Yashas crowned the Delhi NCR Cup champion
Play
New Delhi - Yashas Chandra nerved himself and drained a 15 footer birdie putt on the 18th hole to avoid a play-off to emerge as the new champion of the 11th edition of the Delhi NCR Cup that concluded at the Delhi Golf Club on Friday.
Yashas who trailed the overnight leader and Bangalore-mate Jaibir Singh by a couples of shots, shot a two-over par 74 for an overall 7-over 295 and won by a stoke over Amir Khan, who had bridged the gap with an even par-72.
Aalaap IL finished third at 298 while overnight leader Jaibir had to share the fourth spot along with Tapendra Ghai and Shubham Narain at 299. Incidentally, Shubham won the Delhi State Championship which was held concurrently. 14-year-old Manav Bais brought in the best card of the day with a 1-under 71 and was placed seventh overall.
The team of veteran Simarjeet Singh and Jaibir Singh won the Team Championship while Gagan Verma and Jaiveer Atwal were the runners-up.
The tournament has attracted some of the best amateurs from India, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.
Jaibir, the overnight leader looked out of form as he lost four shots in a space of three holes before losing one more on the ninth to take the turn at 5-over. Yashas lost three strokes in four holes but salvaged the situation by making birdies on the seventh and the ninth.
Meanwhile, Amir Khan made two birdies against a lone bogey to enter the clubhouse with an even par 72. Yashas, having lost two shots on 14th and 16th, was now tied with Amir.
With intense pressure on his shoulders,the 21-year-old Yashas shot a birdie to avoid the play-off, which he did it in style to wear the crown. “I am very happy with the result although not with the game. It was a tough course as the greens were unpredictable,” said the champion while dedicating the victory to his parents.
Top scores (after 72 holes)
295 Yashas Chandra (76, 72, 73, 74)
296 Amir Khan (77, 75, 72, 72)
298 Aalaap I.L (73, 77, 71, 77)
299Tapendra Ghai (75, 77, 74, 73); Shubham Narain (75, 74, 73, 77); Jaibir Singh (74, 73, 72, 80)
300 Manav Bais (75, 79, 75, 71)
301 Shivnaren Srinivasan (78, 77, 73, 73)
302 Anant Ahlawat (75, 78, 76, 73)
303Rohan Dhole Patil (78, 75, 77, 73), Yuvraj Sandhu (75, 78, 75, 75)
