Viraj Madappa
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2018
Maiden Asian title
R Satya, Madappa wins maiden Asian title, August 13, 2018: The Times of India
From: R Satya, Madappa wins maiden Asian title, August 13, 2018: The Times of India
Becomes Youngest Indian To Achieve Feat
Young Viraj Madappa couldn’t have chosen a better place to announce his arrival on the big stage. In front of a goodly Sunday crowd, in excess of 2500, and in a quality field, the 20-year-old came up with a sensational four-under 67 under pressure on the final day to annex his maiden Asian tour title at the KGA here.
Starting two shots behind leader Miguel Caraballo and playing catchup with his partner Scott Vincentthe highest-ranked pro in the field — Madappa hardly looked ruffled. Vincent’s meltdown on the greens may have played a part, but the 20-year-old came up with the goods on his favourite back nine to score a brilliant twoshot victory in the $350,000 TAKE Solutions Masters.
On a blustery day, Madappa’s gritty closing 67 saw him finish with an impressive tournament tally of 16-under 268 to become the youngest Indian to win on the Asian Tour at 20 years and nine months, bettering Gaganjeet Bhullar’s record of 21 years and three months.
Vincent’s (68) two three-putted bogeys – on the 13th and 16th holes – saw him finish in a tie for the second spot with Thai pro Danthai Boonma (70) with a total of 14-under 270.
“I’m really surprised, it hasn’t really sunk in yet and I’m feeling a lot of emotions, I don’t know what to say,” said the Kolkatan who shifted base to Bengaluru two years ago. It was only his 10th start on the Asian Tour and his first was at the same event last year.
The focus was on homeboy Khalin Joshi (72) for the good part of the day, the big crowd hoping he would work his third-round magic again. That seemed to suit Madappa fine, but he had his academy boys and girls rooting for him.
By the time Khalin took the turn, he was effectively out of the reckoning at nine-under. When Vincent made his charge on the 10th with a stunning eagle after driving the green and holing a monstrous 60-footer to emerge the sole leader at 15-under, and Madappa holed his birdie putt to climb to 13-under, quite a few in the crowd shifted allegiance.
Madappa didn’t disappoint the big crowd. He holed a short putt on the11th , but Vincent too picked up a shot to stay two shots ahead. He saved par on the 12th after going right but three-putted the 13th hole to see his lead dwindle down to one shot with five holes still to go. Both had a chance to birdie the 14th , but the Zimbabwean holed a 10-footer on the 15th to put the pressure on Madappa. The youngster took up the challenge and sank an eight-footer to stay within striking distance.
The lead changed hands decisively on the 16th , which Vincent three-putted after his downhill first putt went six feet past the pin and then missed the line altogether. Madappa, who had nailed the pin, holed a simple four-footer to go ahead for the first time. The youngster had a chance to widen the lead but missed a 13-footer on the penultimate hole. But the lead did widen when Vincent dropped a shot.
Two shots ahead, Madappa celebrated with a huge drive on the closing hole and went right of the green with his second and settled for a par to take home the winner’s cheque for $63,000.
