October 16, 2016: On hindsight, the tickets to the final round action at the Macau Golf and Country Club ought to have been printed on gold lined stubs. Anirban Lahiri (16-under 268) produced a spectacular run of late birdies on the final stretch, leaving fellow golfers and spectators gasping for breath. His run of seven birdies forced Pavit Tangkamolprasert into a playoff for the Venetian Macao Open title. In the end though, the young Thai star kept his poise for a memorable victory on the first playoff hole.
Chikkarangappa (271), overnight joint leader with Anirban Lahiri, settled for tied third place with Shih-chang Chan. It was the best Asian Tour finish for the young man from Bengaluru, an effort that should be enough to secure his card for the next season.
Anirban Lahiri (65) drifted from the top when he conceded three bogeys through the first seven holes on Sunday. Meanwhile Pavit (64) was in rousing form, scoring four birdies to open up a five shot advantage over Anirban. Chikkarangappa was ahead at this stage, tied with Pavit in the lead.
But as they made the turn, Anirban roared into contention with a stunning display of Sunday golf. He was one over through eleven holes, having made four bogeys and three birdies. The last of those bogeys came on the 11th hole and he was lying well off the leading pace.
Anirban Lahiri went on a hot streak firing consecutive birdies from the 12th hole. He caught up with Pavit with a birdie from 12 feet at the 17th, with the Thai player ahead of his group at the final hole. To his credit, the young Thai star, spotless through the final round, showed not a single frayed nerve. He made a cool birdie on the 18th forcing Anirban Lahiri to match the effort to force the playoff.
On the first hole of playoff, Pavit drove dead centre, with a nearly 330 yard tee shot. Anirban Lahiri drew his shot left and sailed into the water from there to sign away any chance of a contest. Pavit reached the green in two to keep his end of the bargain and clinch the title.
Rahil Gangjee (274) made his form count finally, firing a solid 67 to take seventh place. Rashid Khan (275) was just one back at the end of the three rounds, but a 71 in the final round meant that he had to settle for a tie in eighth place.
Jyoti Randhawa (280) also made 71, to finish the tournament in T25. SSP Chawrasia (282) and Chiragh Kumar (282) were a couple of strokes behind in T34.
Shankar Das, tied in 18th place overnight with Randhawa, finished with a 75 to slip down the order to T46. Khalin Joshi (286) ended the week in 57th place along with Gaganjeet Bhullar.
Arjun Atwal was sitting pretty after making 71 in the first and second rounds, but he slipped to the bottom with scores of 77 and 75 over the weekend.
