Kolkata, Feb 20 (NationPress) The experienced Om Prakash Chouhan showcased his exceptional skills with a thrilling performance to outshine his competitors and claim his 12th professional victory on the concluding day of the Rs 1.5 crore Players Championship held at the Tollygunge Club in Kolkata.

Chouhan (69-67-64-64), who entered the final round tied for third and just one stroke behind the leader, delivered an impressive six-under 64 in the last round, culminating in a tournament total of 16-under 264. This win marks his first in over two years.

The 39-year-old's final-day performance, which included eight birdies and two bogeys, earned him the winner’s prize of Rs 22,50,000. Originally from Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, but currently associated with the Kalhaar Blues & Greens golf course in Ahmedabad, he climbed from 16th to fourth in the PGTI Order of Merit due to this victory.

Leading for the first three days, Shaurya Bhattacharya (64-62-73-66) and Manu Gandas (66-69-64-66), who were tied at second place, both finished with totals of 15-under 265. They remained in contention for much of the final round, each carding scores of 66 on Friday.

Kshitij Naveed Kaul, another contender, finished fourth with a score of 14-under 266 after a final round of 65.

On this victorious day at the Tollygunge Club, Chouhan embraced the challenge, breaking his two-year winless streak. The former DP World PGTI Order of Merit champion, affectionately known as 'OP', began the day with a bogey on the second hole but quickly rebounded with four birdies on the front-nine, showcasing remarkable putting skills by sinking putts from 10 to 20 feet.

Despite a three-putt bogey on the 11th hole, he regained his momentum with birdies on the next four holes, capitalizing on accurate approach shots that left him with easy conversions within five feet.

On the last hole, OP utilized his extensive experience to seal his victory with a crucial 10-foot par conversion. Had he missed that putt, a three-way playoff with Shaurya Bhattacharya and Manu Gandas would have awaited him.

Reflecting on his performance, Om Prakash stated, “The long putts on the front nine instilled a lot of confidence in me. After the bogey on 11, I felt that scoring on 12 reignited my momentum and belief that I could win. As I made the par putt on the 18th, I took my time to assess the line, as the stakes were high. My caddie’s advice helped me execute perfectly.”

He further added, “After a season on the DP World Tour, I became somewhat complacent and careless with my game, which consequently affected my swing. I wasn't practicing as diligently as before. However, with timely support from my wife, I returned to my rigorous practice routine and started playing with a more liberated mindset.”

This rejuvenation has clearly been beneficial, as Chouhan has already achieved a win, a top-10, and a top-20 finish in the three events of the ongoing 2026 season.

Manu Gandas secured his tied-second finish with a long birdie on the final hole, while Shaurya Bhattacharya’s birdies on the 15th and 17th holes kept him competitive until the end.

Among the players from Kolkata, Divyanshu Bajaj had the best performance, finishing tied-25th at three-under 277.

Currently, Honey Baisoya, who won the season’s second event, leads the 2026 DP World PGTI Order of Merit with earnings of Rs 33,95,250.