Karandeep finishes 5th as Udayan claims top spot

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 19

Udayan Mane reignited his season with a two-shot victory at the Prometheus School Presents Delhi-NCR Open Golf Championship 2021 even as Chandigarh's Karandeep Kochhar maintained his lead in the PGTI Order of Merit with a fifth place finish at the Golden Greens Golf Club in Gurugram today.

Pune's Mane, who had been struggling to find his 'A' game since the resumption of the tour in November last year, clinched his 11th title on the PGTI after he totaled 14-under 274 to prevail by two strokes at the Rs 30-lakh event.

Mane's third title of the 2020-21 PGTI season will help him make a big push up the world rankings from his current 320th position and as a result boost his chances in the Tokyo Olympics qualification race.

Gurugram-based Shivendra Singh Sisodia, playing at his home course, secured a career-best tied 2nd finish at 12-under 276 after a sensational birdie-eagle finish on the last two holes helped the 31-year-old put up a score of 66 in the final round.

Chikkarangappa (68) and Patna's Aman Raj (69) also took a share of second place.

Kochhar (67) claimed fifth place at 11-under 277, while Sandeep Singh of Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, shot the day's best score of 7-under 65 to finish tied 9th at 8-under 280.

Mane (71-67-67-69), the overnight leader by one shot, had a hot start to the day with two birdies on the first three holes which saw him play a couple of good wedge shots. He then made some good putts which didn't roll in but he still hung on to his lead.

On the Par-5 18th, Mane sank a crucial 10-feet birdie putt to seal the deal even as playing partner Aman Raj missed his eagle putt from the same distance.

The win is a shot in the arm for the big-built Mane who will now earn five world ranking points and go past Rashid Khan (ranked 311 at the moment) to become the highest-ranked Indian when the latest Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) list is released on Monday.

Udayan had bagged the first two trophies of the 2020-21 PGTI season as part of his three match winning streak which began with season-ending event of the previous 2019 season. However, he had not been at his best since the resumption of the tour in November last year.

"The win couldn't have come at a better time for me as the race for qualification to the Olympics is quite intense at the moment with the likes of Gaganjeet, Rashid, Chikka, Karandeep and Aman Raj, all being strong contenders," said Mane.

Shivendra Singh Sisodia (71-71-68-66), known for driving it long, was exceptional with his iron-play and approach shots today. Shivendra, who was overnight tied 8th and five off the lead, collected three birdies over the first 12 holes before signing off in style with birdie-eagle on the last two holes.

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