Viraj Madappa Triumphs at PGTI Players Championship
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Synopsis
On April 24, Viraj Madappa from Kolkata claimed victory at the PGTI Players Championship held at Classic Golf & Country Club, marking his first title since overcoming a long injury layoff. His impressive seven-under 65 in the final round secured him the win and a Rs 9,00,000 prize.
Key Takeaways
- Viraj Madappa won his first PGTI title.
- He scored a seven-under 65 in the final round.
- Madappa's victory came after a long injury recovery.
- He earned a prize of Rs 9,00,000.
- Trishul Chinnappa finished as the runner-up.
Nuh (Haryana), April 24 (NationPress) Viraj Madappa from Kolkata clinched his inaugural title on the Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) following a lengthy injury hiatus, winning the Rs 60 lakh PGTI Players Championship at the Classic Golf & Country Club on Thursday.
Madappa (67-73-65) delivered a remarkable seven-under 65 in the final round, marking the best score of the day. This performance propelled him four places up from a tied fifth to finish with a total score of 11-under 205 in the 54-hole competition. The 27-year-old golfer, who had been absent from the professional circuit for over a year, triumphed by a two-shot lead.
Bengaluru’s Trishul Chinnappa (72-64-71) shot a 71 in the third round, securing the runner-up spot at nine-under 207. Meanwhile, Ranjit Singh from Chandigarh (69) and Yuvraj Singh of Kapurthala (68) tied for third at eight-under 208.
Having previously won internationally, Madappa lifted his third professional title, his first since 2021, after submitting a flawless scorecard featuring an eagle and five birdies. He started his day with birdies on the first two holes and added another on the seventh, turning at three under.
On the back nine, Madappa scored an eagle on the 14th and two additional birdies, outpacing the competition. His efforts earned him a cheque worth Rs 9,00,000.
Trishul Chinnappa, who had been leading overnight after a stellar second-round score of eight-under 64, made one eagle, one birdie, and two bogeys, resulting in a card of 71 and securing second place. He earned Rs 6,00,000, which elevated him from 74th to 36th in the PGTI Order of Merit.
Lucknow’s Sanjeev Kumar (69-69) stood at six-under 138 before the final round, while Ranjit Singh (70-69) and Md Siddikur Rahman from Bangladesh (70-69), a seasoned international victor and seven-time PGTI champion, were another shot behind in joint third place. However, Viraj Madappa ultimately surpassed them all.
