New Delhi: Shiv Kapur and SSP Chowrasia gave themselves a great morale booster with a fine win over Edoardo Molinari and Rikard Karlberg in the Hero India v Rest of the World Skills Challenge, which served as the curtain raiser to the 48th edition of the Hero Indian Open at the Delhi Golf Club.

The winners picked up $ 6,000 for the win, while the runners-up took home $ 2,000. Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, Hero MotoCorp gave away the prizes. Also present at the occasion was Mr. Harish Thawani, Chairman Nimbus Sports.

In the Skills Challenge where the players competed against each other in five sets of Golf skills – Long drive, approach shot (150 metres), Pitch (from 75 metres), Sand shot and Long putt. The winner in each skill was awarded 50 points, with 30 for second, 20 for third and 10 for fourth. The combined points of both players in each team decided the winners.

Interestingly, Molinari topped the Challenge in Long drive and Pitch, while Chowrasia was the best in Sand shots and long putt. Kapur topped the approach shot stakes. Karlberg, the only man in the field to have won two titles at this course last year, was second in approach shots and sand shots.

The Skills Challenge was played out on the 18th fairway and Greens and attracted a great crowd. The crowd in turn got to hear comments from each of the four players, who were miked up for the event. As was only to be expected each of the players when asked to comment placed a lot of premium on precision play on this challenging course.

Results:

Long Drive: 1. Edoardo Molinari 50; 2. Shiv Kapur 30;  3. SSP Chowrasia 20; 4. Rikard Karlberg 10
Approach Shot: 1. Shiv Kapur 50; 2. Rikard Karlberg 30; 3. Edoardo Molinari 20; 4. SSP Chowrasia 10
Pitch Shot: Edoardo Molinari 50; Shiv Kapur 30; Rikard Karlberg 20;
SSP Chowrasia 10
Bunker Shot: 1. SSP Chowrasia 50; 2. Rikard Karlberg 30; 3. Shiv Kapur 20;
4. Edoardo Molinari 10
Long Putt: 1. SSP Chowrasia 50; 2. Shiv Kapur 30; 3. Rikard Karlberg 20;
4. Edoardo Molinari 10