Pune, Oct 31 (NationPress) Shaurya Bhattacharya, who was two shots behind after the third round, showcased his skills in a spectacular finale by overcoming the pre-tournament favorite Yuvraj Sandhu and clinching victory in the playoff at The Poona Club Open 2025, a prestigious INR 1 crore tournament held at the Poona Club Golf Course on Friday.

Bhattacharya (69-63-67-64) delivered an exceptional performance with a flawless seven-under 64 in the final round, achieving the day's best score and totaling 21-under 263 before securing a birdie in the playoff to surpass Sandhu.

This triumph marked Bhattacharya's second title of the season and his third overall, earning him a prize of INR 15 lakh and solidifying his fourth position in the PGTI Order of Merit, with his season earnings rising to INR 83,02,392.

Yuvraj Sandhu (65-67-65-66), who also finished with 21-under 263, shot a 66 in the fourth round but fell short in the playoff, ending as runner-up. Sandhu received a runner-up prize of INR 10 lakh, which helped him maintain a lead in the PGTI Order of Merit by over INR 10 lakh against his closest competitor, Arjun Prasad. His total season earnings now amount to INR 98,67,200.

Veer Ahlawat and Shivendra Singh Sisodia finished tied for third place at 12-under 272.

The PGTI continues to foster the growth of professional golf in India with ongoing support from its Tour Partners, including Rolex, Amul, IndusInd Bank, Victorious Choice, Campa, Amrutanjan Electro Plus, Golf Plus Monthly, and Golf Design India.

Local professional Rohan Dhole Patil concluded the week as the best-performing local player, finishing 14th at six-under 278.

Bhattacharya started the final day with pars on the first seven holes, while overnight leader Sandhu built a five-shot advantage.

A pivotal moment came when Bhattacharya sank a 12-foot birdie on the eighth hole, igniting a remarkable comeback. He quickly accumulated five birdies over the next six holes thanks to outstanding tee shots and a 25-foot conversion, narrowing Sandhu's lead to just one shot.

Sandhu entered the final hole with a two-shot lead but faltered with a poor tee shot and a missed short putt, resulting in a bogey on the 18th. Meanwhile, Bhattacharya capitalized with a birdie on the same hole, pushing the match into a playoff.

During the playoff, Sandhu once again missed the fairway and recorded a par, while Bhattacharya executed a solid performance from tee to green, securing the decisive birdie to claim the trophy.

Reflecting on his win, Bhattacharya stated, “It was an exhilarating day of golf coming down to the wire. I felt I managed my nerves well and made crucial putts, especially the par putt on the 16th. My focus on the 18th was on securing a birdie. The turning point was the unexpected 25-footer for birdie on the 11th, which fueled my momentum.

“My strategy on the playoff hole was to remain present, concentrate on my breathing and aim, and adhere to my process. Keeping the ball in play with my tee shot was essential, setting me up for the win. I now feel poised to finish the second half of the season strongly,” he added.