Kapur pockets Panasonic Open

New Delhi, Shiv Kapur clinched his first Asian Tour title in India, bagging the Panasonic Open by three strokes, after bringing home a card of a 4-under 68 in the fourth and final round at the Delhi Golf Club.It is the second Asian Tour title of the season for Kapur, who fired five birdies against one bogey to stay three strokes clear of a pack of fellow Indians, including Ajeetesh Sandhu (65), Sudhir Sharma (69) and Chiragh Kumar (64). Kapur had won the Yeangder Heritage in April and finished second at the Thailand Open this season. He had won his first Asian Tour title in 2005 at the Volvo Masters of Asia.As many as seven golfers finished at the tied-2nd spot at a 14-under 274 as the top-10 was dominated by Indians. American Paul Peterson, who held a share of the lead after the third day, was the only exception as he also had a share of the tied-2nd place. The others to finish tied-2nd are Chandigarh golfer Karandeep Kochhar (66), SSP Chawrasia (69) and Om Prakash Chouhan (69).

Lost for words

“I am lost for words. You dream about winning but I never got so far in my career, so I never prepared a speech in my life,” said Kapur. “When I won the Volvo Masters it was a springboard for me and then there was a long gap and I didn’t know if I would be able to win but Yeangder win gave me the belief that I could win again. Winning here after all these years is really special. All the wins have their own place in my heart. Of course, I have been waiting for it for a long, long time. So it is a huge monkey off my back. I didn’t play my best golf but still shot 17-under, so I take a lot of positive,” added Kapur.First round leader Sandhu sizzled with eight birdies and a bogey on the fourth day. Sudhir produced a flawless round with three birdies, while Karandeep blasted four birdies and an eagle to sneak into the tied-2nd place. Chawrasia also signed off at 274 after scoring five birdies and two bogeys. Chiragh fired nine birdies and a bogey in his sensational 8-under 64, while Chouhan carded three birdies, including picking a stroke at the last hole, to break into the tied-2nd place.

Crowd favourite

Moments after Kapur drained his putt on the 18th hole, a loud cheer reverberated across the Delhi Golf Club as the Delhi golfer waved to the crowd. His colleagues and friends, including Chiragh and Rahil Gangjee, drenched him in soda and water to mark the celebration. Among others, Honey Baisoya (68) and Shamim Khan (72) signed off at the tied-9th spot with a total of 276. Three stroke behind was Gaganjeet Bhullar (67) at tied-12th, while Shubhankar Sharma (69) signed off tied-18th.