Thaindian News

Jamshedpur, Dec 6 (IANS) Delhi golfer Shamim Khan returned a solid even-par 70 in the final round to win the Tata Open here Saturday.Shamim took home the winner’s cheque of Rs.323,300 with a total score of 10-under 272.

Defending champion Mukesh Kumar and C. Muniyappa finished joint runners-up at five under 277.

The entire field played nine holes each on both the courses, Beldih as well as Golmuri.

While one half of the field teed off from Beldih, the other half began its round from Golmuri. Thirty two golfers with the best scores at the end of round three teed off from Golmuri and finished at Beldih. The par for the combined courses was 70.

Shamim (68, 66, 68, 70), who led the field for the last two days, finally emerged victorious with a five-stroke margin to record his third professional win.

Shamim did not get off to a great start, having missed a couple of short putts that led to consecutive bogeys on the third and fourth holes. The 30-year-old then birdied the fifth, made six consecutive pars up to the 11th and sank another birdie on the 12th to take control of the situation.

“I’m delighted to win my first PGTI title. The win in Jamshedpur will not only help me grow in confidence but will also improve my prospects for climbing up the Order of Merit in the remaining events of the season,” he said.

Mukesh (71, 74, 66, 66) fired four under 66 for the second successive day to climb from overnight tied 13th to tied second. Mukesh sank birdies on the fourth, sixth, 11th, 12th, 16th and dropped a lone bogey on the 13th.

“I was at my very best with the putter today. I made a number of difficult putts and did not make too many mistakes. It’s feels great to finish tied second despite having a poor start to the tournament,” said Mukesh.