Thaindian News

Chandigarh, Jan 22 (IANS) Angad Cheema got one of his best birthday presents, picking up the biggest title of his amateur career by winning the All India Amateur Golf Championship here Sunday.

Cheema beat the experienced Gagan Verma 5 and 4 in the 36-hole final at the Chandigarh Golf Club here.

The match was well-contested till the closing stages when Angad seemed to pack in a little more power and moved ahead.

As the match wore on, Angad found his form and rhythm. For Verma, who has won numerous titles in other events, was once again thwarted at the flagship event.

Angad, who turns 22 next week, began a little shakily and fell back three holes within the first five, as Verma came out full guns blazing. Angad, who recently won the RCGC Cup, recovered his poise and won back the sixth and seventh holes to reduce the lead to just one. Verma won the eighth and made 2-up. But Angad again hit back and by the time the first 18 holes were over, he had moved 1-up. From there on despite Verma giving a great fight, Angad kept his nose slightly ahead.

Into the second session, Angad won the 19th and Verma won the 21st with a birdie and the match was still very close with Angad just 1-up. The next three holes on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th were all halved, but suddenly Angad hit top gear.

He won the next three holes from 25th to 27th in a row and opened a four-hole lead. On the 28th, Angad’s ball lipped out for a birdie while Verma also missed the putt for a birdie. The 29th was halved with pars and the 30th, too, was parred. The 31st hole was halved with par.

On the 32nd Verma bogeyed and Angad won it to make it 5-up with four to go and wrapped up the title.

The two-time defending champion S. Chikkarangappa was eliminated earlier in the quarterfinals.