Chouhan drives home the advantage to bag third title

Pahalgam: Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow registered his third title triumph as he drove home the advantage in the final round of the J&K Bank PGTI Pahalgam Masters presented by KEO. Chouhan posted a three-under-67 in round four to emerge winner by two strokes at 19-under-261 on a bright and sunny day at the Lidder Valley Golf Course in Pahalgam. Khalin Joshi of Bangalore finished runner-up at 17-under-263.


Om Prakash Chouhan (65-64-65-67), the overnight leader by two strokes, consolidated on his lead with two birdies on the first three holes courtesy an excellent drive on the first and a chip-in on the third. He came up with another immaculate approach on the eighth to set up a birdie and emerge as the firm favourite. The 27-year-old from Madhya Pradesh then had a couple of hiccups as he dropped shots after lip-outs on the 11th and 14th. However, he came back strongly with two long birdie putts on the 16th and 18th to win the first ever event at the heavenly Lidder Valley Golf Course.


“I’m delighted to win my first title in almost two years. After an excellent 2012 season, I had a relatively poor run in 2013. I had had two top-10s this year and knew that I was getting close to a win. The loss in a playoff earlier this year was a big disappointment. The win has rejuvenated me and helped me set new goals for myself,” said Chouhan, who has now climbed from 12th place to fourth position on the PGTI’s Rolex Rankings.


He added, “I had set a target of 20-under for myself before the start of today’s round. I started well but had a few anxious moments during the middle. However, I managed to pull it back with some consistent putting towards the end.


“I dedicate this win to my six-month-old daughter Ishika. I’d like to thank the authorities at the Army War College Golf Course in Mhow for giving me the permission to play at their course once again. My driving improved after practicing at the course in Mhow. I’d also like to thank Mr. Nitesh Patel, who is like an elder brother to me. He has helped me through my tough times. My next goal is to earn a card on the Asian Tour through the qualifying school.”


Khalin Joshi’s (65-66-67-65) runner-up finish was his best result of the year. The 21-year-old made seven birdies and two bogeys in his final round of 65, to move up four places from his overnight tied sixth position.


“I’m coming back from an injury on my right hand and am therefore quite pleased with this week’s performance. I felt I played really well through the four days. I had a couple of tap-in birdies today and two long putts as well. The birdies on the 14th, 15th and 17th got me back into the game and helped me finish well,” said Joshi.

Gurgaon-based professionals Shubhankar Sharma and Arshdeep Tiwana shared third place at 16-under-264.


Jyoti Randhawa was a further shot back in tied fifth along with Delhi’s Shamim Khan, Shankar Das of Kolkata and Kapurthala lad Ashbeer Saini.


Reigning Rolex Rankings champion Rashid Khan of Delhi secured ninth place at 14-under-266.


Sri Lankan Anura Rohana produced the tournament’s joint best single round score of seven-under-63 to claim tied 13th place at 12-under-268.