Vijay Kumar bags season8217;s sixth title

CHANDIGARH, March 29: Mahindra-Professional Golfer Association of India Order of Merit Vijay Kumar today got custody of the sixth trophy of ...

CHANDIGARH, March 29: Mahindra-Professional Golfer Association of India Order of Merit Vijay Kumar today got custody of the sixth trophy of the season to adorn his showcase. After a razor-sharp competition from Arjun Atwal and Jyoti Randhawa on the final day of the Rs 8 lakh Tai-Pan Mercedes Benz Chandigarh Open Golf Championship at the par-72 Chandigarh Golf Course here, Vijay Kumar emerged winner by two strokes. His final score was two-under par 286 70, 74, 69, 73 pocketing a cheque of Rs 1,33,280.

Arjun Atwal, who played a brilliant par round today, finished runner-up with a total of 288 73, 72, 71, 72. He got 88,880. Jyoti Randhawa 75, 70, 72, 73 and Indrajit Bhalotia 73, 77, 71, 69 shared the third position with an identical 290. They got Rs 46,240 each. Crompton Greaves Matchplay winner Bhalotia returned the best card of the day, three- under par 69.

On the par-4 12th, Atwal dropped two shots. He hooked the drive to the left rough and then his sand-wedge caught a flier and went over thegreen. That was the turning point for Atwal who was otherwise hitting and putting well. He had an eagle on the second hole and good birdie on the 16th. He finished the next two holes with a three-iron bogey and birdie respectively. On the other hand, pars on the 15th and 18th and birdie on 17th helped Vijay claimed the title which he richly deserved.

Basad Ali 75, 72, 69, 76 and Vivek Bhandari 74, 74, 69, 75 shared joint fourth position with nett score of 292 each. Mukesh Kumar 71, 74, 75, 73 finished seventh position.

One stroke behind him was India8217; top professional golfer Jeev Milkha Singh. With today8217;s two-under par round 70, he totalled 294 and received Rs 21,200.

LEADING POSITIONS

Professionals: 286 Vijay Kumar 70, 74, 69, 73; 288 Arjun Atwal 73, 72, 71, 72; 290 Indrajit Bhalotia 73, 77, 71, 69, Jyoti Randhawa 75, 70, 72, 73; 292 Vivek Bhandari 74, 74, 69, 75, Basad Ali 75, 72, 69, 76; 293 Mukesh Kumar 71, 74, 75, 73; 294 Jeev Milkha Singh 77, 75, 72, 70;297 Amandeep Johl 73, 75, 74, 75; 298 Akbar Ali 78, 74, 71, 75, Mohd Islam 77, 74, 73, 74, Arjun Singh 75, 73, 73, 72, SSP Chowrasia 79, 73, 75, 71; 299 Amritinder Singh 76, 77, 71, 75, Uttam Singh Mundy 77, 75, 73, 74; 300 Feroz Ali 70, 81, 75, 74, Rohtas Singh 71, 76, 74, 79.

Amateurs: 322 Sandeep Sandhu 82, 83, 77, 80; 324 Simran Sethi 85, 83, 75, 81; 328 Jaiveer Singh 82, 83, 81, 82; 332 Sandy Lehal 81, 82, 85, 84, Alamgir Grewal 82, 83, 85, 82, 339 KS Brar 86, 79, 88, 86; 341 RSP Sidhu 84, 84, 89, 84; 344 Gurbaaz Mann 91, 85, 84, 84.