Bangalore: Manu Gandas registered a clinical seven-shot victory, his second in as many weeks when he lifted the IGU Southern India Junior Boys Golf Championship title at the KGA Course here on Friday. Manu fired a final round 1-under par 71 to finish the tournament with an impressive total of 4-under par 288.
Tapendra Ghai finished second at 291 while Viraj Madappa brought in the day’s best card of 2-under 70 to finish third at 292. Feroz Singh Garewal was fourth at 295 while Piyush Sangwan who also shot a 70, finished fifth at 296.
Arjun Prasad pushed overnight leader Karandeep Kochar to the second spot in annexing the crown in Category B with a four-day total of 209. Karandeep shared the bridesmaid position along with Jaiveer Singh who finished two shots behind the leader. Arjun Puri was fourth at 315 while Karthik Sharma was fifth at 318.
Manu, armed with an overnight lead of five shots, made an ominous beginning losing a stroke on the opening hole. However, mixing caution with aggression, Manu then made a steely approach as he parred the next five holes while also making a birdie on the par-3 fourth. The par-4 seventh considered to be the toughest hole on the course continued to torment Manu as he made a double bogey as he took the turn at 2-over.
On the back nine, it seemed as if he was on fire when he made two birdies in the first three holes while avoiding mistakes on the rest of the holes. With his nearest rivals falling apart, Manu had already sealed the issue by the 14th. A birdie on the 17th was an icing on the cake as he returned home safe and dry.
“I had worked hard and the results are paying off,” said the soft-spoken 16-year-old.
“Knowing that the course is unforgiving, I knew if I had maintained my calm, I would definitely win the title,” added the champion. “I dedicate this victory to my parents who have supported me in all my ventures. I would like to bring laurels to India,” said Manu who finished as the top junior in the last season.
Top scores after 72 holes
Category A
284 Manu Gandas (73, 68, 72, 71); 291 Tapendra Ghai (72, 70, 76, 73); 292 Viraj Madappa (73, 75, 74, 70); 295 Feroz Singh Garewal (75, 71, 73, 76); 296 Piyush Sangwan (74, 79, 73, 70); 302 Tutul Ali (79, 77, 76, 70); 304 Jairaj Singh Sandhu (75, 74, 78, 77); 305 Yuvraj Sandhu (77, 74, 76, 78); 306 Shubham Narain (79, 74, 78, 75), Prakhar Asawa (73, 76, 77, 80), Kartikey Vashist (80, 74, 76, 77), Akash Srinivasan (77, 79, 73, 78)
Category B
309 Arjun Prasad (78, 74, 83, 74); 311 Jaiveer Singh (77, 79, 79, 76), Karandeep Kochhar (81, 78, 72, 80); 315 Arjun Puri (80, 79, 79, 77); 318 Kartik Sharma (83, 79, 79, 77); 319 Saptak Talwar (85, 80, 77, 77); 320 Tanvir Kahlon (82, 79, 82, 77); 323Ranveer Grewal (82, 83, 81, 77); 329 Karanveer Singha (88, 80, 84, 77); 331Saarthak Chhibber (82, 81, 84, 84), K Sidharth (78, 79, 90, 84)
