Poosit wins in Kensville with closing birdie, Chawan finishes well

Bharat Classic winner Poosit Supupramai poses with his trophy after beating Korean Wooyoung Cho at the Kensville Golf Resort near Ahmedabad on Sunday. Image courtesy of Asian Tour.

By Rahul Banerji

Ahmedabad: Thailand’s Poosit Suupramai won the first Bharath Classic on Sunday by one shot against the hard-hitting Korean Wooyoung Cho at the Kensville Golf Resort.

Poosit birdied the 18th hole to hold off Cho even as Sachin Baisoya picked up shots to finish tied as the top Indian finisher at the event co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the Indian Golf Premier League.

Poosit’s final 69 gave him a tournament total of 18 under par 270, while Cho (65) finished a shot behind at 17 under 271.

Baisoya, an IGPL Tour regular, was tied at 15 under, along with overnight leader Jazz Janewattanond, and Panuphol Pittayarat and Ekpharit Wu, all of Thailand. Ishaan Chawhan from Ahmedabad was the top finishing amateur in a tie for eighth place.

“Amazing, I can’t believe it,” said the soft-spoken Poosit, whose previous best result on the Asian Tour was a tie for third at the SJM Macao Open last year.

“I struggled on the front nine, I didn’t play well. It was all about the mentality that got me through today.

“I came here to try to improve my position on the Merit list. It was my main concern, not winning. But to secure my card this week with victory, that is beyond my dreams.

Key change

“For the last two tournaments, I changed booths and lay down on my putter. It made such a big difference: I started holing putts.”

The 32-year-old left Ahmedabad $90,000 richer from the event’s $500,000 prize pool.

Chawhan (71) continued his brilliant run to move into a tie for eighth place, while PGTI Ranking leader Yuvraj Sandhu (67) was only seventh at 14 under 274.

The round of the day, however, came from Baisoya, who returned a bogey-free 62 on Sunday.

From the 10th tee, Baisoya opened with six consecutive birdies to make the turn on this par-72 course at 6-under 30.

On the second nine he made another birdie blitz with four in a row between holes two and five, with two good par saves on holes 18 and one.

“I owe this round a lot to my iron play today,” Sachin said later.

Natural approach

“Yesterday I practiced for about an hour because I felt I was hitting my irons poorly in the last three or four tournaments. I also got some coaching from Sudhir Sharma, who told me not to worry and just play my natural game.

“The plan was to try something different today and that’s exactly what happened from the start. Most of my approach shots landed between four and five feet and my putting was solid.”

Amateur Ishaan Chawhan from Ahmedabad, who impressed during the tournament, was in action at the Kensville golf course on Sunday. Image courtesy of IGPL.

The left-handed Chawhan later said that the four days had been an extensive golf lesson.

“Playing with all the Asian Tour players, watching them and talking to them has been a learning experience,” said the soft-spoken 22-year-old, who lost almost a year and a half due to injury.

“I went in thinking I had nothing to lose other than making a point for myself.

Back on track

“I was away from golf for several phases, totaling a year and a half, with wrist and knee injuries, and this is my first full season in four years.”

On what helped him return cards 67, 69, 68 and 71 in this quality field, Chawan said: “Even though I play here regularly, the course was set up differently than what we get as amateurs, and that was a challenge.

“For me, the highlight of the week has to be my iron play, as the other aspects of my game weren’t that great.”

When asked what was next, the Vijay Divecha trainee added, “I may turn pro but I will have a discussion with my coach first. Right now the focus is on the All-India Amateur at Tollygunge Club next month.”

PGTI Order of Merit leader Sandhu was also happy with his performance here. “I started slowly (par 72 level on Thursday) but after that the momentum was good.

“But for a few shots and zeros I left there, I could have been much closer to contention (at 14 under, five shots behind winner Poosit) than I was.”

Also read: Chawan holds strong as Thais Jazz, Poosit shares leadership in Kensville

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