Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship:<\/b> Shubhankar Sharma closed with a three-under 69 to win the INR 2 crore Kapil Dev Invitational Tour Championship by six strokes at the Jaypee Greens Golf & Spa Resort in Greater Noida on Saturday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 30-year-old Chandigarh golfer (68-65-72-69), who began the final round with a two-shot advantage, made an eagle on the par-five 12th, three birdies and two bogeys to finish at 14-under <\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It was Shubhankar\u2019s second victory in as many appearances on the DP World PGTI this season. His previous triumph came at the Boulders Classic in April, where he ended an eight-year wait for a professional title. The two-time DP World Tour winner collected INR 30 lakh for his victory.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Italy\u2019s Michele Ortolani (72-70-65-73) and Bengaluru\u2019s Manoj S (70-71-66-73) shared second place at eight-under 280. Manoj S\u2019 joint runner-up finish earned him INR 16 lakh and jumped from 26th to 17th at INR 35,92,684 on the Race to DP World India Championship and booked his spot for next week\u2019s marquee event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bengaluru\u2019s Khalin Joshi (72-67-71-71), a four-time winner on the DP World PGTI this season, finished fourth at seven-under 281. He earned INR 9,99,600 and strengthened his hold on second place in the Race to DP World India Championship, taking his season earnings to INR 77,33,825.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shubhankar began the final round with three early birdies but dropped a couple of bogeys in the middle of the round as Ortolani reduced his advantage. Shubhankar\u2019s bogey on the 10th tightened the contest before the leader responded emphatically. \u201cI expected the lead to narrow unless I made a very fast start,\u201d Shubhankar said. \u201cI made two early birdies, but I wasn\u2019t playing my best. Michele played extremely well, and then I made a poor bogey on the 10th. That was probably my worst shot of the day.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The decisive moment arrived on the par-five 12th, where Shubhankar holed a putt from approximately 60 to 70 feet for eagle in gusty conditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe eagle was a pleasant surprise and came at exactly the right moment,\u201d he said. \u201cI had just bogeyed the 10th, and the lead had been reduced considerably. Holing a putt from that distance gave me a huge lift and brought the momentum back in my favour.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shubhankar relied on his short game to protect his advantage over the closing stretch. One of his most important saves came on the 16th after the wind pushed his tee shot behind a tree. \u201cThe recovery and chip from a bare lie were difficult, and the par putt wasn\u2019t straightforward either,\u201d he said. \u201cMy putting made the difference. I holed several crucial putts from five to 10 feet coming in, and the save on the 16th was particularly important. No lead is safe until the final putt has been holed.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The challenging flag positions and gusting wind ensured that Shubhankar had to work hard despite the eventual six-shot margin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe course really showed its teeth, particularly with the flag positions,\u201d he said. \u201cI had to scramble and make several up-and-downs over the closing holes, so I\u2019m delighted to have finished the job. It was also excellent preparation for next week.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Shubhankar will now lead the Indian contingent at the US$4 million India Championship, the PGTI\u2019s flagship event co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The field will feature defending champion Tommy Fleetwood, the two-time Masters champion Rory McIlroy, reigning Open Champion Ryan Fox, former Masters champions Patrick Reed and Bubba Watson, along with several other PGA Tour and DP World Tour winners.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe DP World Tour has been my home for the past nine years, so I\u2019m looking forward to welcoming many of my friends to India,\u201d Shubhankar said. \u201cIt will also be an opportunity to showcase one of the country\u2019s finest and most historic golf courses.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He also spoke warmly about returning to compete on his home tour. \u201cI grew up on the PGTI Tour and have so many friends here,\u201d he said. \u201cI play abroad for much of the year, but the friendship and camaraderie I experience here are difficult to find anywhere else. That comfort probably contributes to the good form I produce whenever I return.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Gurugram\u2019s Harman Sachdeva (74-70-67-71) and the 2025 PGTI Order of Merit champion Yuvraj Sandhu (71-69-69-73) of Chandigarh shared fifth place at six-under 282.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Race to the India Championship leader Saptak Talwar (75-72-72-70) recorded his only under-par round of the week to climb from tied 25th to tied 16th at one-over 289.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Talwar earned INR 2,86,733 and held on to his No. 1 position in the Race to India Championship with season earnings of INR 99,69,017.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Race to the India Championship leader Saptak Talwar (75-72-72-70) recorded his only under-par round of the week to climb from tied 25th to tied 16th at one-over 289.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Also Read: <\/b> Special Cricket Stories<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n