Rashid Khan ends seven-year wait with Telangana Open title

Veteran golfer Rashid Khan ended a seven-year wait for a professional victory by clinching the Telangana Open with a five-under 67 in the final round on Friday.

The 35-year-old Delhi golfer carded rounds of 66, 67, 65 and 67 to finish at 23-under 265, securing his 15th professional title and 11th victory on the DP World PGTI. His three-shot win at Vooty Golf County earned him Rs 15 lakh and lifted him to sixth place in the PGTI Order of Merit, with season earnings of Rs 44,95,509.

Delhi’s Honey Baisoya finished runner-up at 20-under 268 after producing the best final-round score among the leading contenders. He fired a seven-under 65 featuring nine birdies and two bogeys. The result earned Baisoya Rs 10 lakh and moved him to third in the season rankings with earnings of Rs 51,72,092.

Gurugram’s Veer Ahlawat also closed with a 65 to finish at 19-under 269 and share third place with overnight leader Angad Cheema. Ahlawat carded 68, 68, 68 and 65, while Cheema finished with a 73 after opening the tournament with a 70, 61 and 65.

Rashid’s previous PGTI title came at the Players Championship in 2019. The two-time Asian Tour winner and three-time PGTI Order of Merit champion described his return to the winner’s circle as an emotional achievement after a prolonged struggle with his game.

Rashid started the final round two shots behind Cheema but endured a difficult opening with bogeys on the first two holes. He quickly recovered with three successive birdies from the third to fifth holes before another birdie on the eighth gave him control of the contest.

Cheema, meanwhile, dropped three shots through the front nine, allowing Rashid to establish a three-shot lead at the turn.

Rashid extended his advantage with three consecutive birdies from the 10th to 12th holes. After two pars, he produced another crucial birdie on the 15th as he maintained his lead despite challenging windy conditions.

Cheema managed two birdies on the back nine but his one-over 73 saw him slip into a tie for third, four shots behind the champion.

Saptak Talwar, the current PGTI Rankings leader, finished tied 24th at seven-under 281 after rounds of 72, 68, 71 and 70. His Rs 1,14,450 prize money took his season earnings to Rs 87,47,684 and strengthened his position at the top of the rankings.

with inputs from PTI