Kolkata, Dec 25 :After 36 holes of enthralling matchplay, Moin Malak came through to register his first win on the LG Amateur Tour. In a tightly fought contest, Moin sunk a birdie putt on the final hole to pip Arshdeep Tiwana at the post and win the finals of the LG-Goodricke Eastern India Amateur that was being played at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club.
Both players were looking for their maiden title on tour and in the end, despite a great showing in the tournament, Arshdeep will have to wait a little while longer for that elusive win. The tie see-sawed between the two before a thrilling last hole birdie for Moin to go one up and seal the match in his favour.
Moin sent out his signal of intent with a brilliant recovery on the first hole, that saw him hit his third shot, from in between trees and without the flag stick in sight, to two feet from the pin. On the next hole, Moin went one up with a birdie before a run of poor holes from nine to fourteen set him back. Moin made five consecutive bogeys on that stretch to go three down and allowed Arshdeep to breathe easy.
After the completion of the first 18 holes, Arshdeep maintained his advantage and when play resumed after the break, he looked set to increase his lead. But Moin came back strongly to close out the deficit and leave the tie delicately poised.
Arshdeep, who enjoyed a fabulous run throughout the tournament, came back to win two holes and maintained his stranglehold going into the last nine holes. Moin made it all square with a forty-foot putt on the 31st hole. From there on, it was a battle of nerves and it all came down to the final hole after a marathon match, that saw the lead switch between the two men.
Final score: (21) Moin Malak def. (23) Arshdeep Tiwana – 1 Up.