Resilient Chikka reigns supreme

Golf India Masters : 22-year-old wards off stiff challenge from teen Shubhankar to bag the crown

 S Chikkarangappa quelled a stirring fightback from teenager Shubhankar Sharma to protect his amazing home run in thrilling fashion at the TAKE Solutions India Masters here on Saturday.

Since his junior days around a decade ago, the 22-year-old Chikkarangappa has lost just twice at his second home -- the Eagleton Golf Resort. And that reign appeared under serious jeopardy when a spirited Shubhankar smashed four successive birdies towards the finish to push the rivetting contest into a play-off as both players signed off regulation play at 25-under 263.

Backed by a strong crowd that lapped up every bit of the intense action, Chikkarangappa appeared hardly flustered though, hitting a superb approach shot on the first play-off hole to land the ball within four feet of the cup. Shubhankar could only manage to hit it to within eight feet and managed to only par it.

Taking his time, Chikkarangappa then calmly sunk in the title-clinching birdie putt to let out a loud roar before being mobbed and sprayed with cola by his friends and staff of Eagleton. Terming the victory as one of the most important in his life, Chikkarangappa then went on to embrace his mother with both shedding tears of joy.

“Eagleton is my second home and I feel gutted to lose here,” said Chikkarangappa after pocketing USD 21,000 for successfully defending his title. “I really wanted this win. I was struggling prior to this event due a nagging back injury. This victory gives me the confidence to tackle the remaining part of the season which is very crucial.”

Shubhankar, who like his fellow overnight leader Chikkarangappa shot a matching six-under 66, announced his intentions at the very beginning with a fine birdie on the opening hole. Chikkarangappa went one shot clear on the very next hole after he birdied and Shubhankar bogeyed. Chikkarangappa dropped a shot on the fourth but regained his lead with a birdie on the fifth from where began to slowly break free.

Striking the ball brilliantly and reading the greens easily, Chikkarangappa picked up shots on the sixth, seventh and 10th holes to stay two clear of Shubhankar who just couldn’t find his ‘A’ game on the front nine.

Chikkarangappa then appeared to have sealed the title when he drained an eight-footer birdie on the 13th to extend his lead to a commanding three shots. Left with no choice but to go all out, Shubhankar then sprang to life in stunning fashion to turn the contest on its head.

Holing some incredible putts under pressure, including a superb 10-foot downhill birdie putt on the closing 18th, Shubhankar clawed his way out of nowhere. But his superb rally was countered brilliantly by a determined Chikkarangappa.

Leading scores (after 72 holes, Indians unless mentioned): 263: S Chikkarangappa (65, 66, 66, 66), Shubhankar Sharma (65, 64, 68, 66). Chikkarangappa wins on first play-off hole. 269: Abhijit Chadha (70, 69, 68, 62); 270: Greg Moss (US, 62, 70, 71, 67), Rashid Khan (65, 70, 68, 67); 271: Himmat Rai (64, 67, 69, 71); 272: Anura Rohana (SL, 66, 67, 69, 71), Oskar Arvidsson (Swe, 69, 69, 67, 67); 273: Masaru Takahashi (Jpn, 65, 71, 70, 67), Mukesh Kumar (70, 70, 65, 68), Anil Bajrang Mane (68, 68, 69, 68), Om Prakash Chouhan (68, 69, 73, 63).