Hyderabad, 24-09-2023
Arjun Atwal finishes third at Pure Insurance Championship on PGA Tour Champions
Source: PTI
Picture: Getty Images
Indian golfer Arjun Atwal registered his best finish of 3-under 69 to finish in sole third at the PURE Insurance Championship.
It was also his first top-10 finish playing among the Seniors after he became eligible for the Tour after turning 50 in March. For the first since turning Senior, Atwal also shot all three rounds in the 60s with rounds of 68-68-69 for a total of 11-under 205 at Pebble Beach Links.
Atwal's former colleague on the Asian and European Tours, Thailand's veteran star Thongchai Jaidee claimed his second PGA TOUR Champions title after beating American Justin Leonard on the fourth hole of a sudden-death play-off at Pebble Beach.
Both Jaidee (67) and Leonard (68) finished at 14-under, three shots ahead of Atwal. Beginning the final round a shot off the lead, the 53-year-old Thongchai closed with a 5-under 67 to force extra time with 36-hole leader Leonard.
The Thai golfer then won the tournament with a par on the iconic par-5 18th hole after the American found trouble from off the tee en route to a double-bogey.
Atwal opened his final round with a bogey but then had a hat-trick of birdies on the second, third and fourth holes, raising hopes of a solid charge. Then the putter turned cold and he had a bogey on the par-4 eighth and just one more birdie on the par-4 11th for a round of 69.
Atwal's previous best on the Champions Tour was tied 11th at the Invited Celebrity Classic in April. He then made two more cuts before missing the cut at the Senior Open in Wales. This week was his fifth PGA Tour Champions start.
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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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