Vijitha Bandara clinches eighth NCR Cup trophy

New Delhi: The eighth Gannon Dunkerley NCR Cup saw a Sri Lankan winner a second time in a row as Vijitha Bandara took away the trophy on the final day at the Delhi Golf Club. N. Thangaraja, who has turned professional, now won the trophy last year. Bandara shot four-over 76 for the total of 293 in windy conditions to lift the trophy.

India’s Prince Kajotia, who joined the Indian Navy recently, returned with a career best finish after shooting three-over 295 as runner-up. Indian born Thai Samarth Dwivedi ended the day in the third position as he scored 300, while coming from behind, another Indian Lakhan Singh tied for fourth place along with Amit Kumar at 303.

Bandara started the day with a birdie on 1st and was one-over after front nine. After taking a lot of pressure on himself, 24-year-old Bandara dropped two shots and made a double bogey on 10th. Number one on Sri Lanka amateur circuit, Bandara got confused in choosing the clubs on 11th hole as the wind speed high and he used 3-wood for the tee shot wherein he normally uses his 52 wedge. His best shot of the tournament came on the finishing hole where he rescued the ball from a difficult condition as he landed his tee shot in right the bushes but managed a par with advice from his caddy.

A delighted Bandara said: “I am so excited to show the trophy to the defending champion N. Thangaraja in my country. The pressure, which was built in me throughout the day, helped me in choosing the right clubs at the right place. I am not very happy about telling my scores for today’s but I can take this kind of victory any day.”

Another highlight of the day was a hole-in-one on 7th hole by Devendra Singh who finished 22nd. Lakhan Singh took the longest drive challenge prize on 6th hole, which was also a hat-trick in the NCR Cup by him. Sunny Nagar won the straightest drive on 10th hole.