) receives his trophy and cheque from BSafal director Himanshu Madan Mohan (fourth from left) and Rakesh Mehta, Zonal Head, IndusInd Bank (second from right) in Ahmedabad on Friday. Image courtesy PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Yuvraj Sandhu secured his second win from as many starts by an impressive five-stroke margin at the Glade One presents Gujarat Open in Ahmedabad on Friday.
The Chandigarh golfer dominated the final round with a flawless 7 under par 65 at the Rs 1 crore event played at the Glade One Golf Resort and Club, the PGTI said.
Sandhu (32-34-68-65), who won the season-opener last week in Kolkata, totaled 17 under 199 for the week as Delhi-based Saptak Talwar (34-34-69-67) posted a last round of 67 to finish runner-up on 12 under 204.
Overnight leader by a shot from good friend Arjun Prasad and Kshitij Naved Kaul, Sandhu was unstoppable on Friday. He made 17 greens in regulation, having begun Friday with birdies on the first two holes.
Sandhu then picked up three more shots before the turn to consolidate his lead with putts from between eight and 15 feet.
Unlike on day three, Sandhu kept up the intensity on the back nine with two more birdies to romp home to his 11th title and an eighth win on the PGTI.
The 27-year-old also became the first in over two years to win back-to-back titles on the PGTI after Manu Gandas in the 2022 season.
Clear goal
Sandhu, who pocketed Rs 15 lakh to buttress his lead in the Tata Steel PGTI Ranking, said, “I was just thinking about my checklist of achieving back-to-back wins at the start of the day. Was a bit nervous and anxious but wanted to stamp my authority today.
“I’m going home very happy. I’m very thankful to my team back home, especially my coaches. There was great hospitality by Glade One and PGTI this week that helped all of us professionals produce our best.
“Arjun Prasad has been my room-mate for the last two years and having him by my side as playing partner today made me very comfortable.
“We chatted from tee to green, sharing food and having fun. Arjun played some good golf this week. I wish him all the best.
“The key for me in the first two weeks of the season has been staying calm. I’ve been working on that aspect for some time now and I’ve been able to achieve those goals.”
Talwar’s final round of 67 helped him climb two places and post his second runner-up finish on the PGTI. On the day, he mixed six birdies with a lone bogey late in the round.
Delhi golfers Kaul (72) and Prasad (72) took tied third place on 9 under 207 while Ahmedabad’s Varun Parikh finished T44 on 5 over 221.
Also read: Sandhu retains Gujarat Open lead as Kaul, Prasad give chase
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