Aman Raj emerges victorious at PGTI's Gujarat Open Golf Championship

Patna’s 27-year-old golfer Aman Raj claimed the Gujarat Open 2023 title, part of the PGTI. He ended up with a score of 11 under 277 at the Kalhaar Blues & Greens Golf Club in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

Raj began his campaign on a positive note, scoring 66 in the opening round followed by 68 and 70. However, on the final day, he could only manage one-over 73, but it was still enough to win the trophy. With Saturday’s win, Aman Raj moved to the second position from 11th in the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings.

Bengaluru-based rookie Aryan Roopa Anand (71-69-69-69), finished a creditable second at 10-under 278. Anand also moved up from 23rd to sixth spot in the PGTI’s merit list.

Other competitors at the Gujarat Open 2023

Gujarat golfer Anshul Patel (66-71-67-76) shot a fourth round of 76 on the final day of the Gujarat Open to end tied third with eight-under 280. He held that position along with Faridabad’s Abhinav Lohan (70-72-70-68).

Aman Raj, the overnight joint leader along with Anshul Patel, had a poor start with bogeys on the first two holes, but shot a birdie on the 12th.

“I missed a number of birdie opportunities, not hitting it close to the pins, but I made a lot of good two-putts and hung in there,” the Patna golfer said. “I was expecting three to four birdies in the final round but then I just told myself to keep the lead till the end and not make any errors.”

Anand, who was overnight third and five shots off the lead, shot six birdies and three bogeys on the final day, to gain another top-notch result at the Gujarat Open.

Abhinav Lohan’s 68 was the best round of the day and saw him rise from tied seventh to tied third. Anshul Patel, on the other hand, slipped two spots from his overnight joint lead.

Delhi’s Sachin Baisoya, who finished tied 17th at two-over 290, continues to lead the TATA Steel PGTI Rankings. Ahmedabad’s Varun Parikh closed the week tied at 24th with a six-over 294, while Noida-based 15-year-old Aarav D Shah was the best-performing amateur. The Australian national ended tied 48th at 13-over 301.