Shankar Das Clinches Golconda Masters with Amazing Comeback

Kolkata's Shankar Das pulled off a stunning comeback in the final round to win the Telangana Golconda Masters at the Hyderabad Golf Association. Das, who was tied for third place overnight, posted a dominant final round of 64 to secure a three-shot victory and claim his eighth professional title.

Kolkata-based professional Shankar Das' astounding birdie spree on the front nine turned the tournament on its head in the final round, earning him a spectacular three-shot win at the Telangana Golconda Masters, held at the Hyderabad Golf Association (HGA). Overnight, Das was tied for third, two shots off the lead, but his fiery last round of 64 allowed him to outplay the competition and secure his eighth professional title, ending a seven-year victory drought.

Das (70-64-64-64), the 2014 PGTI Order of Merit champion, went 53 holes without a bogey during the week and totaled 18-under 262 for the tournament. His victory earned him a prize cheque of Rs 15 lakh, elevating him from 42nd to 14th in the 2024 PGTI Ranking. Chandigarh's Angad Cheema (68-63-65-69), who was the overnight joint leader by two shots, finished runner-up at 15-under 265 after carding a fourth-round 69. Cheema's performance secured him a fourth-place ranking on the PGTI leaderboard.

Gurugram's Veer Ahlawat (68) secured third place at 14-under 266, further solidifying his lead in the PGTI Order of Merit. Das registered one of the most memorable come-from-behind victories of his career, rising from tied 67th after the first round to deliver three consecutive scores of 64.

In his final round, Das began with seven birdies on the front nine, thanks to precision wedge play and solid putting. His eight-feet birdie on the 13th nearly sealed his victory. Despite bogeys on the 16th and 18th, his five-shot lead was unassailable. "It was an incredible day for me," said an emotional Das, crediting his hard work, recovery from injury, and support from his new caddie, Debashish, for his success.

Cheema couldn't keep up with Das on day four, his eagle and four birdies undone by three bogeys and a double-bogey. Delhi's Shamim Khan produced a hole-in-one on the ninth hole during his final round of 62, the day's lowest score, ending tied for 10th at 10-under 270 alongside Sri Lanka's N Thangaraja (74). Hyderabad's Mohd Azhar (72) finished tied 29th at five-under 275.

(With inputs from agencies.)