There is little doubting that S.S.P. Chowrasia’s victory in the inaugural Indian Masters will live long in the memory of those who witnessed his meticulous, calculated final round at the Delhi Golf Club yesterday.
The Indian had opened with a birdie, chipped in for another at the 3rd hole for the second time in two days and rolled in a huge putt from across the green at the 7th to pick up another shot. The force was with him and he was not to be denied.
And yet from a European perspective, Damien McGrane, of Ireland, should also be able to look back with considerable satisfaction on a fortnight in which he earned the right to play alongside Tiger Woods in the final two rounds of the Dubai Desert Classic and then brought his form with him to India, where he revelled in the tight layout of the course.
Yesterday, the 36-year-old Irishman completed a round of 70 with a birdie at his 72nd hole that guaranteed him a runners-up spot, two shots behind Chowrasia, on seven under par, and winnings of about £140,000. It was his best finish since he joined the European Tour in 2003 and guarantees him his card for next season.
“I could have won, could have done all sorts of things, but I’m satisfied with second place,” McGrane said.
Advertisement
“But fair play to the champion. Obviously I’d have liked to win but in the end I’m delighted to see an Indian golfer win in India. I think that will be great for the future of golf in the country and for the future of the European Tour in India itself.”
Leading final scores
279: S S P Chowrasia (India) 70, 71, 71, 67. 281: D McGrane (Ire) 67, 69, 75, 70. 283: J M Lara (Sp) 68, 72, 71, 72. 284: R Jacquelin (Fr) 69, 69, 72, 74; Digvijay Singh (India) 70, 70, 74, 70. 285: G Ghei (India) 75, 69, 70, 71; E Els (SA) 75, 70, 69, 71; T Bj?rn (Den) 68, 72, 74, 71; M Lafeber (Neth) 69, 71, 73, 72; R McGowan (GB) 72, 71, 70, 72. 286: S Kjeldsen (Den) 74, 71, 75, 66. 287: G McDowell (GB) 69, 69, 73, 76; H Buhrmann (SA) 69, 69, 75, 74; B Jones (Aus) 74, 68, 76, 69. 288: J-B Gonnet (Fr) 71, 73, 75, 69; H Nystr?m (Swe) 70, 71, 74, 73; A Atwal (India) 70, 70, 72, 76; B Barham (GB) 69, 71, 74, 74. 289: M Wiegele (Austria) 75, 68, 73, 73; S Hend (Aus) 71, 74, 73, 71; M O’Meara (US) 69, 73, 74, 73. 290: R J Derksen (Neth) 74 72 73 71; Christian Cevaer (Fra) 71 75 74 70; Peter Baker 73 71 74 72; David Lynn 69 75 74 72; Ross Bain 71 71 72 76; Oliver Fisher 73 71 73 73; Jyoti Randhawa (Ind) 65 77 75 73. 291: Unho Park (Aus) 71 72 76 72; Sam Little 70 75 74 72; Adam Groom (Aus) 72 73 74 72. 292: Mikael Lundberg (Swe) 71 68 79 74; Simon Yates 70 74 72 76; Simon Wakefield 74 68 78 72.