By Rahul Banerji
Yuvraj Singh Sandhu scripted his maiden Professional Golf Tour of India title with a record-breaking final performance at the IndianOil Servo Masters in Digboi, Assam, on Saturday.
The Chandigarh golfer, who has been knocking on the door for some time now, broke through with a final round of 8-under par 64 for a course record aggregate of 23-under 265.
It was a dominant performance from the 24-year-old Yuvraj, who finished six shots ahead of runner-up M. Dharma at the Rs 60 lakh event.
Bangalore golfer Dharma brought in a final day card of 66 to tally 17-under 271 over the four days of competition.
Sandhu, overnight leader by two shots, had an eagle, eight birdies and two bogeys on Saturday to pick up the winner’s cheque of Rs. 9,69,900 and climb from 11th to sixth place on the PGTI Order of Merit.
His season’s earnings now total Rs. 33,69,400.
Son of an Army officer, Sandhu has had an exceptional season with nine prior top-10s including six in the last seven events.
A two-time winner on the PGTI Feeder Tour, he began with a bogey but regained ground with birdies on the third, fifth, and seventh holes including a chip-in on the fifth.
Close race
From the third till the eighth hole, Dharma was breathing down Yuvraj’s neck with five birdies to trail by just one shot.
However, a couple of erratic shots led to Dharma double-bogeying the ninth.
Sandhu then made a crucial chip-putt birdie on 11 to seize the momentum as he got on a hot streak making three birdies, an eagle and a birdie on the next five holes.
That stretched his lead to seven shots and sealed the deal for him.
Sandhu, the 2019 PGTI Feeder Tour Order of Merit champion, produced two excellent drives, a 30-foot conversion and two from 10 feet between holes 11 and 16.
A bogey on 17 didn’t change the equation as Dharma was a fair distance away with just three birdies on the back nine.
Yuvraj’s 23-under 265 bettered the previous lowest total of 20-under 268 at the Digboi Golf Links achieved by Mukesh Kumar in 2002, Shankar Das in 2015 and Honey Baisoya in 2016.
Sandhu said later, “I started with the same feeling as the first three days but Dharma played some phenomenal golf on the first eight holes and he gave me a tough time on the front nine.
“But on the back nine, I got the reins back and took control.
Paying off
“I’ve let my clubs do the talking, all the hard work I’ve put in is paying off. I can’t be more thankful to my coach and physio.
“They’ve all been part of this process. It’s a special moment for me and I want to treasure it. I want to let it sink in and get a tub of ice cream to celebrate.
“Once I’m back on the course, I want to keep doing things in a similar fashion since it’s working for me. I’m now looking forward to the next few events as the hunger to win is still there.
“I had a tricky start so the birdie on the third was crucial to get back into the game. Similarly, the birdie on 11 set up the momentum for the terrific run on the back nine.
“After the eagle on 15, I knew I had it in the bag but still wanted to see how low can I go and that explained my aggressive approach till the end.
“Winning before on the Feeder Tour did help me today. I said to myself that if I’ve done it before, why not today.
Special feeling
“I picked up golf as a little kid in the North-East while my father was posted in Dimapur, Nagaland. So coming to the North-East is always nostalgic for me.
“Now winning in the North-East further strengthens my special connection with the region,” added Sandhu, whose 64 was also the day’s best score.
Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya (66) matched his career-best finish of tied third as he totalled 15-under 273 for the week.
Om Prakash Chouhan (70) of Mhow also claimed tied third place alongside Baisoya.
Chandigarh’s Harendra Gupta (69) was fifth on 14-under 274.
Local golfer Deepraj Chetia (69-71-72-76) took tied 33rd place on level-par 288.
Also read: Yuvraj Singh Sandhu opens two-shot lead at Servo Masters in Digboi
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