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  Shankar posts 65 for third win in Digboi

Shankar posts 65 for third win in Digboi

AGE CORRESPONDENT
Published : Nov 22, 2015, 9:59 pm IST
Updated : Nov 22, 2015, 9:59 pm IST

Kolkata’s Shankar Das bagged his third IndianOil Servo Masters crown with a spectacular seven-under 65 in the final round at the Digboi Golf Links on Saturday.

Kolkata’s Shankar Das bagged his third IndianOil Servo Masters crown with a spectacular seven-under 65 in the final round at the Digboi Golf Links on Saturday.

Das’ tournament tally read an impressive 20-under 268 as he was two shots clear of the field at the Rs 30 lakh event.

Mukesh Kumar of Mhow, a six-time winner in Digboi, claimed the runner-up position at 18-under-270 after his final round of 66.

Shankar (66-71-66-65), who started the day in the joint lead, had a slow start as he three-putted for bogey on the first. He then played the third and fourth to perfection to pick up two strokes and make up for the early setback.

Shankar, the 2010 and 2011 IndianOil Servo Masters champion, almost drove the green on the par-4 third before hitting his tee shot within a couple of feet for a tap-in on the next hole.

He established himself as the clear leader with birdies on the seventh and ninth. The 31-year-old reigning Rolex Ranking champion chipped it to within two feet on both occasions. Shankar began to pull away after gaining a stroke on the 11th where once again he landed his wedge with great precision within a few inches of the cup. The turning point for Shankar was the par-4 14th where he made an eagle for the second straight day after driving the green.

He finally sealed the affair with his final birdie on the 16th after setting up yet another tap-in.

His 65 was the day’s best round for the second straight day.

Shankar, who took home his sixth title and a cheque worth Rs 4,50,000, said, “I’m delighted to have produced my best effort of the week when it mattered the most. It was good to come back after the initial bogey. This course has become one of my happy hunting grounds over the years.

“It’s my first title this season and this gives me the much-needed momentum for the last three events of the year.

“I rate this win very high among all my wins since I managed to keep Mukesh (Kumar) at bay at one of his favourite venues. My kids kept calling me from home and reminding me that I need to win this one for them. So this win is special for that reason as well.

“I’ve learnt not to put pressure on myself by thinking too much about the result. Instead, I focus more on the process. That worked for me today,” he added.

Mukesh (66-68-70-66), overnight third, kept in touch with the lead with three birdies and a lone bogey on the front-nine. His strong iron-play earned him four more birdies on the back-nine. The 50-year-old veteran shot a clinical 66 on the final day but still fell short by two strokes.

Mukesh said, “I played really well today. I kept hitting it close but the early bogey on the second made a huge difference. I was unlucky to hit the tree with my tee shot on the second fairway as my ball got deflected to the right. That was the only error of the day. Shankar deserved the win as he outplayed everyone else.”

Gaurav Pratap Singh (65-71-67) of Noida, the overnight joint leader, carded a 69 on day four to finish third at 16-under-272.

Vinod Kumar of Delhi, who mounted an early challenge with four birdies on the front-nine, ended up with a 69, to claim fourth place at 13-under 275.

Bengaluru’s M. Dharma was a further two shots back in fifth place.