Mukesh Kumar proves too good

Mhow's Mukesh Kumar won the BPGC Open title for the third time in five years when he produced outstanding golf on the final day of the Rs 600,000 event, which concluded at the par-70 Bombay Presidency Golf Club, on Saunday.

In a fascinating battle that developed between the overnight joint leaders, Mukesh and Vijay Kumar, Mukesh emerged winner by one stroke. He shot a four-under 66 on the final day for a four-day aggregate of 10-under 270.

Vijay made an eagle on the final hole to finish the day at three-under 67 and the tournament at nine-under 271.

Rafiq Ali was third at 277, while Shiv Prakash was fourth at two-under 278. Mukesh received a cheque of Rs 97,200, while Vijay was richer by Rs 67,200.

In the morning, Vijay made a birdie on the par-3 second while Mukesh dropped a shot when he three-putted from the edge of the green. However, the bogey fired up Mukesh, who then dropped a 20-footer birdie putt on the third, a 10-footer eagle putt on the par-5 fourth and another 20-footer birdie putt on the fifth. The sequence saw Mukesh take sole possession of the lead for the first time in the tournament. Vijay made a birdie on the fourth and after six holes, Mukesh aggregated nine-under, while Vijay was at eight-under.

But disaster struck Vijay on the seventh hole when he went over the green with his second shot, duffed his chip and had to settle for a bogey. On the ninth, he had a short iron approach shot to the green, but hit a tree near the right out-of-bounds wall and needed two chips, followed by two putts to complete the hole for a double bogey.

Meanwhile, Mukesh made a birdie on the eighth, and a three-putt bogey on the ninth. At the turn, Mukesh was nine-under, Vijay was five-under, while Asgar Ali was hanging on grimly at five-under.

Real drama started on the 15th tee, with Vijay at six-under and Mukesh at 10-under. Mukesh hit a wayward tee shot and had to chip out safely and failed to make his chip-putt for a bogey. Vijay, who had earlier missed five-feet birdie putts on the 10th and 11th, finally sank one from the same distance to go seven-under. On the 16th, Vijay again failed to sink a five-footer birdie putt, while Mukesh ensured a three-stroke lead with a birdie.

On the par-3 17th, Mukesh's tee shot travelled way left and he played an excellent chip but the ball still rolled over the green. He made a bogey there. As the players approached the 18th tee, Vijay needed to make an eagle and hope for a par or worse from Mukesh. Vijay did make an awesome eagle after his tee shot went into the left trees. He hit a brilliant hooked 7-iron second shot and sank a 10-footer downhill eagle putt, but Mukesh was up to the challenge as he made a birdie after hitting two glorious shots to reach the par-5 green.

"I have been messing up my final round for the last four tournaments. So I was determined to change the patter this time. But Vijay, despite that double bogey on the ninth, gave me a tough fight and I was only sure of the title after hitting the second shot on the 72nd hole," said Mukesh.

The grandstand finish pleased Vijay, but he could not hide his frustrations.

"I missed at least five birdie chances from less than six feet. What better can you expect than this?" he asked.

VERMA IS THE BEST AMATEUR: Bombay's Gagan Verma, an employee of Maersk India Ltd., shot a three-over 73 on the final day and won the amateur title with a four-day aggregate of 13-over 293. Pune's Jaideep Patwardhan was runner-up at 299 after a fourth day card of 79, while Rajiv Datar was third at 304.

SCORES (after 72 holes): 270 _ Mukesh Kumar (65,69,70,66); 271 _ Vijay Kumar (66,68,70,67); 277 _ Rafiq Ali (70,67,72,68); 278 _ Shiv Prakash (67,68,70,73); 279 _ Basad Ali (69,70,72,68), Yusuf Ali (71,68,67,73), Asgar Ali (68,69,68,74); 280 _ Mohammed Salim (72,69,71,68), Rohtas Singh (70,68,69,73); 281 _ Indrajit Bhalotia (68,69,71,73); 282 _ Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia (69,71,72,70), Sanjay Kumar (64,70,78,71); 283 _ Ali Sher (69,73,70,71), Uttam Singh Mundy (68,74,69,72); Amateurs: 293 _ Gagan Verma (77,71,72,73); 299 _ Jaideep Patwardhan (72,74,74,79); 304 _ Rajiv Datar (75,78,71,80)