23-04-2018
Gangjee rises to third in Asian Tour rankings, moves up to 372 in world rankings
The amiable Rahil Gangjee waited 14 years to win his second Asian Tour title at the Panasonic Open Golf Championship and it came at a time when Indian golf is at its peak.
At the age of 39, Gangjee, who is well liked for his bubbly character, sank a clutch birdie on the 72nd hole to return to winnings ways since his breakthrough win in China in 2004.
After his first Asian Tour victory, he watched his friends and other young Indians rise through the ranks but Gangjee remained resolute and finally reaped the rewards of his hard work in Japan.
It is still early in the 2018 season but Gangjee is currently the oldest Asian Tour winner in a year which has been dominated by the young guns, most notably by his compatriot Shubhankar Sharma who is almost half his age.
Gangjee grew up with the ambition of becoming a race horse jockey but his father, a tea trader, told him to quit the sport as he felt it was dangerous. The only danger he faced on Sunday was nervousness which he superbly overcame. Rahil has now climbed 665 places in the world rankings, from 1037 to 372.
With the victory in Japan, Gangjee also moved to third place on the Asian Tour's Habitat for Humanity Standings with earnings of US$283,018. Sharma leads the rankings on US$548,125 while Matt Wallace of England, who won the Hero Indian Open, trails in second place on US$291,660.
Shiv Kapur of India, who sealed the Panasonic Swing Ranking to win the top bonus prize of US$70,000 and an exemption into an event on the European Tour this year, was delighted to be part of a successful week for Indian golf.
The Panasonic Swing ranking is based on an aggregate points system earned by players at five selected tournaments and Kapur collected the most points, thanks largely to his win at the Panasonic Open India last November.
Source: Asian Tour
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