PGTI Players Championship: Chikka finishes on top as Veer slips to 2nd spot

Panchkula, September 11

Bengaluru’s Chikkarangappa S saved his best for the last as he shot a 7-under 65 — the day’s joint best score — in the final round to win the TATA Steel PGTI Players Championship here today.

Chikkarangappa (69-65-69-65), who began the day in 3rd place and three shots off the lead, put up a determined performance on the last day to end up with a total of 20-under 268, two shots ahead of the rest at the Rs50-lakh event.

The 27-year-old had nine birdies and a double-bogey to show on his card as he wrapped up his 15th career title and 14th win on the PGTI.

“I putted really well today and my sharp short-game on the last six holes made all the difference,” said Chikka.

Gurugram’s Veer Ahlawat (67-62-71-70), the leader for the last two days, was unable to hold on to his overnight two-shot lead as he fired a 70 to finish at 18-under 270 on a day that witnessed a constant light drizzle.

Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Singh Sandhu (72-67-66-67) had the best result among the tricity golfers. The 24-year-old struck a 67 on Day 4 to take 3rd place at 16-under 272.

Noida’s Amardeep Malik (71) closed the week in 4th place at 15-under 273, while Chandigarh golfer Ranjit Singh (68) finished 5th at 14-under 274.

Karandeep Kochhar, also from Chandigarh, shared 6th with Gurugram’s Kartik Sharma and Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow at 13-under 275 along.

Kochhar though continues to maintain his lead in the PGTI Order of Merit with season’s earnings of Rs44,48,380.

Chandigarh’s Bishmadpal Singh Seerha, the lone amateur to make the cut, took the honours for the best performance by an amateur after he finished tied-36th at 2-under 286. — TNS