Priyanshu Singh register maiden win at Jaipur Open

In what turned out to be a shootout between two promising rookies and emerging names of Indian golf, Gurugram-based Priyanshu Singh defeated Delhi's Kshitij Naveed Kaul in a play-off at the PGTI's Jaipur Open to register his maiden win.

Twenty-three-year-old Priyanshu, the 2019 PGTI Qualifying School champion, and 18-year-old Kshitij, a winner on the PGTI this season, went into the play-off after both ended the regulation 72 holes with matching totals of 19-under-261 at the Rambagh Golf Club.

While Priyanshu shot a determined five-under-65 on day four, Kshitij produced the best round of the tournament, a spectacular 10-under-60. Priyanshu finally prevailed on the first play-off hole.

The Bengaluru duo of M. Dharma (68) and Syed Saqib Ahmed (69) finished joint third at 18-under-262 at the Rs30 lakh event.

Priyanshu Singh (65-68-63-65), lying overnight third and three off the lead, was slow off the blocks on Friday as he managed just a birdie and a bogey on the front-nine. It was the birdies on the 11th and 12th that really got him going especially the 30-feet conversion on the latter.

Earlier in the day Kshitij Naveed Kaul (68-69-64-60), lying overnight tied 18th and eight off the lead, posted an unbelievable 60 to storm into the clubhouse lead and set the bar at 19-under. Kaul's flawless round featured eight birdies and an eagle.

Delhi's Rashid Khan, who continues to enjoy a comprehensive lead in the PGTI Order of Merit with season's earnings of Rs44,46,903, secured 10th place at 14-under-266. He shot a final round of 64.

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( With inputs from IANS )