Feroz Ali triumphs at Dutch Bangla Bank Open

A brilliant Feroz Ali beat arch rival Mukesh Kumar to the ropes by a solitary stroke to return his fourth title win in his last seven appearances on the 2001-02 Hero Honda Golf Tour.

Feroz played his final round to level-par 72, to aggregate a winning score of nine-under 279 at the Tk 15 lakh (INR 12 Lakh) Dutch-Bangla Bank Bangladesh Open 2002 played at the par-72 Kurmitola Golf Club.

The tournament was the 19th leg of the 2001-02 season's Hero Honda Golf Tour.

Mukesh Kumar undone by a splurge of bogeys at the start of his round missed out narrowly to settle for second spot at eight-under 280.

Kolkata's Rafiq Ali and second-round joint-leader Lucknow's Sanjay Kumar, were tied-third at four-under 284, while promising Chandigarh golfer Ranjit Singh occupied the fifth position at three-under 285.

Digvijay Singh, placed second overnight slid to a tied-12th finish courtesy a final round score of 79. His tally stood at level-par 288. Lt. Gen. M Harun-Ar-Rashid, BP, Chief of Army Staff and President Kurmitola Golf Club gave away the prizes at a prize distribution ceremony held at the Kurmitola Golf Club later in the evening.

"I knew I would win," was what a confident Feroz had to say. "There was no doubt in my mind. In fact, on my final hole, I actually went for an eagle with my approach shot," added the champion. Feroz's confidence can be traced back to his exemplary performance since December 2001.

The '98 Indian Open winner, had a poor start to the season but a change in his swing and his newly acquired 'Pendulum' putting style brought back the magic touch.

Since his win at the Surya Nepal Masters, Kathmandu, in December 2001, he has won every alternate tournament he has played.

In the year 2002, he has returned wins at the Hero Honda Open - Pune, the HT Pro Golf - 2002, Greater Noida and now the Dutch Bangla Bank Bangladesh Open 2002. "My game has hit that zone most only dream of getting to. I am keen to take as much advantage of this and maybe end the year with the 'Mahindra Champion Golfer of the Year' award,' he said.

Feroz's effort brought him the winner's cheque of Tk 2,43,000 (Rs 1,94,400).

On Saturday, Feroz played his front-nine to one-under with birdies on the 3rd, 6th and 7th and bogeys on the 5th and 8th. After the front-nine, he led the field, by a healthy five strokes. On his return journey, Feroz birdied the 13th and 17th while dropping shots on the 12th, 16th and 18th.

His final bogey could be credited to his attacking the pin compared to the more cautious approach taken by Mukesh. "Every win I card is dedicated to my friends Manish Periwal and Srikanta Saha. These two gentlemen supported me all through my bad phase. They are indeed friends" he concluded.

Mukesh Kumar looked an extremely dejected man. "I don't know whether to feel happy for my four wins this season or rue over my four runner-up finishes," he said. Incidentally, all of Mukesh's runner-up finishes have been by a slender margin of one stroke. "It is sheer bad luck as on each occasion, I have messed up my final round early on, only to make a late but ineffective recovery," he added.

Mukesh had had a dream season by any standards thus far. Inclusive of his four wins, he has 17 top-ten finishes (16of which have been top-five efforts ) in 19 starts. His prize money tally is close to Rs 15-lakhs, a staggering amount by any standards.

"Feroz has been playing brilliant golf of late and I really need to pull up my socks in the remaining tournaments. However, he will have to win two more events to catch up with me on the points tally," said Mukesh.

The points tally determines the winner of the Mahindra award and the accompanying prize cheque of Rs 10-laks. Mukesh's final round began with the golfer missing less than three-feet short putts on his starting holes to drop two shots early on.

On the 4th, he failed to sink a four footer to slip to three-over at that stage. "I feel I lost the tournament on those three holes," said Mukesh later.

Rediscovering his form the twice 'Champion Golfer of the Year' award winner went on to birdie the 5th, 9th, 14th, 15th and 18th to return a score of two-under 70.

"Golf is a strange game and each tournament teaches you a new lesson," signed off Mukesh who was richer by Tk 1,68,000 (Rs 1,34,400).

Siddikur runaway winner among amateurs:

Mohd. Siddikur the 20-year old local amateur returned a final round score of three-over 75 to essay a wire-to-wirewin in the amateur category. Siddikur's tournament aggregate of level-par 288 also handed him a tied-12th finish among the professionals.

Mohd. Milon, finished second with a tally of 304.

SCORE (after 72 holes) : 279_Feroz Ali(69,70,68,72); 280_Mukesh Kumar(68,72,70,70); 284_Rafiq Ali(71,69,73,71), Sanjay Kumar(70,69,71,74); 285_Ranjit Singh(69,72,73,71); 286_Rohtas Singh(75,71,70,70), Pappan(72,69,75,70), Indrajit Bhalotia(71,72,72,71), Jaiveer Virk(69,71,75,71), Devendra Patel(70,70,74,72); 287_Shiv Shankar Prasad Chowrasia(72,69,75,71); 288_Shamim Khan(71,70,75,72), Digvijay SIngh(69,72,68,79) Amateurs: 288_Mohd. Siddikur(72,70,71,75); 304_Mohd. Milon(76,70,82,76)

Earlier reports:
Feroz Ali triumphs at Dutch Bangla Bank Open
Sanjay Kumar, Feroz Ali displace Mukesh
Magnificent Mukesh takes lead at four under 68