Jhared makes dream debut on DP World PGTI with five-shot win at Chhattisgarh Open

Naya Raipur, Feb 6 (PTI) Jhared Hack of USA made a dream debut on the DP World PGTI with a thumping five-shot victory at the season-opening Chhattisgarh Open, a Rs 1.5 crore event, here on Friday.

Jhared (63-61-63-59), who was overnight third and one shot off the lead, produced a sensational final round of 10-under 59, the lowest single-round score ever registered at the Fairway Golf & Lake Resort.

Las Vegas-based Jhared, runner-up at last week's DP World PGTI Qualifying School, improved upon the previous best score of 60 at Naya Raipur, shot by multiple players at last year's edition.

He also created a new record for the lowest winning score by posting an astounding 30-under 246. Last year's lowest winning score was 27-under 249 by Shaurya Bhattacharya.

Twenty-one-year-old Anshul Kabthiyal (62-61-63-65) of India registered his career-best result after he finished runner-up at a total of 25-under 251. Anshul, the overnight joint leader by one shot, came up with a flawless four-under 65 in round four.

Honey Baisoya (62-61-63-65), the other overnight joint leader, took third place at 23-under 253 following his final round of 67.

Kshitij Naveed Kaul (63), teenager Kartik Singh (64) and former PGTI No. 1 Veer Ahlawat (65) took joint fourth place at 22-under 254.

Akshay Sharma, the leader on the first two days, finished tied seventh at 21-under 255 along with Mohd Azhar.

"I’m very excited about winning my very first event on the DP World PGTI," Jhared said in a release.

"I’m proud of all the work I’ve done behind the scenes that has helped me raise my game. I’m now looking forward to playing in all the different courses and conditions in India as I’ve heard a lot about the variety that India has to offer in terms of the courses and weather conditions.

"I had an outstanding week as I played some brilliant iron shots and wedge shots. Today the two standout moments for me were the two eagles on the eighth and 12th that helped me calm down. I produced my best shot of the tournament on the par-4 12th where I drove the green and left myself a four-feet eagle conversion." PTI ATK AH AH