Dubai-based Rayhan Thomas announced his arrival in Indian professional golf in style by rising to the occasion with a solid final round of four-under 68 and clinching victory on his PGTI debut at the INR 1 crore KGiSL Presents Coimbatore Open at the Coimbatore Golf Club.
Related: Akshay Sharma retains lead in Coimbatore with hard-fought 71
The 24-year-old Rayhan (70-67-69-68), who was placed one off the lead in tied second place ahead of the final round, totaled 14-under 274 for the week to prevail by one shot and create history by becoming only the second player to win in his first appearance on the PGTI.
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Thai golfer Pariya Junhasavasdikul was the first player to achieve the feat when he won the year-end Tour Championship in 2016 on his PGTI debut.
Manu Gandas (71-65-72-67) took second place at 13-under 275 as a result of his last round of 67. Manu thus climbed four spots from his overnight tied sixth.
Akshay Sharma (69-65-71-71), who was the leader by one shot after round three, carded a 71 on Saturday to finish third at 12-under 276.
Rayhan, playing at Coimbatore for the first time, was two-under through the front-nine after he made three birdies and a bogey that kept him in the race. Rayhan, who won twice on the MENA Tour while still an amateur and also represented India in many prestigious events such as the 2018 Asian Games, sank a couple of long birdies on the front-nine.
Excelling in all departments of his game through the week, he stormed into the lead and became top contender when he collected birdies on the 13th, 15th and 16th. Rayhan, who turned pro in May this year, had a few anxious moments on the 17th where his ball was plugged in the bunker. He played it over the green from there but got away with a bogey on that hole thanks to a great chip and putt that helped him hold on to his lead.
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The professional from the Dubai Creek Golf Club finally sealed it with a par on the 18th after finding the green in two shots and making a comfortable two-putt.
Rayhan, emerging champion in only his fourth professional appearance, said, “After sinking that final putt, I just wanted to hug my Uncle (Maj. Thomas), who was caddying for me. He had been there for me all week and that meant a lot to me.
“It was a really good round today, in fact my best of the week. I had a little scare on the 17th but then did well to salvage the situation by playing a quality chip on that hole to stay ahead and then producing a couple of good shots on the last hole. The pressure was off when I knew I could make a two-putt to win on the 18th.
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“I feel playing college golf in the United States helped me prepare well for the professional level. You experience a lot of pressure in US college golf because playing for a team your score means a lot more. Growing up in Dubai has also helped a lot as I’ve had access to some of the best golfing facilities there. Coming back to my home country India completes the cycle for me.
“My grit and patience stood out for me this week. There were a lot of birdie chances out there so it was easy to get complacent when you don’t get a birdie. But I was happy with how I stayed patient and kept it going. I really enjoyed my first outing at the Coimbatore Golf Club. It’s a magnificent venue.”
