Jakarta, Dec 1 (IANS) Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar dominated the Indonesia Open after shooting a flawless three-under-par 68 to win his first Asian Tour title in 2013 by three shots here Sunday.
Bhullar opened with 10 straight pars but displayed a gutsy back-nine performance highlighted by three birdies to complete a wire-to-wire triumph at the $750,000 event.
Malaysia’s Nicholas Fung contended for the title before finishing tied second on 66 with Chapchai Nirat of Thailand, who shot two eagles Sunday, at the Pantai Indah Kapuk Course at Damai Indah Golf.
Siddikur Rahman of Bangladesh ended with a 67 in fourth on 272 while Jyoti Randhawa (69) of India was a further shot back. Thai Jazz Janewattananond, co-leader at the start of the day, returned with a disappointing 74 to finish tied sixth but the 18-year-old earned plaudits for his battling performance.
At the end of 18 holes, it was Bhullar who was the last man standing. He got off to a slow start but picked up pace when the field edged closer and threatened to overtake him.
A birdie on 11 was the turning point in his round which led to two more birdies on holes 13 and 14. His momentum came to halt when inclement weather suspended play for over an hour but he returned with four pars to clinch his fifth Asian Tour title.
“I gave myself a lot of opportunities in the first nine holes but I misjudged my yardages on a few holes. Apart from that, there was no difference in my strategy. Winning takes a lot of patience. I’m glad I stayed patient and showed a lot of confidence,” said Bhullar, who took home the winner’s prize of $135,000.
The victory was also a welcome return to form for the Indian, who struggled during the past six months and finished last at the World Cup of Golf in Australia last week.
“I haven’t had much success this season but I know my game was up there and winning is just a matter of time. I waited so long for my fifth win and this is my 10th consecutive event.”
Leaderboard:
268 – Gaganjeet BHULLAR (IND) 64-67-69-68.
271 – Nicholas FUNG (MAS) 66-67-72-66, Chapchai NIRAT (THA) 67-67-71-66.
272 – Siddikur RAHMAN (BAN) 71-65-69-67.
273 – Jyoti RANDHAWA (IND) 69-70-65-69.
274 – Antonio LASCUNA (PHI) 74-65-67-68, Anirban LAHIRI (IND) 71-68-67-68, Thaworn WIRATCHANT (THA) 70-64-69-71, Jazz JANEWATTANANOND (THA) 66-66-68-74.
275 – Prom MEESAWAT (THA) 67-66-71-71, Thongchai JAIDEE (THA) 67-67-68-73.
276 – Sutijet KOORATANAPISAN (THA) 70-71-71-64, Steve LEWTON (ENG) 71-68-71-66.
277 – Sam BRAZEL (AUS) 67-72-71-67, Daniel CHOPRA (SWE) 71-69-68-69, Rattanon WANNASRICHAN (THA) 72-68-67-70.
