Angelo Que takes 2nd after playoff

Report by Anand Datla

October 19, 2014: A good week for some of India’s top golfers ended with SSP Chowrasia finishing T5 at the Hong Kong Open. The 36 year old golfer shot a 67 today to force his way into the top 5 alongside Ernie Els in a group of four golfers. Angelo Que forced a playoff agianst Scott Hend, but a bogey at the first playoff hole meant that he settled for second. Both golfers finished at 13-under 267, but Hend made par at the 18th hole to take the playoff by one shot.

The event saw an exciting climax after Que forced a playoff with a terrific birdie at the 18th hole, which was also the first playoff hole. Unfortunately, he could not repeat the trick a little later and Hend only had to make par to take the title.

Indian golfers finish inside top twenty

The Hong Kong Open will also be remembered fondly for some good results for the Indian golfers. Jyoti Randhawa was the first round leader and along with Chowrasia remained in the top 10 for most part of this week.

Chowrasia shot back to back birdies at the third and fourth holes to kick start his day. He was slowed down by a bogey at the next hole. Chowrasia kept it steady from there, making a series of pars to reach the final stretch. He made three more birdies on the back nine and was set to finish higher, but a bogey at the final hole dropped him into a four way tie for fifth.

Randhawa was only three shots behind the overnight lead, but an erratic final round saw him slide down the order. He sandwiched a birdie on the 6th hole with bogeys at the first and ninth holes to make the turn in 35 shots. Randhawa made three more bogeys and a couple of birdies on the return stretch as he signed off with a 72 in the final round.

Rahil Gangjee was among a host of golfers who posted 66 in the final round, the lowest score on Sunday. Gangjee raced through the front nine in just 31 shots and rode his fine performance to surge into a tie for 15th with Randhawa in a group of four golfers.

Shiv Kapur survived a double bogey at the first hole and three bogeys to make a 69 in the final round. Kapur made six birdies on Sunday to finish at 5-under 275 in a tie for 20th place.

1 Scott Hend -13 (267)  € 171,843

2 Angelo Que -13 (267) € 114,562

T5 SSP Chowrasia -9 (271) € 34,129

T15 Rahil Gangjee, Jyoti Randhawa -6 (274) € 13,940

T20 Shiv Kapur -5 (275) € 10,733