Chikkarangappa S wins players championship by 2 shots

Chikkarangappa S carded a brilliant 7-under 65 in the final round to emerge victorious by two shots at the PGTI Players Championship.

The 27-year-old, who began the day in third place, three shots off the lead, put up a determined performance on the last day to end up with a tournament total of 20-under 268, two shots ahead of the rest at the Rs. 50 lakh event.

Chikkarangappa made nine birdies and a double-bogey to show on his card as he wrapped up his 15th career title and 14th win on the PGTI.

Veer Ahlawat, the leader for the last two days, was unable to hold on to his overnight two-shot lead as he fired a 70 to finish runner-up at 18-under 270 on a day that witnessed a constant light drizzle.

Yuvraj Singh Sandhu had the best result among the Tricity golfers. The talented Chandigarh lad shot a 67 on Saturday to take third place at 16-under 272.

Chikka’s final round 65 was the day’s joint best score as Panchkula’s Angad Cheema and Chandigarh’s Ravi Kumar too shot the same number. Cheema took tied 12th at 10-under 278 while Ravi ended tied 21st at five-under 283.

Veer Ahlawat, who grabbed the runner-up spot, made three birdies and a bogey during his 70 on Saturday. Ahlawat earned a cheque worth Rs. 5,58,250 to move up from eighth to fifth position on the PGTI’s money list.

Noida’s Amardeep Malik closed the week in fourth place at 15-under 273 to record a second consecutive top-5. He made an eagle, two birdies and three bogeys.

Chandigarh golfer Ranjit Singh (68) took fifth place at 14-under 274.

Karandeep Kochhar of Chandigarh finished tied sixth at 13-under 275 and maintained his lead in the PGTI Order of Merit with the season’s earnings of Rs. 44,48,380.