Jyoti Randhawa captures CG Open title with a resolute 64

Mumbai: Ace Indian golfer Jyoti Randhawa carded a resolute six under 64 in the final round to clinch the Crompton Greaves Open crown -- his second PGTI crown of the year -- at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club in Mumbai on Saturday.

Gurgaon-based Randhawa finished with a total of 18 under 262 at the Rs one crore season-ending event of the PGTI. Rahil Gangjee of Kolkata secured the runner-up trophy, as he returned a five under 65 in the final round to finish four strokes behind the winner. As the 2011 Aircel PGTI season came to an end on Saturday, Chiragh Kumar of Delhi, who finished tied ninth with a total of six under 274, ended the year as the number one on the Rolex Rankings with total earnings of Rs 3,706,821 to seal the Rolex Player of the Year Award for 2011. Randhawa (67-65-66-64) ended the year on a high with a memorable win at the same venue, where he won his first ever professional title 15 years back. He was off to a splendid start in round four as he birdied the first and third holes. The former Asia number one had birdies on the 10th, 12th and 14th courtesy some great hitting. His tee shot on the 10th landed three feet from the pin and he followed that up with a spectacular eight-iron approach shot on the 14th that ended up four feet from the hole. Randhawa collected his last birdie of the day on par-5 18th, where he found the green in two shots. He thus emerged victorious with a handsome four-stroke margin. "It feels great to be back in form and swinging well. There were no flaws in my round today. My ball-striking was good and I was putting well. I`m very proud of this performance as I was committed and focused throughout the week," he said. "I started off well today and kept the intensity going till the end. I have very fond memories of this course since I won my first professional event here. It`s fantastic to win again at BPGC after so many years," said Randhawa. Gangjee (67-66-68-65) posted a 65 in round four to end at second place at 14 under 266. Gangjee`s round featured two eagles, two birdies and a bogey. His eagles came on fourth and 18th, where he sank putts from 35 and 40 feet respectively. "I putted really well today. It`s nice to do well in my first event in India after a long gap. It`s been an intense year for me on the Nationwide Tour in the United States and I have learnt a lot from the experience," he said. Vikrant Chopra of Delhi shot a 70 in the final round to finish third at 12 under 268. Shamim Khan was a further two strokes back in fourth place. Gaganjeet Bhullar, Md Zamal Hossain Mollah and Rashid Khan shared fifth place at nine under 271. Twenty-one-year-old Rashid Khan of Delhi won the Aircel Emerging Player of the Year title, after finishing with the highest prize money in the year (Rs 2,713,800) amongst all those golfers, who were playing their debut season as professionals. Sri Lankan Mithun Perera came in second on the Emerging Player of the Year with earnings of Rs 2,401,799. Rolex Player of the Year Chiragh Kumar ended the year with a win and nine other top-10s in the 2011 PGTI season. "It`s a great feeling to win the Rolex Ranking title. I couldn`t have asked for a better season. The second half of the year was unbelievable, as I won the BILT Open and was second at the Indian Open," he said. Randhawa`s win at the CG Open 2011 helped him finish second on the Rolex Rankings 2011, with earnings of Rs 3,360,817. He posted two wins and four other top-10s in the 2011 PGTI season. Mukesh Kumar claimed the third place on the rankings list with earnings of Rs 2,842,592. PTI