The Hindu : Sport / Golf : Arjun Singh pips Shamim Khan for SRF title

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Arjun Singh pips Shamim Khan for SRF title

Arjun beat Shamim 2 and 1 in the final
This was Arjun’s first pro title after three years

NEW DELHI: Arjun Singh won the SRF all-India match-play golf championship, beating Shamim Khan 2 and 1 in the final at the Delhi Golf Club course here on Saturday.

Arjun and Shamim were involved in an absorbing contest in the 36-hole final on their home turf. At the end of the first 18 holes, Arjun was one up, having claimed the first, third, 12th, 14th, 15th and 17th holes. Shamim claimed the fourth, fifth, 10th, 13th and 16th holes.

On the second 18, Arjun jumped into a four-hole lead by winning the first, third and sixth holes. But Shamim was not the one to give up as he bridged the gap to just one hole by 14th.

Arjun won the 17th with a birdie as Shamim parred and that was the end of the contest.

This was Arjun’s first pro title after three years and his 12th in all. He was richer by Rs 5,20,000.

Delighted

“I am delighted with this victory. This is my first professional win after the 2005 Hero Honda Western India in Pune. This win also makes up for my last-hole debacle at the Global Green Bangalore Open in December,” said Arjun.

“Last year I had worked with Claude Harmon (Gaurav Ghei’s coach) on shortening my swing. All that hard work is paying off,” said the newly-crowned champion.

The victory also helped Arjun climb up from the 11th place to the fifth slot on the PGTI Order of Merit.

“My hitting was not good today even though I putted well and made some good chip-putts,” said Shamim. “I now need to work on my temperament and swing.”

In the play-off for the third place, Ali Sher beat Sinagpore’s Lam Chih Bing 4 and 3.

“I have played really well throughout this tournament but have been a little short of confidence with my putting,” said Ali Sher. — Special Correspondent

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