Kathmandu, 11-05-2013
Shivaram Shrestha rewrites history with Surya Nepal Masters victory
It could not have been a better finish to the 20th edition of the Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Masters 2013 as Shivaram Shrestha held aloft the coveted trophy after a dramatic finish at the Gokarna Forest Golf Resort here on Saturday. Beginning three shots behind the overnight leader and defending champion Abhijit Singh Chadha, the Nepali No.1 golfer fought his way in contention and scripted a fairytale victory with a superlative effort of 5-under 67 on the final day to force a play-off before prevailing on the first play-off hole (18th) with a birdie. The play-off was necessitated after both the players had finished with a tournament total of 18-under-270.
With Shivaram’s victory, it seemed that SNPL’s efforts of developing and promoting golf in the country through the Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd., Khel Paryatan programme finally fructified as Shiva’s win is not a mere victory but a path-breaking feat which could inspire hundreds of his tribe. Asian Tour star Anirban Lahiri made a brilliant charge but faltered in the final holes to finish third at 17-under. Mukesh Kumar and Ajeetesh Sandhu were tied for the fourth place at 274. Rahul Bajal and Md. Dulal Hossain shared the sixth position at 276.
With this achievement, Shivaram earned the biggest pay cheque of his career when he walked away with the winner’s booty of NRs 775,920 while Abhijit was forced to settle for the runner’s up cheque of NRs 535,920. Anirban was richer by NRs 300,720. Shivaram became the second professional golfer after Deepak Thapa Magar (2007 winner) to win the biggest golf tournament in the country of Nepal.
In a lavish prize presentation ceremony, Mr. Leela Mani Paudyal, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Nepal and Syed Mahmood Ahmad, MD, Surya Nepal Pvt. Ltd., gave away the prizes.
Earlier, it all boiled down to the last nine holes which acted as the crucible. It turned out to be a three-man fight for honours after the other contenders especially Mukesh Kumar who was on fire with a score of 6-under after 12 holes lost steam and was three shots off the pace. In a see-saw battle, Anirban seemed to have reserved the best for the last, fired six birdies on his front nine to catch up with the leader, thanks Abhijit who dropped a shot on the par-3 eighth. Meanwhile Shivaram too kept up the pace making five birdies on his front nine and saved a brilliant par on the par-3 10th. With birdies on the 12th and 13th, Anirban went up 20-under to go ahead by a stroke over Shiva. However, a double bogey on the very next hole by Anirban and a bogey by Shiva playing behind him on the 12th put them on par at 18-under along with Abhijit who was content to save pars. Anirban was back in the lead with a birdie on the 15th. However, consecutive bogeys on the par-3 16th and par-4 17th put him out of contention
Abhijit with a birdie on the 15th went one shot ahead of the field. However, he lost the advantage after losing a shot on the par-4 17th and tied with Shivaram who played some steady golf making pars, lest he lost a stroke.. On the final hole of regulation play, Abhijit hit a tentative second shot and ended up with a par with a testing putt. Shivaram missed a birdie putt from five feet which could have fetched him the victory and ended with a par which forced the match to go into a play-off.
On the first play-off hole (18th), Abhijit, after a great tee shot, once again faltered on his second, falling way short of the pin. Shivaram made a six-feet birdie putt as the Saturday crowd erupted in joy and carried him on their shoulders.
“I am thrilled about my victory. It has still not sunk in me. I felt elated instantly but a little later when I went to collect my prize, I realized about my achievement,” said the champion. “I knew it was going to be tough but I also knew that if I had kept my cool, I could be in contention. I knew the last few holes would be the deciding factor and when he (Abhijit) made a bogey on the 17th I thought I had a chance and promised myself that I am not letting go of this opportunity,” said Shivaram who held on to his nerves to win the coveted title.
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