After being in the forefront on all four days, Rahil Gangjee squandered a three-stroke lead and then lost the play off to Max Kieffer of Germany at the Gujarat Kensville Challenge here on Sunday.
The play-off became necessary as both the players had finished four rounds with an identical score of 281at the Kensville Golf and Country Club.
Kieffer was richer by Euros 32,000 while Gangjee received Euros 22,000. There was a three-way tie for third place with Paul Dwyer (68), Andreas Harto (71) and Callum MaCaullay (70) at five-under 283.
Gangjee’s second place was a big boost for the event, which in the previous year, had provided an Indian winner in Gaganjeet Bhullar, who was tied 36th this time.
With four holes to go, the Gangjee was three clear and on his way to end an eight-year title drought. However on the home straight, which should have ideally given him the title, the 33-year-old faltered and allowed Kieffer to get a toehold. It became more challenging when Gangjee bogeyed on the 16th hole and Kieffer birdied.
“The turning point was the 16th. That gave him a two-shot swing and we were even. At some point when I was three ahead, I did think the momentum was on my side and I could win, but Kieffer pulled off those two late birdies to get into play-off,” said the Kolkata-based golfer.
It was a see-saw battle right till the end of regulation play after which Gangjee gave it away with a bunker shot from the edge, hit the lip and went into the stream ahead.
Champion Kieffer, 57th in the Challenge Tour Rankings last year, said, “Of course there were a few nerves on the inside, but I was delighted with how I coped mentally. Obviously, when Rahil went into the water in the play-off, I could afford to relax a little bit, but I still expected him to make a five so I had to concentrate.
“It was a great relief to roll my birdie putt close, and when Rahil missed his bogey putt, I knew the title was mine. It gives me a great chance to finish in the top 20 of the rankings this year, but there’s still a very long way to go,” he said.
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