New Delhi, Dec 13: Ajeetesh Sandhu from Chandigarh clinched the inaugural Vishwa Samudra Open title with a remarkable five-shot victory, finishing off with a solid one-under 71 in the final round on Friday. Sandhu’s aggregate score of 12-under 276 (69-67-69-71) earned him a lucrative prize of Rs 30 lakh. This win marks Sandhu’s first in five years and his seventh professional title, along with being his debut victory at the prestigious Delhi Golf Club (DGC).
“Winning at DGC, one of the most esteemed golf courses in the country with such a rich history, means a lot to me. I’ve watched many of India’s golfing legends triumph here, and I aspired to join them,” Sandhu stated. “It’s been a challenging year on the international circuit. During tough times, I truly value the support from those closest to me. My family’s encouragement has been invaluable.”
Following Sandhu was Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain, who finished second with a score of seven-under 281 after carding a final round of 74. His runner-up finish netted him Rs 20 lakh and significantly improved his ranking in the TATA Steel PGTI standings, moving from 17th to 6th place.
Overnight leader Sandhu effectively managed challenging conditions, including strong winds and difficult pin placements. He completed the day by finding most of the fairways and greens. The 36-year-old, who has previously come close to winning at DGC, secured his victory with a single birdie on the 14th hole, followed by pars on all other holes.
His wife, professional golfer Tvesa Malik, was present to support him as he made critical par saves on the ninth and 13th holes, which helped him maintain his strong position. “I wasn’t expecting such windy conditions today, which altered my game plan. My focus was on executing properly and keeping my ball in play,” Sandhu explained. “Once you’re leading at DGC, it’s crucial to stay grounded and maintain your focus. I was fortunate with the weather as I didn’t have to exert myself too much while the others chased me.”
Despite the challenging pin placements limiting birdie opportunities, Sandhu felt good after hitting some quality shots in the wind and knew that if he could make par on the 13th from a tough spot, it would lead to better chances. That moment indeed led to his crucial birdie on the 14th.
Yuvraj Sandhu of Chandigarh secured third place with a five-under 283 after shooting a final round of 70. Rashid Khan and M Dharma tied for fourth at four-under 284, while SSP Chawrasia came sixth with a one-under 287. Local talent Sachin Baisoya shot the best score of the day with a 67, finishing tied seventh at even-par 288, alongside Yashas Chandra.
New Delhi, Dec 13: Ajeetesh Sandhu from Chandigarh clinched the inaugural Vishwa Samudra Open title with a remarkable five-shot victory, finishing off with a solid one-under 71 in the final round on Friday. Sandhu’s aggregate score of 12-under 276 (69-67-69-71) earned him a lucrative prize of Rs 30 lakh. This win marks Sandhu’s first in five years and his seventh professional title, along with being his debut victory at the prestigious Delhi Golf Club (DGC).
“Winning at DGC, one of the most esteemed golf courses in the country with such a rich history, means a lot to me. I’ve watched many of India’s golfing legends triumph here, and I aspired to join them,” Sandhu stated. “It’s been a challenging year on the international circuit. During tough times, I truly value the support from those closest to me. My family’s encouragement has been invaluable.”
Following Sandhu was Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain, who finished second with a score of seven-under 281 after carding a final round of 74. His runner-up finish netted him Rs 20 lakh and significantly improved his ranking in the TATA Steel PGTI standings, moving from 17th to 6th place.
Overnight leader Sandhu effectively managed challenging conditions, including strong winds and difficult pin placements. He completed the day by finding most of the fairways and greens. The 36-year-old, who has previously come close to winning at DGC, secured his victory with a single birdie on the 14th hole, followed by pars on all other holes.
His wife, professional golfer Tvesa Malik, was present to support him as he made critical par saves on the ninth and 13th holes, which helped him maintain his strong position. “I wasn’t expecting such windy conditions today, which altered my game plan. My focus was on executing properly and keeping my ball in play,” Sandhu explained. “Once you’re leading at DGC, it’s crucial to stay grounded and maintain your focus. I was fortunate with the weather as I didn’t have to exert myself too much while the others chased me.”
Despite the challenging pin placements limiting birdie opportunities, Sandhu felt good after hitting some quality shots in the wind and knew that if he could make par on the 13th from a tough spot, it would lead to better chances. That moment indeed led to his crucial birdie on the 14th.
Yuvraj Sandhu of Chandigarh secured third place with a five-under 283 after shooting a final round of 70. Rashid Khan and M Dharma tied for fourth at four-under 284, while SSP Chawrasia came sixth with a one-under 287. Local talent Sachin Baisoya shot the best score of the day with a 67, finishing tied seventh at even-par 288, alongside Yashas Chandra.
