Karandeep misses PGTI title by whisker

Delhi’s Kshitij Naveed Kaul fired a cool and confident 4-under 67 in the last round highlighted by a dramatic final hole birdie to emerge wire-to-wire champion at a total of 20-under 264 at the Poona Club Open Golf Championship.

Karandeep Kochhar (64-66-70-65) of Chandigarh, who was overnight tied third and three off the lead, came up with a strong 6-under 65 on Saturday to earn the runner-up spot at 19-under 265. The 23-year-old Kaul (64-66-67-67), who won on the PGTI after two years, collected a prize money cheque for Rs 15 lakh to zoom 31 spots to 18th position in the Tata Steel PGTI Ranking. It was Kaul’s fourth professional title and his second at the Poona Club Golf Course.

Gurugram’s Veer Ahlawat (69) extended his lead in the Tata Steel PGTI ranking after he finished tied third at 15-under 269. Dhruv Sheoran, another Gurugram golfer, matched the course record with a 63 that featured two eagles to end up on third place. Delhi’s Rashid Khan (67) too finished tied third. Local lad Udayan ended the week as the best-placed Pune golfer in tied ninth at 12-under 272.

Kaul began the final day with a two-shot lead and was steady over the first 12 holes, making birdies at regular intervals on the fifth, ninth and 12th holes. He sank the seven-feet birdie putt with clinical precision to seal the title.