ZCZC
BSP-26
GOLF-ASIAN-IND
India’s Madappa wins first Asian Tour title at 20
BANGALORE, India, Aug 12, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Indian golf unveiled a new star
Sunday when Viraj Madappa hit a four under par final round 67 to take the
Bangalore Masters aged just 20.
Madappa, cheered on by hordes of teenaged fans as he finished the $350,000
event on 16 under par, became the youngest Indian to claim an Asian Tour
title.
It was a new boost for Indian golf, coming a week after Gaganjeet Bhullar’s
win at the Fiji International, co-sanctioned by the Asian and European tours.
Madappa, who only turned professional in 2017, ended one shot ahead of
Zimbabwean Scott Vincent who finished with a 68, Argentine Miguel Carballo
(71) and Thai duo Suradit Yongcharoenchai (66) and Danthai Boonma (70).
He started the final day two shots behind leader Carballo at 12-under and
tied for fourth place.
After a front nine with a bogey and birdie, Madappa holed four birdies on
the final nine to complete a superb win.
Madappa birdied the 15th and 16th to take the lead and was two shots ahead
going into the 18th as his rivals fell away.
“Last night I thought about a win, the winning putt and so much else, so I
was kind of nervous,” he said.
“Then, to get my first pro win on the Asian Tour is a dream come true. It
is yet to sink in.”
BSS/AFP/ARS/1928 hrs