Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: April 01, 2024, 00:30 IST
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Keita Nakajima of Japan selected to concentrate on the European tour as an alternative of a smaller American circuit and made the choice repay Sunday when he closed with a 1over 73 to win the Hero Indian Open.
NEW DELHI: Keita Nakajima of Japan selected to concentrate on the European tour as an alternative of a smaller American circuit and made the choice repay Sunday when he closed with a 1-over 73 to win the Hero Indian Open.
Nakajima had a two-shot result in begin the ultimate spherical at DLF Golf and Country Club and made 4 birdies within the opening eight holes. That stretched his result in 9 photographs, after which it was solely a matter of ending. He shot 40 on the again 9 and nonetheless gained by 4 for his first European tour title.
“The win definitely gives me a lot of confidence in myself and hoping now to take what I did this week and turn it into even more wins in the future,” Nakajima stated.
Nakajima, whose 87 weeks as No. 1 within the World Amateur Golf Ranking are greater than anybody, gained for the fourth time within the final 10 months. The different three have been on the Japan Golf Tour final 12 months and enabled him to win the Order of Merit.
Finishing as No. 1 in Japan gave the 23-year-old Nakajima a European tour card, together with standing on the Korn Ferry Tour, which feeds the PGA Tour. The victory strikes him to No. 13 within the Race to Dubai, and No. 9 amongst those that don’t have already got PGA Tour standing.
The main 10 gamers after the season get PGA Tour playing cards.
Veer Ahlawat of India (71), Sebastian Soderberg of Sweden (67) and American Johannes Veerman (67) tied for second.
No one had a severe likelihood at successful the best way Nakajima began, and his solely frustration was the best way he completed. He took double bogey on the 14th gap, bounced again with a birdie, after which closed with three straight bogeys.
Nakajima completed on 17-under 271.
“There were a number of tough holes on the back and I was frustrated with my play finishing with three consecutive bogies and of course the double bogey,” Nakajima stated. “But fortunately I had a few strokes in the bank which I can credit back to my strong play on the front nine and the earlier rounds this week, so overall very proud of my performance.”
Nakajima is the third Japanese participant to win on the European tour within the final seven months. Rikuya Hoshino gained the Qatar Masters in February, and Ryo Hisatsune gained the French Open final September that helped him get one of many 10 PGA Tour playing cards.
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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf
(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)