Kolkata, Dec 21 (NationPress) Noida's own Sukhman Singh kicked off the early Christmas festivities by clinching victory at the esteemed 124th Amateur Golf Championship of India, organized by the Indian Golf Union (IGU) and hosted at the Tollygunge Club this past Sunday.

Sukhman showcased an exceptional performance, overcoming Harman Sachdeva from Haryana in the intense 36-hole final after establishing a commanding 7-up lead by the 29th hole. This championship is recognized as the oldest amateur matchplay event worldwide.

With a confident putter and a robust long game, Sukhman consistently aimed for the flags right from the start of the final. He was even until the sixth hole, surged to 4UP after 12 holes, and maintained a 2UP advantage after the initial 18 holes. Sukhman’s father, Simarjeet Singh, is a former India No. 1 amateur, celebrated for winning the Sri Lankan Amateur three times and the IGU Mid-Amateur championship.

Despite Harman narrowing the gap to three strokes by the 23rd hole, Sukhman quickly regained his form, sinking birdies to extend his lead to 6UP by the 25th hole. Once he reached 7UP after 29 holes, the tournament director officially declared him the champion, as his lead was unbeatable.

“It feels surreal; someone has to pinch me to remind me that I’ve actually won. This has been my lifelong dream, and achieving it feels incredible. It’s a proud moment for both me and my family. My father has always been my biggest supporter, believing in me even when I doubted myself. This is a time for celebration for my family and me,” Sukhman remarked post-victory.

Reflecting on his strategy for the final round, he said, “I knew this was a 36-hole match, not just 18, so I needed to maintain my momentum across all holes. Even if I dropped a couple of holes, I had plenty of chances to recover. I was aware that facing Harman would be challenging, so I focused on being aggressive to take the lead, which paid off in the end. My driving and putting were both on point today, which made a significant difference.”

Sukhman has had a remarkable season, having won the IGU Rajasthan Amateur and finished as the runner-up in the Andhra Pradesh Amateur. Moreover, he secured fourth place at the South African Amateur stroke play event earlier this year.

He expressed his appreciation to the Indian Golf Union for providing invaluable exposure and opportunities for international success, particularly after competing in both the South African and Japan Amateur tournaments.

“The IGU has rejuvenated the national squad system and organized national camps that have fostered camaraderie among team members. Participating in international events enables amateurs like me to assess and enhance our game,” Sukhman concluded.