Jyoti Randhawa, the star attraction of the 1.8 million Kashmir Open 2003, did not disappoint his fans and produced a brilliant bogey-free round of five-under 67 on the final day to win his first title in more than two years.
In the season-opening event of the Hero Honda Indian Golf tour, played at the picturesque par-72 Royal Springs Golf Course here, Randhawa aggregated 13-under 275, one stroke better than Harmeet Kahlon and Arjun Singh, who were tied for the second place at 12-under 276.
Pappan, the surprise package of the tournament fought till the very end till a double bogey on the final hole pushed him down to fourth place at 10-under 278. The victory was worth Rs. 2,91,600 for Randhawa while Kahlon and Arjun received Rs. 1,57,500 each.
Promising Sri Lankan Anura Rohana, who started the day at seven-under 209 was troubled by a shoulder pain and had a disastrous round of 79 to finish level-par for the tournament.
It was Randhawa's first win since April 2001 when he won the SRF Open at the Delhi Golf Club.
"This is extremely satisfying and I am happy to break the winless streak. This is the perfect antidote to the disappointment of missing the cut at the British Open. What makes me happy is the way I conducted myself at the course. I was calm and composed through out the 18 holes and did not make mistakes. And on top of it, the win came at my favourite golf course," said a jubilant Randhawa, who leaves for Japan on Sunday night.
Randhawa played a steady round and a birdie on the fourth made him the joint leader. However, it was his favourite par-five seventh hole, which added the zip to his round. A peach of a seven-iron second shot from the rough left him with a three-foot eagle putt, which he converted with ease. Thereafter, he made birdies on the tenth and sank an all-important 25-footer putt for his final birdie on the par-four 15th. At this stage, Arjun Singh was breathing down his neck. He was just one stroke off Randhawa and sitting on a sure shot four-feet birdie putt.
Arjun had a super chance on the par-three 16th but he missed a three-footer for birdie and then drove into the bunker to make a bogey on the 17th, a mistake that let Randhawa run away with the title.
"I am a little disappointed for missing that birdie on the 16th, but what hurt me more were the two double-bogeys on the eight and ninth holes yesterday. However, considering that I was playing after almost three months, I am happy with the way I performed," said Arjun, who made five birdies today.
Kahlon was in super form as he made just one bogey and seven birdies in his round of six-under 66. Despite finishing runner-up for the second successive year here, Kahlon was delighted with his performance.
"I am very happy with the way I scored in this tournament. I had an upset stomach on the first day when I made a 74. But thereafter, I have played consistently well. I am improving with every event, and that is more important than winning titles," said the India Cements sponsored pro.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Mufti Mohd Sayeed, will give away the prizes after the Navision Pro-Am on Sunday.
RESULTS (After 72 holes): 275_Jyoti Randhawa (67,71,70,67); 276_Harmeet Kahlon (74,66,70,66), Arjun Singh (67,68,73,68); 278_Pappan (68,70,69,71); 279_Digvijay Singh (70,70,67,72); 280_Uttam Singh Mundy (69,70,72,69), Mukesh Kumar (69,69,69,73); 286_Rahil Gangjee (73,68,74,71); 287_Rafiq Ali (75,72,72,68); 288_Anura Rohana (72,71,66,79); 289_Naman Dawar (74,78,68,69).
Amateurs: 291_Girish Virk (73,71,74,73); 292_Keshav Misra (74,77,74,67), Sujan Singh (71,75,76,70)