SSP Chowrasia posts impressive come-from-behind victory at home course

Shamim Khan finishes runner-up to bag Rolex Rankings crown

Kolkata, December 1, 2012: Kolkata’s SSP Chowrasia posted an
impressive come-from-behind victory at the McLeod Russel Tour
Championship in front of his home crowd at the Royal Calcutta Golf
Club (RCGC). Chowrasia fired an inspiring four-under-68 to end up with
a tournament total of nine-under-279 at the Rs. 1.25 crore event.
Shamim Khan of Delhi finished one stroke behind in second position to
seal the 2012 Rolex Rankings (PGTI Order of Merit) title.

SSP Chowrasia (72-70-69-68), who was overnight tied fifth, overcame a
four-shot deficit on the final day to claim his 13th professional win.
Chowrasia’s round of 68 was the joint best score of the day. The
34-year-old was even-par after the first nine holes having made
birdies on the fourth and sixth and bogeys on the third and seventh.
SSP found the green in two on the par-5 fourth hole and narrowly
missed his 15-feet putt for eagle. He missed the greens on the third
and seventh holes.

Chowrasia turned the tables on the leader Shamim with birdies on the
12th and 13th as the latter dropped five strokes from the sixth to the
11th. Chowrasia landed his approach shot within four feet on the 12th
and followed that up with a 12-feet conversion on the par-3 13th. The
two-time winner on the European Tour showed his class once again by
making a two-putt from the fringe for birdie on the 15th and sinking a
15-footer for birdie on the 17th.

Chowrasia, who bagged the winner’s cheque worth Rs. 19,81,250, said,
“It’s great to win on my home course for the first time and that too
coming from behind. I focussed a lot on my putting today and it paid
off. The hitting was also very accurate. I capitalized on both the
par-5s today and had a fabulous back-nine where I shot four birdies.
The turnaround happened on the 12th and 13th holes. I picked up a
stroke each on these holes and seized the lead from Shamim. My
confidence grew from there on. I hope to take this form to the next
season.”

Shamim Khan (70-68-69-73) finished runner-up to ensure his top
position on the Rolex Rankings at the end of the season. He began the
day confidently with birdies on the first and fourth but then slipped
and conceded his lead to Chowrasia after dropping bogeys on the sixth,
seventh and ninth and a double bogey on the 11th. He finally rallied
with birdies on the 15th and 18th to secure second position.

Shamim said, “I missed some short putts today and had to fight my way
out of difficult situations. Nonetheless, I recovered well with two
birdies towards the end. I’m delighted to bag my first ever Order of
Merit title. I feel my consistency has been rewarded.”

Mithun Perera of Sri Lanka finished third at seven-under-281 after
shooting a 70 in the final round.

Rashid Khan of Delhi, who finished second in the Rolex Rankings behind
Shamim Khan, was joint fourth in the tournament along with fellow
Delhi golfer Manav Jaini, Lucknow’s Vijay Kumar and Bangalore’s M
Dharma at five-under-283. Jaini matched Chowrasia’s 68 to post the
joint best score of the day.

Anirban Lahiri claimed 10th place (two-under-286) while Kolkata’s
Rahil Gangjee secured tied 12th position (even-par-288).

Jyoti Randhawa finished tied 16th at one-over-289.

Shamim Khan wins Rolex Player of the Year Award
Shamim Khan pipped Rashid Khan on the last day of the season to end up
as number one on the Rolex Rankings. Shamim, with record earnings of
Rs. 57,47,713 for the 2012 PGTI season, thus sealed the Rolex Player
of the Year Award title. He had an amazing 18 top-10s in the year
which included three wins. Rashid Khan finished second on the Rolex
Rankings with earnings of Rs. 48,81,910. Rashid had one win and 13
other top-10s in the season.