Chikkarangappa S. was tied for the lead after 54 holes
29-year-old Bangalore based Chikka, a seasoned campaigner on the Asian Tour, started the final round tied for the lead at the US$ 2mn International Series Thailand but opened on Sunday with a double bogey and ended up shooting 70 to end up Tied 6th at Black Mountain Golf Club after opening with three consecutive 67’s. He eventually finished three shots back from Wade Ormsby, the eventual winner and pocketed US$ 48,000 (₹39.3 lacs) to move to 32nd on the International Series Order of Merit.
Among the Indians, young Karandeep Kochhar of Chandigarh had a decent outing as he shot 69-69-66-70 (14-under 274) to finish T22nd, followed by Honey Baisoya who has been in hot form lately at T34th. Baisoya’s second round 62 was the best round of the tournament.
Veer Ahlawat 70-68-71-69 and Gaganjeet Bhullar 69-69-71-69 finished tied for 48th at 10-under 278.
Veteran golfer Jyoti Randhawa made the cut again, shooting 70-69-73-73 (3-under 285) and finished 72nd.
Indians who missed the cut which came at a remarkably low 5-under 139 included –
Khalin Joshi – 76-67 (-1)
Kartik Sharma – 67-77 (E)
S.S.P. Chawrasia – 74-71 (+1)
Jeev Milkha Singh – 73-72 (+1)
Viraj Madappa – 75-74 (+5)
Rashid Khan – 78-73 (+7)
Wade Ormsby of Australia shot 68-68-67-65 to go into a playoff with yet another talented new Thai player, Chonlatit at 20-under 268 but won the tournament with a birdie on the first extra hole.
The next stop on the Asian Tour is the $750,000 DGC Open presented by Mastercard from March 16-19.
Credits:-
Photo – Asian Tour