NEWS
SCHEDULES
COLUMNS
PREVIOUS TOURS
OTHER SPORTS
STATISTICS
INTERVIEWS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Gurbaaz powers his way to title

The recent Indian domination of the Singapore Junior Golf Championships continued yesterday when Gurbaaz Maan claimed the Lee Kim Yew Challenge Trophy at the Jurong Country Club.

Gurbaaz, just 17, swept to a four-stroke win with a three-over-par 75, beating defending champion and compatriot Ashok Kumar in the process.

Said the teenager, who had a three-round total of 221: "This is my first overseas tournament, so it feels really great to win. And this is also the first time I have beaten Ashok, who is a fantastic player.''

Gurbaaz, who averages 270 metres off the tee, attributed his win to length, as he was able to overpower some of Jurong's par fives.

His shot of the yesterday's round came at the par-five 18th, where he smashed a three-wood onto the green from 240 metres.

Said the scratch-handicapper, who has been playing the game for just three and a-half years: "I was quite comfortable out there today because I always had a two-stroke cushion over the others.''

Said Ashok, who hugged Gurbaaz after he sunk his final birdie putt: "He played great today and he deserved to win. I am just happy that the trophy stayed with the Indian team.''

Gurbaaz's next assignment is the World Junior Championships in San Diego, which the teenager is entering full of confidence.

"I hope to win that and then play on the amateur circuit for a few years.

"After that, my ambition is to play on the US Tour,'' said the 1.83-metre youngster, who also excels in cricket and tennis but prefers golf.

Malaysian Khor Kheng Hwai shot the best round of the day, a 71, to leapfrog the field into third place.

Singapore's best performance came from top national junior Yang Lee Keong, who shot a 78 yesterday for ninth spot on a 238 total.

The B division was won by Malaysia's Ben Leong with a 228 total.