Randhawa edges Chowrasia in playoff for Indian Open victory

India's Jyoti Randhawa claimed his first Asian Tour title in two years with a playoff victory against compatriot Shivshankar Chowrasia in the Indian Open on Monday.
The 2000 champion and European Tour regular sank a two-foot birdie putt on the second playoff hole, the par-five 18th, after the duo had failed to break the deadlock at the first attempt on Sunday before play was halted due to poor light.
"I could hardly sleep last night," a relieved Randhawa told reporters. "I had butterflies in my stomach. Winning my national title will boost my confidence."
The 34-year-old Randhawa led by a stroke from Asian tour rookie Chowrasia entering the final round, before the duo tied veteran compatriot Vijay Kumar at 18-under on the par-72 course after drama on the last three holes.
Chowrasia was three-under par over the last four holes, while Kumar registered the eighth birdie of his round on the final hole for a six-under 66. Randhawa then needed to birdie the 18th just to make the playoff after he three-putted for bogey on the 16th to lose the lead.
On the first playoff hole, Randhawa missed a four-foot birdie putt for victory, after Kumar had withdrawn when his drive found the bushes to the right of the fairway and he lost the ball.
"I thought that was the winning putt and my mind went blank," he said on Monday. "I should have kept my focus." Chowrasia and Kumar tied for second while England's Simon Dyson, a winner on the European Tour, was fourth, a stroke behind at 17-under.
India's Mukesh Kumar and Thailand's Prom Meesawat were tied for fifth, five strokes behind with Korean Suk Jong-yul, Australian Unho Park and Indian Gaurav Ghei locked together in seventh place, a further stroke adrift.
Chowrasia, 28, who honed his skills at the Calcutta Golf Club where his father is a green-keeper, was delighted to continue his impressive effort on the Asian Tour. "I'm very happy," he said. "I want to use this money to play more often on the tour. "I want to find a coach now. Eventually I want to play on the Japanese Tour."