JOIN USRohana reigns supreme
The 38-year-old, who has been in command since the opening round, wobbled a bit before the turn but steadied his nerves in authoritative style, firing a brilliant three-under 69 to sign off with a total of 12-under 276 at the Karnataka Golf Association.
Multiple Order of Merit winner Mukesh Kumar, whose putter remained frozen for the fourth day in succession, banked on his enormous experience to end runner-up, a distant six strokes behind, after managing a third straight 70, while City youngster Abhishek Jha blasted a 68 to finish a career-best third since turning pro last year.
“I am really happy,” said the shy Rohana after pocketing the winner’s cheque of Rs 6,46,000. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time and I am lost for words right now. At the start of the tournament, I had set a target of 12-under -- which I knew would help me clinch victory -- and I am really satisfied I was able to achieve it,” added Rohana, whose only pro triumph was at the Surya Nepal Masters in 2010.
Unlike his previous three rounds where his hitting worked like a dream, Rohana had to rely on his short game to carry him through as his iron play ran hot and cold. While he did produce some sparkling shots -- especially with his approaches -- he really had to grind it out on the testing course as he struggled to get the intended direction.
Starting the day with a handy lead of five shots, there were instances when it appeared as if the novelty of the occasion -- Rohana has headed into the final round as leader just twice -- could wear him down. After holing out birdies on the opening and the fifth holes, Rohana put himself under some pressure when he bogeyed the sixth and seventh.
But to his relief, closest challenger Mukesh bogeyed the seventh -- inexplicably two-putting from two feet -- and the eighth as he maintained a six-shot advantage. After missing two birdie chances by a whisker at the turn, Rohana two-putted from five feet to drop a stroke on the 10th. The mistake seemed to take a toll on him when he miscued his second shot on the par-5 11th that landed him on the greenside bunker. Completely unperturbed, the Lankan then uncorked a stunning chip to eagle the hole before blazing away with birdies on the 12th, 14th and 16th to script a memorable triumph.
Bangalore’s S Chikkarangappa took home the amateur crown after a second straight 69 helped him finish fourth overall at 286.
Leading scores (after 72 holes, ‘A denotes amateur): 276: Anura Rohana (68, 68, 71, 69); 282: Mukesh Kumar (72, 70, 70, 70); 284: Abhishek Jha (72, 71, 73, 68); 286: S Chikkarangappa (‘A’) (76, 72, 69, 69), Ajeetesh Sandhu (71, 72, 73, 70), Feroz Ali Mollah (77, 68, 71, 70); 287: Sanjay Kumar (70, 76, 71, 70), Ashok Kumar (74, 69, 72, 72); 288: Rashid Khan (75, 69, 72, 72), Raju Ali Mollah (70, 74, 71, 73), Pappan (73, 71, 70, 74); 289: Mithun Perera (76, 69, 72, 72), R Srinivas (71, 75, 69, 74).
Only amateurs: 286: S Chikkarangappa; 291: Khalin Joshi (72, 73, 71, 75); 294: CG Somaiah (76, 74, 67, 77).