JOIN USDominant Gandas clinches crown
Manu Gandas romped home to his second title in as many weeks, annexing the Southern India Juniors Golf Championship here on Friday.
Having already strengthened his victory chances after opening up a convincing five-shot lead at the end of the third round, Gandas showed no room for complacency, carding a fine one-under 71 to complete the job in style at the Karnataka Golf Association.
Gandas, who scored a fine come-from-behind triumph past week at the Eagleton Golf Resort, signed off with a total of 284 to emerge victorious by a commanding seven shots. Round one leader Tapendra Ghai shot 73 to finish second while Viraj Madappa reserved his best for the last, carding 70 to end third at 292.
Arjun Prasad took home the Category B title, hitting 74 for a total of 309.
Jaiveer Singh (76) and Karandeep Kochar (80) finished tied second, a further two shots behind.
Gandas did not enjoy an ideal start to his final round after dropping a shot rightaway on the par-4 first hole. He, however, settled down well, negating the disadvantage with a birdie on the fourth. He bogeyed the seventh but three birdies on the back nine -- 10th, 12th, 17th -- helped him sign off on a fine note.
Leading scores (after 72 holes): Category A: 284: Manu Gandas (73, 68, 72, 71); 291: Tapendra Ghai (72, 70, 76, 73); 292: Viraj Madappa (73, 75, 74, 70); 295: Feroz Singh Garewal (75, 71, 73, 76); 296: Piyush Sangwan (74, 79, 73, 70); 302: Tutul Ali (79, 77, 76, 70); 304: Jairaj Singh Sandhu (75, 74, 78, 77).
Category B: 309: Arjun Prasad (78, 74, 83, 74); 311: Jaiveer Singh (77, 79, 79, 76), Karandeep Kochar (81, 78, 72, 80); 315: Arjun Puri (80, 79, 79, 77); 318: Kartik Sharma (83, 79, 79, 77); 319: Saptak Talwar (85, 80, 77, 77); 320: Tanvir Khalon (82, 79, 82, 77).