Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar delivered a standout performance at the debut St. Andrews Bay Championship, securing a commendable fifth place. This achievement is undoubtedly his most notable of the season, especially with a finish of 2-under 70, and an aggregate score of 17-under for the week.
The championship saw heightened competition with the likes of Eugenio Chacarra from Spain and Australian Matt Jones concluding the game tied at an impressive 19-under. The climax of the event was the record-setting marathon playoff dominated by Chacarra, which extended over 10 holes.
Bhullar, who boasts 10 victories on the Asian Tour, positioned himself as a strong contender for the title. The golfer showcased his prowess by scoring 2-under through the first 10 holes, trailing the leaders by just one shot. Despite the initial momentum, where Bhullar commendably recovered from an opening bogey with three birdies in the subsequent nine holes, he hit a dry patch failing to register any birdies in the final eight holes.
The event also witnessed significant participation from other Indian golfing luminaries. Ajeetesh Sandhu, with a score of 71, and Anirban Lahiri, carding 70, finished T-8 and T-14 respectively. Other notable performances included Veer Ahlawat and SSP Chawrasia both tying at T-30. Rahil Gangjee and Viraj Madappa tied at T-50th, while Rashid Khan settled at T-66 with a score of 74.
Starting the final day at T-3 after an impressive third round, Bhullar was in the hunt for his maiden title since his last triumph in Indonesia in August 2022. After a shaky start marked by an initial bogey, Bhullar displayed resilience with birdies on the fifth, seventh, and tenth holes. Despite a promising start, his progress plateaued post the tenth hole, concluding the event tied at fifth place alongside Mito Pereira.
Meanwhile, Sandhu's game had its highs and lows, marked by three birdies countered with two bogeys. Lahiri, known for his consistent performances on the Asian Tour, gave a stellar performance. His impressive front nine, decorated with four birdies, was a testament to his skill and determination. However, the back nine presented challenges. A double bogey on the Par-3 11th, coupled with losses on the 13th and 16th holes, halted his ascent. His effort to recover with birdies on the 12th and 15th was commendable.
In conclusion, the inaugural St. Andrews Bay Championship not only presented an exciting spectacle but also showcased the burgeoning talent and potential of Indian golfers on the international stage. With performances like these, the future of Indian golf looks promising.
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(With inputs from PTI, powered by AI)
