Bangalore's Chikkarangappa (one-under 71) bounced back from a four-stroke deficit to upset Asian Games silver medallist Abhijith Chadha of Chandigarh for the individual title in the IGU-categorised inter-State amateur golf championship at the par-72 Coimbatore Golf Club course in Chettipalayam on Friday.
The 17-year-old, the reigning all-India amateur champion, did not do anything silly.
He kept the ball in play and waited for Chadha to commit the early mistake.
But Chadha, an experienced star, played smart as well.
After the 12th hole, Chadha continued to rule the roost, while ‘Chikka' kept screaming dangerously down his throat.
Costly miss
Chikka hit the ball a lot better in the next four holes and managed to catch up on the 16th. And, Chadha was beginning to feel the pressure. Chikka came up with a brilliant second shot on the 17th even as Chadha made a bogey.That proved costly. The former played straight and safe to clinch the thriller by two strokes.
Khalin Joshi, who fought hard as well, had to settle for the third position.
“I was always doing something wrong the first two days. There were too many things that were running on my mind and that affected my game slightly,” said Chikka, who had two bogeys and three birdies to his credit.
“The day's start wasn't remarkable but I hit well in the last six holes. I have always played well under pressure. I remain focussed. There were many games that I have come from the back to win,” he added.
Karnataka wins
Chikka's strong card and Khalin's sensible play helped Karnataka ‘A' take home the team championship title with a four-day tally of 603.
Chandigarh combo of Chadha and H.S. Kang totalled 609 for the second spot.
Delhi's Gagan Verma walked away with the ‘Closest to the Pin' award, while yet another Delhi youngster Rahul Bajaj and Tamil Nadu's Raghavender Naidu pocketed the ‘Longest Drive' and ‘Straight Drive' awards.
D. Lakshminarayanaswamy, the CGC President, gave away the prizes. R. Gopinath (CGC Captain), Gautam Selvaraj (CGC Secretary) and Raian Irani (Council Member, Indian Golf Union) were also present.
