Aadil Bedi wins his first professional title in a playoff against Udayan Mane
Aadil Bedi defeats Udayan Mane in a sensational playoff, the longest in the history of the PGTI Tour. Mane was hoping to secure a fourth straight title, but Aadil stood in his way like a rock.
15 March 2020: In a fitting finish to a well contested Bengal Open at the Tollygunge Golf Club, Aadil Bedi and Udayan Mane drew the curtains on a thrilling final day with a birdie for victory on the sixth attempt. The two men entered the playoff at 14-under 266 after both of them scored matching 69 on Sunday. Viraj Madappa forced his way into third place with a sensational 64 in the final round, finishing at 13-under 267.
Playing together in the final group, the tension was palpable as the two men stood their ground with a resilient final round display. Mane made birdies at the 2nd and 10th hole, conceding a five on the par-4 third hole.
Udayan Mane – Round 4 – Bengal Open
Aadil was ahead by one through the fifth hole, but bogeys at the 6th and 8th meant that he turned in 35 strokes, one behind Mane. After the two men struck matching birdies at the 10th, but the 19-year-old forged ahead with birdies at the 11th and 13th holes to go one clear at the top. Mane made a par at the final hole and Bedi conceded bogey at the 72nd hole to send the event into a playoff.
On the third extra hole, Bedi made a birdie from 35-feet to remain in the battle. He also saved par from 10-feet on the next hole, showing nerves of steel. After staying even through the first five playoff holes, Aadil secured his first victory with a chip in birdie.
Aadil Bedi – Trophy – Bengal Open
“It’s incredible to win my first title in such a manner. It was my first event of the year and I managed to get in the groove early in the first round which helped me build up to the final round. I’m happy that I also managed to put behind the disappointment of missing out on my Asian Tour card at the Q School in Thailand,” said Aadil.
“I handled the pressure really well. I was a little nervous at the start of the playoff but then got into a good zone mentally. I tried to play my own game and didn’t think too far ahead during the playoff. I feel my killer instinct came in when I tried to play some tough shots which I would not play otherwise. I managed to raise my game just at the right time. I guess having been in such situations before at the junior and amateur level also helped. The fact that I have won twice at Tolly as a junior was another factor that weighed in my favour.
“But Udayan played like a true champion. I knew I’ll have to pull out my best to beat him.”
Madappa fired six birdies and an eagle in a spectacular 64 that took him just one behind the leaders. Mukesh Kumar played a steady hand but an even 70 wasn’t enough to challenge for victory and he settled for fourth place.
Rahil Gangjee, Om Prakash Chouhan and Khalin Joshi tied for fifth at 269. Veer Ahlawat secured another top 10 finish in eighth place, at 10-under 270. Lankan golfers N Thangaraja and Anura Rohana rounded off the top 10 a further stroke back.
Anand Datla is an experienced columnist on sport. He is the Senior Editor at GolfingIndian.com. He has an endearing relationship with sport spanning over three decades. Anand travels and writes extensively on Indian and international golf.
