KOLKATA, Dec 18: Chandigarh-based HS Kang clinched the LG RCGC Cup at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club. This was the first win on the LG Amateur Tour this season for him. Fifteen-year-old Ashbeer Sainifrom Kapurthala finished four strokes back in second place. He impressed everyone with his skills but crumbled under pressure in the final round. Pawan Kumar finished third along with Rahul Bajaj at five over par with a total score of 293, while Manav Das finished three strokes further back at 296. Both Rahul Bajaj and Manav Das have won once this year on the LG Amateur Tour. Gagan Verma, the leader on the LG Order of Merit list, finished 15th on the leader board. He had a terrible second round and never got back into contention after that.
Young Ashbeer raced off to a great start and after four holes had opened a five shot lead over Kang but his game fell apart after that with triple bogeys on the par-4 fifth and tenth hole. He never managed to catch up and eventually Kang’s experience proved vital in sealing the four stroke win. In hindsight, Ashbeer frittered away the advantage as nerves took control of his game.
Kang did not get off to the best of starts but kept it together after a horrid front nine and finished with a three over 75 for a tournament total of one under par. Ashbeer carded a 79, his worst round over the duration of the tournament and finished with a four day total of three over par, 291.
Reflecting on the win Kang said "I had a terrible front nine and got unlucky in a couple of places but managed to hold on after that." This was his second win on the LG Amateur Tour after registering his maiden win on tour last year when he won the LG Samarvir Sahi Amateur. He still had words of confidence for the 15 year old lad, saying "He is a very good player but lacks experience right now. I am sure he will go on to win many titles in the future."
The next tournament on the LG Amateur Tour is the prestigious LG-Goodricke Eastern India Amateur which will commence at the Royal Calcutta Golf Club on Friday. While Kang would be hoping to continue his good form, Ashbeer gets a chance to redeem himself and he would be hoping to put on a good show once again.
Scores: 287: HS Kang (71,71,70,75). 291:Ashbeer Saini (69, 73, 70, 79). 293: Rahul Bajaj (76, 73, 75, 69), Pawan Kumar (78,70,71,74). 296:Manav Das (74,78,74,70), Sanjeev Mehra (73,73,74,76). 297:Moin Malak (78,75,72,72), Akshay Butta (76,74,75,72), Raja Sardar (73,71,73,80). 298: Arshdeep Tiwana (76,72,73,77). 299:Vikram Rana (73,72,77,77). 300: Karan Taunk (78, 78, 74, 70), Abhinav Lohan (72,77,76,75). 303: Karan Vasudeva (78, 74, 78 ,73), Gagan Verma (72,78,79,74). Abhishek Jha (79,75,74,75)