Sachin Baisoya (3rd from right) receives the winner’s trophy and cheque from Mr. Yogendra Singh, Captain, Rambagh Golf Club (3rd from left). The other dignitaries are (L – R) Mr. Amandeep Johl – CEO-Designate, PGTI, Mr. Rajesh Srivastava – Head, Marketing Communications, Nissan India, Mr. Samridhh Sharma – Secretary, Rambagh Golf Club, and Mr. Uttam Mundy, CEO, PGTI
Sachin Baisoya secured a hard-fought victory at the Rajasthan Tourism presents Jaipur Open 2024, narrowly outplaying Rashid Khan in a five-hole playoff at the Par-70 Rambagh Golf Club, in Jaipur. Both players finished the regulation 72 holes tied at 22-under-par, forcing a marathon playoff that fell just short of the longest playoff on the PGTI, a 6-hole tussle between Aadil Bedi (winner) and Udayan Mane in 2020, at Tollygunge Club in Kolkata.
Baisoya revisited the winner’s circle, just over a year since his last title, to usher in his third career win on the PGTI. His final-round 64 featured an eagle on the eighth and five birdies, including a crucial 35-foot birdie on the 18th hole to force the playoff. He held his nerve to hole a precise three-foot birdie putt on the final playoff hole, the par-3 second, earning INR 15 Lakh in prize money and moving up to fifth place on the TATA Steel PGTI rankings.
Both Delhi-based pros, Khan and Baisoya, matched each other shot-for-shot over four holes on the par-5 18th before Baisoya’s accurate tee shot on the fifth playoff hole gave him the edge.
Baisoya credited veteran Mukesh Kumar, who he refers to as ‘Guruji’, for his guidance and encouragement throughout the week, which helped him maintain a calm approach under pressure. “On the 18th in regulation play, I knew I had to make the birdie putt to stay in contention. During the playoff, my plan was to keep finding the fairway and green to maintain the pressure. Rashid is a good friend, and our camaraderie helped keep things focused yet relaxed,” said Baisoya.
Chandigarh’s Akshay Sharma, Hyderabad’s Milind Soni, and last week’s winner Kshitij Naveed Kaul tied for third at 16-under-par in a high-level playing field that made the low cut at 3-under-par to carry over to the weekend.
Meanwhile, Veer Ahlawat finished T7 at 14-under-par and maintained his steady form. This solidifies his lead in the PGTI rankings and brings him closer to earning playing rights for the next season of the European Tour although the PGTI still has a few big money events to be played before the season ends.
The tournament also witnessed a hole-in-one by Sukhraj Singh Gill, who was awarded a Nissan Magnite for his effort. Gill received the prize during the tournament’s closing ceremony, adding a unique milestone to an event already rich in competition.
