Lucknow, 11-10-2013

Sanjay Kumar retains title with comprehensive win

Vijay Kumar finishes second

Sanjay Kumar of Lucknow registered a comprehensive seven-shot victory at the PGTI Feeder Tour event at Lucknow Golf Club on Friday. Sanjay defended his title in style as he shot a four-under-66 at his home course in the third and final round to end the week with a total score of 13-under-197. Vijay Kumar, who also hails from Lucknow, finished as the runner-up at six-under-204.

Sanjay Kumar (66-65-66), who led from round one to the end of the tournament, had an astonishing run of five straight birdies from the third through the seventh against a lone bogey on the 17^th in the final round. The 42-year-old landed it within five feet on the third, fourth and sixth and sank a couple of 10-footers on the fifth and seventh. Sanjay missed a four feet putt to drop his only bogey of the day on the 17^th.

Sanjay, who now has six professional titles to his credit, said, “My consistent hitting through the week contributed to my win. I had a fantastic run of five consecutive birdies early on in the round today and that sealed it for me. I hit a couple of excellent tee shots on the fourth and sixth, both par-3s, where the ball stopped just two feet from the hole. After taking a big lead on the front-nine, I decided to play steady on the back-nine. The victory comes at a good time for me as it will help me focus on the important events coming up in the next two months.”

Vijay Kumar (67-66-71) returned a one-over-71 in the third round to finish a distant second. His last round was punctuated by four birdies, three bogeys and a double-bogey. 

Arjun Singh Chaudhri (71-69-67) of Noida shared third place along with another Lucknow-based professional Manoj Kumar (69-71-67) at three-under-207. Chaudhri continues to lead the 2013 PGTI Feeder Tour Order of Merit with earnings of Rs. 1,98,740 for the year so far. He currently enjoys a lead of Rs. 70,000 over his nearest rival Honey Baisoya of Delhi in the Order of Merit.

Two more Lucknow golfers, Sanjeev Kumar (two-under-208) and Rajesh Kumar Rawat (one-under-209), finished fifth and sixth respectively.

Delhi golfers Honey Baisoya and Wasim Khan were tied seventh along with Gurgaon’s Shubhankar Sharma and Balwinder Singh Mattu of Jalandhar at one-over-211.