Viraj Madappa wins Take Solutions Masters

Viraj Madappa made five birdies in a commanding final round performance to clinch the Asian Tour title at Bengaluru

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August 12, 2018: The drama on Sunday was worthy of a broadway run. Viraj Madappa recently moved base from Kolkata to Bengaluru and he seems to have brought his heart with him. The 20-year-old took a massive leap into the future with a gritty victory at the Karnataka Golf Association in Bengaluru. Viraj won the Take Solutions Masters by two strokes over a rampant Scott Vincent and a determined Danthai Boonma.

Suradit Yongcharoenchai took advantage of the chaos at the top to move into a tie for second with Miguel Carballo, Danthai Boonma and Scott Vincent. The Thai golfer shot the best round of the day, firing a 66 to end the day at 14-under 270.

On a thrilling Sunday under the clouds, Viraj constructed a ladder to his own moon with an emphatic performance built on consistency and composure. When the Zimbabwean made an eagle at the tenth and followed that with a birdie at the next hole, it was beginning to seem like he might run away with the honours.

But Viraj kept a cool head. He was playing in the same group with Vincent and Chikkarangappa. The heat of Vincent’s performance though did nothing to thaw the icy temperament of this young man from Coorg.

He made birdies at 10 and 11 to stay within touching distance of the lead. Vincent had started the day one behind Viraj, but caught up with the young man, making consecutive birdies at the fifth and sixth holes.

Meanwhile Viraj recovered a lost shot at the 7th with a solid birdie at the par-3 8th hole. The eagle at the 10th put Vincent two ahead, even as the overnight leader Miguel Carballo dissolved into the chasing pack with a couple of bogeys on the forward nine.

Khalin joshi’s hopes of ending a lengthy drought came to a nought too. He conceded a damaging double at the ninth to add to a bogey at the second to lose ground.

Chawrasia appeared to have a chance at one stage as he rose moved into a tie for the lead, but that was shortlived. He had an inconsistent day, mixing up his five birdies with four bogeys to slip into a tie for sixth place.

Amidst all the churn around him, Viraj kept up his resolute calm. A couple of successive birdies at the 15th and 16th moved him into the lead. Vincent made a pair of bogeys at the 16th and 17th to help Viraj arrive at the 18th tee with a two stroke advantage.

In the first real sign of nerves, Viraj floated his approach just enough to fade right, landing in the thick grass surrounding the final green.

But he produced well executed chip that went up and came down with just enough backspin to leave him eight feet from the flag. Viraj two putted from there to seal victory.

“It hasn’t really sunk it yet. I feel very calm,” said Viraj. “It is due to my entire team, who have been very supportive of my journey.”

“I felt a very good vibe standing on the 15th tee box. Even though I was a shot back, I somehow felt that it was going to be my day. I cannot really explain it, but it was the moment I sensed this could be the day.”

At twelve under at the start of the day, Chikkarangappa was in with a great chance. But it just wasn’t to be his day as he struggled to find consistency around the course. He shot one over 72 to finish in ninth place.

Consistency paid rich dividends for Om Prakash Chouhan. The steady golfer shot a measured 70 to secure a top ten finish.

 

Results

Viraj Madappa – 16-under 268

Danthai Boonma, Scott Vincent, Suradit Yongcharoenchai, Miguel Carballo – 270

Khalin Joshi, SSP Chawrasia, Honey Baisoya – 272

Chikkarangappa – 273

Om Prakash Chouhan, Poom Saksansin, Josh Younger, Jake McLeod, Anura Rohana, Miguel Tabuena – 274

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