Bangalore’s Khalin Joshi shot a course record of nine-under 63 on the final day to register a sensational come-from-behind victory at the PGTI Ahmedabad Masters here on Friday.
Joshi signed off with a 17-under 271 total to bag his second professional crown. S Chikkarangappa, another Bangalorean, finished runner-up at 15-under 273 after his final round of five-under 67.
Joshi (70-67-71-63), who was placed eight shots off the lead in fifth place after round three, came out firing on all cylinders today to steamroll all opposition in sight.
The 22-year-old began the day with an eagle-birdie on the first two holes, courtesy a perfect approach shot on the first which found the hole and a 15-feet conversion on the second.
Joshi emerged top contender for the title when he struck four birdies on the trot from sixth to ninth hole to go past overnight leader Shubhankar Sharma, who dropped two strokes on the front nine.
Joshi all but nailed it with two more birdies on the 11th and 12th even as Shubhankar slipped out of contention after conceding four more strokes from the 10th to the 12th.
Joshi, who won his first title at Noida in October last year, broke the previous course record of 64 set by Anirban Lahiri in the opening round of 2014 PGTI Ahmedabad Masters.
Joshi has now climbed from eighth place to third position in the Rolex Rankings. The Bangalore lad’s earnings for the year now stand at Rs. 10,57,093. Mukesh Kumar of Mhow continues to lead the rankings with earnings of Rs. 14,70,780.
“I’m delighted to have won after shooting a 63 in such tough and windy conditions. I had a terrific front-nine and was seven-under for the day at the turn,” said Joshi, who took home the winner’s cheque worth Rs. 6 lakh.
“I now want to make the best of my limited opportunities on the Asian Tour and try to earn my card for the 2016 season in Asia.”
Chikkarangappa held on to his overnight second place with a round of 67, while Shubhankar Sharma shot five-over 77 to slip from overnight first to third place at 11-under-277.
Sri Lankan Anura Rohana and Delhi’s Rashid Khan were joint fourth at 10-under 278, while Kolkata’s SSP Chawrasia and Sanjeev Kumar of Lucknow were a further three shots back in tied sixth.
Kolkata’s Rahil Gangjee was tied 12th at two-under 286 while Sri Lankan Mithun Perera ended tied 19th at one-over 289 and Patna’s Aman Raj, the lone amateur to make the cut, won the trophy for the best performance by an amateur. He finished 43rd at 11-over-299.
