Lahiri triumphs at BILT Open

The Bangalore-based Lahiri carded a one-under 71 in the final round to take home the winner’s cheque of Rs 16,16,500 at the Rs 1 crore event played at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort.

The 22-year-old ended the tournament with a total of 20-under 268, breaking Jyoti Randhawa’s course record of 19-under 269 set last year. Naman Dawar tallied 13-under 275 finish runner-up. Lahiri’s (66, 65, 66, 71) second professional win helped him overtake Gaganjeet Bhullar as the leader on the Order of Merit for 2009 with earnings of Rs 34,79,720.

The 45 professionals who had not completed round three due to suspension of play on Saturday evening finished their respective rounds by 10.15 am, and the final round began at 10.45 am.

Lahiri, who had three birdies and a bogey on his remaining nine holes from round three, led the field at 19-under 197 after a third round 66.

“I’m really thrilled with my performance this week,” he said. “I would have ideally liked a better score in the final round, but I’m glad I stayed focused through the week.”

Delhi’s Dawar (72, 65, 68, 70) finished a creditable second at 13-under 275 to move up from 30th to seventh on the Order of Merit.

Himmat Singh Rai and Digvijay Singh finished tied third at 11-under 277.