Om Prakash Chouhan bags third title, Khalin Joshi is runner-up

Om Prakash Chouhan of Mhow posted a brilliant three-under 67 in the final round to register his third title triumph by two strokes at the J&K Bank PGTI Pahalgam Masters here today.
Chouhan totalled 19-under 261 on a bright and sunny day at the Lidder Valley Golf Course here. Khalin Joshi of Bangalore finished runner-up at 17-under 263.
Chouhan (65-64-65-67), the overnight leader by two strokes, consolidated on his lead with two birdies on the first three holes courtesy an excellent drive on the first and a chip-in on the third.
He came up with another immaculate approach on the eighth to set up a birdie and emerge as the firm favourite. The 27-year-old from Madhya Pradesh then had a couple of hiccups as he dropped shots after lip-outs on the 11th and 14th.

However, he came back strongly with two long birdie putts on the 16th and 18th to win the first ever event at the heavenly Lidder Valley Golf Course.
"I'm delighted to win my first title in almost two years. After an excellent 2012 season, I had a relatively poor run in 2013. I had had two top-10s this year and knew that I was getting close to a win. The loss in a playoff earlier this year was a big disappointment. The win has rejuvenated me and helped me set new goals for myself," said Chouhan, who has now climbed to fourth position on the PGTI's Rolex Rankings.

He added, "I dedicate this win to my six-month-old daughter Ishika. My next goal is to earn a card on the Asian Tour through the qualifying school."

Khalin (65-66-67-65) runner-up finish was his best result of the year. The 21-year-old made seven birdies and two bogeys in his final round of 65, to move up four places from his overnight tied sixth position.
Gurgaon-based professionals Shubhankar Sharma and Arshdeep Tiwana shared third place at 16-under-264.
Jyoti Randhawa was a further shot back in tied fifth along with Delhi's Shamim Khan, Shankar Das of Kolkata and Kapurthala lad Ashbeer Saini.
Reigning Rolex Rankings champion Rashid Khan of Delhi secured ninth place at 14-under-266.

Sri Lankan Anura Rohana produced the tournament's joint best single round score of seven-under-63 to claim tied 13th place at 12-under-268.