Experience wins over youth

Winning his third title on the PGA of India’s golf tour this season, Vijay had a tough fight on hands and just managed to snatch victory on the 35th hole. The 2002 Indian Open champion started the day well and was two up in the first 18-holes in the morning after Gangjee lost three of the first five holes — the first and third to birdies and the fifth to a par. Vijay went on to make the turn at two-up, in spite of conceding the par-five eighth hole after hitting his drive into the right rough.

Vijay sank some important putts for halves on the back nine, as the par-three 12th hole was halved in bogies. A par on the 13th was good enough to take Vijay 3-up for the day, but Rahil fought back with a birdie on the par-five 14th hole. However, Vijay won back the hole with a birdie on the tough par-four 16th hole, halved the 17th in birdies and lost the 18th to a birdie to finish two up at the halfway stage of the final match.

However, Vijay continued to dominate as he won the 19th and 20th holes to go 4-up, but lost the 22nd and 23rd holes after missing a chip and putt for par on both. He then won the 24th and 29th holes to go 4r-up again before Rahil showing his determination and grit to win the 30th, 31st and 32nd holes — – the par-three 12th and the par-four 13th holes to pars, while the par-five 14th was won with an excellent eagle.

With adrenaline flowing, Rahil almost holed out on the next where his ball hit the flagstick but failed to drop into the cup below. However, he faltered on the par-three 17th hole — the 35th — as his tee-shot went into the bushes and that was curtains for him.