Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar a cut above rest

PTI

Jakarta, August 7

Golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar produced one of the best rounds of his career when he needed it the most to end India’s four-year long title drought on the Asian Tour.

Bhullar shot a superb 7-under 65 to win the $500,000 Mandiri Indonesia Open. He finished at 20-under to win the tournament by two shots over compatriot Rashid Khan (68) and Steve Lewton (64).

The last Indian win had come at the Panasonic Open by Khalin Joshi in 2018. It was Bhullar’s 10th Asian Tour win, the most by an Indian. Four of his 10 wins have come in Indonesia. He also became the first player to win the event three times, following his wins in 2013 and 2016.

Rashid started the day in the lead alongside Thailand’s Atiruj Winaicharoenchai but Bhullar played a bogey-free round, with seven birdies, to steal the show. “I played like a champion tee to green and gave myself so many birdie opportunities,” Bhullar said. “I was riding high on confidence, hit the ball really good. This is my first win after becoming a father and I would like to dedicate this win to my 11-month-old daughter,” he added.