Manila, The Philippines, 13-11-2016
SSP CHAWRASIA WINS FIRST TITLE ABROAD AT RESORTS WORLD MANILA MASTERS
Shubhankar Sharma, Chiragh Kumar, Jyoti Randhawa share fourth place
Source: Asian Tour
Chawrasia lifted his first Asian Tour title abroad after prevailing at the second play-off hole to win the US$1 million Resorts World Manila Masters on Sunday.
Victory at the richest golf tournament in the Philippines was the first for the 38-year-old outside India and it was one to remember after he birdied the 18th play-off hole twice to clinch victory over Sam Chien of the United States and Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung.
“I am very happy. This is my first win outside of India. I am very excited. Everyone has been telling me I have won a lot of times in India and it’s about time to win outside of India. I am glad I did it this week,” said Chawrasia.
Chawrasia finished regulation play with a flawless six-under-par 66 to force his way into a three-way play-off after Fung and Chien had earlier set the clubhouse lead at 19-under-par 269.
When Fung bowed out with a bogey at the first play-off hole, it was down to Chawrasia and rookie Chien to battle for top honours at the Manila Southwoods Golf and Country Club.
Chien hit a wayward tee shot that went straight into the hazard leaving Chawrasia in an advantageous position after he had hit a solid drive into the middle of the fairway earlier.
The American then took a relief but hit his shot back into the rough, effectively ruling him out of the equation for the Resorts World Manila Masters title.
“Chawrasia played some great golf in the playoff. I was just trying to be aggressive but maybe I was a little bit too aggressive. I played well on the first extra hole but the second time I just did not,” said Chien.
Chawarasia meanwhile continued his brilliance by hitting his second shot onto the green, where the ball landed just 20 feet away from the pin.
The Indian then saw his eagle putt sail just within inches away from the pin but an easy birdie putt was enough to seal his victory.
“I know every shot is crucial when you are in a play-off. So I just tried to calm myself down out there and I’m just glad I hit two brilliant second shots that got me the title,” said Chawrasia, who has now moved into seventh place in the Asian Tour Order of Merit.
It was a fantastic final day for Indian golfers as Shubhankar Sharma (62), Chiragh Kumar (64) and Jyoti Randhawa (67) took a share of fourth place at 18-under-270.
Shubhankar’s sizzling final round of 10-under-62 that featured six birdies and two eagles on the last four holes pushed him up 31 places from his overnight tied 35th. The result also propelled Sharma to 57th place in the money list thus raising his hopes of earning his card for the next season.
Chiragh Kumar’s error-free 64 lifted him 13 places from his overnight tied 17th while Jyoti Randhawa dropped down one position despite his final round of 67.
Chikkarangappa (69) and Gaganjeet Bhullar (70) shared 19th place at 14-under-274.
Shiv Kapur was a further shot back in tied 22nd and Jeev Milkha Singh (68) took a share of 54th at six-under-282.
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