Chiragh Kumar lifts BILT Open 2011 Traophy

Chiragh Kumar pulls off sensational come-from-behind victory; Leads Rolex Rankings

Vikrant Chopra & Anirban Lahiri finish joint second

Greater Noida, November 6, 2011: Chiragh Kumar pulled off a sensational come-from-behind victory at the BILT Open 2011 thanks to a final round of 67 at the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort on Saturday. The Delhi golfer ended up with a tournament total of 15 under 273. Delhi’s Vikrant Chopra and Anirban Lahiri of Bangalore were the joint runners-up at 14 under 274.

Chiragh Kumar (66-68-72-67), who trailed the overnight leader Anirban Lahiri by a massive eight shots after round three, shot a bogey-free 67 in round three to earn his third professional title. The 27-year-old was overnight fifth but gradually moved up the leaderboard thanks to some brilliant putting on the final day. The 2011 Indian Open runner-up birdied the seventh with a 30-feet putt and then landed his approach shot within four feet for birdie on the 10^th.

Chiragh’s putter put him on top during the back nine as Anirban Lahiri and Vikrant Chopra had a dramatic slide on the last six holes. Chiragh, currently 12^th on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, sank a 20-feet birdie putt on the 11^th and a 12-footer for birdie on the 15^th to move within one stroke of the joint leaders Lahiri and Chopra. Chiragh, playing in the penultimate group, converted a monstrous 50-feet birdie putt on the 17^th to become a major contender for the title even as he waited for the leaders in the final group to finish.

“I thought I had to shoot something around eight to ten under to come anywhere close on the final day. Nonetheless, I didn’t think of a score and concentrated on my game-plan. I didn’t realize I actually had a chance until I saw the leaderboard after the 15^th. The 50-feet putt on the 17^th did the job for me.

“I putted really well today and took all my chances. I’ve played some excellent golf this year but it’s great to finally have a win under my belt. This win comes as a big relief and has lifted my spirits ahead of some important events,” said Chiragh, who took home a cheque worth Rs. 1,616,500 to climb from seventh position to first place on the Aircel PGTI’s Rolex Rankings for 2011.

Anirban Lahiri (71-60-67-76), who set the record for the lowest to par score in a single round in India on day two, struggled with his game on the final day. Lahiri led by five strokes after round three to be the outright favourite but his putting let him down on day four as he made a lone birdie against three bogeys and a double bogey.

Vikrant Chopra (65-73-65-71) was looking like a strong contender for the title after he hit it extremely close for birdies on the first, third, fourth and 10^th and became the joint leader. He slipped thereafter as he had trouble getting out of the bunker on the 14^th where he made a triple bogey. He also bogeyed the 18^th and therefore could not take Chiragh to a playoff.

Gaurav Ghei and Shamim Khan fired scores of 67 in the fourth round to finish joint fourth at 13 under 275.

Jyoti Randhawa carded a 70 on Saturday to bag sixth place with an 11 under 277 total.