Shamim Khan wins SRF Professional Golf Matchplay

New Delhi: Shamim Khan outclassed Vinod Kumar 3 & 1 in the final to win the SRF All India Professional Golf Matchplay Championship title at the Delhi Golf Club here on Sunday.

Shamim’s third PGTI crown ended his 16 month title-drought and also catapulted him from 18th place to second position on the Rolex Rankings for 2010 (Order of Merit) as he took home the winner’s cheque of Rs 6,50,000. Ashok Kumar defeated Randhir Singh Ghotra 2 & 1 to win the playoff for third place. Shamim Khan recorded his fifth professional win of his career after an absorbing encounter against Vinod Kumar, whom he had earlier beaten in the final of the 2006 SRF Matchplay Championship. Vinod seized the initiative in the morning as he was three ahead after 11 holes on the first 18. Shamim then rallied to win the 12th, 13th, 14th and 16th to go one ahead. However, Vinod came back strongly by winning the 17th and 18th to be one up after the first 18.It was a see-saw battle in the first half of the second 18 holes as the lead changed hands a few times with Shamim winning the third, sixth, seventh and 11th and Vinod bagging the fourth, eighth and 10th. It was all square after the 11th on the second 18. Shamim, who by now was in good driving and putting form, almost sealed it with wins on the 14th and 16th holes. He halved the 17th to finally win 3 & 1. PTI