NEW DELHI, Feb 10: India’s Shivshankar Chowrasia shot a brilliant five-under-par final-round 67 to claim an upset two-shot win in the Indian Masters tournament on Sunday.
The 29-year-old former caddie carded a nine under-par 279 on the demanding par-72 course, ahead of second-placed Irishman Damien McGrane.
McGrane shot 70 after briefly sharing the lead with the Indian on the front nine before aggregating seven-under for the tournament, co-sanctioned by the European and Asian tours.
Spain’s Jose Manuel Lara came third after his par-72 final round earned him a five-under 283. French overnight leader Raphael Jacquelin tied fourth after a two-over 74 with India’s Digvijay Singh, a further shot behind.
South African world number four Ernie Els shot 71 and was tied sixth at three-under-par 285 with Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, India’s Gaurav Ghei, Maarten Lafeber of Netherlands and Britain’s Ross McGowan.
Chowrasia was the only player to achieve sub-par rounds on all four days in the biggest golf event in India and the win earned him a three-year exemption on the European Tour.
Chowrasia, who started two shots off Jacquelin tied at fifth overnight, carded four birdies in his front nine to go two strokes clear.
McGrane, tied second overnight at five-under 211, came into the joint lead after six holes only for Chowrasia to take a decisive advantage after a stunning 25-foot putt for a birdie two on the seventh hole.—Reuters
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