Noida, 07-10-2017
Hard-earned victory for Amardip Sinh Malik at ONGC Masters 2017
Kapil Kumar secures runner-up
Noida’s Amardip Sinh Malik came up with a tenacious display in the final round of the ONGC Masters 2017 to bag a hard-earned victory at his home course, the Noida Golf Course. Malik shot a four-over-76 in round four but still came through by one stroke at 12-under-276 to pocket his second title.
Delhi’s Kapil Kumar carded an even-par-72 to finish runner-up at 11-under-277 at the Rs. 50 lakh event.
Amardip Sinh Malik (66-66-68-76), the overnight leader by five shots, didn’t have it easy on the final day but still managed to stay ahead of the chasing pack thus ending his three-year victory drought.
The 32-year-old Amardip began the day with a birdie but then was in trouble on the second where he dropped a double bogey after his putt horse-shoed (lipped out and came back towards him). The local favourite dropped a couple of more strokes on the sixth and 12th but continued to soak up the pressure and kept the lead.
Malik survived a few nervous moments on the 18th as well after his drive found the trees. He sank a crucial two and a half feet bogey putt on the finishing hole to finally seal the win. Amardip, who took home the winning prize of Rs. 7,50,000, has now moved up from 11th to sixth place in the PGTI Order of Merit.
A relieved Malik said, “It wasn’t an easy win. I had a poor start and also had my nervous moments. But these things do happen when you’re playing in the leader group during the final round. One has to be prepared for such situations. But I’m happy that I kept my nerve and fought till the end.
“Incidentally, I shot a similar final round, a six-over-78, when I won my last event here. So I know I need to improve in that area.
“The Noida Golf Course is my home course and I love coming back here. I have a terrific record here. Winning here is always special. I’m thankful to the club as they’ve always supported me.”
“I’ve had a gradual progression over the last few events. I had three top-10s including a runner-up finish in the last four events. It all built up nicely for me. I knew a win was just around the corner.”
Kapil Kumar (68-67-70-72), Malik’s closest challenger on the final day, fell just short as he couldn’t take his chances on the greens.
Bengaluru’s R Murthy (69) and Om Prakash Chouhan (71) of Mhow finished tied third at 10-under-278.
Vikrant Chopra, who finished fifth at nine-under-279, and Rahul Bajaj, who secured tied eighth at seven-under-281, were the other two Noida-based golfers to claim top-10 finishes.
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.
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