Turner Eagles Way to Panasonic 16th Place

Anirban Lahiri

Niall Turner of Muskerry Golf Club finished the Panasonic Open (India) on Saturday with another one under par round to secure a two way share of 16th place at the Delhi Golf Club, with a colourful card that included an eagle and double bogey.

Having been disappointed with some of his striking earlier in the week Turner clearly proved his ability throughout the four rounds as he picked up shots almost at will, it seemed, and Saturday's round was no different. 


Having dropped a shot at the second he reached the turn one under after an eagle 3 at the par five 8th. Then a poor start on the back nine the saw him bogey the 10th, and then double bogey the par three 12th. But three consecutive birdies on 15, 16 and 17 ensured a final round of 71 and a four under par total and  payday of €4,050

India’s Anirban Lahiri won the inaugural Panasonic Open (India) by defeating Singapore’s Mardan Mamat and compatriot Manav Jaini in a three-way play-off after the trio had ended regulation play on 13-under-par 275 total on Saturday.

Lahiri, who posted a final round one-under-par 71, secured his maiden title with a birdie on the 18th play-off hole as Mardan and Jaini could only managed to make pars at the newest US$300,000 event on the Asian Tour which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

The 23-year-old Indian was clearly delighted with his career breakthrough on the Asian Tour as he never had a good record at the Delhi Golf Club and was always receiving jokes about his inability to win at the venerable golf club.

“This is really a special feeling for me. Somebody once told me that if I could win at the Delhi Golf Club, I would probably be laughing as I have had such a bad record here. I guess the joke is on them now,” said Lahiri.

The title race for the Panasonic Open (India) went all the way down to the wire with the pressure-packed final round for all to see.

Lahiri had trailed overnight leader Mardan by three shots going into the final round and he opened his round well with an opening birdie before dropping two shots on holes three and nine.

He made another birdie on the 10th hole before another bogey on the par-three 12th set him back again.

However it was a magical eagle-three on the par-five 14th which led him back to the summit for a share of the lead with four holes remaining.

The lead was shared between Jaini and Lahiri until Mardan birdied his closing 18th to take inaugural event into a play-off.

“I’m happy that I kept myself in it because I was always trailing in the back-nine so I’m really happy to be able to come from that position and win,” said Lahiri.

“Before the play-off started, I gave a quick call to my psychologist and he told me to concentrate and believe in my abilities and I guess it paid off,” added Lahiri.

Mardan was left to rue another missed opportunity that could have ended his five-year winless streak.

The Singaporean had a late birdie on the closing 18th to thank for giving him a place in the play-off after a double-bogey on the 17th cost him to slip one back to second place then.

“It was a bad club selection and it cost me dearly,” said Mardan who chose to use a six-iron on the par-three 17th.

However with Lahiri sinking his 10-feet putt for birdie at the play-off hole, Mardan could only watch and ponder what might have been his day.

“It was not my day but what I can take from this week’s performance is that I’ve have the ability to compete at the highest level and I’m looking forward to Malaysia next week,” said the 43-year-old Singaporean.

Playing on his home course, Jaini finished in the top-five in his last three starts at the Delhi Golf Club but was disappointed that he was not able to add a win to that proud record this week.

“I missed several shorts putts especially in my last four holes. That cost me the tournament,” said Jaini.

Panasonic, the worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, has committed to the title sponsorship in India as an extension of the brand’s involvement with professional golf in Asia as it also hosts the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, a tournament jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

The top three players of the Panasonic Open (India) will be invited to play in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, scheduled from September 22 to 25 at Biwako Country Club in Shiga Prefecture.

Panasonic Open (India) Results

Niall Turner Birdies 2 Under at Panasonic

Mardan Mamat

Niall Turner closed day three at the Panasonic Open (India) in a share of 15th place following a round where he continued to show an ability to pick up birdies, with a total of five on Friday, to finish 2 under par.

A double bogey on the par three 5th was the first bit of trouble in round three, and birdies on the 3rd, 7th and 8th ensured the Muskerry golfer reached the halfway one under par. Then two consecutive birdies on the last two holes helped limited the damage on his card of a dropped shot on the 12th, with Turner signing for a 70 - and three under par total.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat posted a three-under-par 69 to take the third round lead on 15-under-par 201 total at the inaugural Panasonic Open (India) and promised not to let his legion of fans down on Friday.

Mardan’s title aspirations will be put to the test with the Indian brigade led by Anirban Lahiri piling on the pressure. Lahiri posted a 68 to trail the Singaporean by three shots to take second place on 204 while Manav Jaini carded a 67 to take third place after signing for a 205 total.

Eight-time Asian Tour winner Jyoti Randhawa, Himmat Rai and Mukesh Kumar are bunched in equal fourth on 207 at the newest US$300,000 event on the Asian Tour which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

Mardan, a two-time Asian Tour winner, is 18 holes away from ending a five-year title drought and hopes to reward his supporters with a long awaited win at the Delhi Golf Club.

Mardan’s fans have been very vocal with their support for him with encouraging messages being posted on the Asian Tour facebook page, urging Singapore’s number one golfer to fulfil his true potential by winning this week’s inaugural event.

“I know everyone back home is hoping that I play well and go on to win. I’ve been in this position so many times and I should be able to handle it on the final day,” said Mardan who enjoyed a bogey-free round with three birdies on holes four, eight and nine.

Mardan believes that the key to returning to the winner’s circle is to stay focus and concentrate on his own game.

“I think everything tomorrow will be about me and nobody else. I can’t be distracted and think what the rest of the field is doing. It got to be only me and focusing on playing one hole at a time,” said Mardan.

“I’m pretty pleased with how I’ve played the last three days. This is where I won my first Asian Tour title and hopefully I can do it again tomorrow,” added the Singaporean.

First round leader Lihiri also had another performance of his own to savour.

The 23-year-old marked his card with a birdie on the sixth hole before adding another three in his outward-nine, including a closing birdie which gave him sole possession of second place.

“I shot a four-under with 33 putts at the Delhi Golf Club which is fantastic. I could have shot a better score but I’m not looking too far into that,” said Lahiri.

“I’m happy with the way I’m hitting the ball. I concentrated and focused well today and I’m looking forward to the final round tomorrow,” added Lahiri.

Jaini also kept up the pressure on the Mardan and Lahiri by matching his second round 67 to keep himself in contention for his first win on the Asian Tour.

Starting the day in fifth place, the 28-year-old Indian got off to a blistering start on the front-nine by mixing four birdies against a lone bogey to reach the turn in 33.

Jaini then continued to birdie hole 12 before closing with another birdie on the par-five 18th.

“Anything can happen on this golf course and I’m just trying to go out there and play my game. I had two solid rounds and if I can play like this, I should be in the hunt,” said Jaini.

“This is my home course and I’m glad that it has been kind to me for the last couple of events that I’ve played here. There’s one more day to go and if I can pull off another good round, who knows,” added the Indian.

India’s sports minister, Honorable Shri. Ajay Maken from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports will be present for the prize presentation ceremony on the final day at the Delhi Golf Club.

Panasonic, the worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, has committed to the title sponsorship in India as an extension of the brand’s involvement with professional golf in Asia as it also hosts the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, a tournament jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Round 3 leader board

Turner Level in Round 2 at Panasonic Open

Mardan Mamat

Niall Turner played the third round at the Panasonic Open (India) in level par despite carding five birdies on Thursday as the Muskerry man dropped the same number of shots either side of the turn to end the day signing for a 72, sharing 19th place.

Birdies on the opening hole, the 7th and then the 8th took him to one under par at the turn following bogeys on the fourth and ninth. On the back nine it was a similar story after bogeys on 12, 13 and 17 were recovered after birdies on the 10th and 15th to end the day one under overall.

Mardan Mamat of Singapore continued his fine run at the inaugural Panasonic Open (India) after posting a second round seven-under-par 65 for the clubhouse lead on Thursday.

The 43-year-old Singaporean, who is seeking to end a five-year title drought on the Asian Tour, signed for a two-day total of 12-under-par 132 to open up a four-shot lead over Ben Fox of the United States at the Delhi Golf Club.

India’s Himmat Rai bettered his opening 70 with a 67 to take third place with compatriot Manav Jaini one back in fourth on 139 at the newest US$300,000 event on the Asian Tour which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI).

Starting the day in tied-second, Mardan overcame his two-shot deficit with a flawless opening front-nine. The Singaporean fired four birdies and an eagle-three on the par-five eighth to move atop the leaderboard at 11-under at the turn.

Mardan’s only blemish of the round would come at par-four 10th where he rued a bad iron shot. However, that blunder was quickly put out of mind as he posted two more birdies on the 14th and 15th holes.

“I had a really good start and that kept up my confidence. Overall I’m very pleased with the way I’ve putted over the last two days,” said Mardan.

“As long as you don’t make too many silly mistakes on this golf course, it will be okay. I’m just going to relax and sharpen my putting. I hope to maintain my momentum for the next two days,” added the two-time Asian Tour winner.

Meanwhile, Fox also produced another commanding performance by mixing eight birdies against two bogeys to keep up his charge for a career breakthrough on the Asian Tour.

“I played really solid golf. It could have been a lot better yesterday but the putts just didn’t fall. But today, it was the exact opposite. I hit it well and managed to make those putts. That’s the difference,” said Fox.

Fox narrowly kept his Tour card by finishing on the bubble in 61st place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last season and is determined not to be caught out in such a compromising position on the rankings again.

“I took a lot of positives from last year and I was lucky to keep my card. I’m definitely looking forward to taking advantage of it this year,” said Fox.

Fox plans to take the pressure off himself by taking in the sights in New Delhi with his girlfriend but knows he has to remain focus to fulfil his goal of winning his first Asian Tour title.

“My girlfriend’s in town so I’m going to hang out with her and I’m just going to take it easy and get ready for tomorrow,” said Fox.

“This is the kind of golf course where you have to be patient and stick to your game plan. That’s all I intend to do and keep doing what I’ve always done here and we’ll see what comes of it,” added the young American.

Panasonic, the worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, has committed to the title sponsorship in India as an extension of the brand’s involvement with professional golf in Asia as it also hosts the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, a tournament jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Leaderboard

Turner's Half Dozen Birdies at Panasonic

Anirban Lahiri 

Niall Turner started on the 10th and was four over par by the time he left the 16th green, at the Panasonic Open (India), recovering one shot before making the turn, and then cruising home with five birdies to sign for a one under par total of 71 for a share of 21st place - albeit six shots off the lead

It was India’s Anirban Lahiri who got his title campaign off to a good start by posting a seven-under-par 65 to take the opening round lead  on Wednesday.

Singapore’s Mardan Mamat who won his first Asian Tour title at the Delhi Golf Club, venue of this week’s newest US$300,000 event which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI), is two shots back alongside Thailand’s Namchok Tantipokhakul on matching 67s.

Former Bangladesh national team captain Md. Shakhawat Sohel showed the emerging talent pool from his country by returning with a 69 to take a share of fourth place alongside Thailand’s Thitiphun Chuayprakong, Somkiat Srisanga, India’s Manriam Sharma, Vikrant Chopra and Australia’s Tim Stewart.

Lahiri who is riding high on confidence after winning a domestic event on the PGTI last week, enjoyed a flawless round that was highlighted by seven birdies at the Delhi Golf Club.

“I’m very happy with how I’ve played today. I hit it great off the tee and most of my birdies were all close range especially on the 13th and 17th. I also closed the round with a brilliant 20-footer for birdie on the 18th,” said Lahiri.

The 23-year-old Indian has shown his appetite for winning on the domestic circuit by amassing a total of seven titles.

However it is still that maiden Asian Tour title that has eluded him and Lahiri now hopes to find his breakthrough this week.

“I’ve been playing well on the domestic circuit and I’ve won quite a few events in the last year or so. My confidence is coming more from the SAIL Open (sixth place finish) and playing well on this golf course about two weeks ago,” said Lahiri

“I’m just happy with the way I’m playing and we’ll see the results as and when they come,” added Lahiri.

Meanwhile Mardan, who is back in the sub-continent for the second time in three weeks to launch another title bid, is hoping to rediscover his winning form at the same venue where he earned his career breakthrough in 2004.

“The Delhi Golf Club brings good memories as this is where I won my first title on the Asian Tour and if things go in the right direction the next three day, I think I can relive those memories again,” said the 43-year-old Singaporean.

Mardan’s last victory was recorded on home soil in 2006 at the Singapore Masters and he is determined to end a five-year title drought after enjoying his career-best finish of eighth place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit last season.

The Singaporean was quick to give credit to his new sponsor, Yonex for providing him with a good start on the opening day of the inaugural event.

“I’ve a new Yonex driving iron that is suitable for this course. I’ve managed to keep my ball on the fairways with that and it has really helped me a lot today,” said Mardan.

Namchok who is seeking his maiden win on the Asian Tour, enjoyed a bogey-free round by marking his card with five birdies.

The Thai is however not planning to give himself any pressure as there are still three more rounds to play.

“It’s only the first round and anything can happen the next few days. What I can do is to play my own game and the rest will take care of itself if I’m playing well,” said the 23-year-old Thai.

Shakhawat is hoping to follow in the footsteps of compatriot Siddikur by becoming the second Bangladeshi to win an Asian Tour title.

Shakhawat, who teed off in the back-nine, started off convincingly with four opening birdies until a bogey on the 15th followed by a double-bogey on the 17th set him back momentarily.

“My score could have been much better as I was four-under after four holes. But I made a mistake at hole 15. I teed off really well and that hole could have been a birdie if not for my bad second shot. Unfortunately I made a bogey over there and double-bogeyed 16th,” said Shakhawat.

The Bangladeshi, who used to work as a caddy before joining the national team, managed to regain his composure by making birdies on the 17th and 18th holes to reach the turn in 33.

He then mixed two bogeys against two birdies in his inward nine to eventually sign for a 69.

“I hope to show everyone that the standard of golf in Bangladesh is growing and with more events like this on the Asian Tour, we can only get better,” said Shakhawat.

Panasonic, the worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, has committed to the title sponsorship in India as an extension of the brand’s involvement with professional golf in Asia as it also hosts the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, a tournament jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

Turner Joins Local Talent at Panasonic

Jyoti Randhawa

After a week’s break, the Asian Tour’s voyage returns to India again and this time, the spotlight is on the inaugural Panasonic Open (India). For the second time in three weeks, the region’s top players will compete at the Delhi Golf Club in their quest for glory at the Asian Tour’s newest US$300,000 event. 

US based Niall Turner, originally from Muskerry Golf Club, plays in his second Asian Tour event following a 12th place finish at the Sail Open three weeks ago in Delhi. On the eGolf Tour Turner finished with 4 under overall to secure 29th place at the Samanah Classic, with a 26th place at the El Jadida Classic in Morocco over the past two weeks. 

In the mix this week will be Jyoti Randhawa, from India, wqho created history when he became the first Indian to win the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2002. The powerful Indian finished in seventh place at the SAIL Open last week and will be eager to get back to his winning ways next week at the Delhi Golf Club, which he has triumphed on numerous occasions on the Asian Tour.

Siddikur narrowly missed out on his second Asian Tour at the Delhi Golf Club and will be hoping to make amends this week. As the first professional golfer from Bangladesh to win an Asian Tour title, don’t rule him out from creating another impression again. 

Gaganjeet Bhullar, aslko from IIndia, who has two Asian Tour victories, hopes to add a third win on home soil after a enjoying solid start to the season where he has won three titles in India and one in Bangladesh since the beginning of the year. The young talent has been touted as the next big star from India and could well justify that tag with another commanding performance at the Delhi Golf Club. 

The big-hitting Australian Scott Hend will be hoping to stamp his class after enjoying three top-10s last season on the Asian Tour. The Australian topped the driving average list at the Asian Tour Awards Gala last season with a driving average of 309 yards and could be in contention at the Delhi Golf Club.

Entry List

Ichihara Hoping to Support Japanese Relief

Kodai Ichihara

Japan’s Kodai Ichihara is looking for a winning performance that will help support his donation efforts for victims affected by his country’s natural catastrophes at this week’s inaugural Panasonic Open (India). 

The 28-year-old Japanese has been making his own donations towards his country’s recovery efforts but hopes that a good performance at the Delhi Golf Club will provide him with more funds to continue doing so with the winner’s prize purse worth US$47,550.

“I’ve been doing my part in donating part of my earnings towards the relief effort for victims affected by the earthquake and tsunami in my country. Hopefully a win this week will allow me to contribute even more,” said Ichihara ahead of the newest US$300,000 event on the Asian Tour Schedule where it will be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) from April 6 to 9 (Wednesday to Saturday).

As Japan continues to recover from the massive quake and tsunami that ravaged the country last month, Ichihara wants to show that the courage of the Japanese will prevail in times of such difficulties as well.

“Life has to go on. We’ll overcome all setbacks and show the world that we are strong and our lives will return to normalcy,” said Ichihara who is bidding for his maiden win at the Panasonic Open (India).

Ichihara also paid tribute to Panasonic, a Japanese worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, for being instrumental in the title sponsorship of the inaugural event.

“It’s always nice to welcome a new event by a corporate sponsor. Being Japanese, I’m also excited about the involvement of a Japanese company on the Asian Tour. This will be a good starting point as they can see the value of the Asian Tour and hopefully support even more events in the future,” said Ichihara.

Meanwhile India’s S.SP. Chowrasia is hopeful of another good performance which will help extend his lead at the top of the Asian Tour Order of Merit.

Chowrasia has proven his liking for winning at home with his two Asian Tour victories coming on home soil and is looking for a hat-trick of wins at the Panasonic Open (India).

“It’s still early days in the season but it’ll be nice if I can give myself a good lead at the top. I’m playing well and it should be a good week,” said Chowrasia, a two-time Asian Tour winner.

Compatriot Sujjan Singh, who is lying closely behind Chowrasia in second place on the rankings, wants his dream run on the Tour to continue.

Singh earned his Tour card by finishing in tied-21st at Qualifying School earlier this year and got his rookie year off to the best of starts with a tied-fifth finish at the season-opening Avantha Masters.

Playing at home again this week, the 30-year-old Indian is eying another good performance which will help cement his place among the region’s elite players and the opportunities to play against them.

“It has been a great start to the year and I couldn’t have to ask for more. It’s good to always play at home as you get to sleep in a bed you know and I’ve a family that I’m staying with,” said Singh.

“There’s a lot of advantage being in the top-10 as you get to play the bigger events and it’s a good motivation for me to continue my form for the rest of the season,” added the Indian.

Panasonic, the worldwide leader of electronic product manufacturers, has committed to the title sponsorship in India as an extension of the brand’s involvement with professional golf in Asia as it also hosts the Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open in Japan, a tournament jointly sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Japan Golf Tour.

The top three players of the Panasonic Open (India) will be invited to play in Asia-Pacific Panasonic Open, scheduled from September 22 to 25 at Biwako Country Club in Shiga Prefecture.

Niall Turner Back in Panasonic Action

Jyoti Randhawa

Niall Turner is set to return to action after a few busy weeks which saw him compete in two events in Morocco in mid March, as well as his inaugural Asian Tour event in Delhi, he will now    return to India for the Panasonic Open this week at the Delhi Golf Club..

There are two other Irish players down on the reserve list, but unlilley to play, Justin Brink and Llewellyn Matthews.

India’s history maker Jyoti Randhawa aims to provide more sporting glory for his country by winning the inaugural Panasonic Open (India) which tees off at the Delhi Golf Club on Wednesday.

Euphoria is on an all-time high after India swept aside Sri Lanka to win the cricket world cup and another win by a home grown talent in the sporting arena is certain to evoke more excitement in the game among the home crowd.

“India winning the cricket world cup is great. Golf has also come a long way in India and it’ll be nice if I can win this week too,” said Randhawa, who was the first Indian to win the prestigious Asian Tour Order of Merit title in 2002.

“Sport in the country has not been given much importance in the past but now it’s catching up. Any sporting event in India or rather any sporting guy in the country who wins a big event is now recognised,” added the Indian.

For the second time in three weeks, the region’s elite players will return to India for the Panasonic Open (India), which is the newest US$300,000 event on the Asian Tour Schedule where it will be co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) from April 6th to 9th (Wednesday to Saturday).

Randhawa is expected to spearhead the local challenge as he is regarded as one of Asia’s most decorated players with eight Asian Tour wins to his illustrious career.

Randhawa’s last victory on the Asian Tour came in 2009 at the Thailand Open and he hopes that the wait for another victory will end at the Delhi Golf Club, a venue which he has triumphed on many occasions before.

“I’ve a good record at the Delhi Golf Club and if I can build on my record here this week, it’ll be great,” said Randhawa.

Married to prominent Bollywood actress Chitrangada Singh, the limelight has also never shone far away from Randhawa.

While he is disappointed to have lost his European Tour card this season, Randhawa knows that he will be back at the top of his game soon.

“Golf’s a funny game. Sometimes you keep winning and sometimes it goes the other way. But I’m at it and I’m trying to get my act together and hopefully win something. I’m feeling better about my golf swing and I hope to capitalise on that,” said Randhawa.

Meanwhile Malaysia’s Danny Chia, who last victory came in 2002 at the Taiwan Open, hopes to end his nine-year title drought.

“I haven’t been playing much tournaments lately and I’ve been making several swing changes. But I feel that it’s all coming together. Everything looks very positive for me now,” said Chia.

The Malaysian is buoyed with confidence after enjoying a memorable season last year where he enjoyed two top-10s and was also the first Malaysian to play in all four rounds at the British Open at St. Andrews.

Having played at the Delhi Golf Club on numerous occasions, Chia believes that accuracy will be key in deciding the winner at the inaugural Panasonic Open (India)

“There’s only one thing here which you’ve got to do and that is to hit the fairways and the rest will take care of itself. The greens are also very tricky here so whoever can manage the greens will emerge as the winner,” said Chia.

Emerging young talent Panuphol Pittayarat of Thailand who earned his Asian Tour card through Qualifying School earlier in the year, is also eager to show that he can match up against the best despite being only 18 years old.

“This week’s a good opportunity to access how good I’m at my game as there are many good players competing. I hope to play well and make a good living on the Asian Tour,” said the young Thai.