Thangaraja annexes Chittagong Open
36- year- old Sri Lankan N. Thangaraja, a multiple winner on the PGTI, won his third PGTI Title after a lapse of three years to climb the PGTI Ranking from eleventh to # 1 Rank after winning the City Bank American Express Chittagong Open 2018, at the gorgeous Bhatiary Golf and Country Club Course Chittagong in Bangladesh.
Thangaraja was co-leader of four, after day 1 with a stunning bogey free 7 under par and then was the leader by himself after day 2 and day 3, extending his lead from one stroke to two, to sit well placed at 16 under par, going in to the final round.
Having slipped-up in the final round of two previous events after staying well in contention in the last round, Thangaraja made no mistake this time round, having learnt from his earlier errors, shot two Birdies in the front nine, 4th and a chipin Birdie on the 6th to enjoy a 4 stroke lead and then continued his merry way firing 4 more birdies in the final stretch to complete a brilliant 6 under par final round, bogey free, to record the lowest ever winning total of the Chittagong Open, 22 under par, Six strokes clear of the Runner- up Veer Ahlawat of India. Thangaraja has being in the firing line with two consecutive top 5 finishes in the PGTI 2018 and managed to seal a scintillating victory beating a strong Indian challenge and the local
Pin Fernando Grand Prix
City Bank American Express Chittagong open 2018 final standings after round 4:
1: N. Thangaraja (SL) (65,67,68,66) -22 2: Verr Ahlawat (Ind) (69,66,68,69) -16 3: Aman Raj (Ind) (65,68,69,72) -14 4: Honey Baisoya (Ind) (71,68,67,70) -12 5: Md. Sajib Ali (Bnd) (65,68,71,73) -11 6: Kapil Kumar (Ind) (72,70,62,74) -10 T7: Prakash Chouhan (Ind) (68,75,70,66 ) -9 T7: Anura Rohana (SL) (70,71,71,68) -9 T7: C. Muniyappa (Ind) (72,68,72,69) - 9 10: Sunit Chowrasia (Ind) (71,70,73,66) -8
stars with home advantage. However, only Md Sajib Ali featured for Bangladesh in 5th place in the Top 10, whilst Thanga’s compatriot Anura Rohana shot a final round 4 under to end Tied 7th place on 9 under par.
Meanwhile in the UTE Engineering Pin Fernando Grand Prix March 2018 saw ‘new –kid on the block’ the RCGC Club Champion Sachin De Silva in the lead for the 3 rounds, giving the seasoned Amateur Golfers a ‘fright’. However, experience and nerves mattered in the final round and Navin Ranga, displayed staying power and consistency to overhaul Sachin’s 2 stroke lead overnight and eventually clinch the UTE Engineering Pin Fernando GP March edition by 2 strokes from defending Grand Prix #1 Ranker B A Sanjeewa.