Chikka ends tied 13th, other Indians flounder THAILAND OPEN
Chikkarangappa returns sixunder 274 as local golfer Pittayarat lifts title
BANGKOK: India’s S Chikkarangappa and Rahil Gangjee finished in top 20 at the $300,000 Asian Tour-sanctioned Thailand Open ended here on Sunday.
Chikka shot a final round of one-under 69 and finished the week at six-under 274 to be placed tied 13th, while Gangjee shot even par 70 to be tied 18th.
Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand claimed a special victory at the Thailand Open after closing with an even-par 70 and 13-under 267 total. He held off a strong challenge from countryman Poom Saksansin (70) at the Par-70 Thai Country Club.
As for other Indians, Rashid Khan had a disappointing weekend as he carded 73-72 after shooting 67-68 in first two rounds.
Rashid was even par 280 and ended tied 38th, while Chiragh Kumar (71) was tied 47th, Gaganjeet Bhullar (74) was tied 55th and Viraj Madappa (76) was tied 70th.
The 25-year-old Panuphol battled nerves heading into the final six holes where he bogeyed 13 and 18, and almost found the water hazard with his third shot on the par-five 17th hole.
He held on to victory after signing for a 13-under-par 267 total. Panuphol is the fifth Thai player to win his National Open since 1965. It was also his second Asian Tour title after clinching the 2017 Indonesia Open.
ADITI ASHOK T-34
GALLOWAY (US): Returning to action after a three-week gap, India’s Aditi Ashok shot 71 and 68 to open her campaign in the LPGA Shoprite Classic.
Aditi, with a total of three-under 139, is tied 34th. Aditi has been in good form as she finished inside top 7 in last two starts at the LPGA Volunteers of America LPGA and LPGA Mediheal.
Aditi, ranked 70th in the world and positioned well at 47th in the CME Ranking of the LPGA, had four birdies against four bogeys to shoot even in first round.