Rajesh Kumar Gautam of Lucknow (second from right) with his NexGen Phillaur Open winner’s cheque at the Ranjitgarh Golf Club on Thursday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Rajesh Kumar Gautam won a three-way playoff at the DP World PGTI NexGen Phillaur Open presented by R.S. Gill at the Ranjitgarh Golf Club on Thursday.
Gautam (70-67-70) edged out Pankaj Maandiya (68-70-69) and Aditya Raj Singh Chahal (69-69-69) in a playoff that went to three extra holes after the trio ended the regulation 54 holes on 6 under par 207.
Lucknow-based Armyman Gautam, the overnight joint leader, returned a 1 under 70 with three birdies and two bogeys in the final round.
Maandiya and Chahal, who were tied for third overnight one shot off the lead, fired 2 under 69s in the last round to join Gautam in the playoff.
Chahal’s challenge ended on the first playoff hole where he made par while the other two made birdies.
Gautam and Maandiya made pars on the second playoff hole but on the decisive third, the former sank a birdie as Maandiya made par after finding the rough twice.
Gautam’s second win in the NexGen series was worth Rs 3.17 lakh and moved him into third place in the 2026 DP World PGTI NexGen Order of Merit.
In the lead
Chahal now leads the NexGen Order of Merit with season’s earnings of Rs 4.87 lakh.
Sunny Singh finished fourth on 3 under 210.
Gautam, a winner on the NexGen in 2025 when he finished fourth on the merit list, had an up and down final round before heading into the playoff.
The Armyman bogeyed the second hole but came roaring back with three straight birdies from the sixth to the eighth thanks to his terrific iron shots.
He finally dropped a second shot on 15 but kept himself in the hunt with pars on the last three holes.
“My driving and iron play stood out for me this week and my putting today was also top-notch,” Gautam said later.
“Despite the early bogey, I was constantly focusing on hitting it close to the flag in order to keep my chances alive. It was a game of nerves in the playoff and I kept my composure to come through at the end.
“This win is a big confidence-booster for me. It helps me set my sights on winning the NexGen Order of Merit this year which would enable me to book a spot on the main tour for next season.
Full backing
“I would like to thank the 60 Engineer Regiment, my unit in the Indian Army, for all their support.”
Phillaur-based professional Swatanter Kumar finished tied 36th at seven-over 220.
On Wednesday, Sukhraj Singh Gill and Gautam had held the joint second round lead on 5 under 137. The cut fell at 3 over 145 with 42 professionals making the third and final round.
Noted event presenting partner R.S. Gill, “It is a privilege to support the DP World PGTI NexGen Phillaur Open for the second consecutive year.
“After the encouraging response to last year’s event, we are proud to see this tournament begin to establish itself as a meaningful platform for young professional golfers.
“Hosting a national-level event in Phillaur once again reflects our commitment to nurturing talent at the grassroots and strengthening Punjab’s legacy in Indian golf.”
Also read: Two-way tie for lead at NexGen Phillaur Open after day one
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