Rashid wins at Sunfeast Western India Open golf

Mumbai, Dec 21 (UNI) Rashid Khan shot a final round of seven-over par 77 to walk away as champion of the Sunfeast Western India Junior and Sub-Junior golf championship that concluded at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club here today.

Rashid who was 14-under par for three days and was looking to break the all time high of 19-under at the BPGC, ended up with seven-under par 273. Chikkarangappa who not only emerged as the champion in the 'B' category but also was placed third overall(A&B combined).

The results of the second place were withheld by the IGU. Khalin Joshi (Category A) and Ashbeer Saini (Category B) were joint fourth at 295. Wasim Khan and Vicky Sharma shared the sixth spot at 297 while Rommel Majumdar was sole seventh at 298.

The 16-year-old Delhi lad Rashid who held a 13-stroke advantage over the rest of the field began with a solid birdie on the par-5 opening hole. But he found the going tough as game progressed as he made three bogeys on the fifth, eighth and ninth even as a motley holiday crowd was following the leader. On the back nine, he over-shot the par-4 11 th and made a double bogey.

A little later, he lost one more stroke on the 14th, missing a five-footer par putt.

Rahsid who had put up a brilliant display in the first three rounds was far from his best. A birdie on the 12th came as a solace but did not last long as on the par-3 17th he three-putted for a bogey. However he was docked two strokes for moving the flag stick which was about to obstruct his playing partner Chikkarangappa's putt while the ball was in motion. Hence he ended up with a treble for a disastrous final round of 77.

''I did it in good intention but rules are rules. I have to abide by them,'' said a dejected Rashid. It was a mixed feeling for the youngster who is on a roll.

''Although I did not like the way I finished, I am happy for back to back wins at the Nick Faldo Series and here at Sunfeast Western India,'' said the champion.

Leading scores (after 72 holes) Category A: 273 Rashid Khan (64, 65, 67, 77); 287 Rahul Bakshi (74,74, 67, 72); 295 Khalin Joshi (76, 76, 69, 74); 297 Vicky Sharma (69, 74, 78, 76), Wasim Khan (75, 74, 73, 75); 298 Rommel Majumdar (72, 76, 77, 73); 299 Angad Cheema (73, 82, 70, 74); 301 Abhijit S Chadha (74, 74, 77, 76); 303 Kanishk Madan (78, 77, 73, 75); 304 Udhayan Mane (76, 80, 77, 71); 307 Kapil Kumar (75, 73, 84, 75) Category B: 286 Chikkarangappa (72, 69, 72, 73); 295 Ashbeer Saini(74, 74, 76, 71); 313 Hemendra Choudhary (77, 76, 75, 85); 318 Trishul Chinnappa (84, 79, 77, 78); 319 Samrat Basu (84, 81, 75, 79) Category C: 304 Rahul Ravi (79, 79, 67, 79); 326 Honey Baisoya (84, 80, 78, 84); 327 Roshan Raj (83, 82, 81, 81); 329 Abhishek Kuhar (80, 83, 84, 82); 332 Vashishta S Pawar (84, 84, 83, 81) Category D (54 holes): 234 Piyush Sangwan (82, 73, 79); 240 Vidit Singh (77, 83, 80); 241 Feroz Garewal (80, 85, 76); 247 Zachary Yusuf (77, 87, 83); 250 Prakar Aswa (83, 83, 84) UNI