Noida, 06-08-2016
Rashid returns to winning ways with spirited performance at TAKE Solutions Classic
Local lad Malik takes a share of second with Muniyappa
Delhi’s Rashid Khan returned to winning ways on the PGTI after almost two years as he lifted the trophy at the Rs. 50 lakh TAKE Solutions Classic at Noida Golf Course on Saturday.
Rashid (71-69-68-70) put together a clinical two-under-70 in round four to end up with the winning total of 10-under-278 and the winner’s cheque worth Rs. 7,50,000.
Noida’s Amardip Sinh Malik (72-67-71-70) finished joint second along with Bengaluru’s C Muniyappa (67-72-71-70) at eight-under-280. Both shot final rounds of 70.
Two-time Asian Tour winner Rashid, the overnight leader by one shot, was struggling with the putter till the third round. However, a 15-feet birdie conversion on the first hole in round four saw his confidence soar.
Thereafter, he quickly sank another birdie on the second after recovering from the trees. It was just the start he needed to end his two-year long victory drought in India.
The 25-year-old Khan then had some anxious moments on the last three holes of the front-nine as he bogeyed the seventh, came back to birdie the eighth and finally double-bogeyed the ninth.
Rashid missed a couple of chip-putts on the seventh and ninth and as a result the match was wide open with the likes of Muniyappa, Malik and Honey Baisoya breathing down his neck.
But Khan nailed it on the back-nine by setting up birdies from within five feet on the 12th, 14th and 17th, all of which he converted at the expense of just one bogey on the 15th.
He thus wrapped up his sixth PGTI title and took a flight from 27th place to fourth position in the Rolex Ranking.
“It’s a big relief to win on the PGTI after a gap of almost 22 months. I knew it was just a matter of time before I won again. However, it’s important to get that winning feeling even though one might be playing well,” said an elated Rashid.
He added, “I didn’t make enough putts in the first three rounds but some of my friends who were walking the course with me gave me the reassurance that I was playing really well. That gave me a lot of confidence coming into the final round. I want to thank all my friends for their support.
“I’m quite satisfied with my final round performance as I holed putts whenever it mattered and made birdies on all the four par-5 holes. I was really hungry to win on the PGTI once again and my success in Sri Lanka two weeks back really spurred me on.
“This win will hopefully help me get my Asian Tour season back on track since I’ve had no top-5 this year,” Rashid said.
Amardip Sinh Malik produced five birdies, a bogey and a double bogey on the day that saw him finish joint second, two shots behind the champion.
C Muniyappa mixed six birdies with four bogeys on day four to share second place along with Malik.
Delhi’s Honey Baisoya took fourth place at six-under-282 while Gurgaon’s Shubhankar Sharma and Sujjan Singh of Chandigarh were a further stroke behind in tied fifth.
Bengaluru golfers Khalin Joshi (three-under-285) and Chikkarangappa (four-over-292) bagged seventh place and tied 20th place respectively.
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:
Nikhil Kalaan
Media Manager - PGTI
Mobile: 9910974846
Email: media@pgtofindia.com
