India’s Kumar clinches Panasonic Open India title

Monday, 5 December 2016 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

AFP: India’s Mukesh Kumar fired a crucial birdie on the 15th hole to set up his first Asian Tour victory at the Panasonic Open India golf tournament in New Delhi on Sunday.

Kumar, 51, who became the oldest player to win an Asian Tour title, carded 67, 69 and 70 for a total of 10-under 206 in the fog-hit tournament, which was reduced to three rounds and 54 holes.

Kumar, who started the day with an overnight lead of two shots at eight-under, shot three birdies against a lone bogey on the final day to outshine compatriots Jyoti Randhawa and Rashid Khan, who finished tied second.

“I am very proud of myself. I have waited 32 years (since turning professional) for this. It is different from the 123 wins that I have had on the domestic Tour earlier,” said Kumar, who secured an Asian Tour card for the next two years.

Kumar, who led each of the three rounds, was tied with Randhawa twice in the day before taking the lead at the 15th hole and scoring pars in the final three to pocket a winning purse of $ 72,000.

“The 20-footer that I made for birdie on 15 was the decisive putt for me. I knew I had a good chance after sinking that putt. I told myself I just need to par the last three holes,” Kumar told reporters.

“Even though I know Jyoti was just one shot back and he has a good chance on 18 being a long-hitter, I didn’t think too much about that. I just focused on what I need to do,” he added.

Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera, at 8-under 208, finished fourth. The other top 10 places on the final leaderboard belonged to Indian players.

The 2015 champion Chirag Kumar of India finished tied 15th in the 73-player field in the final round.