Mukesh pips Uttam to win Hero Golf Chandigarh Open

Chandigarh , Apr 21 (UNI) Despite returning a modest one over 73 card, Mukesh Kumar pipped Uttam Singh Mundy by a stroke to clinch the Rs 12 lakh Prize Money Hero Golf Chandigarh Open at the Chandigarh Golf Club here today.

In a closely faught contest, Mukesh logged an overall total of 12-under 276 to overcome stiff challenge from Uttam Singh Mundy of Kolkata.

Mukesh walked away with a winner's cheque of Rs 1,89,840 and increased his lead on the Aamby Valley PGAI Tour Order of Merit.

Uttam finished with an overall 11-under 277 for the runner's-up pay of Rs 1,30,440.

An erratic Vijay Kumar paid dearly for missing at least six make-able birdies to finish third at 279. Arjun Singh shot the day's best of 5-under 67 to tie with Feroz for the fourth spot.

Vinod Kumar's challenge terminated half-way through as he went five-over to finish sixth at 282. Ashok Kumar, Shamim Khan and Digvijay Singh were tied for the seventh place at 284. Defending champion Harinder Gupta made a valiant attempt with a final burst of four-under 68, but it was too late in the tournament, tying for the 10 th spot at 285.

On the final day, Mukesh played safe with pars till he lost a stroke on the fifth. Meanwhile, Uttam Singh was on fire making three birdies in a row from the fifth to tie with Mukesh at 12-under.

Just at the turn, Mukesh hit a superb second shot and made a birdie to hold a solitary stroke advantage. The competition heated up as both playing attacking golf bogeyed the 10 th. It was on the par-5 13th that Uttam saved a stroke as Mukesh failed to nail a 5-footer birdie putt. With scores tied, Uttam having hit the green on the par-3 14th, three-putted for a bogey. This was the turning point as Mukesh held on to that one-stroke advantage, even as the Kolkatan missed birdies narrowly on the next three holes.

Coming on to the final hole, Mukesh drove on to the centre fairway while Mundy could not control and was in the trees on the left. A stunning second shot from Mukesh ensured a par at least.

Mundy going for the pin from the hard surface, landed just over the green and left his putt short and ended up with a par. And so did Mukesh but he had the title in his pocket.

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