Gandas takes home second title in two weeks
Manu Gandas
Manu Gandas registered a clinical seven-shot victory, his second in as many weeks to lift the IGU Southern India junior boys golf championship title at the KGA Course in Bengaluru on on Friday.
Manu fired a final round of one-under par 71 to finish the tournament with an impressive total of four-under par 288.
Tapendra Ghai was second on 291 while Viraj Madappa brought in the day’s best card of two-under 70 to finish third on 292.
Feroz Singh Garewal was fourth at 295 while Piyush Sangwan who also shot a 70, finished fifth at 296.
Arjun Prasad pushed overnight leader Karandeep Kochar to second place in Category B with a four-day total of 209.
Karandeep and Jaiveer Singh finished two shots behind the leader. Arjun Puri was fourth at 315 while Karthik Sharma was fifth at 318. Leading by five shots, Manu dropped a stroke on his opening hole. However, mixing caution with aggression, he parred the next five holes while also making a birdie on the fourth.
The seventh considered to be the toughest hole on the course continued to torment Manu as he made a double bogey as he took the turn at 2-over.
On the back nine, Manu had two birdies in the first three holes while avoiding mistakes on the rest of the holes.
With his nearest rivals falling apart, Manu had already sealed the issue by the 14th.
A birdie on the 17th was icing on the cake.
“I had worked hard and the results are paying off,” said the soft-spoken 16-year-old.
“Knowing that the course is unforgiving, I knew if I had maintained my calm, I would definitely win the title,” added the champion.
“I dedicate this victory to my parents who have supported me in all my ventures. I would like to bring laurels to India,” said Manu who finished as the top junior in the last season.
Leaderboard: 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).
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