Vishwa Samudra Open 2024: Ajeetesh Sandhu Seizes Victory by Five Shots
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New Delhi, Dec 13 (NationPress) Chandigarh’s Ajeetesh Sandhu clinched an impressive five-shot victory by finishing with a solid one-under 71 in the final round of the INR 2 crore Vishwa Samudra Open 2024, held at the historic Delhi Golf Club (DGC). Sandhu's scores of (69-67-69-71) added up to a total of 12-under 276 for the tournament, earning him a remarkable prize of INR 30 lakh for his efforts. This victory marks Sandhu’s first win in five years and his overall seventh professional title, as well as his inaugural triumph at the revered DGC.
Finishing in second place was Bangladesh’s Jamal Hossain (67-73-67-74), who ended the competition at seven-under 281 after a challenging final round of 74. Jamal's performance secured him a prize cheque of INR 20 lakh, which elevated him from 17th to sixth position in the PGTI Rankings. Sandhu, who entered the final day as the overnight leader with a narrow two-shot advantage, skillfully navigated the toughest conditions of the weekend, tackling strong winds and tricky pin placements while maintaining consistency on the fairways and greens.
The 36-year-old Sandhu, who had previously come close to winning at the DGC, seized the opportunity this time by making a crucial birdie on the 14th hole from a distance of six feet, followed by pars on the remaining 17 holes. Accompanied on the course by his wife and prominent Indian female professional Tvesa Malik, Sandhu also showcased impressive par saves with quality chip putts on the ninth and 13th holes that contributed to his clean scorecard. He managed to recover well from a challenging lie on the ninth hole.
Sandhu remarked, “I was not anticipating such windy conditions today, which altered my game plan throughout the round. As the day progressed with firm greens, my focus shifted to executing my shots accurately and hitting all fairways and greens. Once you’re in the lead at DGC, it’s vital to keep your head down and push through. I was fortunate with the weather, as I didn’t have to exert myself too much while others were working hard to catch up.”
“I didn’t have many birdie opportunities due to the difficult flag positions. However, I felt confident in my game after executing several nice shots in the wind. I knew that if I could make par on the 13th from a tough position, the birdie chances would open up, which is exactly what happened when I birdied the 14th. That was a pivotal moment of the day,” he added.
“Winning at DGC is incredibly special for me, as it is one of the finest golfing venues in the country, steeped in history. I have witnessed the legends of Indian golf triumph here, and I aspired to do the same. It’s one of my favorite courses. This year has been challenging on the international circuit for me. During tough times, it’s important to rely on those close to you, and I’m grateful for the understanding of my family regarding the highs and lows of the sport,” Sandhu expressed.
Jamal Hossain maintained pace with Sandhu until the fifth hole, where he made pars consistently. However, a double-bogey on the sixth hole, attributed to his approach shot landing in the bushes, resulted in a four-shot deficit for Hossain. He struggled to close the gap afterward, managing only two birdies and two bogeys.
Yuvraj Sandhu of Chandigarh, the only other player besides Sandhu to record four sub-par rounds in the tournament, finished third at five-under 283 after a final round of 70. Rashid Khan and M. Dharma were tied for fourth place at four-under 284, while SSP Chawrasia finished sixth with a score of one-under 287. Local player Sachin Baisoya achieved the best score of the final day with a 67, tying for seventh at an even-par 288 alongside Yashas Chandra.
