Mumbai, Maharashtra, 15-12-2018
Rashid Khan rediscovers form with four-shot victory at CG Open 2018, returns to winning ways after two years
Rashid third time lucky at CG Open
Delhi’s Rashid Khan produced a determined final round of seven-under-63 at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club (BPGC) on Saturday to rediscover his form with a comfortable four-shot victory at the PGTI’s CG Open 2018. The 27-year-old Rashid, who closed the Rs. 1 crore event with an imposing total of 16-under-264, thus returned to winning ways after two years.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Khan, who returned the last day’s best score, was a third time lucky at the CG Open since he had finished runner-up at the tournament twice before. The CG Open triumph accounted for Rashid’s 10th professional title and eighth win on the PGTI.
Shamim Khan (67-71-66-64), the 2016 champion, came up with a flawless final round of six-under-64 to gain three spots and finish runner-up at 12-under-268.
Rashid Khan (68-62-71-63), lying overnight second, one behind third round leader N Thangaraja, made an early charge with a birdie-eagle-birdie run from the third to the fifth where he made a tap-in followed by two eight-footers. He consolidated his lead to three shots with another birdie on the ninth.
Khan, the runner-up in the 2012 and 2013 editions as a result of his playoff losses to Harendra Gupta and Chikkarangappa respectively, then had a relatively quieter back-nine making a bogey on the 10th and three birdies that was enough to see him through to the finish line even as the others struggled to catch up.
Rashid, a two-time PGTI Order of Merit champion, took home the winning cheque worth Rs. 16,16,500 on Saturday that catapulted him from 98th to 19th position in the current PGTI Order of Merit.
Rashid said, “I’m extremely glad to come through this week after a long winless streak. I needed a good start today and I managed that with some quality iron-play early on that helped me build a decent lead.
“The bogey on the 10th was disappointing but I made up for that with a 25-feet birdie conversion on the 14th. At that point I knew that the match was in the bag.
“I’ve tried a lot of things over the last two years as I struggled with my form. But now I’m visualizing my shots well and executing them to perfection. This week I landed most shots where I wanted to.
“This win also helps me erase memories of the two previous playoff losses at the CG Open. It’s a relief to finally win at the BPGC.”
Shamim Khan, who began the day with a 35-feet eagle conversion on the first hole, added four more birdies to his card to finish a respectable second. Reigning PGTI Order of Merit champion Shamim’s runner-up cheque of Rs. 11,16,500 saw him rise from ninth to third place in the current money list.
Sri Lankan N Thangaraja, the third round leader, claimed third place at 11-under-269 after a final round of 69.
Mysuru-based 23-year-old rookie Yashas Chandra secured fourth place, his best so far as a professional, after a last round of 68 that pushed his total to 10-under-270.
Both Mumbai’s Anil Bajrang Mane and Delhi’s Gagan Verma, the only amateur to make the cut, finished tied 44th at seven-over-287.
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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