The Hindu : India retains SAARC title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 31, 2002

Sport

Sport - Golf

India retains SAARC title

By Our Sports Reporter

GURGAON, MARCH 30. India retained the SAARC golf trophy blanking Bangladesh 3-0, in a matchplay final of the 4th edition of the championship at the Classic Golf Resort here on Saturday.

After having been taken the distance by Sri Lanka in the three previous finals, Bangladesh proved an easy rival for India.

Jasjit Singh provided an early lead, defeating Mohammed Hossain Mia, on the 12th hole. Braving strong winds, Jasjit negotiated the challenging course with a gutsy show.

On the turn Jasjit had opened up a comfortable lead, winning six of the nine holes against Mia. He added two more to his card after completing the 12th hole for an 8 and 6 win.

Starting behind Jasjit, the top-ranked Indian, Keshav Mishra, almost gave the Indian camp a scare. Mishra was two up after the front nine but lost the first two holes on the turn which allowed Mohammed Siddikur Rahman to square the scores.

``I hit the ball well but my putting was miserable. In fact, this whole week I struggled with my putts, but I am happy that I won a crucial point for the country,'' Mishra said of his indifferent form.

Mishra and Rahman halved the 12th and after winning the par-4 13th, Mishra again lost the initiative on an otherwise easy par-5 14th. The Indian made matters worse for himself when he found a rough on the 15th hole.

Just when it looked that the contest might continue till the 18th hole, Mishra recovered with a perfect second shot. He found the green and parred while Rahman dropped a shot. Mishra then ended the contest winning the short 17th.

Manav Das followed Mishra in a similar manner. He had a 2-0 lead after completing the front nine against Mohammed Milon Ahmed. Though he increased the lead to 3-0, by winning the 10th hole, Ahmed closed the gap by claiming the 13th.

As the news came in that India had taken an unbeatable 2-0 lead, Manav relaxed. He got into the rough on the right of the 16th fairway and just about saved par with a five-foot putt. But it was not enough as Ahmed birdied and left him with just a 1-0 lead. Manav won the 17th with a par as India ended the contest with a thumping margin.

The results:

Final: India beat Bangladesh 3-0 (Keshav Mishra bt Mohammed Siddikur Rahman 2 and 1; Jasjit Singh bt Mohammed Hossain Mia 8 and 6; Manav Das bt Mohammed Milon Ahmed 2 up.

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