It looked like a scene straight out of Blood Diamond with the men wading around in knee-deep water, hunting for the precious round object. The referee, rather wisely, chose to stand outside the waterlogged bunker and listed the various possibilities to Rashid Khan. There was no way the Delhi boy was going to consider the penalty drop, not when he started the day five shots back and definitely not when he was desperate for a win on his home course. The ball was found and a free drop was allowed in the back of the bunker. No problem sir! He took out his 8-iron to send the ball 155 yards to the green, 20 feet from the pin and promptly converted the putt to rev up the decibel levels.
The 18-year-old entered the Northern India Amateur without a win in his last three appearances on tour and that was one record he wanted to set straight. He had climbed to the top of the leaderboard by the halfway stage but what followed was his worst round on the amateur circuit since he first tasted victory on tour in the last edition of the Northern India. It was Abhishek Jha who was at the helm of affairs with the 15-year-old Ankur Chadha close behind him before the final round. Abhishek had earlier in the week surprised everyone by announcing his decision to hang up his amateur boots and jump into the trying world of professional golf at the end of the year.
But on the final day, with an embarrassing third round performance to overcome, Rashid was intent on stealing the limelight and he did it in grand fashion, albeit, in the penultimate group. It took him just eight holes to join the leaders and another hole after that to hold the lead on his own.
Ankur, in his first showing on tour, tried to match Rashid’s pace as the competition moved to the back-nine. He even pulled ahead of him for a couple of minutes before Rashid caught up once again. With the two still locked in battle, with Rashid on the 17th tee and Ankur on the 16th green, it was Rashid’s caddy who assessed the situation and pressed home the need for another birdie. Rashid did one better, finishing birdie-birdie and it was enough to knock the wind out of Ankur’s challenge and the resultant 66, good enough to keep the trophy in the Khan household.
Ankur impressed everyone with his tenacity and ability to hold his own in the leadergroup. The Chandigarh Open Amateur and the tournaments that follow will really tell us if his showing was a flash in the pan or a prelude to greater deeds. We sincerely hope he does enough to add his name into the vessel which is running dry in search of promising names for the future. And while we are at it, we will also keep a close eye on Honey Baisoya who at 13 did fairly well this week. If only someone weans him off his want to turn pro in a couple of years!
Rashid’s challenge on tour might be slim but a final-round 66 to walk off with the title is a commendable performance at any level and it was no surprise then that it gave him enough confidence to deliver his first victory speech. His first after six wins from just 12 starts.
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