Digvijay Singh wins ColorPlus Open golf
Digvijay Singh warded off a gutsy challenge from Shiv
Prakash to essay a resounding victory at the Rs 600,000 ColorPlus Open, at the par-72, Cosmo-TNGF Golf Course.
Digvijay, who also won the season-opening Royal Springs Open in Srinagar just over a month ago,
returned a level-par 72 to tally a winning aggregate of 13-under 275.
Veteran Shiv Prakash, fought tooth and nail to return a superb seven-under
65, which was good enough to propel him from an overnight tenth position to
second place at ten-under 278.
Mhow's Mukesh Kumar, finished third at nine-under 279, while Kolkata's Rafiq Ali occupied the fourth position at
281.
Delhi Golf Club pros, Monish Bindra and Shamim Khan settled for the
tied-fifth position at 283 while another Kolkatan, Uttam Singh Mundy finished
seventh at 285.
Digvijay, who shot into the limelight with a win at the BPGC Open 2000, in
his debut season two years ago, endured a dry spell thereafter. However,
two wins this season have earned him his place in the sun. Going into the
final round with a comfortable six-stroke lead, Digvijay started the day by
missing an easy birdie on the first. He then failed to sink a short
two-feet birdie putt on the second. The worst was to come when he bogeyed
the fourth and eighth, both par-3 holes, especially the latter where the
ball stopped on the rim of the hole.
Even as news trickled in of Shiv Prakash's birdie blitz, Digvijay decided
enough was enough. He fired in birdies on the 12th, 14th and 16th but at
one-under on the 18th tee, anxiety took over and he bogeyed his closing
holes.
"It feels great winning my second title of the season. I guess it
was the third round, which proved decisive. I was a bit unlucky on a couple
of holes today but it is all a part of the game," said a happy Digvijay, who
pocketed Rs 97,200 for his win.
"I have a long way to go. I am aiming at the
year-ending 'Champion Golfer of the Year' award," the 30-year-old Merrut pro added.
Shiv Prakash was a revelation today. The Kanpur pro, who last won the SRF
All-India Matchplay championship at the Delhi Golf Club in April this year,
applied the pressure early on. Shiv started with a hat-trick of birdies,
dropped his only shot of the day on the seventh before closing his outward
journey with his fourth birdie of the day. His back-nine was a revelation,
as he scorched the course with birdies on the 12th, 15th, 16th and 17th for
his day's card of 65 and the second prize cheque of Rs 67,200.
Meanwhile, local lad Sandeep Syal survived a late charge from L Selvadurai
of ONGC to win the amateurs title by a solitary stroke at a tally of 290.
"We are happy to be associated with golf once again and hope that it goes a
long way in contributing to the development of the sport in the Southern
Region," said Rajendra Mudaliar, Managing Director, ColorPlus who gave away
prizes.
SCORES (after 72 holes): 275 Digvijay Singh (Meerut) (67, 70, 66, 72); 278
Shiv Prakash (Kanpur) (69, 70, 74, 65); 279 Mukesh Kumar (Mhow) (67, 69, 74,
69); 281 Rafiq Ali (Kolkata) (70, 72, 70, 69); 283 Monish Bindra (Delhi)
(73, 70, 69, 71); Shamim Khan (Delhi) (69, 69, 71, 74); 285 Uttam Singh
Mundy (Kolkata) (71, 71, 70, 73; 286 Indrajit Bhalotia (Kolkata) (71, 73,
70, 72); Bhoop Singh (Lucknow) (71, 70, 70, 75), Mohammed Islam (Patna)
(71, 70, 71, 74).
Amateurs: 290 Sandeep Syal (Chennai) (71, 73, 73, 73); 291
L Selvadurai (Chennai) (75, 73, 73, 70).
Earlier reports
Digvijay takes 6-stroke lead
Mukesh Kumar grabs sole lead
Digvijay, Mukesh lead in ColorPlus Open
