Finally, after four near misses, Shiv Shankar Prasad Chawrasia annexed the Indian Open crown at the Delhi Golf Club. He may not have reserved his best for the last, but he handled pressure better than he ever did in his career to lay his hands on the elusive trophy. Like last year, he went into the final round with a twoshot cushion. But the worrying thought of finishing runner-up for the fifth time made him seek veteran Jeev Milkha Singh's advice. That seemed to have helped SSP keep his nerves in check.
On a day of fluctuating fortunes, SSP shot a gritty one-under 71 to keep the marauding Anirban Lahiri, his conqueror last year in a playoff, and Korean Jeunghun Wang (68) at bay to finish with a four-day total of 15-under 273 for his third European Tour victory.
Defending champion Lahiri (69), despite making a brilliant charge on the front nine, settled for the tied second spot two shots further back on 275.
“I have finished second four times and used to wonder if I would ever be a champion one day. This year, I came believing in myself, I knew that I could do it. I think every Indian player looks at this tournament as the biggest. It is our National Open and it's a huge honour for me to win it finally,” said a beaming SSP.
The victory was worth $276,660 for the champion. But more than the winner's purse, the move up the world rankings, the Olympic rankings rather, was what SSP was targeting. “I think I have now qualified for the Olympics. That was the goal,” said the 37-year-old, who moved to No.50 in the Olympic rankings with this stupendous triumph.
However, it was not smooth-sailing for the champion. He had to battle the demons and uncork a couple of brilliant shots under pressure to keep his dreams alive.
