Irina takes title

NEW DELHI, APRIL 5. Seventeen-year old Irina Brar won her maiden title on foreign soil when she edged past compatriot Parnita Garewal in the 36-hole matchplay final of the Sri Lankan National golf championship in Kandy, according to the information received from the Indian Golf Union (IGU) Ladies Section on Thursday.

``I am feeling very good as it was my first visit to Sri Lanka and it resulted in a title victory. I am very confident of faring well in the prestigious Queen Sirikit Cup (beginning on April 11 in Hong Kong), '' said an elated Irina, who wrapped up the close contest when Parnita bogeyed the 35th hole.

The three-member Indian team, which also included 32- year-old Vandana Aggarwal, performed very well. Vandana went down to Parnita in the semifinals.

Chandigarh's Irina asserted her supremacy from the beginning as she led the eight qualifiers into the knock-out phase with a tally of five-over 149 after the 36-hole strokeplay event.

Vandana finished runner-up in the strokeplay event with an aggregate of 151, while Parnita was third at nine-over.

Irina, the country's top-ranked amateur as per last season's Order of Merit, never trailed against Sri Lanka's Jacky Diaz and experienced S. Selvaratnam in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively.

``I played well against both the Sri Lankans. I won against Jacky on the 11th hole (eight up), while in the semifinals, I was five- up against Selvaratnam before the contest was over on the 14th hole, '' said Irina.

Irina met a tough opponent in her state-mate Parnita in the final. ``We were tied at the turn (18 holes). I was two down with 11 holes to play but then three birdies brought me back into contention,'' said Irina. Thereafter, Parnita's two successive bogeys on the 34th and the penultimate holes, paved the way for Irina's victory.

After two days of rest, the trio will leave for the Queen Sirikit Cup on Saturday night.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Harvinder helps Railways keep Punjab in check
Next     : Arjun closes gap on Randhawa