Mukesh Kumar has been unstoppable in the current Hero Honda Indian Golf Tour. The ace golfer romped to yet another victory, his eighth in 14 events, capturing the third edition of the Rs 1.6 million Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Open 2002-03 at the Kurmitola Golf Club Course in Dhaka on Saturday.
Mukesh, who started even with Digvijay Singh on the final day, left the latter five strokes behind for a final tally of 14-under 274. The 36-year-old submitted a card of four-under 68 on the final day.
Incidentally the Mhow-based pro registered his 50th career title in his 15th year as professional.
Zai Kipgen came in third with 283 while Vivek Bhandari finished two strokes behind Zai for a fourth finish.
Local pro Mohammed Ismail, Delhi lad Naman Dawar, veteran Shiv Prakash and the leading rookie of the year Ashok Kumar were joint fifth.
Mukesh bagged the winner's cheque of Rs 2,59,200 while Digvijay was richer by Rs 1,79,200.
Mukesh and Digvijay began the day with a total of 10-under 206. The latter called the first shot, making a birdie on the par-5 third. However, the 30-year-old bogeyed the fifth hole while also three-putting the eighth for yet another bogey. Mukesh kept his cool and showed champion's nerves, though he missed a couple of narrow birdie putts. A birdie on the ninth left Mukesh a stroke ahead of his opponent.
It was just the beginning as the thrice Champion Golfer of the year birdied the par-3 10th to go two strokes ahead of Digvijay who made a bogey. Another bogey on the 12th put Digvijay virtually out of contention. The Meerut pro found the going tough especially with his hitting.
Mukesh, enjoying a three-stroke lead, bogeyed the 13th. However, he came back with birdies on the 14th and 16th to emerge a clear leader. He almost sunk a 35-feet birdie putt on the last hole which could have been a fitting finish to his victory.
Mukesh thus captured his first title at this venue after ending up as runner-up in the previous two tournaments
"It grew close on the front nine but the three-putt on the eighth by Digvijay gave me a chance to go ahead and from there I never looked back. This victory is very special to me," said Mukesh.
Digvijay Singh hit a superb second shot on the finishing hole as the ball fell just a couple of inches short of the hole which he birdied to finish second.
"My hitting was poor. I did wanted to end up on the winner's podium but to my bad luck I came in only second. Nevertheless, it was a good finish," said Digvijay.
Meanwhile, Zai Kipgen, who began the day at seven-under 209, had an ominous beginning with back-to-back bogeys. The 23-year-old found the going still tougher as piled on three more bogeys on his front nine. The outward journey too looked grim with another bogey on the par-4 12th, which left him with a total of one-under for the tournament.
However, the Delhi lad changed his strategy and attacked the pin and found favourable results. He scored four consecutive birdies starting from the 14th while missing an eagle on the 17th. His final charge earned him the second place.
Siddiq wins: Siddiq-ur Rahman won the amateurs title with a tally of one-over 289 and finished joint 11th alongside Vijay Kumar of India.
Top pro scores after 72 holes: 274_ Mukesh Kumar (72,65,69,68); 279_Digvijay Singh (69,71,66,73); 283_ Zai Kipgen (70,72,67,74); 285_Vivek Bhandari (72,69,74,70); 286_Mohd. Ismail (70,69,76,71), Naman Dawar (70,70,74,72), Shiv Prakash (70,74,68,74), Ashok Kumar (71,70,70,75); 287_Feroz Ali (70,75,73,69); 288_Rafiq Ali (73,73,72,70); 289_Vijay Kumar (72,71,76,70).
Amateurs: 289_Siddiq-ur Rahman (70,71,74,74); 298_Mohd. Sayyum (72,77,73,76); 300_Mohd. Milon (83,72,74,71).
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