Delhi, India: SSP Chowrasia clinched his third Asian Tour title at the Panasonic Open India after the former European Tour player defeated Rahil Gangjee and Mithun Perera on the first extra hole.
The popular Indian coolly rolled in a 15-foot birdie putt in extra time to cap a sensational comeback at Delhi Golf Club, where he was five shots off the lead at the start of the final day of the US$300,000 Asian Tour event.
With his trademark short game in full flow, Chowrasia returned with the day’s low score of six-under-par 66, highlighted by eight birdies, to finish on 12-under-par 276.
“I worked very hard for this win because I wanted to boost my confidence. It is three years since I last won and I will take a lot of positives from the win,” said the 36-year-old Chowrasia, who won the 2008 Indian Masters at the same venue for his first Asian Tour title.
“I’ve lost in two play-offs before, but it never crossed my mind. I was focused on making the birdie putt in the play-off. I always had the belief that I could win on the Asian Tour again and I did.”
After turning in 35, Chowrasia fired five birdies including three in a row from the 15th hole, another turning point in a thrilling final round during which the lead changed hands on numerous occasions.
“At the start of the day, I was thinking that if I could shoot a four or five-under, I would have a chance to win,” explained Chowrasia, whose win in the co-sanctioned Avantha Masters in 2011 earned him a European Tour card.
Gangjee battled tooth-and-nail after a poor front nine 37, but was in contention again following an eagle on 14. After dropping a shot on 16, the Indian held his cool to birdie the last for a 71 to join the play-off, but rued the missed opportunity to win his second Asian Tour title after leading for three days.
“I knew the momentum would swing through the final day and I told myself to play normally and not to worry too much about the leaderboard,” Gangjee said. “I missed out on a couple of chances towards the end and that just took the game away from me. It was a tough contest in the end with lot of contenders, but SSP played the best golf.”
Playing in his first play-off on the Asian Tour, Perera missed out on the chance to become the first Sri Lankan champion on the Asian Tour after narrowly missing a 10-foot birdie putt in extra time. He ended the day with a 70.
“Everybody had a chance to win today,” said the bubbly 27-year-old. “I did good, but Chowrasia played better than all of us. I’m happy with my finish. I’m so excited to be in the play-off. Now I believe I can do something on the Asian Tour. I will try and get one trophy this year.”