Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden with his Saudi Open trophy at the Dirab Golf & Country Club near Riyadh on Saturday. Image courtesy Asian Tour.
By Rahul Banerji
Saptak Talwar, who set a course record in the opening round finished strongly to tie for 11th place at the Saudi Open presented by PIF on Saturday.
The Delhi golfer had rounds of 64, 71, 73 and 68 to total 13 under par 275, while Khalin Joshi (68-70-70-71) was the other Indian to make the cut, sharing 34th place on 9 under 279.
At the top, Bjorn Hellgren of Sweden survived a stiff challenge from Australia’s Jack Thompson at the Dirab Golf & Country Club near Riyadh for his maiden Asian Tour title.
The two were grouped together through the season-ender and were locked in battle over the final 36 holes before the Swede prevailed by a single stroke, on 23 under 265 to Thompson’s 266.
On Saturday, Talwar dropped a shot early but carded five birdies thereafter including one on the 18th to recover well from a third day 1 over 73.
With a 155th place finish on the Order of Merit, Talwar will need to go through the Qualifying School to earn Asian playing rights next year. The top 65 in the OoM retain cards for the next season.
Lone exception
Gaganjeet Bhullar was only Indian to keep his Asian Tour card at 52nd and he will be joined by Karandeep Kochhar who qualified with a fifth-place finish on the Asian Development Tour.
Hellgren (66-65-67-67) and Thompson (65-65-68-68) set out on Saturday tied for the lead but in the end it was the former who prevailed by the narrowest of margins.
The title was in fact decided on the final hole where Thompson had an eagle opportunity to tie the lead but both players birdied to leave Hellgren the winner, the Asian Tour said.
Malaysia’s Ervin Chang and Charles Porter of the US tied for third three shots behind Thompson with the former climbing to 41st in the Order of Merit from 75th.
The other big winner was Japan’s Kazuki Higa who wrapped up the Asian Tour Order of Merit title, taking seventh place, well ahead of Scott Vincent from Zimbabwe.
Hellgren arrived in Asia in 2020 with a resume that included multiple wins in Scandinavia as an amateur and professional. He also roomed with Brooks Koepka when playing college golf at Florida State University.
Breakthrough result
“Super happy,” said the Swede. “I mean, finally. I’m not gonna say I was doubting myself, but I’ve been leading tournaments before in this past five years, and never got it done before.
“I couldn’t have done it without Graham, my caddie. He kept me calm and present for especially today. So, I’m very proud of myself, my team, and especially my family that keep pushing me.”
Thompson travelled to Riyadh to ensure he kept his card for next year, as he was 62nd on the Merit and eventually finished in 21st place.
The other players to stay in the top 65 were Taipei’s Hung Chien-yao (60th), Filipino Justin Quiban (61st), Pakistan’s Ahmad Baig (62nd), and Sarut Vongchaisit (64th) from Thailand.
Baig made it an especially memorable day by acing the par-3 seventh hole.
Also read: Saptak Talwar fires course record for Saudi Open day one lead
Related
Discover more from Tee Time Tales
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.