Saptak Talwar (centre) receives his trophy from Indorama Ventures global head of corporate communications Stuart Kelly (second from left), Navratna Group MD Devang Shah and former India cricketer Nikhil Chopra (far right) at Kalhaar Blues and Greens in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Image courtesy DP World PGTI.
By Rahul Banerji
Saptak Talwar secured victory at the DP World PGTI’s $300,000 Indorama Ventures Open with a solid final round performance in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The overnight joint leader, Talwar (68-71-69-70) totalled 10 under par 278 for the week to win by two shots at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club, the DP World PGTI said.
The 27-year-old’s second professional win earned him $48,000 (Rs 43.20 lakh) that propelled him from 44th to first place in the DP World PGTI Order of Merit.
Talwar, from the Jaypee Greens Golf Resort, Greater Noida, now leads the merit list with season’s earnings of Rs 46,00,200.
Austria’s Christoph Bleier (69-70-72-69), tied for seventh overnight three shots off the lead, put in a late run to finish runner-up at 8 under 280.
Veer Ahlawat and teenager Kartik Singh shot last round scores of 2 under 70 to finish tied third on 7 under 281.
Frenchman Clement Sordet took fifth place on 6 under 282 while overnight joint leader Dhruv Sheoran ended the week in tied sixth place at 5 under 283.
Steady progress
Talwar, who had a one-shot lead with Sheoran after round three, made gradual progress for the fourth day running. He made the Par-5s count by finding the greens in two and following that up with two-putts on the fifth and eighth.
Talwar had a hiccup when he found the water on the ninth and dropped a bogey but then made a great up and down for birdie on the Par-5 14th.
The winner was in control through the last round even as his nearest rivals had mixed fortunes on the day.
Talwar, who last played at Kalhaar in 2023, said, “After my birdie on 14 and par on 15, I was quite confident.
“The best aspect of my game was keeping the errors out as I dropped just four bogeys through the tournament on a course that was very challenging.
“I had been playing well on the HotelPlanner Tour last year and was in contention a few times but couldn’t put together four good rounds.
“Playing in tough conditions overseas on the HotelPlanner Tour has made me a complete player and my ball control has also improved.
“The international exposure has been invaluable. All of that has contributed in helping raise my game which finally led to my win,” added Talwar, who won his maiden title on the DP World PGTI on his home course last year.
Ahmedabad-based Dhruv Suri finished 61st at 18-over 306.
Also read: Talwar, Sheoran share the top spot at Indorama Ventures Open
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