Round 4 - SSP Chawrasia defends title

March 13, 2017

Local favourite SSP Chawrasia made history after retaining his title at the Hero Indian Open with a remarkable seven-stroke win in New Delhi on Sunday.

Chawrasia, 38, became the first Indian to successfully defend a European Tour title and the first player to win their first four events in their home country.

The five-time Asian Tour winner started the day with a joint lead at the DLF Golf and Country Club and ended at four-under when the third round of the weather-hit tournament was completed Sunday morning.

He did not look back in round four, carding a one-under 71 to finish with a 10-under 278 for the tournament and push Gavin Green of Malaysia into second place with 285.

Chawrasia had finished runner-up four times at the tournament before finally triumphing last season.

"I'm winning back-to-back so I'm really very happy," said Chawrasia.

"This is a very tough course so I was just trying to play straight and in the right places. I played very consistently this week."

Chawrasia had to return to complete seven holes of his third round on Sunday morning after a storm hit play on the first two days.

Green never truly threatened Chawrasia's dominance, making two birdies and five bogeys to finish the fourth round with 75 and seal his first European Tour top-10 finish.

Scotsman Scott Jamieson signed for a 72 to finish eight shots behind the leader alongside Italy's Matteo Manassero (73).

Spaniard Carlos Pigem carded a disappointing 78 to finish alongside countryman Rafa Cabrera Bello and 2015 champion Anirban Lahiri of India.

The event, sanctioned by the Asian Tour and European Tour for the third straight year, carries an enhanced prize purse of $1.75 million.

Round 3 - Trio lead heading in to final round

March 12, 2017

Defending champion S.S.P. Chawrasia, Eddie Pepperell and Carlos Pigem shared the lead at 6 under in the Indian Open but will have to return on Sunday to finish their third rounds.

Five-time Asian Tour winner Chawrasia and England's Pepperell had completed 11 holes when play was suspended Saturday due to darkness. More than four hours of play had already been lost due to threat of lightning on the first two days.

Spaniard Pigem can take an early lead when he resumes on the No. 12 green.

Gavin Green of Malaysia was a shot behind at 5 under after completing 17 holes in his third round.

Round 2 - Weather cuts play short again

March 11, 2017

Defending champion S.S.P. Chawrasia shot a 5-under 67 Friday in the second round of the Indian Open to take a one-stroke lead at the rain-affected event.

Chawrasia, a five-time Asian Tour winner, is at 5-under 139 total, one shot ahead of David Horsey (74).

''First day I was level par as I was a little bit scared at this new tricky course,'' Chawrasia said. ''I won't change anything. I'll keep the same strategy. Hit it straight and putt well.''

Play was stopped for the second straight day because of the threat of lightning.

Round 1 - Matteo Manassero tops first round leaderboard

March 10, 2017

Despite a double-bogey on the first hole, Matteo Manassero ended up in the lead after a 4-under 68 Thursday in the first round of the Indian Open.

The four-time European Tour winner from Italy finished his round with seven birdies.

David Horsey was at 5 under after 15 holes, one of the dozens of players who were forced off the course because of lightning. They will complete their first rounds on Friday.

''It's very easy to lose shots on this course,'' Manassero said. ''I have been three weeks at home and to come back to a tough course like this, it's never easy. So the fact that I found a lot of birdies, it's very, very positive and I'll try to keep it that way.''

Eddie Pepperell (69) made up for his three bogeys with three birdies on front nine and three more on the back. Sam Walker, Steven Tiley, Danny Chia, Angelo Que and Paul Peterson all shot 70.

Scores

 

 

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