21-11-2016
BHULLAR BAGS SECOND TITLE OF SEASON WITH INDONESIA OPEN TRIUMPH, TWO WINS IN TWO WEEKS FOR INDIANS
JEEV FINISHES JOINT RUNNER-UP
Source: Asian Tour
Gaganjeet Bhullar of India won the US$300,000 BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open for the second time in his career after closing with a four-under-par 68 on Monday.
Bhullar, who also won the event in 2013, sealed his seventh Asian Tour victory and a second title this season with a 16-under-par 272 total at the Pondok Indah Golf Course.
He returned to finish his remaining three holes on Monday morning as play was abandoned due to bad weather on Sunday.
Jeev Milkha Singh of India, a two-time Asian Tour number one, threatened briefly before settling for tied second place, his best result since 2012, after making bogey on the 17th hole to finish on 72.
Thailand’s Danthai Boonma (67), Panuphol Pittayarat (68) and Tour rookie Johannes Veerman (69) of the United States took a share of second alongside Singh on 275s.
The 28-year-old made five birdies in seven holes on Sunday before returning to par his last three holes and clinch his second victory in two months.
With his win at the BANK BRI-JCB Indonesia Open, Bhullar is now the fifth player after Thaworn Wiratchant of Thailand, Frank Nobilo of New Zealand, Frankie Minoza of the Philippines and Lu Hsi-chuen of Chinese Taipei to win the event twice.
Incidentally, Bhullar had also won the Indonesia President Invitational in 2009, which means he has now won three events in Indonesia.
Bhullar, who moved into ninth in the Asian Tour Order of Merit, said, “It is never easy in a Monday finish especially when you only have a two-shot lead. I slept at 7pm last night and woke up at 2am because there was so much adrenaline rush. I just couldn’t focus on anything.
“I was not focussed on sleeping. I just could not divert my mind anywhere else apart from the last few holes. At the end of the day I’m proud of myself and I’m glad I pulled it off.
“I was full of confidence from tee number one. I told myself that I will play aggressive golf and gave myself a lot of birdie chances. I putted really well and made single putts in the first seven holes,” added Gaganjeet, who had previously won two events in the same Asian Tour season back in 2012.
Bhullar admits that it was a huge test of patience as the weather suspensions made life difficult for the players.
“The week was difficult, it was not easy at all. It was a test of patience but my past experience of winning here before helped. I’ve won before in stop and go week before. The experience really counted this week,” he said.
Speaking about Bhullar’s achievement, Mr. Uttam Singh Mundy, Director, PGTI, said, “We at the PGTI congratulate Gaganjeet for his victory at the Indonesia Open. It’s a proud moment for us at the PGTI as two international wins in two weeks signify the ever-growing stature of Indian professional golf. Gaganjeet’s two wins in the season so far reaffirm his status as one of Asia’s leading professionals. We wish him all the best for the future and hope to see him take Indian golf to greater heights.”
Singh, who has won 14 titles worldwide but not since 2012, admitted that it was difficult to chase the dominant Bhullar.
“I played well but Gaganjeet Bhullar started really well yesterday. I tried to push him but I finished second and I’ll take that result as it is my best finish of the year,” said the 44-year-old Singh.
“I think I handled myself really well being in the last group for the first time since 2012! I could have done better but I feel this will give me a lot of confidence heading into the next few weeks. I’m working on a few things which I need to trust more under pressure.
“It is great to see the depth of the Asian Tour. It is good to see these young kids hungry and they want to birdie every hole. That’s the way it should be. Gaganjeet is 28 years old and I think sky’s the limit for him,” said Singh.
“It is good to see these young kids doing well. Obviously I want to compete with them. In fact, they push me to do better. They hit good and long drives and I want to keep up with them. Don’t forget age is just a number,” he smiled.
With Bhullar’s win on Monday, it became two back-to-back wins for Indians in two weeks following SSP Chawrasia’s Resorts World Manila Masters triumph the previous week.
The last time this happened on the international stage was during the 2014 Asian Tour season when SSP Chawrasia and Rashid Khan won the Panasonic Open India and the Chiangmai Golf Classic in consecutive weeks in the month of November.
Before that it was Jeev Milkha Singh who had himself won two events in two weeks on the Japan Golf Tour in 2006 when he lifted the Casio World Open and the Golf Nippon Series JT Cup titles in successive weeks.
Among the other Indians, Jyoti Randhawa was tied 14th at nine-under-279, Khalin Joshi finished tied 24th at six-under-282, Shubhankar Sharma and Chikkarangappa were both in tied 27th with scores of five-under-283 and Chiragh Kumar closed the week in tied 36th at four-under-284.
Himmat Rai ended tied 52nd at even-par-288 while Abhinav Lohan was 64th at three-over-291.
About PGTI:
Formed in 2006, Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) is the recognised official body of professional golf in India. PGTI's objective is to promote professional golf in the country, as well as to give players an opportunity to be involved in the decision making on all aspects of the game. Headed by Mr. Kapil Dev (President), PGTI's governing body comprises leading Indian golf professionals. PGTI currently has over 300 members.
For information on PGTI, please contact:
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Email: media@pgtofindia.com
