By IANS,
Kolkata : Local hero Rahil Gangjee posted a memorable five stroke win at the PGTI Players Championship golf tournament at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) here Saturday.
Gangjee’s tournament total of nine under 234 helped him record his first professional victory since the Asian Tour’s Volkswagen Masters in China 2004. The win was all the more special for Gangjee as it came on his home course, the RCGC. His final round of four under 65 also happened to be the best score of the day.
Secunderabad’s Anirban Lahiri and 2006-07 PGTI Order of Merit winner Ashok Kumar finished joint second with an overall score of four under 239. Another local boy Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia and Delhi-based Himmat Singh Rai were a further stroke behind in tied fourth place. The par for the course in round four was 69.
Gangjee won his first PGTI title after posting scores of 34, 69, 66 and 65 through the week. In the final round, the 29-year-old was in total control of the situation from the very outset. He began well by sinking a long putt for birdie on the par three second hole.
Things got even better as Gangjee holed a 25 feet putt to save par on the fourth after having played an ordinary chip shot. He then dropped a bogey on the seventh but soon recovered with a birdie on the very next hole. On the back nine, Gangjee kept the momentum going with seven pars and birdies on the 13th and 14th.
“It feels amazing to win at home. I hit the ball really well today and my putting was exceptional. There were no three-putts today and none of my putts fell short. I think the turning point for me today was the good par save on the fourth where I made a long putt. I was really pumped up from then on. I also had a couple of very good tee shots on the 13th and 14th which made a huge difference in the end. This moment is all the more special because I have won a professional title after a long time,” said Gangjee.
He attributed his success to coach Ajai Gupta and physical trainer Anwar Wahhab.
“Ajai gave me some valuable tips for my swing that helped me a great deal this week. Anwar has helped me with my fitness. I have been working hard in the gym of late. Now I will head to my next Asian Tour event in Thailand with a lot of confidence,” he said.