Gurgaon's Manu Gandas Triumphs in Nail-Biting PGTI Playoff
In a display of remarkable composure under pressure, Manu Gandas from Gurgaon secured a dramatic victory at the PGTI Trident Open on Friday, November 15. The tournament, which featured a prize purse of Rs 1 crore, culminated in a tense three-way playoff at the Chandigarh Golf Club.
The Road to Victory: A Rollercoaster Final Round
Gandas entered the final round needing a steady performance but faced stiff competition. He carded a final round score of one-over-73, which left him tied with his rivals, Chandigarh's Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Shubham Jaglan. All three golfers finished the regulation 72 holes with an identical total score of seven-under-281, forcing the event into a sudden-death playoff.
The final round was a test of nerve for Gandas. His journey on the day included:
- A birdie on the second hole.
- Pars on the next seven holes.
- A bogey on the tenth hole.
- A birdie on the 13th hole.
- A challenging double bogey on the 16th hole.
It was his mental fortitude after the double bogey that proved decisive. Reflecting on the critical moment, Gandas said, "I was a little frustrated with the double-bogey on the 16th but then just decided to let it pass and rather focus on what I had in my control. On the playoff hole (18th hole), I thought I would play it like I had done through the week by ensuring that I found the centre of the fairway. That's exactly what I did, and it paid off for me."
A Special Win for a New Father
The victory was made even more memorable for Gandas as it coincided with a joyous personal milestone. This win marks his ninth professional title and came with a winning cheque of Rs 15 lakh. This prize money propelled him from 14th to 7th place in the prestigious PGTI Order of Merit.
Emotionally, Gandas dedicated the triumph to his family, sharing, "This year has become even more special for me as I became a father just two months back. This is the first time my two-month-old son has travelled to an event and I'm delighted to lift the trophy with him in my arms and my wife beside me." The prize distribution ceremony was graced by cricket legend Kapil Dev.
Other Notable Performances
While Gandas celebrated his win, his competitors also put up a strong fight. Both Yuvraj Singh Sandhu and Shubham Jaglan carded impressive final rounds of two-under-70 to force the playoff. In another compelling storyline, seventeen-year-old rookie Manoj S, who was the third-round leader and in contention to become the youngest professional winner on the PGTI, shot a three-over-75. He eventually finished tied for fourth place at six-under 282 alongside Shaurya Bhattacharya.
