Mukesh lifts Tamil Nadu Open

Chennai: Defending champion Mukesh Kumar lifted his third PGTI title of the year despite turning a

disappointing one-over 71 in the final round of the Tamil Nadu Open golf tournament here on Saturday. The overnight leader rode on the seven-stroke cushion he had created until yesterday to aggregate a 13-under 267 and clinch the title by a couple of strokes. He pocketed Rs 3,23,300 for his effort. "It`s great to win my third event of the year. I`m glad that I came through despite struggling with my putting today. When Vijay and I were on level terms after the 14th, I knew anything could happen since Vijay was putting really well," Mukesh said after winning the event. This was also Mukesh`s seventh title on the PGTI after his four wins last season. He now has the record for the maximum number of wins on the tour. Lucknow`s Vijay Kumar gave a torrid time to Mukesh but had to settle for the second spot after a four-under 66 left him with a tallied 11-under 269. He earned Rs 2,23,300 for his exploits. Meanwhile, the Delhi duo of Shamim Khan and Digvijay Singh were placed joint third with totals of 272. Bureau Report