|
 |
| Gaganjeet Bhullar kisses the winner's trophy after his victory in the Macau Open 2012 yesterday |
Gaganjeet Bhullar survived an early back nine slump to bring home a solid three-under 68 on the final day and clinch the Venetian Macau Open title, his second title in less than amonth, here today. Bhullar finished in style with a birdie to sign off with a four-day total of 16-under 268, two shots clear of American Jonathan Moore, who had five birdies in his last five holes.
Making it sweeter for India was Shiv Kapur, who carded a four-under 67 to total 10-under and finish sole fifth. Himmat Rai (70) was 38th at oneunder 283 and Ajeetesh Sandhu (73) was one-over 285 in 47th place. Moore (65) finished second, while Thitiphun Chuayprakong (70) of Thailand and Siddikur (66) of Bangladesh were tied third and Kapur (67) was fifth.
This is Bhullar's fourth Asian Tour title following wins in 2009 Indonesia President Invitational, the 2010 Asian Tour International, Thailand and the 2012 Yeangder Tournament Players' Championship, Chinese Taipei.
He has also won once on European Challenge Tour, the 2011 Gujarat Kensville Challenge. Bhullar opened the week with a stunning 63 and proceeded to dominate the field with subsequent rounds of 68, 69 and 68 on the next three days. In four days, he had just seven bogeys against 26 birdies.
The 24-year-old, Bhullar, who won the Yeangder TPC Championships last month, has been having an outstanding year with two wins, two second places, one third place and three other top-10 finishes in a total of 15 starts. It will also put him in the race for the Asian Tour Order of Merit title with some big-ticket events to come in the next two months.
Bhullar had four birdies in his first seven holes and seemed to be cruising to another superb win, when he found bogeys 10th and 13th. But he pulled himself back from that with steady par, a missed birdie putt and finally a solid birdie on 18th to close with a 68.
Bhullar was in a zone as he birdied second, third, fifth and seventh to race through the front nine in a stunning 31, which suggested he was running away with the title. The two bogeys early on back nine halted his cruise, but the young Indian talent gathered himself admirably again and closed the deal. “I thought I was going to play relaxed in the last few holes.
But Jonathan played really well. He holed a long putt on 17 ... I saw that. I had a good tee shot, missed on the left but the first putt, I hit it over the hole. Trust me, it wasn't an easy putt (coming back). I had to visualize the ball going into the hole a few times and that's what I did,” Bhullar said.
“I think the putt on 17 was the putt of the tournament. The whole week, I just struck the ball really well. Mentally, I was focused and I was in the zone. I knew I would win it easily,” said Bhullar.
This is Bhullar's fourth Asian Tour title, following wins in 2009 Indonesia President Invitational, the 2010 Asian Tour International, Thailand and the 2012 Yeangder Tournament Players' Championship, Chinese Taipei.
Bhullar, who won the Yeangder Tournament Player Championships last month, has been in redhot form with two wins, two second places, one third place and three other top-10 finishes in a total of 15 starts. It will also put him in the race for the Asian Tour Order of Merit title with some big-ticket events to come in the next two months.
► Mentally, I was focused and I was in the zone. I knew I would win it easily
- Gaganjeet bhullar after winning the Macau open
|
03:37:55 PM