Chandigarh’s Sandhu third in Invitational Golf Championship

Chandigarh’s Yuvraj Sandhu (70-67-69-71) finished third at 11-under 277, while Saptak Talwar of Greater Noida ended a long wait for his maiden title after he outshined his nearest rivals with a final round of 5-under 67 during the recently concluded Adani Invitational Golf Championship at the Jaypee Greens in Greater Noida.

Arjun Prasad (68-69-69-70) of Delhi finished second at 12-under 276. Sandhu, a two-time winner on the PGTI this season, sank five birdies on the last day, but an early double-bogey and two bogeys on the back-nine put him out of contention as he signed for a 71.

Meanwhile, 26-year-old Talwar (67-72-69-67) had a superb last round effort, which lifted him two spots from his overnight third position. Talwar, who had previously posted two runner-up finishes on the PGTI since turning pro in 2021, ended the week with a winning total of 13-under 275 and a one-stroke victory margin.

Talwar, who was two off the lead at the start of round four, enjoyed a good start on Friday as he capitalised with birdies on the first two par-5s, the second and fourth holes. He then added two more birdies on the fifth and 10th using his wedges to great effect. He narrowly missed a five-foot eagle putt on the par-5 12th, where he picked up his fifth birdie of the day.

There was a hole-in-one by Sri Lankan N Thangaraja on the 14th during his fourth round of 71. He secured tied 17th place at two-under 286. Nineteen-year-old Sukhman Singh of Greater Noida, the lone amateur to make the cut, won the prize for the best performance by an amateur. Sukhman totaled six-over 294 for the week to finish tied 46th.